Block of the Month March

Block of the Month - March 2016

The COLOURS for this month are blue and white.

BLUES - mid blue, dark mid blue and dark blue with prints on them, or Bali prints or tone-on-tone prints.  The prints can be other colours but the background should be blue.

WHITES - any white background fabrics with a light print on them will work well.  So will tone-on-tone print fabrics.  Avoid a plain white fabric, as it might look a little stark.

It would be wonderful if you could make two blocks again this month.  Block A has narrower strips in the centre of the block and Block B has wider strips.  This will give variety throughout the finished quilt.  Different blue and white fabrics can be used for Block A and Block B.

Block A                                  Block B

narrower centre strips           wider centre strips

To make Block A

Cut 1 strip BLUE fabric 15 x 5 1/2 inches

Cut 1 strip WHITE fabric 15 x 1 1/2 inches

Cut 1 strip BLUE fabric 15 x 1 1/2 inches

Cut 1 strip WHITE fabric 15 x 5 1/2 inches

Join the strips as shown below with 1/4 inch seam allowance

Press all seam allowances to one side

From the above panel, cut four strips the widths shown

Arrange the strips as shown below, and sew together with 1/4 inch seam allowance.  The previously pressed seam allowances should "lock" together nicely.

Press seam allowances to one side.

To make Block B

Cut 1 strip BLUE fabric 15 x 5 inches

Cut 1 strip WHITE fabric 15 x 2 inches

Cut 1 strip BLUE fabric 15 x 2 inches

Cut 1 strip WHITE fabric 15 x 5 inches

Join the strips as shown below with 1/4 inch seam allowance

Press all seam allowances to one side

From the above panel, cut four strips the widths shown

Arrange the strips as shown below, and sew together with 1/4 inch seam allowance.  The previously pressed seam allowances should "lock" together nicely.

Press seam allowances to one side.

Note to those assembling the quilt top...

Blocks should be trimmed back to 11 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches resulting in 11 inch blocks when sewn together.

Block A has narrower centre strips

Block B has wider centre strips

When blocks are alternated, any variation in strip widths by individual block makers will not matter and seams at edges of blocks do not need to be aligned.  The result should give more visual interest and movement.

4 x 7 blocks = 28 blocks per quilt

44 x 77 inches

Possible variations

Thank you to everyone helping with this project.

When you have complete these blocks please send them to

Caroline Gunn (AHQ)

PO Box 3079 

St Mary's South NSW 2760

PDF of this tutorial can be found HERE

Thanks so much writing this Tutorial Sandy!

Till next time...............keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Jan-Maree xx