Sampler Quilt along block 5 and 6

It’s been a month already!

time to do another 2 blocks for this quilt along.

The first one we’re doing this monkey wrench block

BUT I’m showing you a few different color combinations

So you have to decide HOW you want it to go together

I’ll give cutting directions for the first 2 colored one

the pieces go from A – D from outside and inward.

Read thru before cutting!

For A cut 3 7/8” squares, cut in half diagonally to make triangles, cut 8 of blue and white (so 4 squares of each)

For B cut 4 1/4” squares, cut diagonally TWICE, cut 8 of blue and white

(so 2 squares of each)- may want to cut these first if cutting a WOF strip.

for C cut 2 3/8” squares, cut diagonally to make triangles, cut 8 of each blue and white ( so 4 squares of each)

for D cut 1 1/2” squares, 8 of each blue and white.

– I was able to cut everything from 1 WOF strip that was 4 1/4” wide and I have about 3” left over from the strip–

If you are doing one with 4 colors you need 4 of each shape A – D

For my bright colored quilt I chose 4 fabrics for the winter one I chose blue and white

Here’s the pieces cut out

As always I like to lay out my pieces to visually see what the blocks will look like

Start sewing from the middle by sewing the 4 patch units, press seams open

Place the 4 patch in the middle to make sure it’s going in the right direction, you want the colors to swing out in a clockwise motion

When adding the triangles, I fold one in half and score it with a finger nail and place that right on the middle seam.

Also the triangle fabric always matches what’s on the block on the LEFT side.

(white triangle on top with the white square on the left on the patch behind it)

I chain piece as much as possible and here I did opposite sides together, so I did all the blocks on ONE side first (used a leader and ender in between) then cut the threads and continued on the opposite side with a new leader and ender left in the machine.

Press toward new triangle

Continue around, the 2nd row you match the scoring line with the middle of the dog ears and double check that the bottom point in straight overlapping the four patch

Cut away the dog ears AFTER sewing the next piece on, IF using a light colored fabric.

4 units are done

Each measures 6 1/2”

Now lay these out how you want them in the block

and sew them together

2 totally different looks!

The 2nd block is this pinwheel strip block!

Take 2 sheets of paper and cut out 7” squares

Pick 1 fabric for the background, I like to use a large patterned fabric.

Cut out (2) 7” squares as well

now it’s scrap time!!

Cut out several strips in different widths and lengths, from 1” wide to max 2” wide ( some pieces just need to be at least 10” long)

Place one long strip right side UP on a diagonal on one piece of 7” paper and pin in place

Place another strip on top right sides together and matching raw edge on the right side. sew down 1/4” with a SMALL seam allowance (mine is 1.5)

Iron toward the new fabric

Keep adding strips in different widths and lengths as long as they are longer than the paper when ironed

On the corners I like to use scrap triangles from some of the previous blocks

Blocks are all done

Flip over and trim block to 7” like the paper

On the back of the 7” FABRIC draw a line with a frixion pen or erasable chalk pencil down diagonally. I used a directional fabric for one set of blocks so I had the diagonal go the other direction on one of the fabrics

Have one strip block right side UP and the strips go horizontally from side to side and place the 7” fabric on top with the line going vertically up and down.

sew 1/4” on EACH side of the line again with a small seam allowance

Cut blocks in half ON the drawn line and remove paper

Iron toward the single fabric

Now square off the blocks to be 6 1/2” I have an easy square ruler that’s 6 1/2” so it’s easy, you can also use a revolving cutting mat. line up the diagonal line on the ruler with the seam line and trim