Sisters' Ten Block of the Month Background Fabric Cuts

Sisters Ten BOM 1
Before we cut too deep into our background fabric, I thought it best to make our large cuts for the negative space in the middle of the quilt.  And while we are at it, we should also set aside the sashing pieces.  This way we can be sure our large cuts are safe and make the best use of leftover pieces of background fabric in other blocks. Actually, we should have done this first, please forgive me.  I am learning too when it comes to running a BOM.  

Cutting Instructions for Sashing and Negative Space.

For 12" blocks.
  • Cut (5) 1 1/2" x 77 1/2" of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (12) 1 1/2" x 12 1/2" of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (2) 12 1/2" x 26 1/2" of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (2) 12 1/2" x 39 1/2" of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (2) 12 1/2" x 40 1/2" of Fabric A (background).

For 9" blocks.
  • Cut (5) 1 1/2" x 59 1/2" of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (12) 1 1/2" x 9 1/2" of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (2) 9 1/2" x 20 1/2" of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (2) 9 1/2" x 30 1/2" of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (2) 9 1/2" x 31 1/2" of Fabric A (background).
{This post is a part of the Sisters' Ten Modern Block of the Month Club.  Sisters' Ten BOM will post new blocks the first Friday of the month in 2013.  Feel free to join in the fun with us anytime throughout the year.}

Sisters' Ten Modern BOM March Block: School Girl's Puzzle

Sisters Ten BOM 1
And we're back with the March block for the Sisters' Ten Modern Block of the Month Club!  This is the block that is featured in the BOM button up there and it is called School Girl's Puzzle.
March - School Girl's Puzzle blog cover


Cutting Instructions.

For 12" blocks.
  • Cut (5) 4 1/8" x 4 1/8" squares of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (2) 4 1/8" x 4 1/8" squares of Fabric B.
  • Cut (3) 4 1/8" x 4 1/8" squares of Fabric C.
  • Cut (2) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares of Fabric C.
  • Cut (4) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square of Fabric D.  
March sisters' ten fabrics

For 9" blocks.
  • Cut (5) 3 3/8" x 3 3/8" squares of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (2) 3 3/8" x 3 3/8" squares of Fabric B.
  • Cut (3) 3 3/8" x 3 3/8" squares of Fabric C.
  • Cut (2) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares of Fabric C.
  • Cut (4) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" square of Fabric D.  


Piecing Instructions.
*Use a scant 1/4" on all seam allowances. See the Scant Rant series for details.

1.  Make Half-Square Triangle (HST) units with Fabric A and Fabric B.  Use (2) Fabric A squares and the (2) Fabric B squares to make (4) total Half-Square Triangle units using the method in this tutorial.  The HSTs should be trimmed down to:
                      12" blocks:  3 1/2" (unfinished size).
                        9" blocks:  2 3/4" (unfinished size).

2.  Make Half-Square Triangle (HST) units with Fabric A and Fabric C.  Use the remaining (3) Fabric A squares and the (3) larger Fabric C squares to make (6) total Half-Square Triangle units using the method in this tutorial.  The HSTs should be trimmed down to: 

                      12" blocks:  3 1/2" (unfinished size).
                        9" blocks: 2 3/4" (unfinished size).

3.  Layout the Half-Square Triangle Units, remaining Fabric C squares and Fabric D squares as shown below.
 
school girls puzzle 1

4.  Sew each of the four rows together, alternating the direction the seams are pressed.
Sisters' Ten BOM March School girls puzzle 2


5.   Sew the rows together and you're done!

Sisters' Ten BOM MarchSchool girls puzzle 3

6.   Make (2) blocks.  They may be identical blocks or made from differing fabrics for a scrappier look.  This month try to think a little more about value when selecting your block fabrics.  As you can see when the blocks are side by side, I chose to give each block a different feel.  Block 1 on the left has a more subtle and understated feel.  Block 2 on the right is loud and pulls your attention.  I also substituted another fabric in the brown center blocks for visual interest in Block 2.  Play with the color a bit.  Sampler quilts often have a lot going on - so sometimes finding a place for the eye to rest can be tricky.  It will be fun to play with the block arrangement later if you have blocks with differing values in them.

sisters' ten March block 1Sisters Ten March Block 2
Fabric is Alison Glass for Andover, Lucky Penny with background Quilter's Linen in Straw by Robert Kaufman.

{simple} patchwork baby quilt finish

simple baby quilt 2

Sometimes it's nice to remember why I started quilting.  For me, it all started with a simple patchwork baby quilt for my firstborn.  A handmade gift.  Granted, a lot has changed in the past 7 years, but returning to those simple roots is still as gratifying as making some complicated paper pieced beast.

Good friends had their third - a girl after 2 boys.  Her arrival gave me the chance to use these Bonnie & Camille Ruby and Bliss charms I had remaining from my Holland Breeze quilt.

Isn't she gorgeous?
simple baby quilt
Sometimes basic is best, I think.