Its a beautiful summer weekend, and I am so happy to announce that we are on Block 6 (halfway through) our Patches of Blue Quilt Along!
Especially to my husband Michael to whom the “Patches of Blue” book is dedicated to, Happy Father’s Day Sweetheart!
“Shimmering Snow” from page 85 is the next block that we will be working on.
This month you’ll need: 1 blue fat eighth 1 light fat eighth
I love how this “Shimmering Snow” quilt makes our guest room so light and welcoming.
We will be making 1 block, you need to cut:
Blue Fabric 8 small squares 2 medium squares (for quarter square triangles) 1 large square
Light Fabric 4 small squares 2 medium squares (for quarter square triangles) 8 rectangles 4 corner squares
First we need to make 4 quarter square triangle units (Step A in book directions). There are 2 different ways yo make these, I would like to take a few minutes to show you both. Let’s begin making 2 with the traditional way, and then we’ll make 2 with an alternate method.
Select 2 medium squares 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″.
Place them on top of each other and cut twice diagonally to make 4 triangles.
Separate the pieces and layout 2 quarter square triangle units as shown above. Check your color position to ensure it is correct.
Join 1 dark and 1 light triangle together. I like chain sewing, always keep your light fabric on the top and dark on the bottom, right sides of fabric together.
Press open, pushing the seam allowence toward the dark triangle.
Place two halves right sides together, lock the seams, pin in place, and stitch.
Press all seams in one direction.
Trim block to a 2-3/4″ square.
You have just make 2 quarter square triangle units!
Let’s get started on the second option to make quarter square triangles. Take the remaining 3-1/2″ squares, place them right sides together and draw a diagonal line across the square with a pencil.
Sew on each side of the pencil line using a 1/4″ seam allowance (I like to keep my 1/4″ shy).
Cut on the line.
You just make 2 half square triangle units!
Place these half square triangles on top of each other, right sides together, matching light to dark triangles.
Next draw a diagonal line across the unit.
Pin units together and again sew on each side of the pencil line using a 1/4″ seam allowance (I keep my 1/4″ shy).
Cut on the pencil line.
Open the center seam and press all seams in one direction.
Trim quarter square triangle units to 2-3/4″.
You just made 4 quarter square triangle units and learned two different techniques!
Select 8 light rectangles and 8 small blue squares.
Place dark square on top of light rectangle – right sides together. Draw a diagonal line across the dark square as shown by ruler above. you will draw 4 lines to the left and 4 lines to the right, when preparing all 8 pieces.
Stitch directly on pencil line (not beside it like previous steps).
Trim 1/4″ away from stitched line as shown.
Press units open.
Select 1 large square in blue and 4 small light squares.
Place 4 small squares right sides together in each corner of large square. Draw a diagonal; line on each light square as shown above.
Stitch directly on pencil line, then trim with 1/4″ away from the stitch as shown above.
Press open to form a triangle on each corner of the square.
Layout your block as shown above.
Start by joining side units, make 4.
Sew your block into 3 rows.
Sew rows together.
Trim block to 10-3/4″ x 10-3/4″ finished size.
Your “Shimmering Snow” block is so cute, you’ll want to display and enjoy it right away!
But it is not yet ready for our sampler, we need to add a little sashing around it to fit in the quilt. I have a 1-1/2″ strip leftover from my new “Something Blue” collection. You can use any leftover 1-1/2″ light strip that you have in your stash. the strip is a bit bigger than we need, but this will allow us to trim the finished block the the exact size once it is pressed.
Add 1-1/2″ x 10-3/4″ strips to the top and bottom of your block, sew and press. Then add 1-1/2″ x 12-3/4″ strips to the left and right sides of your block, sew and press.
Trim your finished block to 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″.
Happy Quilting, I look forward to our next time together!
I am so proud of you! Be sure to post pictures of your block on Instagram and Facebook with hashtag #patchesofblue so I can enjoy them with you!
Edyta