This is the tutorial
for this variation on the plus block. I’ve tried it in solids and prints, and
now you can apply your own creative talents to it and make it your own.
Okay so I might have
been promising to write this up for a year and finally I have overcome all the
monsters-in-the-closet kind of fears and done it! To be honest it probably
wouldn’t have happened at all except that Jen of Dizzy Quilter said she wanted
to make one for her son. I would probably even have toyed with the idea editing
the evidence out.
I asked Jen to test
this tutorial and she’s done just that, with marvelous results.
My biggest fear,
‘what if I get it wrong?’ has a simple answer - I’ll fix it. Just let me know
as politely as you can.
As a quick stat this
block finishes up at 9” square.
I’m going to assume
some knowledge of the process of paper foundation piecing. If you want to give
it a go and haven’t done it before just google it, there are plenty of
tutorials out there.
If I have a tip it’s
to mark the seam allowance in for the first section so you can line the pieces
up and avoid trimming on the first seam.
I have given a
template for the simple 3 square section. It is probably overkill and you can
piece it normally if you choose, just use 31/2” squares if you choose this
option. I’m sure you can work it out how to put that section together for
yourself and you don’t need me over-explaining.
This is what you’ll
need to cut for one block (Fabric B is the background, fabric F is the focus).
I’m generous with my cutting.
·
2-
4” x 4” square fabric B, 1 - 4” x 4” square fabric F (for paper piecing)
·
5 -
4” x 4” square fabric B, 1 - 4” x 7”
fabric F
·
Strips
of fabric F around 1 ½” wide – 6 - 4” x 1 ½” strips and 1 - about 2” x 1 ½”
Follow the piece by
number instructions on the templates.
This section, though,
may have you scratching your head and wondering what’s going on.
It’s for this small
scrap of detail I put in here.
To make it add a
background square at 5(b) and trim ¼” away from the straight and dashed line. Use
the 1 ½” x 2” strip and stitch along the seam line. You don’t need to stitch
the full length since you’ll be trimming to ¼” away from the diagonal line at
the next step.
Press and then trim
¼” away from diagonal line (I know I’ve just repeated myself but this is just
the instruction I wouldn’t be able to find when I look for it halfway
through making a block).
Keep the paper folded while you line up the 4” x 7”
focus fabric strip (I originally saw this tip on We All Sew. It changed my life!).
Then stitch it in place. Press
it, trim it and we’re done with that section.
Complete the other
sections and here’s the placement. As you can see the seams line up between the
top section but not the bottom one. Rest assured you haven’t made it wrong,
it’s supposed to be like that. There should be about 1/8” difference between
the two.
Here’s my remaining
tips
·
Leave
the paper in until after you’ve sewn your sashing on.
·
When
you go to quilt it DO stabilize by outlining the shape first.
If you decide to use
this tutorial please let me know, I would love to see it. If you’re on
Instagram I’m @sevenoaksstreetquilts,
and use #somewhatpositivequilt.
Hope you have fun!
Cheers
Sue
PERMISSIONS: You can
use the quilts you make from this tutorial for private purposes, including
selling them on a small scale (please acknowledge the pattern source). If
anyone is thinking about copying this tutorial and adding it to their own blog
or other internet site and passing it off as their own work (people do that
apparently, not you of course, but others) then don’t!
