for Creative Quilters

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
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

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

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Step 4:  Sew a light square to a medium square.  Press new seam toward the medium square.

make 1 unit

Step 5: Sew the last medium square to the unit from step 4 as shown.  Press seam toward the  medium square. Make 1.

make 1

Step 6: Pin a unit from step 3 to the step 5 unit, snugging seams against each other. Sew.  Press new seam either way.

make 1

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!

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:

January: Kindergarten Block block pdf applique pdf	February: 9-Patch Star block pdf  (updated 2/19)   applique pdf	March: Hourglass 1 block pdf applique pdf
April	May	June
July	August	September
October	November	December

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	June
July	August	September
October	November	December

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Making Half-Square Triangles (HSTs)

This BOM uses lots of HSTs!  Below are directions for three popular methods for making these units.  My cutting instructions call for squares large enough for methods A and B.  Method C uses squares that are 1/2 inch smaller - if you prefer this method just cut your squares 1/2 inch smaller (for example, 3.5" instead of 4").  You will be sewing on the bias with any method - be careful not to stretch the fabric as you sew.

Method A
1. Draw a diagonal line on the back side of the light fabric squares.
2. Sew 1/4" from each side of drawn line.
3. Cut on drawn line.
4. Open and press.
5. Trim to exact size needed.

  Method B
1. Cut the squares in half diagonally.
2. Stack 2 triangles right sides together.
3. Sew on long side 1/4" from edge.
4. Open and press.
5. Trim to exact size needed.

 Method C
This method gives you a small bonus HST for every regular size HST made.  The drawback is that there is no margin of error so you must cut and sew accurately.  The pinked edges on most "jelly roll" strips fray and make this more challenging, but it's not impossible.  (Note: measure width of jelly roll strip from pinked tip to pinked tip, not from dip to dip.)