October Block Lotto: Side Stripe

Due: Bring your blocks to the November 24 event

Techniques and concepts: Two-at-a-time HSTs and trimming HSTs

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

 

We’ll follow the colour suggestions for the original block. If you follow the instructions on the MQG site, please cut two additional 1” x 8-1/2” strips so that you end up with two blocks. You can also follow the instructions below, which include a couple of extra tips.

Fabrics and cutting

Background fabric

Choose a white or a very light colour, in either a solid or near-solid.

• Cut 2 squares, 7-½” x 7-½”

Other fabrics 

Choose an assortment of bright colours. Ideally, each of these pieces is a different colour because we’re going for a bright and scrappy look.

• Cut 2 squares, 7 ½” x 7 ½”
• Cut 4 strips, 1” x 8 ½”

Steps

1. On the wrong side of the two light squares, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. 
   
   
2. Pair a white square and bright square, right sides together. Sew ¼” away from each side of the marked line. Repeat for second set of squares.
   
   
   
     
3. Cut along the marked line, creating two half-square triangles (HSTs). Press seams towards the darker fabric. Do not trim. (Repeat for other square)
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Place a quilt ruler along the diagonal seam of one HST. Cut across the light side, 1 ¼” from the seam. (Repeat for other squares)
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   
5. Align one of the 1” x 8 ½” strips along the cut edge. To align the pieces, fold them in half and mark the centre point by pressing it with your fingernail or marking it with a pin. (Repeat for other squares)
   
   

   

   (Sorry for the continuity error here - I switched to the other set of squares for the rest of the photos)

   
   
6. Sew the seam and then press it towards the strip. (Repeat for other squares) 
   
   
   
7. Use the same technique to mark the centre of the edge of the strip and the centre of an offcut triangle. 
   
   
   
8. Stitch together and then press the seam towards the strip. (Repeat for other squares)
9. Trim the HST units to 6 ½” square. When trimming, take care to place the 45-degree line on your ruler along the centre seam of the HST. 
   
   
   
10. Sew two HST units together, matching the strips and background fabric edges. Press the seam to one side.



At this point, you should have two blocks that measure 12-1/2” x 6-1/2”. 

If you win the blocks, see the instructions on the MQG site for a suggestion on how to assemble and finish the quilt.