Brought to you by the WWQP

Block of the Month II

May - 6" Block

 True Blue

Fabric

The True Blue block uses two different fabrics.

 One focus fabric

 One background fabric


Cutting the fabric

This block requires:

 one 2-1/2" square of background fabric
 one 2-7/8 x 5-3/4 rectangle of focus fabric
 one 2-7/8 x 5-3/4 rectangle of background fabric
 one strip of focus fabric 1-1/2" wide and at least 13" long
 one strip of focus fabric 1-1/2" wide and at least 13" long


 Piecing the block

 1) Sew the 1-1/2" wide strip of focus fabric to the 1-1/2" strip of background fabric using a scant 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seam toward the darker fabric.
 2) With a rotary cutter, straighten one edge the sewn together strips. Then cut eight 1-1/2" wide x 2-1/2" tall rectangles from the sewn strips.
 3) Take two of the rectangles from Step 2 and piece together as shown. Press seam allowance toward the left. Repeat with the remaining Step 2 units. The completed squares should measure 2-1/2".
 4) Place the two 2-7/8" x 5 -/4" rectangles with right sides together, lightest of the two fabrics on top. Lightly draw a straight line 2-7/8" from the short edge dividing the rectangle in half and forming two squares. Then draw two diagonal lines through the center of the two squares as shown.

Instead of drawing on your fabric, you can also use Easy Piecing Triangle Templates.

 5) Still holding the two rectangles together, sew a 1/4" away from the diagonal line on both sides.

6) Cut the rectangles apart on the drawn lines creating four half square triangle components. Press the seams to the darker fabric. The finished units should measure 2-1/2".
 7) Take one of the units completed in Step 3 and two of the units completed in Step 6 and piece together as shown to completed the top row of the quilt block. Repeat with one more of the Step 3 units and the two remaining Step 6 units to completed the bottom row of the block. Press the seam allowances toward the Step 3 units. The completed rows should measure 2-1/2" x 6-1/2".
 8) Take two of the units completed in Step 3 and the 2-1/2" square of background fabric and piece together as shown to complete the center row of the block. Press the seam allowances away from the center toward the Step 3 units. The completed row should measure 2-1/2" x 6-1/2".
 9) Take the rows completed in Step 7 and the center row completed in Step 8 and piece together as shown to complete the True Blue quilt block. Press the seam allowances toward the center row. The completed quilt block should measure 6-1/2" square which includes a 1/4" seam allowance on all sides.

WWQP Quilt Coloring Book page for the True Blue Block

© Susan E Traudt 1999
 World Wide Quilting Page * Block of the Month II