Going Dutch Block Tutorial - Block 4 of the Virtual Quilting Bee

Today I am so excited to share a new quilt block tutorial.  I call it, Going Dutch.

Going Dutch is the 4th block in the Virtual Quilting Bee hosted by Amy of Diary of a Quilter.  Amy is a dear, sweet friend and I am so very excited to be a part of her bee!!  And as part of this virtual gathering, there will most likely be many of you stopping by Happy Quilting for the first time.  Welcome!!  I hope you enjoy your visit and take a minute to poke around, there's always lots of quilting goodness going on around here :)

Oh, and if you are new to the Virtual Quilting Bee you can see the previous three blocks and get more general info about the Virtual Quilting Bee and how you can participate by popping on over to the Virtual Quilting Bee page at Amy's :) 

So . . . Here's Going Dutch :)  

Start by cutting the following:

   From your background fabric cut (2) 3" x 3" squares and (8) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares

   From each of your 2 focal fabrics cut (1) 3" x 3" square, (2) 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles,

        and (2) 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" squares.

Using your ruler, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of (4) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" background squares and on all of the focal fabric squares.

Lay your marked background squares on your 4 focal fabric rectangles aligned at the top with rights sides together as shown.    Pin both sides adjacent to that drawn line.  Make sure to put them out far enough that your presser foot won't hit them as you sew on by :)   Now, place your (4) 1 1/2" marked focal fabric squares aligned at the bottom right with right sides together as shown.  Pin as directed earlier.   Stitch a seam directly on top of your drawn line for all 8 seams.

Align your ruler 1/4" over your stitched line.  Cut along the edge of the ruler.  Scrap your loose triangles.

Press your seams.  I found it easiest to press my seams open, but press as you prefer.  Set these 4 pieces aside for the moment.

Gather your (4) 3" squares, 2 background fabric and 2 focal fabrics.  Lay your marked print square on your background square with rights sides together.  Pin both sides adjacent to that drawn line, once again placing them far enough for the presser foot :)  Stitch a 1/4" seam along both sides of the drawn line (the black lines represent your stitching lines :)  

Align your ruler along the drawn center line.  Cut along the edge of the ruler.  Press your seams.  Once again, I pressed mine open.

Trim your four half square triangles to 2 1/2" using the angle line on a square ruler.  If you are unsure how to trim HST's see this tutorial :)

Gather (4) 2 1/2" background squares and lay them out as follows.  Place the HST onto the background square with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Pin if desired :)  Press the 4 seams.

And now your pieces are all made and you are ready to sew the block together.  Lay your 8 pieced rectangles out as follows creating 4 quadrants.

Sew each set of rectangles into squares.   Just place one rectangle onto another with right sides together, I find this easiest to do with it all laid out so you don't goof (like I did once) and start spinning pieces.  Pin along the edges and then sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Press the seams, I opened them to avoid bulk :)

Now sew the top 2 squares into a row and the bottom 2 squares into a row.  Place the right square onto the left with right sides together and pin along the edge taking care to match up your little triangle seams.  They will lay right on top of one another and it is important to get those pretty points in the center that the line up.  Press your seams.

And one last seam to sew.  Place the top row onto the bottom with right sides together.  Match the center seam and the little triangle seams once again.  Pin them in place.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Press the seam.

And now sit back and enjoy your cute little 8" Going Dutch quilt block!!

And here she is in solids.  Isn't it fun how different fabrics can create different looks, that is one of my favorite things about quilting!!

Be sure to add your Going Dutch quilt block to the Virtual Quilting Bee Flickr Group as well as the Inspired by Happy Quilting Flickr Group.

EDIT - Some of you have inquired about making this block on a larger scale so I whipped up this little chart of the fabrics you need to cut for 5 different block size options. Note, the last line of the chart isn't fabric that needs to be cut, it just gives you a reference of what size to trim your Half Square Triangles :)   Have fun :!

Hope you have enjoyed the tutorial ;)  Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

And since this finishes up my part of the VQB I'm linking up to Amanda's :)