May 1998 block

The finished block measures 6 inches square.
(6 1/2 inches unfinished).

Instructions:

There are two methods shown below -- the first uses triangles.
  1. Cut one (1) 6 7/8 inch dark square, then cut it on the diagonal.
  2. Cut one (1) 3 1/2 inch dark square.
  3. Cut one (1) 3 7/8 inch light square, then cut it on the diagonal.
  4. Sew the light triangles to the square, as shown to the left.
  5. Press toward the darker fabric.
  6. Sew the triangle unit you created in step 4 to the triangle cut in step 1.
  7. Press toward the dark triangle.
  8. The completed (unfinished size) block will measure 6 1/2 inches square.
 
The second method uses a technique in which you don’t cut any triangles!
 
  1. Cut one (1) 6 1/2 inch by 8 inch rectangle.
  1. Cut two (2) 3 1/2 inch squares of dark fabric.
  2. Cut two (2) 3 1/2 inch x 5 inch squares of light fabric.
  3. Sew together as shown to the right.
  1. Sew the two units together as shown.
  1. Turn the block over and clip the seam allowance between the dark squares.  Press the seams as shown.

 
  1. Make a template by cutting a 6  1/2 inch square, then cutting it on the diagonal. Place the template on the wrong side of the block and mark a diagonal line with a pencil.  Switch to the opposite side and do the same.
  1. Lay the pieced block, right sides together, on top of the 6 1/2 inch by 8 inch rectangle.  Stitch on the drawn lines.
  1. Cut the block in half, diagonally, between the stitched lines.

    2. You will have two blocks.  Open the blocks and press seams toward the large triangle.
Your finished (unfinished) block should measure 6 1/2 inches.  Be sure to leave the seam allowance on the block, DO NOT cut it to the six inch finished size -- as the “finished” measurement represents the block size after it is sewn into a quilt top.
 
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