Pocket Patchwork ~ Orphans & Scraps ~ Part Two

We meet again!!  Hope I didn't loose anyone with the small Flying Geese and I sure hope you enjoyed making the block.  Did you have orphan units lying around to use?  I hope so.  They needed a home.

Please read today's post in its entirety before cutting.  This is a very fun technique that may be new to you, and is wonderful to use, especially for small blocks.  If we made the units in the traditional way, oh boy, the Four Patch pieces would the be soooo small!!  The squares in the Four Patch would finish to 11/16ths....yikes!  Here's the stuff you need to know for making this weeks' block:

We are starting with Quarter Square Triangles.  Yup...not a typo!  If you have orphan Quarter Square Triangle units, great!  They need to be 2 1/2 inches unfinished.  If not, follow the cutting instructions below to make your QST's.

*Cutting Instructions:

*From assorted prints, cut (8) light and (8) medium/dark squares 3 1/4".   

Use your favorite method to sew (4) assorted QST's that would now measure 2 1/2" unfinished. 

You will definitely have leftover units, or more orphans, for another project!

 

 

 

We're gonna take those QST's and turn them into on-point Four Patches.  This is so fun!!

*Cut (4) 1 1/2" matching squares from (4) assorted medium/dark prints.  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of all of the squares.

Position a square in opposite corners of the Quarter Square Triangle unit.  Sew on the drawn line; press and trim. 

Repeat with the remaining corners.  See the Four Patch emerging?

And...there it is!!  I love this technique.  It's not always easy to sew triangles to the sides of a plain square or pieced block.  It seems like something always goes awry on at least one corner.  With this technique, connector corners solve that issue, you're never sewing with any bias edges exposed, and you can make a very tiny Four Patch, but never sew with any tiny pieces!!  Love, love, love it!!  Repeat the process with the remaining (3) QST's.  All should measure to 2 1/2" unfinished.

Arrange the units for the block as shown, paying specific attention to the position of the Four Patches.  The lights alternate direction. 

 

 

Sew the units into rows, then sew rows together.  Press seams open in each step.  Your block should measure 4 1/2" unfinished. 

I'd love to hear your comments on what you think about this technique.  Have you ever done it before?  Do you like it?  I'll randomly draw a winner and give a special little give away if you leave me a comment.   Winner announced on Monday.

That's all for now....another fun block coming next Friday.  Enjoy your weekend!!  Pam