STATE BLOCK CHALLENGE - ILLINOIS BLOCK 1

It snowed today. Beautiful fluffy snow that stuck to the trees and grass. Didn't last long and only accumulated about 1". Good day to stay in and sew. (I started this on Sunday.)

Sometimes when I design a block I don't always think ahead about how easy or difficult it is to piece. This was one of those blocks. After cutting out all of the pieces I realized that it couldn't be pieced in the traditional way. I studied and studied the block trying to figure out how I could piece it without having to redraw and recut my fabrics. I then realized that I could use partial seams. A partial seam is when you only sew part of the seam so you can attach another section of a block and when that is done you can complete the rest of the seam. If you have never done them, they aren't really that hard. I just takes some planning. In piecing this block, I will give you step-by-step instructions on how to do partial seams. I also realized I did not give measurements for cutting the previous blocks in case you do not want to make or use templates. This block uses Marti Michell's Template set B. I still have one set for sale.

Here are the fabrics I picked for this block.

Here is the block from Electric Quilt 8. Remember, you can fussy-cut any part of the block.

Here are the cut patches.

ILLINOIS BLOCK 1 INSTRUCTIONS

Fabric requirements:

Fabric 1: Dark symmetrical print

Fabric 2: Light symmetrical print

Fabric 3: Dark (red)

Fabric 4: Bright (yellow)

Fabric 5. Light background print

Be sure to draw the straight of grain line arrows on your templates so that you cut them correctly.

Cutting instructions:

Fabric 1

* Cut four similar repeat with Template A. (Marti Michell template B9.)

OR Cut two 4-7/8" squares and sub-cut into four HST.

Fabric 2

* Cut four similar repeat with Template A.

OR Cut two 4-7/8" squares and sub-cut into four HST.

Fabric 3

* Cut eight triangles with Template B. (Marti Michell template B13.)

OR Cut four 2-7/8" squares and sub-cut into eight HST.

Fabric 4

* Cut eight triangles with Template B.

OR Cut four 2-7/8" squares and sub-cut into eight HST.

Fabric 5

* Cut four triangles with Template C (Marti Michell template B11). Line up the long edge of the template along the edge of the fabric.

 OR Cut one 5-1-/4"square and sub-cut twice into four QST.

* Cut four triangles with Template A

OR Cut two 4-7/8" squares and sub-cut into four HST.

PIECING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Sew the center four Fabric 1 Template A patches together.

2. Make the four Flying Geese Units (FGU). Sew the Template B Fabric 3 HST to the Template C Fabric 5 QST. Press to Fabric 3.

                                   

3. Sew the Template A Fabric 1 HST to the Template A Fabric 5 HST. Make four. Press to darker fabric.

4. Draw a mark on the backs of the Fabric 4 HST approximately 1" from the bottom. (I used 

1-1/4" but realized I needed to make it a little smaller.) 

5. Sew two Template B Fabric 4 HST to the corner of the Fabric 2 HST stopping at the drawn line on both patches. Press to Fabric 4. (You could put the Fabric 2 on the outside if you want.) Make four of these units.

6. Sew the unit from step 5 to the center pieced square.  You can see that the seam on the Fabric 4 HST is open at the top. Press to center square. Repeat with the other four sides.

This is what it will look like when all four corners are sewn on.

7. Sew the FGU to the HSTs that are loose. I have them on top to show what is pieced together. You will pull the section back so that the FGU lines up with the corners of the center unit. Be sure to open the press seams to match the ends of the FGU. Press to FGU.

Here they are sewn on.

Here is a close-up of what the block looks like so far with the partial seams. I have purposely laid the seams on top so you can see they are loose.

8. Fold back the edges of the FGU and the corner unit. Pin one side of the partial seams to the corner unit. Sew starting on the stitches and sew to the end of the patch. Press to the FGU.

9. Repeat with the other side. Press to the FGU. You can see you sewed these on without using "y" seams!

10. Repeat with the other four corners and you have a finished block!

If you have never done partial seams, I hope I have made the directions clear enough. If not, don't hesitate to email me a let me know what you don't understand or had problems with. Comments are appreciated. I hope some of you are doing these blocks. Please share them with me by emailing them to tlischko@@yahoo.com.

Here are the templates you need for this block.

Illinois Block 1 templates.

If you are not on my newsletter mailing list, you have not heard about my sales this month. Since my birthday is this month, I am having weekly and some daily specials. This week's special is all of my template sets are 40% off. All you have to do is write "templatesale" in the coupon box when you check out. If you want to receive my newsletter you can sign up on my website. If you are taking my Craftsy class this would be a great time to get the templates. If you aren't taking it I hope you think about signing up.

As always: Do what you love and love what you do. Thanks for reading and feel free to forward this blog to your quilting friends.

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