Welcome back to Rocking Chair Quilts blog 😊
Today we're sharing another one of the Big Blocks in the “I Can Totally Make That” pattern series.
Today it’s Lynn Hagemeier of Kansas Troubles Balancing Act block
CLICK HERE to visit Lynne’s blog where she posted about this classic block on Sept 24.
CLICK on the block to download Lynne’s free pattern.
Lynne’s block features her Milestones charm pack for a simple half square triangle block. If you start with a charm pack and 5” background squares You'll actually end up with enough half square triangles to make two blocks from a charm pack
Photos courtesy of Kansas Troubles/ Moda Fabrics and Supplies
Designer Lynne Hagemeier made her 18” block into a pillow.
#sawitloveditmadeit
We saw it, loved it, made it. Here’s RCQ’s Autumn flavored Balancing Act block.
We used fabric from Deb Strain’s THANKFUL collection
and Grunge Basics Elafin for our background.
We didn’t start with a charm pack instead we cut our own squares from fabric.
If you don’t have a charm pack in mind for this block,
you can make your 3” (finished size) half square triangles (HST) from your stash and scraps.
Use your favorite HST triangle method
OR
Scroll on to see how you can make HST 4 at a time.
HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES 4 AT A TIME
(3” finished size)
With this method, we to like to make the squares we start with sized so that the resulting
Half Square triangles are a bit larger than you need them to be
Then they can be squared up so rows go together smoothly.
To make 3” (finished size) HST place two 5 3/4” squares of fabric Right Sides Together (RST).
One darker square and one background square.
Then straight stitch all the way around the edge of the squares using 1/4in seam.
Stitched.
You can mark a diagonal line across both directions on the wrong side of the top fabric square.Then Using your rotary blade, cut the square in quarters following the drawn diagonal lines.
I don’t draw the lines . I just place a ruler on the diagonal (corner to corner) and cut the squares apart that way.
Flip the blocks open and either lightly finger press or use your iron to lightly press. Be careful not to over press as these triangles are cut on the bias and will stretch. Starch or Best Press on the fabric helps quite a bit.
Place a ruler on the block keeping the 45-degree diagonal line over the diagonal seam. Trim each side of your squares to 3 1/2”
Trimmed to 3 1/2”.
Make 36 HST. Arrange in rows and stitch together using 1/4” seam allowance.
Block should measure 18 1/2”. (18” finished size)
More about the Big Block Free Pattern Series:
There are 15 ‘I Can Totally Make That’ patterns. All are free patterns courtesy of Moda Fabric and their designers.
All are BIG 18” blocks that could stand alone as a mini quilt , make multiples for a larger throw or bed quilt. Maybe…make all 15 blocks as a sampler quilt? So many ways to go- isn’t that what we love about quilts and quilting?
Please respect the designer’s individual guidelines and use these patterns only for your own personal enjoyment. Read more about this at MODA FABRICS
The designers will be sharing their blocks via social media and their blogs, along with their ideas for finishing in the coming weeks . Here on our blog is one of many places you’ll be able to download this free series. You can use the links provided to visit the featured designer’s blog. All the designer’s should be sharing starting 9-23-2019 and over the next 2 weeks.
If you'd like to check out what the Moda designer’s will post about their blocks, here is the full schedule:
9.23.19: Lella Boutique and Sherri & Chelsi
9.24.19: Kansas Troubles
9.25.19: Crystal Manning and Me & My Sister
9.26.19: Jan Patek
9.27.19: Robin Pickens and Corey Yoder
9.30.19: BasicGrey
10.1.19: Betsy Chutchian and Lisa Bongean
10.2.19: American Jane
10.3.19: Kathy Schmitz
10.4.19: Zen Chic and Deb Strain
Thanks for reading! Until we blog again, be sure to take time out and Enjoy the Sew!® - Carol and staff @RCQ