Graceful Points QAL Block 2

Wow, two week goes by so quickly, how did Block 1 for your Graceful points QAL go for you?  I hope you had fun. If you miss Block 1, you can catch up by reading all about it through the Graceful Points QAL Kickoff Post.

Well let's get started with Block 2- BlockBuster #2 – Crowning Glory.  We will be making the following block sizes depending on your quilt size; 9" Finished (wall) and the 12" Finished (King).  

This block consist of making a 3-colored Quarter Square Triangles and Shaded Four Patches for the corners.  So you will need your Tucker Trimmer® 1, and Quilter's Magic Wand, if you need these you can purchase them from my website.  The Shaded Four Patch uses the Shaded Four Patch Technique Sheet, which can be purchased through the Studio 180 Design website.  The Technique Sheet is great to add to your Tucker Toolbox.  If you don't have the sheet for this block that's fine I will be walking you through the process in the Block Instructions and this photo tutorial.



Also, you will need the following Fabric Colors: C1, C2, C3, and Background (BG) to make your Crowning Glory block. 

Before we start make sure you Download your Block Instructions, and Blockbuster Block, remember both are required to make you block.

Please remember that the pictures used in this tutorial are for the 9" block for the Wallhanging.  Be sure to read the Downloaded Block Instructions to get the correct cutting and trimming sizes for the 12" block, which are indicated in (Blue) parenthesis. 

Let's get started making our Crowning Glory Block

Suggested: Before we start making our units, use the Cutting Chart from the Download Block Instructions cut all your strips, rectangles, and squares you will need to make this block.

Unit A: Shaded Four Patch

We are going to make 4 Shaded Four Patch units.

1. Gather your (2) C2 Strips (Narrow Strips), (2) BG Strips (Wide Strips), and (2) C3 rectangles.

2. Take a Narrow Strip and Wide Strip and stitch them together along the long side.  Repeat with the other strips.  Press them toward the Wide Strip.

3. Pair the two pieced strips with right sides together with the narrow strips on opposite sides so each narrow strip faces the wide strip.

Right Handed

Left Handed

4. Cut the strips into sections, according to the width of your Narrow Strip. Refer to your Downloaded Block instructions for width.  Keep the cut paired pieces together after cutting.

5. Stitch the paired pieces together along one long side. Snip the seam allowance at the halfway mark between the two squares all the way to the seam.  Don't be afraid to cut the seam allowance.

6. Select a ruler with a 45° angle on it. Your Tucker Trimmer would work great for this, just use the Bold Common Diagonal Line that runs down the middle.  Use the 45° angle line, place on the edge of the unit and draw a 45° angle sewing line from the top to bottom. The line should be through the corner of the square where the stitching lines meet.  Repeat the process for a second drawing a 45° angle sewing line. 

7. Center the unit over your C3 rectangle and Stitch on both of the lines.

8. Cut Away from 1/4" from the two stitching lines on both sides.  Pressing toward the larger triangle.

Right Handed

Left Handed

9. Position the sizing diagonal of the Tucker Trimmer® 1 over the unit so that it lines up with the diagonal seam line of the Shaded Four Patch and assuring the common line passes through the corners of the square at the center of the unit.  Trim the first two sides, up and across. (Note: the trim size used in these pictures are for the 9" block only)

Left Handed

10.  Rotate the unit 180° and line up the Tucker Trimmer® 1 over the unit again, aligning the diagonals and cut sizes lines with the previously trimmed edges and trim the remaining sides. Making sure to line up the sizing diagonal aligns with the diagonal seam of the unit and the center corner of the square match up with the common diagonal line.  (Note: the trim size used in these pictures are for the 9" block only)

Note: if you need more help with making the Shaded Four Patch Units, please watch the this YouTube Video on the Shaded Four Patch.   

If you are Lefty, you can Download the Left Hand cutting instructions for your Shade Four Patch Technique Sheet 

Make 4 Shade Four Patch units.

Unit B: Quarter Square Triangles

These 3-Colored quarter Square Triangles are made the same way as we did in Block 1. Except for colors and cutting sizes.

11. Gather your (1) BG Squares, (2) C1 Squares, and (1) C2 Squares.

12. Mark two stitching lines on either side of the center diagonal line using your Quilter's Magic Wand on the wrong sides of the two C1 Squares.

13. Position the C3 squares on squares on top of the other cut squares, as indicated in your Block 2 instructions.  Making sure to line up all the edges and points.  

14.  Cut down the middle and Press according to your instructions, the C3 fabric. Remember Don't trim these units down to size just yet.  We need to finish first.

You will have two different sets of the Half Square Triangles, BG / C1, and C2 / C1 units. 

15. Next, position a BG / C1 on top of the C1 / C1 units, assuring the C1 fabrics are the opposite of each other.

16. Using your Quilter's Magic Wand Mark two more stitching lines on the back of the one the half square triangles.  Stitch and Cut down the middle as we did before with the Half Square Triangles.  Press the seams as indicated in the instructions. It is recommended that you spin your Quarter Square seams to make sure they lay flat. 

Right Handed

Left Handed

17. Position the Tucker Trimmer over the Quarter Square Triangle unit, carefully aligning the sizing diagonal line with the stitched seam line of the fabric square.  Trim up and across the top. (Note: the trim size used in these pictures are for the 9" block only)

Right Handed

Left Handed

9. Rotate the unit 180° and line up the Tucker Trimmer and trim the remaining sides. (Note: the trim size used in these pictures are for the 9" block only)

Make 4 Unit B Quarter Square units.

Block Assembly

To finish your Block 2 follow your Blockbuster page Download to make sure you lay out the units correctly.  Be sure to watch your unit placements, especially for the Quarter Square Triangles.

Again, I'm leaving the pressing to your preferences so you can either press your units open or to the side, so they nest together. I have supplied a pressing diagram that is located on the last page of the block 2 instructions.

Have fun making Block 2-Crown Glory and  I hope you will share your photos in the comments below or on the Graceful Points Facebook Group.  

The next Block will be posted on Friday, March 1st.  We will be using the Tucker Trimmer® 1 and the WingClipper® 1.  You can purchase them on my website.

Have fun with the block and a great weekend!

Tina

"Designs to Inspire"