Beginner's Delight

October 2003’s block is the "Beginner's Delight" pattern

The block measures 15 inches square.  (15 ½ X 15 ½ inches unfinished).      

Instructions:  Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

 


        
1.         fall fabric squares      
    
2.          off-white squares


3.          Center fall colored square



   

4.          piece HST squares


5.          row 1


6.        row 2 & 3


7.     center block piecing

8.       center row layout

9.        final assembly
                

                 
Choose various fall colors (red, orange, brown, gold, etc.) and a beige or off-white background fabric.  They can be solid, "looks like solid", or a small print that looks like the given color from a distance.



1.  From the fall fabrics, cut eight 3 7/8 inch squares.  The more different fabrics you use, the scrappier it will look.  Mark and cut all four squares diagonally to form sixteen triangles.

2.  From the off-white fabric, also cut eight 3 7/8 inch squares and two 5 1/2 inch squares.  Cut these in half from corner to corner like in step #1 (see graphic 2).  


3.  From a different center fabric, cut two 5 1/2 inch squares.  Cut these in half from corner to corner.
(see graphic 3).


     

Sewing Directions


4.  With right sides together, sew each of the fall-colored triangles to an off-white triangle of the same size along the long side of the triangle using a 1/4" seam allowance.  You should end up with sixteen small half-square triangle sets and four large half-square triangles.  Press seams to the dark sides.

5.  Sew five of the smaller half-square triangles together to form a row like that in graphic 5.  Repeat with another set of five half-square triangles.  These rows form the top and bottom rows.  Press the seams in each row in the same direction.
NOTE:  the first square is placed with the dark side facing down and to the left.  The other four squares have the dark side facing up and to the left.  

6.  Sew the remaining six smaller half-square triangles into two rows of three each. 
NOTE:  all three squares in each row have the dark side facing up and to the left.

7.  Take the four larger half-square triangle sets and TRIM them to 5 inches square.  Then sew them together in a pinwheel fashion.  Refer to graphic 7 for placement.  Sew the top two together first, then the bottom two.  Then sew these rows together into a block.  Remember to pin the rows together well at the seams to ensure your corners match up as closely as possible.



8.  To assemble the center section, sew the two rows of three HST squares to either side of the center block.  Refer to graphic 8 closely for placement.  The dark triangles should be facing to the outside.  
(No corner seams to match... isn't that great!)



9.  Finally, add the top and bottom rows into the final block.  See graphic 9.

  


    Your completed unfinished block will measure 15 1/2 inches.
15 inches after sewn into a quilt!

Back to Block of the Month