September Block of the Month - Inspired by Gee's Bend

Block #1 - Celebrating Mary L. Bennett

The quilt that inspired this month’s block, called “Housetop”, was made by Mary L. Bennett, a self taught quilter, circa 1975.  Housetop is a log cabin variation, and instead of a solid centre square, Mary L. Bennett uses alternating dark and light strips for her centre.  Her choice of block layout is interesting as well, alternating horizontal and vertical direction for the centre strips.  For our block of the month, I’ve followed Mary L. Bennett’s lead and used strips for the centre square, maintaining her choice of a dark blue solid.  I’ve paired it with a white solid, and substituted bright orange for one of the blue strips.  The block finishes at 11.5” square.

Fabric requirements

Solids - dark blue, white, bright orange

Cutting

Dark blue solid 

2 - 2”x7” strips

2 - 2”x9” strips

2 - 2”x12” strips

White solid

4 - 1.5”x7” strips

2 - 1.5x9” strips

Bright orange solid 

1 - 2”x7” strip

To make the block:

1. Assemble the 7” strips.  Start with a white 1.5”x7” strip, and alternate with 2”x7” strips (order of 2”x7” strips does not matter).  End with a white strip.

Sew and press.

2.  Sew a 1.5”x9” strip to the top and bottom. Press.

3. Sew a dark blue 2”x9” strip to each side.  Press

Sew a dark blue 2”x12” strip to the top and bottom.  Press.

All done!  The block should measure 12 inches square.