It's a new month and with that means a new block in the Texas Monthly Block of the Month program! This BOM is hosted by Stitchin' Heaven and is so much fun!!! And we are moving on to Month 8 today :)
So let's get going and there are 2 blocks this month and this is probably the easiest month we have had so far :) So this is a great month to pull out some older blocks as well if you need to do a little catch up ;) So let's get piecing!!!
Cutting
I like to start out by pressing all of my fabrics. Then it is time for cutting!!! I like to cut all of my pieces for all of my blocks at the start. Just be sure to keep them in piles separate for each block.
The Churn Dash Blocks
Churn Dash blocks are super classic and super fun and fast to make, especially with a little strip piecing. Which is where we will start. Gather your White and Purple 2" x WOF strips. Place them with right sides together.
Stitch a 1/4" seam along the long edge. When strip piecing, I like to use a smaller stitch length so my stitches don't unravel when the pieces are subcut. It's totally okay if your strips do not match perfectly at the ends. Just fold the WOF Strip set in half, and cut a straight edge along the two edges.
Now press your strip set towards the Purple strip. Take care when pressing a strip set that you don't stretch the material. I like to press from the front and run my finger along the edge of the seam just in front of my iron. This keeps bubbles out of the seam and ensures no stretching.
Once you have pressed the strip set, fold it in half again and lay it on your cutting mat so the top is aligned with a horizontal line on your mat. Measure in 3 1/2" from your straight edge and cut a side unit.
Continue measuring in 3 1/2" and cutting sub-cutting side units until you have a total of 8 Side Units measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/2". The remainder of the strip can be scrapped.
And now we are moving on to Half Square Triangle Units. (Note, the cutting instructions are for no trimming HST's, but if you prefer to cut your HST squares to 4" and then trim down after sewing, you can see this tutorial for details :) Gather your 3 7/8" White and Blue squares. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of your 4 White squares.
Place a marked square onto the Blue Square with Right Sides Together. Stitch a 1/4" seam on either side of the drawn line. I like to chain stitch all 4 squares on the right side of the line, and then chain stitch all 4 squares on the left side of the line. Cut directly on the drawn line to make 2 triangles. Press towards the seams towards the Blue Triangle and then trim the dog ears to make 8 Half Square Triangle Units total all measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/2".
And now, the units are made and we are ready to piece the block. Layout the 4 Half Square Triangle Units, 4 Side Units, and 1 White 3 1/2" squares as shown. Layout 2 blocks to look just like this. We will chain stitch the next few steps so we make both blocks at the same time.
Place the center column pieces onto the left hand pieces with right sides together. Align and pin if desired. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units of both blocks.
Then, place the left hand column pieces onto the center pieces with right sides together. Align and pin if desired. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units of both blocks.
Press the top and bottom row open. Press the center row outwards towards the Purple rectangles.
Place the top row onto the center row with right sides together. Align and pin the seams. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge of of both blocks.
And now, place the bottom row onto the center row with right sides together. Align and pin the seams. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge of of both blocks.
And just like that, you have two classic Churn Dash Blocks that should measure 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" unfinished.
So now you are ready to move onto to making the . . .
Blue Truck and Alamo Pieced Panels
And these are super easy and quick. Gather your Blue Truck Panel, the Alamo Panel, and your 2 White 3" x 9 1/2" rectangles. We are basically just going to trim the panels and then add the White strip to the bottom.
So let's start with the Blue Truck Panel. We will be trimming this to 7" x 9 1/2". So I find it easiest to use a 9 1/2" Square ruler. Center the ruler on the panel by measuring 5/8" to the top of the roosters head at the top of the panel and 5/8" from the 7" line to the bottom of the grass on the bottom of the panel. That centers it horizontally. To center it vertically measure 1" in on either side to the edge of the grass hedge. Now that you are all aligned, trim along the 3 sides of the panel.
And then just flip the panel 180 degrees, align the ruler with the raw edge on the sides and with the 7" mark on the ruler with the "top" of the panel. Trim the bottom of the panel along the edge of the ruler.
Onto the Alamo Panel. Again, we will be trimming this to 7" x 9 1/2". Center the 9 1/2" square ruler on the panel by measuring 3/4" to the top of the blue sky at the top of the panel and 3/4" from the 7" line to the bottom of the building on the bottom of panel. That centers it horizontally. To center it vertically measure 1" in on either side to the edge, the right hand the building sticks out a bit, and the left hand align with the side of the tree. Now that you are all aligned, trim along the 3 sides of the panel.
Once again, flip the panel 180 degrees, align the ruler with the raw edge on the sides and with the 7" mark on the ruler with the "top" of the panel. Trim the bottom of the panel along the edge of the ruler.
Now take your trimmed panels and place the 3" x 9 1/2" White rectangle along the bottom of the panel with right sides together. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge on both panels and then press towards the White rectangle.
And that is it for Texas Monthly Month 8!!! It's always nice to have a fast block every once and a while :)
If you have any questions on this tutorial, please don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or leave a comment.
Hope y'all enjoy making this month's blocks!
Looking forward to Next Month!
