Beginner Skill Builder Sampler Quilt: Block 1

Now that we have all our pieces, it’s time to put our block together.

In week 1 you learned how to make 2 at a time Half-Square Triangles. You should have made 2 sets. I did two different colors, but you could have made them all the same colors.

In week 2, you learned how to make Stitch-and-Flip Flying Geese, and you need 4 of those.

Week 3 was tip week and we learned how to trim Half Square Triangles.

And now… here we are week 4 and it’s time to put our block together.

Block 1

Supply List

4- 3 1/2″ Half-Square Triangles, 2 of each color
4- 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ Flying Geese
4- 3 1/2″ square Background fabric

Center Diamond

We’re going to take our four half-square triangles first and make the center of our star block. Start by placing them with the colored fabric toward the center alternating colors. When you’re done they should make a diamond pattern.

We’re going to sew these in rows and then sew the rows together.

**Every time we sew on a quilt, we use a 1/4″ seam allowance.**

Sew the top two half-square triangles together, then the bottom. Press toward the darker fabric.

Next, line up the center seams on the two rows and pin.

If you pressed both towards the darker fabric, the seams to nest very prettily.

Sew the top and bottom groups together and press.

Trim to 6 1/2″ square. The best way to do this is to line up the center of the diamond, where all 4 pieces come together, with your square. It should sit right on the 3 1/4” line in both directions. Line up the 3 1/4″ vertical line with the vertical seams and the 3 1/4″ horizontal line with the horizontal seams. Trim right and top. Rotate the block 180 degrees, line up the bottom with the 6 1/2″ horizontal line and the left side with the 6 1/2″ vertical line, the middle should still be at the 3 1/4″ point and the right side and top.

Block 1

Now that the center is all finished, we’re going to lay out the complete block.

We are going to lay this out in 3 rows:

3 1/2″ Background, Flying Geese, 3 1/2″ Background
Flying Geese, Center Diamond, Flying Geese
3 1/2″ Background, Flying Geese, 3 1/2″ Background

Just sew one set in each row together. Make sure that you line up the center row ‘s seams and pin into place. The point of the center diamond should line up with the point of the flying geese.

Press the top and bottom row towards the background corner pieces and the center row toward the center diamond.

Add on the third piece in each row. Make sure that you line up the center row ‘s seams and pin into place. The point of the center diamond should like up with the point of the flying geese.

Press the top and bottom row towards the background corner pieces and the center row toward the center diamond.

Here’s the back, note the direction the seams are pressed.

Now we’re going to sew the three rows together. Place the top row on the middle row and pin.

You should pin in three places to make sure they line up all nicely.

The seams where the blocks in each row are connected and the point on the diamond and the flying geese. The seams should nest nicely, as we pressed them in opposite directions. The point of the center diamond should line up with the point of the flying geese. Sew the two rows together and press.

Line up the last row, pin in place, and sew. Press. Make sure you give it a good iron so it’s lying nice and flat.

Measure and Trim

Trim to 12 1/2″ square. The best way to do this is to line up the center of the diamond, where all 4 pieces come together, with your square. It should sit right on the 6 1/4” line in both directions. Line up the 6 1/4″ vertical line with the vertical seams and the 6 1/4″ horizontal line with the horizontal seams. Trim right and top.

Rotate the block 180 degrees, line up the bottom with the 6 1/2″ horizontal line and the left side with the 6 1/2″ vertical line, the middle should still be at the 6 1/4″ point and the right side and top.

And there you go.

Questions

If you have any questions, please go watch the YouTube video. I go into much more detail in the video, and you can watch it and follow along.

If you have questions after that, drop them in my comment section below, or on the comment section of the video and I will come and answer them.