Today is the day for the first quilt block of the month tutorial for our 2016 Quilt Along! And we are starting with an easy block—the half square triangle for January’s Quilt Block of the Month 2016.
Cutting Instructions: (Makes approximately a 16″ by 16″ inch quilt block)
*Cut 1 strip of the red fabric that is 5″ by the width of the fabric (you will only need one square but save the rest of the strip—you will use it in February’s block!) Cut 1 5″ by 5″ square from that strip.
*Cut 1 strip of the mint fabric that is 5″ by the width of the fabric (remember to save your scraps!). Cut four 5″ by 5″ squares.
*Cut 1 strip of the dark gray fabric that is 5″ by the width of the fabric. Cut three 5″ by 5″ squares.
*Cut 1 strip of the white fabric that is 5″ by the width of the fabric. Cut eight 5″ by 5″ squares.
Making Quilt Block of the Month 2016:
*We made a video to explain the process shown below—You can find it HERE.
Now it’s time to make 16 Half-Square Triangle blocks. There are several ways to make them, but the most basic is shown below.
I will demonstrate with 1 dark gray square and 1 white square.
Take one white 5″ square and lay it on top of the dark gray 5″ square, then draw a line on the diagonal from one corner to the opposite as shown below.
Next, using a 1/4″ seam allowance, stitch a line to the left of your drawn line as well as a stitching line to the right. Then cut apart the triangles on your original drawn line. Lastly, press open your HST quilt block and trim each block up to 4.5″ square.
Repeat with all the mint, red and dark gray 5″ squares to make 16 half-square triangle blocks. (Pairing one colored square with one white square.) Trim all of them to 4.5″ square.
Then lay out all the quilt blocks according to the image below. You will begin by stitching together each row. Take the first square of the row and lay it down on top of the second block (right sides together), then stitch using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Repeat for the rest of the rows. Press the seams of the first row to the left. (Second row to the right, alternating left and right with each row.)
After each row is sewn together it’s time to join the rows together. Take the first row and place on top of the second row (right sides together). Stitch together using 1/4″ seam allowances. Repeat for rows 3 and 4. Then join rows 1 and 2 to rows 3 and 4 and press your whole quilt block. Trim to 16 1/4″ or 16″ depending on your seam allowances.
And congratulations on making your first Quilt block for your quilt! The first Monday in February the second block will be up…
