It's been an awesome 3 weeks learning to make strip panels
and getting our 1/4" seam allowances to perfection! I knew you could do it!
This week, I have a wonderful challenge for you that will open your eyes to many
new possibilities when creating amazing designs. I know this will be a little more involved
than our other blocks, but do not shy away from the work - stick with it!
You'll come out learning fun block building methods.
Watch your blocks grow as we cut and sew!
Below is all the information you need to prepare before joining me on our YouTube Channel for step by step instructions.
For Block 4, you will need:
(These notions are just my recommendations)
• Fabrics (6 light/medium/dark and 1 light background)
• Aurifil Thread – 2370 recommended
• Olfa Rotary and Blades
Edyta’s Tip: Always have a stash of fresh blades for your rotary and remember to change yours often. for the cleanest cuts.
• Sewline Fabric Pencil, Best Press, Pins, scissors, and fresh Microtex Needles 70/10
Block 4A Block 4B Block 4C Block 4D
We will be making 20 total Block 4s:
4 Block 4As, 8 Block 4Bs, 4 Block 4Cs, and 4 Block 4Ds
Begin by cutting strips from 6 light/medium/dark fabrics and squares from 1 light background fabric:
6" Finished Block
• 1 Light Fabric - 4 strips 1¾" x WOF
• 1 Light Fabric - 4 strips 1½" x WOF
• 2 Medium Fabrics - 4 strips for each fabric 1½" x WOF
• 1 Dark Fabric - 4 strips 1½" x WOF
• 1 Dark Fabric - 4 strips 1¾" x WOF
• 1 Light Background Fabric - 1 strip 7" x WOF cut into 4 sqaures (7" x 7")
NOTE: Because I want to give us a little trimming room, I have rounded the number to 7" instead of 6⅞". Believe me, you're going to be so glad you have a tiny bit of extra room to trim!
9" Finished Block
• 1 Light Fabric - 4 strips 2¼" x WOF
• 1 Light Fabric - 4 strips 2" x WOF
• 2 Medium Fabrics - 4 strips for each fabric 2" x WOF
• 1 Dark Fabric - 4 strips 2" x WOF
• 1 Dark Fabric - 4 strips 2¼" x WOF
• 1 Light Background Fabric - 1 strip 10" x WOF cut into 4 sqaures (10" x 10")
NOTE: Because I want to give us a little trimming room, I have rounded the number to 10" instead of 9⅞". Believe me, you're going to be so glad you have a tiny bit of extra room to trim!
Cut each strip in half on fold.
Arrange your strips in color order following the image above.
Place your 1¾" strips on the outside of your panel. For 9" finished block, place your 2¼" strips on the outside of your panel.
Place your fabric strips right sides together and pin into 3 sets of two strips.
Note: Since we are creating a strip panel, it is important to use smaller stitch lengths.
Sew sets of two into a full panel of 6 strips. Your panel should be no smaller than 7" width.
(If it's slightly wider, that's okay, we will trim that later on.)
Repeat steps for a total of 8 panels 7" x 21".
For 9" finished block, you will make 8 panels 10" x 21".
Important Note: For 4 panels, you will push the seam allowances towards the light strip, and
with the other 4 panels, you will push your seam allowance towards the dark strip.
This is an important step so that later on your seams will lock when piecing together.
Out of your panels, cut 16 squares 7" x 7".
(8 with seam allowance going towards the dark and 8 with seam allowance going towards the light.)
For 9" finished block, cut 16 squares 10" x 10". (8 with seam allowance going towards the dark and 8 with seam allowance going towards the light.)
Start with squares from the panels thats seam allowances were pushed towards the dark fabric.
We will cut HST from 7" squares.
Now with your squares from the panels thats seam allowances were
This is how your HST cuts should look.
You should have 8 of each HST shown above.
You are halfway through - now the fun begins as we assemble our panel HSTs into blocks!
Arrange 2 HST with the light outside strips as shown above to create 8 Block 4Bs.
Make 8 Block4Bs.
Notice how nicely your seam allowances have nested together!
Repeat the steps to create 4 Block 4A with the dark outside strips.
Make 4 Block4As. Set to the side 4 sets of 2 for later step.
Press your seam allowance open as shown.
Trim to 6½" x 6½".
For 9" finished block, trim to 9½" x 9½".
From 7" light background strip, cut 4 squares 7" x 7", then cut diagonally to create 8 HSTs.
You will be using the remaining panel HSTs to create Blocks 4C and 4D in the next steps.
For 9" finished block, from 10" light background strip, cut 4 squares 10" x 10".
Cut light background squares once diagonally to create 8 HSTs.
Arrange one light background HST and one panel HST.
Place your 6½" Creative Grids ruler on your block, center it up, and trim to 6½" unfinished square.
9" finished Block you will be trimming to 9½" x 9½" unfinished square.
Edyta's Note: I like to position the 45 degree line on the middle seam.
Repeat steps until you have 4 Block 4Cs and 4 Block 4Ds.
You will have a total of 20 Block 4s all together.
4 Block 4As, 8 Block 4Bs, 4 Block 4Cs, and 4 Block 4Ds
I am so proud of you!
I know it was a lot of work, but I knew you could do it!
Our Block 4As, Block 4Bs, Block 4Cs, and Block 4Ds will be positioned
as shown above in our Summer Mystery Quilt 2022 grid.
You have learned so much this week.
Keep going, one stitch at a time!
These are just a few of our fabric options- I can't wait to see what you create!
Happy Quilting!
Edyta
Please remember to share your progress photos to Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook!
Tag us @laundrybasketquilts and use #summermysteryquilt2022.