Tag: using bonus half square triangles

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Build a block

Build a Block: Hovering Hawks

Just a few more weeks of inspirations from this book, I promise! This week I am presenting the Hovering Hawks block. This block has interesting diagonal movement. Four of them together would look fantastic…maybe for a future scrap quilt. It would also look good in a barn raising setting, if you are familiar with log cabin block setttings. Let’s get to making, shall we?

This block is really all about the contrast of light and dark fabrics. It is great for scrap busting! I am still using up those bonus half square triangles. Here is the link to the related YouTube video on my channel. Also, the printable cutting chart including various sizes is at the bottom of this blog.

This is the version of the block that I originally layed out in my YouTube video back in October of 2023. I tried to cram so much into that episode!

This version uses 2 1/2″ blocks: 6 dark blocks and 10 light/dark half square triangles. The block finishes at 8 1/2″. I start by laying out the dark blocks like pictured below:

Then I add in the half square triangles in the correct orientation. Half of the units (looking at the light part of the block), point to the lower left of the block. The others (again, looking at the light portion of the block) point to the upper right.

Here I changed the center two blocks with some beautiful batik fabric scraps. I think the visual interest here is better.

Recently, I have been sewing blocks in quadrants or fourths. This block does not work for that method…but it does work for assembling by halves! Here the halves are stacked and ready to speed sew:

In each row, I pressed to one side. The following row, I pressed in the opposite direction. Pressing open is always an option, too. You decide.

Half block reveal!

Turn one of the halves in a 180 degree turn…sew together. Yes, it is just that easy.

I pressed all the rows going in the same direction after I assembled the rows. Life should always be this easy!

Here is the version using 1 1/2″ blocks:

I love these little things!

Same layout!

Now with the half square triangles!

Stack to speed piece as half blocks…

Assemble like the bigger block.

Here they are…tah-da…tah-done!

The contrast in this one is so good…I just have to admire it for a moment longer! AAAhhhh! So cute!

I just have to share a nature picture. I do love redbud!

I hope you enjoy making this block. If you have comments, please go to the video mentioned at the top and leave comments there. When I turn on comments here I get adds for Russian viagra and other “stuff”…Oh, my!

Here is the cutting chart I promised. It should be printable…and it is FREE!

Have a great week! Thank you for reading my blog! The next blog will be a mini quilt show with my commentary! (At least you will get some eye candy! I will mostly tell you why I was compelled to take a picture of those quilts…see you then!)

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Build a block

Build a Block: Super Bear Paw

I love block books that do not have set measurements for the blocks. This old EQ book fits the bill!

I only made this block in one size because the proportions are perfect just the way they are. The video showing block assembly can be found here. The cutting chart is at the end of this post.

Here is the basic layout of the block:

In this version each paw has different claws:

After the initial layout, I move the blocks into one pile…a pile of quadrant blocks…that can be speed pieced.

I speed pieced the sets of claws…adding the corner square to the top row. I pressed seams open to reduce bulk.

I add the side claws to one of the 3 1/2″ blocks. Speed piece all four blocks.

After pressing to the large block, I add the “top” row of claws to all four blocks.

I also prepare the center row by sewing two of the sashing pieces to the center block. Press towards the center block.

Sew two of the super bear paw units to the center sashing to create a top and bottom row. Press towards the sashing.

Join the rows to finish the block…tah-done!

Here is the cutting chart:

To print, you may have to save the page to your device first.

I hope that you are enjoying this build a block series!

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Build a block quilting scraps sewing

Build a Block: Wedding Ring

It’s that time of the week! Time to make another block!

I know this block as Wedding Ring, but the EQ5 book that inspired me called it Odd Scraps Patchwork.  It is a 5 by 5 block.

The video that shows step by step assembly can be viewed here on YouTube. 

 

Here is the “rough copy” from my video from back in October. I showed the block layed out, but never sewed it.

For this block, you will need:

16 (bonus) half square triangles, 5 darks, and 4 lights. These blocks should all be the same size. The ones shown below are the 2 1/2″ blocks. The picture below shows all seams pressed open for ease of assembly.

Here is the completed block. It finishes at 10 1/2″. Love those colorful birds!

Here is a smaller 5 1/2 inch version made with 1 1/2″ blocks.

Again, all seams are pressed open.

Here are both examples the 10 1/2″ and the 5 1/2″. As you can see in the picture below, it changes the look of the block when it is on point. (I didn’t notice this until I sat down and started typing the text than went with this post!)

Now for the cutting charts I have been promising:

The cutting chart above is printable, but you will need to download it and save it in your downloads file first.

I hope you enjoy making this great scrappy block! Please contact me on facebook or at my gmail account. Comments have been turned off because I am not interested in black market viagra!

Have a great day!

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Build a block scraps sewing

Build a Block: Lady of the Lake

This block is constructed from two sizes of half square triangles. I used all bonus half square triangles for the layout below. It finishes at 6 1/2″.

Here is the video presentation of the block construction.

As you can see, I still have a large amount of trimmed bonus half square triangle blocks just waiting for a block.

Today I am making a new center block. I have a project in mind for a Lady of the Lake block.

As you have seen in some of my YouTube videos, I love sunsets at the lake…any lake. The center of my block is going to be that! A sunset on a lake.

Both of these fabrics are directional. I want my sunset and my waves parallel to each other.

Perfect fabrics for my vision! These are 5 inch squares. My half square triangles will finish at 4 1/2 inches. I am making two blocks because I am making two of the same project that I have in mind.

To make sure that my fabrics are going the correct direction, I audition them together…not quite it!

Perfect!

When I unfold the sunset fabric, I notice that it is perpendicular to the wave fabric. When they are sewn on the diagonal, they will be perfect.

After I place the fabric right sides together, I draw my diagonal line. Sew a scant quarter of an inch on both sides of the line.

Cut on the line. Press to one side. Trim to 4 1/2″.

Lay out the block. Make sure that all of the small half square blocks are going the same direction. Notice the dark half is in the upper right corner the entire way around the block.

I sew the smaller half square triangles in rows…top and bottom first.

Then I sew the sides next.

After each section, I lay it back out on my design board. It is very easy to reverse pieces…so I double check after each section.

Holding this design board up to photograph it makes the sections look crooked, but they are not. Add the sides first, then the top and bottom.

Here it is! One block finished! I think it is worth dealing with the smaller pieces to get this beautiful block, don’t you?

Here is the second version of this block. I didn’t have quite enough of the teal blocks, so I threw in some other blues and grays. It will work beautifully in the project that I have in mind!

Here are the cutting charts for this block. The top chart is for using trimmed and made bonus half square tringle pieces. The bottom chart is for construction of pairs of half square triangles before assembling the pieces. Please read carefully. Ask in comments if you have any questions.

I love the boldness of this block. It is a great way to use up the smallest of the half square bonus blocks. Give it a try! You won’t be disappointed!

What blocks are you making to use those bonus half square triangles? I would love to see them! My Facebook group allows you to post pictures and share…Come on over!

Later,

Lorrie