We are moving right along and now working on block 7!
If you missed block 6, you can get instructions for it here: Online Quilting Bee Block 6 For more information, you can head to the main Quilt Along webpage and it will outline all the details. Scroll down below the video for fabric requirements.
We are kicking things up a notch and moving on to Y-seams. Oftentimes I avoid anything that has to do with Y-seams, but every once in awhile, a project has them that you really want to do. So, as part of this years goal, we are tackling them once and for all.
The main thing to remember for Y-seams is to maintain the largest angles possible when sewing sections together. The more obtuse the angle, the easier it will be to keep it flat. We will layout the star block and sew it together in a way that makes sure every Y-seam stays above 90 degrees.
Each block will finish at 18″. The final quilt will be 64×84″.
Fabric Requirements:
There are 2 different options for this quilt, make the sampler, consisting of 12 different blocks, or make a quilt of just this block, repeating it 12 times.
Sampler Quilt Fabric Requirements (assuming 40″ wide fabric):
Finished quilt : 64×84″
White – 4 yard
Dark Green (including border) – 2 yards
Light Green – 1 1/4 yards
Gray – 1 yard
Yellow – 1 yard
Block 7 Quilt Fabric Requirements (assuming 40″ wide fabric)
Finished quilt 64×84″
White – 3 1/4 yards
Dark Green (including border) – 1 yard
Light Green – 3/4 yard
Gray – 3/4 yard
Yellow – 3/4 yard
Block Seven Instructions
NOTE: When cutting fabric for the sampler quilt, cut only what you need, leaving extra fabric in large in tact pieces. DON’T cut long strips to cut down. This will ensure you have the sizes and pieces you need for later blocks.
White:
- 1 @ 9 1/4″ square
- 4 @ 5 1/2″ square
Gray, Dark Green, Yellow, Light Green
- 1 each @ 4 x 17″
Block Construction
Cut the white 9 1/4″ square in half on the diagonal in both directions to create 4 triangles.
Mark in 6 3/8″ from the bottom right corner of the dark green strip. Make a second mark 6 3/8″ from that mark. Cut strip at a 45 degree angle, lining up the ruler on the bottom right corner. Cut another 45 degree angle with the ruler lined up along the 6 3/8″ mark. Repeat for the final 6 3/8″ mark. Repeat with the Yellow strip.
Mark in 6 3/8″ from the bottom left corner of the light green strip. Make a second mark 6 3/8″ from that mark. Cut strip at a 45 degree angle, lining up the ruler on the bottom left corner. Cut another 45 degree angle with the ruler lined up along the 6 3/8″ mark. Repeat for the final 6 3/8″ mark. Repeat with the Gray Strip.
Layout your pieces following the diagram below.
- Sew the Yellow and and white triangle together, lining them up at the top of the diamond (farthest from the center of the block.
- Press the seam to one side. Mark a line a 1/4″ in on the two sides of the light green diamond that get sewn to the yellow/white section.
- Put a mark where the two lines intersect.
- Add the light green diamond. Start sewing from the side opposite the direction you pressed the seam.
- Sew down one side, stopping directly on the mark you made.
- Put your needle in the down position and lift up your pressure foot.
- Pivot the fabric so that the light green lines up along the new piece and continue sewing the seam.
- Sew the white square to the side of the light green diamond.
Repeat with the other yellow/light green section.
For the dark green/gray section, follow the same steps, starting with the dark green and white triangle, then adding the gray diamond and white square.
- Sew one light green/yellow section to one dark green/gray section.
- Mark the dark green diamond as you marked the light green triangle by drawing a line 1/4″ in from both edges and putting a mark where they meet.
- Line up the points on the dark green/light green diamonds.
- Sew these together, stopping on the mark. Make sure the needle is down and lift up the presser foot.
- Pivot the fabric and sew the dark green diamond to the white square.
- Repeat with the second half.
Press both sections really well. Trim the extra dog ears in the center of the block to reduce bulk.
- Mark the yellow diamonds by drawing a line 1/4″ in from both edges and putting a mark where they meet.
- Sew the two halves together by lining up one white square and yellow diamond.
- Stop on your mark. Pivot the fabric and sew down the center line, making sure to use pins to line up the center points on all of your diamonds.
- Stop on the mark for the second yellow diamond. Pivot and sew the white square to the yellow diamond.
ALL DONE! Take it slow, use pins as needed, and make sure things are laying flat after you pivot before you start sewing. If there are any folds, remember these will iron out and will not be permanent creases.
Finishing Instructions
For both quilts (visual instructions will be included in the final video but written instructions are included here if you are making the one block quilt):
Sashing and Border 1
White:
- Cut 8 @ 2 1/2 x 18 1/2″
- Cut 12 @ 2 1/2″ x Width of Fabric (WOF)
Border 2
Dark Green:
- Cut 8 @ 1 1/2″ x Width of Fabric
Quilt Construction:
Sew 5 white WOF strips together, cut into 3 – 58 1/2″ strips
Sew 1 – 18 1/2″ sashing to the right side of 1 block. Sew another block to the right, followed by another sashing and another block.
Repeat 4 times.
Sew rows together with 58 1/2″ sashing strips between them.
Border 1:
Sew 2 white WOF strips together, cut into a 78 1/2″ strip. Repeat with 2 more WOF strips.
Sew 3 white WOF strips together, cut into 2 – 62 1/2″ strip.
Sew 78 1/2″ border strips to the sides of the quilt top. Sew the 62 1/2″ strips to the top and bottom of the quilt top.
Border 2:
Sew all dark green WOF strips together, cut into 2 – 82 1/2″ strisp and 2 – 64 1/2 ” strip.
Sew the 82 1/2″ strips to sides of quilt top. Sew the 64 1/2″ strips to the top and bottom.
Press, layer, and quilt.
