Quilt Block of the Month Ebook by The Queer Hermit

Quilt Block of the Month eBook

In loving memory, 1925-2003. I will always love you, Momma. Nancy's Fabrics 218 West Edgar Avenue Ronceverte, WV 24970 (304).645.0010 www.nancysfabrics.com info@nancysfabrics.com Nancy's Tutorials Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

"Texas Treasure" block Each finished block measures 18 inches square. (18 Â˝ X 18 Â˝ inches unfinished). Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Find a medium to light purple floral print for the focal fabric, a coordinating dark purple tone-on-tone fabric, and a cream for the background. Cutting instructions: 1. From the floral fabric cut one 6 1/2-inch square, four 2 x 3 1/2-inch rectangles, four 3 1/2 x 5-inch rectangles, and four 5inch squares.

2. Cut sixteen 2 x 3 1/2-inch rectangles from the dark purple fabric and sixteen 2-inch squares. 3. From the cream material, cut twelve 2 x 3 1/2-inch rectangles and thirty-six 2-inch squares. (lots of little pieces...I know) Piecing instructions:

4. For the "flying geese" sections, draw a line from corner to corner on the back of each ofthirty-two of the cream squares. Lay one of the squares along one end of one purple rectange right sides together. Sew along the drawn line. Referring to graphic 4, cut the corner 1/4 inch from the sewn line. Press open to the purple side. 5. Lay another of the white squares along the opposite end of the purple rectange. Sew along the drawn line. Referring to graphic 5, cut the corner 1/4 inch from the sewn line. Press open to the purple side. This makes one "flying geese" unit. Repeat for the other 15 purple rectangles to make 16 units in total.

6. For the cream "flying geese" sections, draw a line from corner to corner on the back of each of the sixteen dark purple squares. Lay one of the squares along one end of one cream rectangle right sides together. Sew along the drawn line. Referring to graphic 6, cut the corner 1/4 inch from the sewn line. Press open to the cream side.

7. Lay another of the purple squares along the opposite end of the cream rectangle. Sew along the drawn line. Referring to graphic 7, cut the corner 1/4 inch from the sewn line. Press open to the cream side. Repeat for the 7 more cream rectangles to make 8 units in total. Assembly instructions: 8. Using graphic 8 as a reference, assemble the top and

bottom rows. Note: sew the "flying geese" together first with a cream unit on top of two purple geese. Then sew these sections to the floral pieces with 5-inch squares in the corners and a larger floral rectangle in the middle.

9. Using graphic 9 as a reference, assemble the two side rows. Again, sew the "flying geese" together first with a cream unit on top of two purple geese. Then sew these sections to one of the larger floral rectangles.

10. Assemble the center section next. First, sew the 4 remaining cream rectangles to each side of 2 small floral rectangles. (See graphic 10) Then sew the 4 remaining cream squares to either side of the remaining 2 small floral rectangles. (See graphic 11) 11. Sew the 2 side units (graphic 11) to either side of the large floral square. Then add the top and bottom units (graphic 10) to finish the center section.

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12. Finally, assemble the finished block by sewing the side rows from step 9 to either side of the center section, then adding the top and bottom rows from step 8. (See graphics 13 & 14) Your completed unfinished block will measure 18 Â˝ inches. 18 inches after sewn into a quilt!

The "Dove in the Window" block Each finished block measures 10 Â˝ inches square. (11 X 11 inches unfinished). Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Find a medium-size, floral print with more than one color in it for the focal fabric. Then choose a small print that coordinates with ONE of the colors in the focal print, and a lighter, pastel shade of the same color in solid or "looks-like-solid" for the background. Cutting instructions:

1. From the floral fabric cut four 3 1/2-inch squares and four 2-inch squares. 2. Cut one 2-inch square from the darker fabric and eight 2 1/2-inch squares. Cut all the 2 1/2-inch squares from corner to corner forming 16 triangles.

3. From the lighter material, cut four 2 x 5-inch rectangles and eight 2 1/2inch squares. Also cut these 2 1/2-inch squares from corner to corner forming 16 triangles. Piecing instructions:

4. With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew each of the darker triangles to a lighter triangle along the long sides. Press to the dark side and TRIM the squares to 2-inches. You should end up with sixteen HST (half-square triangle) squares like those in graphic 4.

5. Referring to the layout in graphic 5, piece together 2 of the HST squares with one of the small, floral print squares. BE VERY CAREFUL that the triangles are facing the right direction. The light triangle should face to the right with the floral square on the right side. Repeat three times for a total of four of these sections, one for each corner block. Press seams in the same direction toward the floral square.

6. Referring to the layout in graphic 6, piece together 2 of the HST squares. BE VERY CAREFUL that the triangles are facing the right direction. The light triangles should face to the left. Repeat three times for a total of four of these pairs, one for each corner block. Press seams in the same direction. 7. Sew the pair of HST squares from step 6 to the right side of one of the large floral squares. Press toward the floral square. Then sew a row from step 5 above. Remember to pin at the intersection to ensure that the points match as closely as possible. Assembly instructions:

8. Using graphic 8 as a reference, assemble the background rectangles, darker 2-inch square, and the units from step 7 into rows. Press. Then sew the rows together to make a finished block. Your completed unfinished block will measure 10 Â˝ inches. 11 inches after sewn into a quilt!

The "Beauty Patch" block Each finished block measures 12 inches square. (12 ½ X 12 ½ inches unfinished). Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Choose a primarily blue medium shade floral, Hunter green & springy yellow tone-on-tone fabrics, and a white-on-white for the background. Cutting instructions: 1. Cut four 3 1/2-inch squares from the Hunter green fabric.

2. Cut four 3 7/8-inch squares from the blue floral fabric. Cut the squares diagonally to form eight triangles. 3. From the yellow material, cut two 3 7/8-inch squares. Cut the squares diagonally to form four triangles.

4. From the white material, cut four 3 1/2-inch squares & two 3 7/8-inch squares. Cut the larger squares diagonally to form four triangles. Piecing instructions:

5. With right sides together, sew each of the yellow triangles to a floral triangle along the long side of the triangles using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press seams to the floral sides. (Refer to graphic 5) You will end up with four HST (half-square triangle) pieces.

6. With right sides together, sew each of the white triangles to a floral triangle along the long side of the triangles. Press seams to the floral sides. (Refer to graphic 6) You will end up with four HST squares. Assembly instructions: 7. Using graphic 7 as a reference, assemble the sections into rows, then assemble rows into a finished block. Remember to pin at each intersection to ensure corners match. Your completed unfinished block will measure 12 ½ inches, 12 inches after sewn into a quilt!

The "Puss in the Corner" block Each finished block measures 12 inches square. (12 ½ X 12 ½ inches unfinished). Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Find a colorful cat print for the focal fabric, a coordinating jewel-tone fabric (gold, ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, etc.) and a white-on-white for the background. Cutting instructions:

1. Cut one 6 1/2-inch squares from the focal fabric. 2. Cut four 3 1/2-inch squares from the jewel-tone fabric.

3. Also from the jewel-tone fabric, cut four 3 1/2 x 6 1/2-inch squares. 4. From the white material, cut eight 3 1/2-inch squares. Piecing instructions:

5. For the side sections, draw a line from corner to corner on the back of each of the white squares. Lay one of the squares along one end of one gold rectange right sides together. Sew along the drawn line. Referring to graphic 5, cut the corner 1/4 inch from the sewn line. Press open to the gold side. 6. Lay another of the white squares along the opposite end of the gold rectange. Sew along the drawn line. Referring to graphic 6, cut the corner 1/4 inch from the sewn line. Press open to the gold side. This is called a "flying geese" unit.

Assembly instructions: 7. Using graphic 7 as a reference, assemble the sections into rows, then assemble rows into a finished block. Remember to pin at each intersection to ensure corners match. Your completed unfinished block will measure 12 ½ inches, 12 inches after sewn into a quilt!

The "Simple Flower Pot" block Each finished block measures 9 inches square. (9 Â˝ X 9 Â˝ inches unfinished).

Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics. Find three different coordinating spring pastel colors (mint green, lavender, baby blue, etc.) that are solid, "looks like solid", or small print. Also choose a white-on-white for the background. Cutting instructions:

1. From the main basket fabric (lavender in my example), cut two 4 1/4-inch squares and one 3 1/8-inch square. Cut all the squares from corner to corner forming 6 triangles. You can throw one of the larger triangles away, it is extra (or use it for a second block). 2. From the basket center fabric (green in my example), cut one 4 1/4-inch square. Cut the square from corner to corner forming 2 triangles. You can throw one of the triangles away.

3. From the flower material (yellow in my example), cut one 3 1/8-inch square. Also cut this square from corner to corner forming 2 triangles. Keep both of these. 4. From the background material, cut one 5 3/8-inch square and one 3 1/8-inch square. Cut both the squares from corner to corner forming 4 triangles. You can throw one of each size triangle away.

5. Cut two rectangles 2 3/4 inches x 5 inches and one 2 3/4-inch square from the white fabric.

6. Finally, cut one 5 3/4-inch square from the white background fabric. Cut this square from corner to corner in both directions to form an X. You will use 2 of these and throw 2 away. Piecing instructions: 7. With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew two of the lavender triangles to each side of the green triangle along the short sides. (Refer to graphic 7) Press to the purple side. Then add the third lavender triangle to the green triangle along the long side. Press.

8. Referring to the layout in graphic 8, piece together 1 of the yellow triangles to the small white triangle along the short sides. BE VERY CAREFUL that the triangles are facing the right direction. Then sew one of the short sides of the medium white triangle to the long side of the yellow triangle. Press seams toward the white sides. 9. Referring to the layout in graphic 9, piece together the other yellow triangle to the other medium white triangle--long side to short side. BE VERY CAREFUL that the triangles are facing the right direction. Press seam toward the white side. Finally, sew the small white square to the other short side of the same yellow triangle. Then sew this unit to the one from step 8 so that the yellow points are facing each other. Pin at the intersections before you sew to ensure precise points. Press. Assembly instructions: 10. Sew the flower unit from step 9 to the basket unit from step 7. Press. Refer to graphic 10 for placement.

11. Sew each of the small lavender triangles to the short end of each of the rectangles. (see graphic 11). They should end up as mirror images of each other. Press. 12. Sew one of the strips from step 11 to each side of the block from step 10. Again, refer to graphic 12 for placement. Press to the rectangle sides.

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13. Finally, Sew the large white triangle to the lower left corner of the block. Press to the white triangle. Your completed unfinished block will measure 9 Â˝ inches, 9 inches after sewn into a quilt!

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The "Summer Window" block Each finished block measures 8 inches square. (8 Â˝ X 8 Â˝ inches unfinished) Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Find a large-print novelty print fabric and two different coordinating fabrics that are solid, "looks like solid," or small print. One should be noticably lighter than the other. Cutting instructions: 1. From the novelty fabric, cut one 6 1/2-inch square.

2. From the lighter fabric, cut two 6 1/2 by 1 1/2-inch strips and two 1 1/2-inch squares. 3. From the darker fabric, also cut two 6 1/2 by 1 1/2-inch strips and two 1 1/2-inch squares.. Piecing instructions:

4. With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew one of the lighter squares to one of the darker squares. (Refer to graphic 4) Press to the darker side. Repeat with the other two squares. Then sew these pairs into one square unit. Pin at the intersection to ensure precise points. 5. Sew each of the lighter longs strips to a darker strip. Press to the darker side. Assembly instructions:

6. Referring to the layout in graphic 6, piece the units together into a finished block. Note, try switching the lighter and darker fabrics next to the novelty square to see which layout looks best with your fabric. It may look better

opposite from what my example shows. Sew the rows together, then combine the rows to finish the block

Your completed unfinished block will measure 8 ½ inches, 8 inches after sewn into a quilt!

The "Monkey Wrench" block Each finished block measures 10 inches square. (10 ½ X 10 ½ inches unfinished). Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Find dark blue and light blue coordinating fabrics that are solid, "looks like solid," or small print. One should be noticably lighter than the other. For the background, choose a white solid or tone-on-tone. Cutting instructions: 1. From the light blue fabric, cut four 2 1/2-inch squares.

2. From the dark blue fabric, cut one 2 1/2-inch square and two 4 7/8-inch sqaures. Cut the larger squares from one corner to the opposite corner to make four triangles. 3. From the background fabric, cut four 2 1/2-inch squares and two 4 7/8inch sqaures. Cut the larger squares from one corner to the opposite corner to make four triangles. Piecing instructions:

4. With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew one of the light blue squares to one of the white squares. (Refer to graphic 4) Press to the darker side. Repeat with the other small squares. 5. With right sides together, sew one of the dark blue triangles to one of the white triangles along the long edges. (Refer to graphic 5) Press to the darker side. Repeat with the other four pairs of triangles. Assembly instructions: 6. Referring to the layout in graphic 6, piece the units together into a finished

block. Sew pieces into rows first, then combine the rows to finish the block. Pin at the intersection to ensure precise points.

Your completed unfinished block will measure 10 Â˝ inches, 10 inches after sewn into a quilt!

The "Double Quartet" block Each finished block measures 12 inches square. (12 Â˝ X 12 Â˝ inches unfinished). Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Find a cute "sealife" novelty print that is primarily a sea blue or aquamarine color and has fish or turtles in it. The print should be a medium-sized print. Choose a coordinating light to medium blue "wave" print that is tone-on-tone, and a light gray solid or tone-on-tone for the background. Cutting instructions: 1. From the "wave" fabric, cut four 3 1/2-inch squares. 2. From the novelty print, cut four 3 7/8-inch sqaures. Cut these squares from one corner to the opposite corner to make eight triangles.

3. From the background fabric, cut four 3 1/2-inch squares and four 3 7/8inch sqaures. Cut the larger squares from one corner to the opposite corner to make eight triangles. Piecing instructions:

4. With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew one of the novelty triangles to one of the gray triangles. (Refer to graphic 4) Press to the darker side. Repeat with the other seven triangle pairs. Assembly instructions: 5. Referring to the layout in graphic 5, piece the units together into a finished block. Sew pieces into rows first, then combine the rows to finish the block

Pin at the intersection to ensure precise points. Your completed unfinished block will measure 12 Â˝ inches, 12 inches after sewn into a quilt!

The "AirCastle" block Each finished block measures 9 inches square. (9 Â˝ X 9 Â˝ inches unfinished). Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Select tone-on-tone or looks-like-solid-from-a-distance prints in black, gray and red and a white tone-on-tone for the background. Cutting instructions

1. From the gray fabric, cut one 3 1/2-inch square. 2. From the white background fabric, cut four 3 1/2-inch sqaures. 3. Also from the background fabric, cut one 4 1/2-inch squares. Cut the square twice from one corner to the opposite corner to make four triangles.

4. From the red fabric, cut one 4 1/2-inch squares. Cut the square twice from one corner to the opposite corner to make four triangles. 5. From the black fabric, cut two 3 7/8-inch squares. Cut both squares from one corner to the opposite corner to make four triangles. Piecing instructions:

6. With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew one of the red triangles to one of the white triangles. Watch that the red triangle is to the right of the white one and that you are sewing the short ends of the

triangles together. (Refer to graphic 6) Press to the darker side. Repeat with one other triangle pair.

7. For the other two red/white triangle pairs, sew them together so that the red triangle is to the left of the white one. (Refer to graphic 7) Press to the darker side. Repeat with remaining triangle pair. 8. With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew each of the red/white triangles to one of the larger black triangles. (Refer to graphic 8) Press to the black side. Repeat with the other three triangle pairs. Assembly instructions:

5. Referring to the layout in graphic 9, piece the units together into a finished block. Sew pieces into rows first, then combine the rows to finish the block Pin at the intersection to ensure precise points. Your completed unfinished block will measure 9 Â˝ inches, 9 inches after sewn into a quilt!

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The "Crossed Square" block Each finished block measures 14 inches square. (14 Â˝ X 14 Â˝ inches unfinished). Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Select two tone-on-tone or looks-like-solid-from-a-distance prints in fall reds, oranges, browns, greens or golds and an unbleached muslin for the background.

Cutting instructions: 1. From the darker fabric, cut five 2 1/2-inch squares.

2. From the lighter fall fabric, cut four 2 1/2-inch x 6 1/2-inch rectangles and four 2 1/2-inch x 4 1/2-inch rectangles.. 3. From the muslin, cut four 2 1/2-inch x 6 1/2 rectangles and four 2 1/2inch x 4 1/2-inch rectangles.

4. Also from the muslin, cut four 2 1/2-inch squares. Piecing instructions:

5. With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew one of the dark squares to one of the muslin squares. (Refer to graphic 5) Press to the darker side. Repeat with the other three pairs.

6. Referring to graphic 6, sew one of the 2 1/2-inch x 4 1/2-inch muslin rectangles to two of the pairs from step 5. Watch that the dark square is on the bottom left of the finished unit. 7. Do the same with the remaining 2 muslin rectangles and pairs from step 5. But make sure these two units have the dark square on the bottom right of the finished unit. 8. Referring to graphic 8, attach the smaller rectangles from the lighter, fall-colored fabric to the outside of each of the four units from steps 6 & 7. Watch that the rectangles touch the muslin squares, not just the rectangle. Two of the rectangles will be sewn to the left of the unit, and two will be sewn to the right depending on the position of the dark square. Press to the dark side. Finally, sew the larger, matching, fall-colored rectangles to the top of these new units. Press. Assembly instructions:

The "Balkan Puzzle" block Each finished block measures 12 inches square. (12 ½ X 12 ½ inches unfinished). Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Select two tone-on-tone or looks-like-solid-from-a-distance prints in bright blue and yellow and a white-on-white for the background. Cutting instructions:

1. From the blue fabric, cut four 3 1/2 x 6 1/2-inch rectangles. 2. From the yellow fabric, cut four 3 1/2 x 6 1/2-inch rectangles. 3. From the white background fabric, cut sixteen 3 1/2-inch squares. Piecing instructions:

4. For the blue "Flying Geese" sections, draw a line from corner to corner on the back of each of the white squares. Lay one of the white squares along one end of one blue rectangle with right sides together. Sew along the drawn line. Referring to graphic 4, cut the corner 1/4 inch from the sewn line. Press to the white side. Repeat with the other

three blue rectangles.

5. Lay another of the white squares along the opposite end of the blue rectangle. Sew along the drawn line. Referring to graphic 5, cut the corner 1/4-inch from the sewn line. Press to the white side. 6. The yellow sections are very similar. Lay one of the white squares along one end of one yellow rectangle with right sides together. Sew along the drawn line. Referring to graphic 6, cut the corner 1/4 inch from the sewn line. Press to the yellow side. Repeat with the other three yellow rectangles. 7. Lay another of the white squares along the opposite end of the yellow rectangle. Sew along the drawn line. Referring to graphic 7, cut the corner 1/4-inch from the sewn line. Press to the yellow side. Assembly instructions:

8. With right sides together and using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, join one of each of the sets together. Refer to graphic 8. You will end up with four matching squares. (note: to make a sharper point, sew with blue side facing up so you can see that the seam runs right over the point as you sew them together.)

9. Referring to the layout in graphic 9, piece the units together into a finished block. Sew pieces into rows first, then combine the rows to finish the block Pin at the intersection to ensure precise points. Your completed unfinished block will measure 12 Â˝ inches, 12 inches after sewn into a quilt!

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The "Four Patch Chain" Each finished block measures 8 inches square. (8 Â˝ X 8 Â˝ inches unfinished). Instructions: Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

Select a tone-on-tone or looks-like-solid-from-a-distance dark blue print and a white-on-white for the background. Cutting instructions: 1. From the white fabric, cut four 2 1/2-inch squares.

2. From the blue fabric, cut four 2 1/2-inch squares and two 4 1/2-inch squares. Piecing instructions:

3. With right sides together and using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew each of the blue squares to one of the white squares. Refer to graphic 3. There will be four pairs in all. Press to the dark side. Assembly instructions: 4. Sew the pairs together with blue sides matched to white sides. Pin at the intersection to ensure precise points. Refer to graphic 4. You will end up with two units. Press. 5. Referring to the layout in graphics 4 & 5, piece the units together with

the larger blue squares into a finished block. Sew the rows together, then combine the rows to finish the block Your completed unfinished block will measure 8 Â˝ inches, 8 inches after sewn into a quilt!