Scrappy But Classy Block Tutorial


Here is a simple tutorial to make this little block - Scrappy But Classy.  It's great for scraps, charm squares or those little bitty bits that you can't bear to throw away.  Together the little bits are sewn into a classy patchy bow tie.  Enjoy!

Finished Block Size:  12"

Cutting Instructions.
  • Cut (18) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares for the nine-patch blocks.
  • Cut (4) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares of the same fabric for the center knot.  (Fabric B)
  • Cut (2) 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" squares of background fabric.  (Fabric A)
Piecing Instructions.

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

1.  Make Nine-Patch units.  Select 9 of the 18 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares for a nine-patch block. Layout the squares as shown below in three horizontal rows.   Sew together each of the rows, alternating the direction the seams are pressed with each row.  Then sew the three rows together.  Make 2 nine-patch blocks.



2.  Stitch and Flip the center knot.  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the Fabric B squares.  Layer a Fabric B square atop a Fabric A square with right sides together.  Stitch on the drawn line. (I actually like to stitch a thread or two toward the corner to allow for squaring up the block after the flip.)  Trim away the excess fabric by cutting 1/4" away from the stitched line as shown.  Flip the triangle open and press toward the triangle.  Make 2.  Repeat the same stitch and flip process with the two nine-patch blocks made in Step 1.  Make 2 also.





3.  Assemble the block.  Layout the blocks as shown below.  Sew together each of the rows, alternating the direction the seams are pressed with each row.  Then sew the two rows together.  That's it!


Sisters' Ten Modern BOM October Block: Aunt Lee's Frame

Sisters Ten BOM 1
The final block!  October's block for the Sisters' Ten Modern Block of the Month Club is a beautiful frame block.  Frame blocks are often used to feature a fussy cut motif and/or to dedicate a quilt.  Aunt Lee's Frame uses Flying Geese and some triangle piecework like we did in August to frame the center square.  

Cutting Instructions.

For 12" blocks.
  • Cut (1) 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" square of Fabric A (background.
  • Cut (2) 3 7/8" x 3 7/8" squares of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (4) 3 7/8" x 3 7/8" squares of Fabric B.
  • Cut (4) 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" square of Fabric C.
  • Cut (4) 2" x 2" square of Fabric D.  
  • Cut (1) 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" of Fabric E.  (See addendum below if using Sisters' Ten Label in the center of a block.)

For 9" blocks.
  • Cut (1) 5 3/4" x 5 3/4" square of Fabric A (background.
  • Cut (2) 3 1/8" x 3 1/8" squares of Fabric A (background).
  • Cut (4) 3 1/8" x 3 1/8" squares of Fabric B.
  • Cut (4) 2" x 2" square of Fabric C.
  • Cut (4) 1 5/8" x 1 5/8" square of Fabric D.  
  • Cut (1) 5" x 5" of Fabric E.  (See addendum below if using Sisters' Ten Label in the center of a block.)
Piecing Instructions.
*Use a scant 1/4" on all seam allowances. See the Scant Rant series for details.

1.  Make No-Waste Flying Geese units using Fabric A and Fabric B.  Use the (1) large Fabric A square and (4) Fabric B squares to make (4) Flying Geese units.  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the Fabric B squares.  Layer two Fabric B squares atop the Fabric A square with right sides together.  The Fabric B squares will overlap slightly.  Sew pairs together, stitching 1/4" on each side of the drawn line.  Cut the pair apart along the drawn line. Press the units open.  

2.  Place another Fabric B square atop the unit from the previous step as shown on the left side of the diagram below.  Sew pairs together, stitching 1/4" on each side of the drawn line.  Cut the pair apart along the drawn line. Repeat with the other unit from step 1.  Press units open to make (4) Flying Geese units. 


Flying Geese are:      3 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished (12" blocks).
                                    2 3/4" x 5" unfinished (9" blocks).

3.  Cut (2) Fabric A squares and (4) Fabric C squares into triangles.  Cut the remaining (2) Fabric A squares into triangles by cutting diagonally across the square.  Repeat for the (4) Fabric C squares.


4.  Assemble Corner Units.  Like the diagram in Step 1 below, place one Fabric C triangle on top of one Fabric D square.  Stitch across the top of the block as shown.  Press the Fabric C triangle up as in Step 2.  Place another Fabric C triangle along the right side of the unit from Step 2, as shown in Step 3.  Stitch across the right side of the unit as shown.  Press the Fabric C triangle to the right as shown in Step 4.

As shown in Step 5, to complete the quadrant, a Fabric A triangle will be sewn to the unit from Step 4. Place the Fabric A triangle directly on top of the Step 4 unit (not shown) and sew along the hypotenuse of the pair. Press the Fabric A triangle open as shown in Step 6.  Repeat for the remaining 3 Corner Units.

5.  Layout the Flying Geese Units, the Corner Units and the Fabric E square as shown below.


6.  Sew each of the three rows together, alternating the direction the seams are pressed.

7.  Sew the three rows together to complete the block.

8.   Make (2) blocks.  They may be identical blocks or made from differing fabrics for a scrappier look.  
Fabric is Alison Glass for Andover, Lucky Penny with background Quilter's Linen in Straw by Robert Kaufman.
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Custom Sisters' Ten Label Instructions

1.  Trim the label down to a 5" x 5" block.  The label itself is 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" finished.  So if you add 1/4" to each side of the label, it will be 5" x 5" unfinished.

For 9" blocks:  You lucky dog!  This is the size you need for your center square.

For 12" blocks:  We will add a border around the label to make the needed 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished size.

2.  Cut (2) 1 1/4" x 5" rectangles of Fabric A (background).
3.  Cut (2) 1 1/4" x 6 1/2" rectangles of Fabric A (background).

4.  Sew the 1 1/4" x 5" rectangles to the left and right sides of the label.
5.  Sew the 1 1/4" x 6 1/2" rectangles to the top and bottom of the unit from the previous step.
6.  Now go use this framed label as your Fabric E square!

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Horsefly Quilt Pattern Release

I am very excited to bring you another quilt pattern to enjoy!  This is Horsefly.  Horsefly originally appeared in the Spring issue of Modern Quilts Unlimited.  It began with the idea to make the classic Shoo-fly block into it's own oversized whole-quilt block.  

Horsefly is the Shoo-fly quilt block on steroids, with the whole quilt finishing around 75" x 75".  In my house, quilts need to be big - either to set a bed, host a picnic, or cover all the kiddos during movies and popcorn.  Horsefly fits the bill.


To make this quilt feel playful, I used Patty Young's Textured Basics line.  I think this quilt would look fantastic in many of the colorful palettes out right now.  I can envision it in some Denyse Schmidt, Alison Glass and Bonnie & Camille prints.  Just lovely!


Gotta love a stripey binding...

This quilt is easy to put together.... the pattern is based around off-centered 4-patch and 9-patch blocks that make up the mosaics of color.  It makes a nice large sized confident beginner's quilt.  Most of the blocks are strip pieced, which makes putting all those mosaics together a snap.

Horsefly Quilt Pattern Highlights: 
  • Includes all cutting and piecing instructions and diagrams to make the quilt
  • Finished size 74 1/2" x 74 1/2"
  • Unfinished block size 7 1/2"
  • Easy strip piecing technique to create 4- and 9-patch blocks
  • Requires 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 yards of various prints
Horsefly Quilt Pattern (PDF) is now available in my shop.

Enjoy!  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!  {annemarie@genxquilters.com}