Block of the Month

September 1997 - 12" Block

 A Dandy

 Make this Block in other sizes - 3", 4-1/2", 6", 9", 15", & 18"

Fabric

The A Dandy Block uses two different fabrics.

 One focus fabric

 One background fabric


Cutting the fabric

This Block requires:

 one 4-7/8" x 9-3/4" rectangle of focus fabric
 one 4-7/8" x 9-3/4" rectangle of background fabric
 five 4-1/2" squares of background fabric
 eight 2-1/2" squares of focus fabric

 Piecing the Block

 1) On the wrong side of the 4-7/8 x 9-3/4 rectangle of background fabric lightly draw a straight line 4-7/8" from the short edge dividing the rectangle in half and forming two squares. Then draw two diagonal lines through the center of the two squares as shown.

Instead of drawing on your fabric, you can also use Easy Piecing Triangle Templates.

 2) Place the background fabric rectangle together with the 4-7/8" x 9-3/4" rectangle of focus fabric with the right sides of the fabric together. Sew 1/4" away from both sides of the marked diagonal lines as shown.

3) Cut the sewn rectangles apart on the previously marked lines as shown creating four half-square triangle units.
 4) Press the seam allowance toward the focus fabric. The completed half-square triangle units should measure 4-1/2" square.
 5) Lightly mark a line on the diagonal of the wrong side of the eight 2-1/2" squares of the background fabric.
 6) Place on of the 2-1/2" focus fabric squares on top of one of the 4-1/2" background fabric squares, right sides together, with the marked diagonal line as shown. Sew on the diagonal line. Repeat with three more of the background fabric squares.

7) Trim the fabric 1/4" away from the sewn line as shown. Press the seam toward the focus fabric.
 8) Taking the units created in Step 7, place one of the 2-1/2" focus fabric squares, right sides together, and marked diagonal line positioned as shown on top of the unit. Sew on the marked line. Repeat with the three remaining units from Step 7.

9) Trim the fabric 1/4" away from the sewn line as shown. Press seam toward the focus fabric. The completed unit should measure 4-1/2" square.
 10) Using the units completed in Step 4 and two of the units completed in Step 9 piece the top and bottom rows of the Block by sewing the units together as shown. Press the seam allowance toward the Step 4 units. The resulting units should measure 4-1/2" x 12-1/2".
 11) With the remaining two units from Step 9 and the remaining 4-1/2" background fabric square, piece the center row of the Block as shown. Press the seam allowance toward the background fabric square. The resulting unit should measure 4-1/2" x 12-1/2".
 12) Piece together the three rows to complete the A Dandy quilt Block. Press the seam allowances toward the center row of the Block. The finished Block should measure 12-1/2" square with a 1/4" seam allowance on all sides.

WWQP Quilt Coloring Book page for the A Dandy Block

© Susan E Traudt 1997


 World Wide Quilting Page * Block of the Month 1997