BLOCK OF THE MONTH MAY 2019

BLOCK OF THE MONTH

MAY 2019

SPINNING CROSS BLOCK

This Block design was Block of the Month in June 2017.  However, this time, we are using the

AUSSIE FLAG COLOURS

Red, White and Blue

At first, this might look like a tricky block to make but it is simply 

A NINE PATCH BLOCK + CORNERS = IMPRESSIVE BLOCK

Please refer to our Flag for the colours when choosing fabrics

BLOCKS DO NOT HAVE TO INCLUDE THE FLAG PRINT FABRIC

Suitable fabrics for these blocks…

Plain colour eg. homespun

Tone-on-tone prints – they add interesting texture to blocks

Red, white and blue backgrounds with Gender-neutral printed designs

Aussie Flag print fabrics in the BLUE position

Spotlight sells the all-over Flag print fabric in my sample block.  It is lightweight 

cotton drill and not plain weave like other patchwork fabrics but still 

suitable for our blocks.  

In my local store, it is with other Flag fabrics, beside the licensed print fabrics. 

Other Aussie Flag fabrics are available elsewhere.

Please only use 100% cotton fabrics

1/4 inch seam allowance

Let’s get started…

To make the RED BACKGROUND block

From the RED FABRIC 

• cut 2 squares 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch
• cut 2 squares 4 3/8 x 4 3/8 inch
• cut 2 strips 1 3/4 x 17 inch

From the BLUE FABRIC

• cut 2 squares 4 3/8 x 4 3/8 inch
• cut 1 square 4 x 4 inch

From the WHITE FABRIC

• cut 1 strip 1 5/8 inch x 17 inch

Join the strips as shown and press the seam allowances onto the red fabric

Cut 4 squares 4 x 4 inch from the strip

Take the 4 squares that are 4 3/8 x 4 3/8 inch and on the wrong side of the fabric, draw a line diagonally from corner to corner as shown, on the colour that is easiest to see the line.  

This is the cutting line.

Place a red square and a blue square with right sides together and pin as shown.  

Stitch a seam 1/4 inch on both sides of the cutting line.

Cut along the cutting line, resulting in two squares.

Press the seam allowances open as shown.

Lay out the four squares as shown below.

Join the three squares that are the centre row and press the seam allowances into the centre square.

Join the three squares that are the outside rows and press the seam allowances into the outside squares.

This picture shows the position of the seam allowances to give "lock seams" and reduce bulk in the block.

Join the three rows of the block together.  This picture shows the "lock seams" with seam allowances going in opposite directions and pinned on either side, ready for sewing the seam.

The Nine Patch block is now complete and ready for the corners to be added.

Take the two 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch squares and cut diagonally from corner to corner.

Corners will be added as in the picture below.

Fold one of the triangles in half along the side that adjoins the block, with WRONG SIDES together.

Fold the block in half, to find the mid point of the side of the block and mark with a pin as shown below.

With right sides together, position the folded triangle along one side of the block, with the fold matching the pin in the block.

Open out the triangle and pin all the way along the side of the block and triangle.  The ends of the triangle will overhang the block.

Stitch the seam.

Press the seam allowance onto the triangle.

Repeat for the opposite side of the block, as shown.

Repeat for the remaining two triangles.

PLEASE...do not trim any uneven edges as EVERY block will be made a little smaller 

and tailored to fit each quilt that is designed.

And there you have it...the Red background Spinning Cross Block.

To make the BLUE BACKGROUND block

From the BLUE FABRIC 

• cut 2 squares 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch
• cut 2 squares 4 3/8 x 4 3/8 inch
• cut 2 strips 1 3/4 x 17 inch

From the RED FABRIC

• cut 2 squares 4 3/8 x 4 3/8 inch
• cut 1 square 4 x 4 inch

From the WHITE FABRIC

• cut 1 strip 1 5/8 inch x 17 inch

Make this block the same as the Red Background block reversing the blue and red fabrics.

And there you have it...the BLUE background Spinning Cross block.

Thank you for making these Blocks of the Month for May.

Your blocks will be part of a quilt for a deployed Aussie Hero made by 

the Coffs Harbour Sewing Team.

Each quilt is an original and is designed to the specific Requests

of each Aussie Hero.

THANK YOU

Please send your blocks to 

Sandy Corry

9 Wendouree Court

North Boambee Valley   NSW   2450

Please include your email address and I will advise you of the arrival of your blocks.

  Alternatively, watch the Blog each Wednesday for the Happy Mail Post 

showing the blocks received in the previous week.

PDF Version of this block can be found here

Until next time,

Sandy