Happy June Days to All!

June is one of my favorite months.  Most of the time I can have the windows open to enjoy the breeze. And, there's so much going on it's hard to know which way to turn.  I suspect you’re all super busy these days, too.  I had these blocks made about three weeks ago and only now am I getting them posted.   This month’s block is called

Windmill Square

 

The corner unit is a real good one to know; it shows up in lots of blocks and is a good unit when setting blocks on point.  So, let’s get started.  Here is the finished block:



Finished 8" block



For an 8” finished block you’ll need 3 layer cake squares, one light (blue floral), one medium (brown), and one dark (pink).  Cut the following pieces from your layer cake squares. 

From both the light and the dark cut a 5 ¼” square. Layer them right sides together and cut on both diagonals to yield four triangle pairs. (If you leave them together like this then it's quick to chain piece them.) 

Also cut from the light a 2 ½” strip and Subcut into (4) 2 ½” squares.

From the medium print cut (4) 2 7/8” squares and cut them in half once on the diagonal to yield 8 triangles. **If you have an easy angle ruler, use it! Instead, cut (2) 2 ½” strips, layer them so they can be cut at the same time and cut 8 triangles. (Oops, the brown triangles aren't pictured.)
There's always quite a bit left over...I'm working on that part but, if you like the block when you're done then go ahead and make another out of leftovers from any month.  :)

 
 
 
 
 
It might help to arrange all the cut pieces like this:
  (Again, I left the large blue and pink triangles together once I got the hang of it.)
 
 
  Sew the large blue and pink triangles together along the short edge.  Press towards the pink (dark).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Now let's make the corner units:  Start with the corner 2 1/2" square.  Align the half-square triangle as shown.  If you have cut them with the easy angle tool notice how the tip is already cut off and makes it easy to align the edges.  Sew the top edge with a 1/4" seam allowance.
 
Repeat for the other three corner units. (This is called chain piecing.  Do this whenever possible to make for quicker sewing.)
 
 

Press the seam away from the square.  Make sure the edge across the top is straight.

Position the second triangle.  Flip it over, right sides together with the lower edge of the square.  It will overlap the first triangle.  This is necessary so that when the unit is completed the seam allowance for the next seam remains.  (See the next picture.)

 

 









Corner unit complete





Sew the corner unit each to its own triangle pair forming four block quarters:



Four quarters complete

Sew them together in rows.  Press the top row to one side and press the bottom row in the opposite direction so the seams will nest nicely.  Sew the two rows together.  Finished!

Here is my pink and brown block: 

For this one I chose to use a fourth fabric for the corner squares.  To do that cut (4) squares at 2 1/2".  What do you think?  Do you like that option?  Options are always good.  Just when you think you have enough fabric for something.... you don't.  So, we need options...and everyone might just think you were so clever to do that when, in fact, you were feeling bad for running out of fabric. 

And, finally, here is the 4" version:

Here is what to cut for this little one:

From the light and the dark cut (1) 3 1/4" square and cut on BOTH diagonals.

Also from the light fabric (for the corner squares) cut (4) 1 1/2" squares.

From the medium cut (4) squares 1 7/8" and cut ONCE on the diagonal.  OR, use an easy angle tool and cut (2) 1 1/2" x 10" strips and cut 8 triangles.

Follow the instructions above to assemble the block. 

One last little tip:  If you like this block a lot and would like to see another wonderful possibility check out Lori’s blog Humble Quilts. As I was reading her blog I noticed a project she posted last year called Cheddar cheese and crackers. She used a variation of this block with an alternate block of a 16 patch. It’s fabulous! http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2010/01/cheddar-cheese-crackers-finale.html.

Since I’ve started posting these blocks each month it’s funny how I’ve come across quilts using them time and time again. I’ll try to direct you to where I’ve seen them but I bet the same thing will happen to you too!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the beautiful month of June.



Another Finish

Does this count?  I think it does.  It's not a quilt but it uses lots of fabric; I estimate busting 10 yards of fabric on this one.  I love it.  I actually made it for my laundry room but it took a better picture placing it outside the door.  It might be hard to tell but there are some really bright fabrics in it that make it sparkle.  My laundry room has pale blue walls and white cabinets, white tile flooring and white trim so I put some white and blue in the rug too.  It looks so happy in there!  I see it all the time because the laundry room door is across from the garage door and I keep the laundry room door open at least a little bit all the time.  I made it over the course of several months so I really don't know how long it took to make.  It's 30 inches in diameter.  The strips are cut 1" wide and crocheted with a size P hook.  I have another one in progress in dark colors, reds and browns yet still scrappy but is an oval rug that I'll use in a hallway when it's large enough. 

The May Blocks Are Ready!

I LOVE this block!  I think it's my new most favorite block.  I can just see a beautiful quilt made from dozens of these. It’s simple and fast to cut and sew so I hope you love it too.

I made my blocks, one in my tester colors, pink and brown, and the other from my layer cake squares, both 8" finished in size; there's no little bitty blocks this time.  I'm pretty sure it would involve templates so I didn't work on that.  Here are the cut pieces for the Next Door Neighbor block:



Stack your three colors and cut (1) 5 1/4" square and (1) 2 7/8" square from each.  Cut the large square on BOTH diagonals and cut the small square ONCE.  How fast and easy was that?!  (You will need one more 2 7/8"square later, see below).

I like to lay all the pieces out before I start to sew:


Do you see the blue pinwheel in the block?  I like the way it stands out using the blue fabric in that spot but you could try other placement of your fabrics since all three fabrics are cut the same. 



Once you are happy with your layout, did you find out you were short 2 pieces?  Cut one more 2 7/8" square (cut in half on the diagonal) for the one you decided should be the pinwheel.  Those two pieces will fill in the remaining two corners.

Now we're ready to sew!  I sewed the middle block pieces together to make two halves and I continued by chain piecing the brown and blue units together and then finishing the center unit by sewing the halves together. 

At this point the rows will be sewn together-diagonal rows.  But, don't sew the (blue) corner pieces on just yet. 

When sewing the side triangles on to the brown/blue triangle units align the straight edges.  See the tips sticking out?  They should stick out 1/4".  The center row units should all be the same size. 

Sew the rows together. 

Add the blue corner triangles. Again, the points should stick out. Trim them off after giving the block a good press. I hope you enjoy putting this block together!