Quilter's Challenge

Materials:
1/8 yd of five different fabrics ranging in values from light to dark
basic cutting and sewing supplies

Steps:

1. Determine where light, medium and dark values will go. The lightest values will go in the "C" and "F" sections, the darkest values in the "A", "B", and "E" sections, and a medium or bright in the "D" section.

2. Cutting for one, nine-inch block (9-1/2 inches unfinished). Refer to schematic
(cutting for four blocks)

A one, 3-1/2-inch square (4)
B two, 3-7/8-inch squares, cut diagonally (4)
C two, 3-7/8-inch squares, cut diagonally (4)
D eight, 1-9/16-nch squares (this sounds odd but when you put these on the diagonal this is how it comes out) (32)
E eight, 1-9/16-inch squares (32)
F eight, 2-3/8-inch squares, cut diagonally (32)

3. Stitch B and C triangles together. Press seams toward the darker fabric. Make sixteen.

4. Stitch the D and E squares together in pairs (64). Stitch two units together to make 32 four patches.

7. Arrange the four blocks. Stitch together in two rows. Join row 1 to row 2.

One of the things that I like about this block is the secondary pattern that is created when several are pieced together without the insertion of sashing. I can bring a quilt that I made from antique-looking blacks and creams with an antique gold color in the D squares. It really turned out nice and would show another style of fabric from the red and white. Quilters sometimes need to see different ideas.

Finished size is 18-1/2-inch square.

Materials:

secret layer
center - 11-1/2-inch white print square
border - four prints, each 12-1/2" x 16-1/2" - I cut some of the plaid print across the grain, you will need more if you do this. Cut eighteen 3-1/2-inch squares from each print to make 72 border squares
top layer - 12-1/2-inch red print square
border - two pieces each from two prints, 3-1/2 x 20-1/2 (all cut along the bias grain)
batting - cut 20-1/2" x 20-1/2" (optional)
applique thread - 1 skein of red embroidery floss, 2-1/2-inch length of Ecru DMC 4 Tapestry Cotton
stitching thread - ecru

Steps:

1. On paper, draw a cup and saucer to scale to fit within an 11-1/2-inch square. Cut out the cup and saucer so that the drawing can be used as a template.

2. Cut the secret layer, top layer, border and batting.

6. Secure around the design areas lightly with small safety pins to hold the sandwich together.

9. Turn under, pin and reverse applique the outer edge of the top layer. I tried to give this edge a slightly quirky, curvy look.

12. Trim the block back to 18-1/2-inch square.

Fabric requirements for 1 block (Finished size 18 inches square)
Darkest 1/4 yard
Medium 1/4 yard
Lightest 1/3 yard
Checkered 1/4 yard
Medium Floral for corners 1/8 yard (or just use lightest again)

2. Paper-piece the eight border rectangles and piece them together in pairs.

Cutting:

Background
- Cut four five-inch squares (Redwork Romance fabric 814R) Mark pieces 4E.
- Cut one 10-1/4-inch square then cut diagonally into four (Redwork Romance fabric 814R) Mark pieces 4E.

Star Body
- Cut two 5-3/8-inch squares, then cut each into two triangles, diagonally (Redwork Romance fabric 812R) Mark pieces 2A.
- Cut six 3-1/8-inch squares, then cut each into two triangles, diagonally (Redwork Romance fabric 812R) Mark pieces 1A.
- Cut six 3-1/8-inch squares, then cut each into two triangles, diagonally, (Redwork Romance fabric817R) Mark pieces 1B.
- Cut six 3-1/8-inch squares, then cut each into two triangles diagonally (Redwork Romance fabric 815R) Mark pieces 1C.
- Cut six 3-1/8-inch squares, then cut each into two triangles diagonally (Redwork Romance fabric 813R) Mark pieces 1D.

Steps:

1. Sew one 1A triangle to 1B triangle. Repeat to make 12 triangle squares. Each triangle square should measure 2-3/4-inch square.

2. Add one 1C triangle to the triangle square. Repeat to make 12.

4. Sew one 2A triangle to one pieced triangle unit. Repeat to make 4 pieced triangle squares. Each should measure 5" square.

5. Sew two pieced triangle squares together?repeat with the second set of squares.

6. Sew the two pairs of pieced triangle squares together – to reduce bulk, seam may be pressed open