Each
block in this BOM is
based on a 9-patch grid. Most blocks are comprised of squares,
half-square triangles and quarter-square
triangles. An appliqued dog is featured with each
block, but is optional. Each block will be shown in at least two
colorways. You will need five color values: very light, light,
medium, medium
dark and dark. If you choose to do the doggy silhouettes, make
sure your dark fabrics will contrast with your chosen applique fabric.
I'm using a very dark blue for silhouettes. I will be doing 6"
blocks because they're easy to scan, but
I'm providing instructions for 9"and 12" blocks.
Unless
otherwise
stated, use a 1/4" seam allowance. |

My choice of fabrics for this BOM - the darkest value is for the
appliqued dog silhouettes.
|
This Month's Block: Hourglass 1
We have a super easy block for this month - only 2 half-square
triangles! This block apparently has only the one name,
Hourglass, but their are many other blocks named Hourglass so the 1 is
there to distinguish it from the others. Personally, I think of
paper-wrapped candy, like saltwater taffy, when I see this block.
Barbara Brackman's book shows this block with the medium and dark
colors reversed - I followed the coloration used in the Electric Quilt
software. Either way makes a nice block. Scroll down near
the bottom to see the mini version in red, white and green.

blue monochromatic
|

made with scraps of green shamrock fabric
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Cutting
9" (finished size) block:
light color:
1 - 4" squares
1 - 3.5" squares
medium color:
1 - 4" squares
4 - 3.5" squares
dark color:
2 - 3.5" squares
|
Requirements
12" (finished size) block:
light color:
1 - 5" squares
1 - 4.5" squares
medium color:
1 - 5" squares
4 - 4.5" squares
dark color:
2 - 4.5" squares
|
Step 1: The
first step is to make the half-square triangle units (abbreviated
HST) using the 4" (for 9" block) or 5" (for 12" block) squares.
There are several ways to make
HSTs. I've provided
instructions
on the right sidebar. The measurements I've given above
for the large squares
are 1/8" larger than necessary - this gives a bit of room for error
when sewing. Finished HSTs will be trimmed to exact size later.
For this block:
Press seams toward the darker color.
Make 2 light/medium HSTs.
On step 5 (of HST instructions at right), trim each HST to 3.5" square
for 9" block or 4.5" square for
12" block..
Step
2: Sew a light/medium HST to a medium color square as
shown. Press
seam toward the square. Make 2.
|

make 2
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Step
3: Sew a dark square to the step 2 unit as shown.
Press
seam toward the medium color square. Make 2.
|

make 2 of these units
|
.
Step
4: Sew a light square to a medium square. Press
new seam
toward the medium square.
|
|
Step
5: Sew the last medium square to the unit from step 4 as
shown. Press seam toward the medium square. Make 1.
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make 1
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Step
6: Pin a unit from step 3 to the step 5 unit, snugging seams
against each other. Sew. Press new seam either way.
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make 1
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Step
7: Pin remaining step 3 unit to bottom edge of step 6
unit - it goes the opposite way from the top row unit. Sew
together. Press new seam either way.
Press block; square-up to correct size.
|

finished block!
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Optional: Applique the dog onto your block using your choice of
applique methods.
Click here
for the applique pattern pdf.
Fabric Requirements
Fabric
|
9" blocks
|
12" and 15" blocks
|
Light:
Medium A:
Medium B:
Option: purchase 1/2 yard & use it more than I did
Dark:
|
1 yard
1 yard
1/4 yard
1/2 yard
|
1-2/3 yard
1-1/4 yard
1/4 yard
2/3 yard
|
Past Blocks:
9-Patch Frolic in
Miniature Blocks
Most of the blocks for this BOM can be made as 3-inch blocks fairly
easily by using method 4 for making the HSTs. I decided to give
it a try using leftovers of Christmas fabrics. (The penny is in
the picture to show how small these blocks are.) If you'd
like to try making a miniature of this BOM, the cutting sizes for
3-inch blocks are listed on the pdf for each block. Instead of
using the applique dog silhouettes, I'm looking for buttons to adorn
the border or the cornerstones (or maybe both!) of this little quilt
when it's finished.
January:
Kindergarten Block

block
pdf
|
February:
9-Patch Star

block
pdf
|
March:
Hourglass 1

block
pdf
|
April
|
May
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June
|
July
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August
|
September
|
October
|
November
|
December
|
.
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