Due: Our next in-person event, in April
Technique: Fussy-cutting, piecing, and trimming blocks
New to block lotto? Learn about it here
This month, we're making Economy blocks, with a central square that represents something you love.
I absolutely love Economy blocks (sometimes called Square in a Square). They're a traditional block that's easily transformed into something more modern by your choice of fabrics, and they provide a great opportunity for highlighting special fabrics.
For this month's block, pick something special for the center square of the block: fabric that depicts something you love, something that reminds you of a loved one, your favourite colour, a treasured fabric scrap, etc.
Fabrics and cutting
Central square: Cut a 4.5" square. When fussy cutting, it can help to use tape to mark a 4.5" square on a clear ruler or make a template so that you can plan how to cut the square. Remember that 1/4" on each side of the square will be in the seam allowance.
Inner (first round) triangles: Cut 2 squares, each 4-1/4". Then cut the squares in half diagonally.
Outer (second round) triangles: Cut 2 squares, each 5-1/2". Then cut the squares in half diagonally.
Steps
- Mark the center of each side of the square, and the long (cut) side of the triangles.
- Center the long edge of one of the first round triangles with one edge of the square, and stitch. Be careful because the triangles are cut on the bias, so they can be a bit wiggly/stretchy.
- Repeat with the opposite side.
- Press seams towards the triangles.
- Trim the extra flaps of the triangles so that they're even with the centre square.
- Repeat steps 2-4 with the other two inner triangles.
- Trim the seam allowance to 1/4" all around the block. Measure seam allowance from the point on the inner square.
- Repeat the same steps to attach the outer set of triangles, lining up the centre of the long edge of the triangle with the point of the inner square.
- Trim the block so that the outer seam allowance is 1/4". The block should be 8.5 x 8.5".
