Balkan Puzzle Block

The block for November 2005 is the "Balkan Puzzle" block

Each finished block measures 12 inches square.  (12 ½ X 12 ½ inches unfinished).  

Instructions:  Use good quality, 100% cotton pre-washed fabrics.

 
1.           cut blue rectangles
   
2.            cut yellow rectangles

3.             cut white squares

4.    piece blue flying geese - part 1
5.    piece blue flying geese - part 2

6.     piece yellow section - part 1
7.    piece yellow section - part 2


8.      join sections


9.  assemble block

10.          finished block


Select two tone-on-tone or looks-like-solid-from-a-distance prints in bright blue and yellow and a white-on-white for the background. 


Cutting instructions:

    1.   From the blue fabric, cut four 3 1/2 x 6 1/2-inch rectangles.

    2.   From the yellow fabric, cut four 3 1/2 x 6 1/2-inch rectangles.

    3.   From the white background fabric, cut sixteen 3 1/2-inch  squares.


Piecing instructions:
4.   For the blue "Flying Geese" sections, draw a line from corner to corner on the back of each of the white squares.  Lay one of the white squares along one end of one blue rectangle with right sides together. Sew along the drawn line.  Referring to graphic 4, cut the corner 1/4 inch from the sewn line.  Press to the white side.  Repeat with the other three blue rectangles.


5.  Lay another of the white squares along the opposite end of the blue rectangle.  Sew along the drawn line.  Referring to graphic 5, cut the corner 1/4-inch from the sewn line.  Press to the white side.



6.   The yellow sections are very similar.  Lay one of the white squares along one end of one yellow rectangle with right sides together. Sew along the drawn line.  Referring to graphic 6, cut the corner 1/4 inch from the sewn line.  Press to the yellow side.  Repeat with the other three yellow rectangles.


7.  Lay another of the white squares along the opposite end of the yellow rectangle.  Sew along the drawn line.  Referring to graphic 7, cut the corner 1/4-inch from the sewn line.  Press to the yellow side.
         

Assembly instructions:

      8.  With right sides together and using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, join one of each of the sets together. Refer to graphic 8.  You will end up with four matching squares. (note:  to make a sharper point, sew with blue side facing up so you can see that the seam runs right over the point as you sew them together.)

9.   Referring to the layout in graphic 9, piece the units together into a finished block.  Sew pieces into rows first, then combine the rows to finish the block   Pin at the intersection to ensure precise points.

Your completed unfinished block will measure 12 ½ inches.
12 inches after sewn into a quilt!

 

 

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