Fabri-Quilt New Block Design: Square Sky

Square Sky Block

This summer I signed on to participate in the Fabri-Quilt New Block Blog Hop.  We were challenged to design a quilt block using a collection of fabric from Fabri-Quilt, called "Watermelon Summer".  We were asked to use a minimum of three of the fabrics in our design.  I played with the fabric for a few days (don't all quilters "play" with fabric?) and decided to use what I was drawn to... the blue colour palette.

I pulled out my graph paper, pencil, eraser and pencil crayons - I am not tech savvy in my design technique but I was very happy with how easy and pretty it turned out on graph paper.  This block is perfect for a beginner quilter but also perfect for when you are using fabric you want to show off (especially for the centre square).

Instructions for the Square Sky Block design:

Choose 4 fat-eighths of fabric.  I think this design looks good when all fabrics are from the same colour family plus a white but none of this is necessary.  Choose what you love!

Cutting:

Centre Block (lapis blue):  1 - 6.5" x 6.5"

Corner Squares (white): 4 - 3.5" x 3.5"

Rectangles: 4 - 2" x 6.5" (aqua)

                   4 - 2" x 6.5" (turquoise)

Putting It Altogether:

Set your stitch length to 2.5 when piecing this block.

1.  Begin with the 2" x 6.5" rectangles, right sides together, sew along the long edge of the rectangles: 1/4 inch seam allowance is best.  This will make 4 units:

Press seam allowance towards darker fabric.

Just a little side note:  I love using starch when piecing my quilts...
it makes sewing so much easier!

 2.  When I sew a block together, I like to see what I need to do and this block is easy to visualize how it should be put together.
Sew two rectangle units to the sides of the lapis blue square.  Sew two white squares to the ends of each of the remaining rectangle units.

Press towards the large lapis blue square and towards the white for each unit.  This makes it easy to match up seams in the final stage.

Another little side note:

I was moving along quite quickly sewing this block together (it is simple) but then realized I made a mistake... no sewing project is complete without pulling out the seam-ripper.  

3.  Sew all three units together.  It should look just like this when finished:

I love it when my seams line up so nicely.

I made another block with what fabric I had left and I altered it slightly.  In the end, I liked the version on the left better than my original, on the right.  Either way, this block is a great, quick block that shows the fabric nicely.

Block:  Square Sky

I would like to thank the four hosts of our blog hop:

Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl 

Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs

Stephanie of Late Night Quilter

Terri Ann of Childlike Fascination

I am also sending a big HELLO out to my fellow block designers that are also sharing today:

Robyn of Hoops & Thimbles
Helen of Midget Gem Quilts
Jinger of Trials of a Newbie Quilter
Anja of Anja Quilts
Kathryn of Upitis Quilts
Mary of Quilting is in my Blood
Emma of My Handmade Home
Francine of Mocha Wild Child
Dina of Living Water Quilter
Lori of SewPsyched!
Amy of 13 Spools
Denise of CrafTraditions
Sandra of The Bias Edge

Sandra of One Million Stitches

Lastly, head on over to Inspired By Fabric for their giveaways and full information on all of the new block designs this week and the beautiful fabric we were fortunate to work with from Fabri-Quilt.