Block Party Block #54 - Compass Twist Tutorial Part 1

Block Party Block 54 – Compass Twist uses the Studio 180 Design Corner Pop III and Tucker Trimmer tools. This block utilizes the Corner Pop III tool to add an additional style to the units in this block. You will find the link to the Block Party Block below. 

I am excited to announce that, starting this month, I will add tutorials to the block party blocks. These tutorials can be used as a sew-along. After each block is released, I will provide a multi-part tutorial published weekly to guide you through each unit.

This month's block will be a two-part tutorial. We will cover Units A and B this week, and you will receive Units C and D next Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

To get started, Download your Block Party Block #54: https://bit.ly/BPB54CompassTwist

Remember to choose the block size you wish to create. Next, refer to the cutting charts in the tool instructions to determine the starting sizes for the necessary squares and strips for your block.

For this block, I used six fabrics from Deb Tucker Studio 180 DeDesign'sewest original Collection, Bubble, Curves, and Corner for Island Batik, plus a white background fabric by Island Batik. Feel free to change the colors to make it yours. Depending on which size you choose, you will need Fat Eight or less of the colors to make this block. 

Unit A and B Half Square Triangles

For this first step, gather your half-square triangles. I will use (4) white as my background and (4) light fabric for my Half-Square Triangles.

Using your QuQuilter'sagic Wand, mark the background fabric with two diagonal lines ¼” from the center diagonal.

Place this background fabric on top of the other fabric, right sides together. Stitch on the drawn lines.

Cut down the middle of the stitched lines to make two triangles. Press toward the darker fabric.

Right-Handed

Left-Handed

Place the square on the cutting mat. Place the Tucker Trimmer on the unit using the Cutting Size listed on your block pattern, lining up the sizing line across the sewn seam and the common diagonal down the center. Trim up and across the unit.

Right-Handed

Left-Handed

Rotate your unit 180 degrees, replace the Tucker Trimmer on the unit, realign the sizing line and the clean-up lines on the previously trimmed edges, and trim up and across the final two sides of the unit.

You will repeat this for the four Unit A and B Half-Square Triangles. Set aside the Unit A units.

Cutting Type 1 Replacement Triangles

Consult the Cutting Chart in the instructions for your Corner Pop III tool to determine the strip size needed based on the finished size of the unit you are popping. Gather your fabric strips for the replacement triangles; I will use red and blue fabrics.

Right-Handed

Left-Handed

Lay the strip flat on the cutting mat with the right sides facing up. For right-handed cutters, place the strip horizontally. For left-handed cutters, place the strip Vertically. Clean up the short edge of the strip. Find the bold Replacement Triangle line on your Corner Pop III tool. Place the Replacement Triangle line on the trimmed edge of the strip and position the Cut Away Corner line that corresponds with your width size along the long edge of the strip. See the above images. Trim across the angle of the tool.

Right-Handed

Left-Handed

To make the next cut, you will need to perform a straight cut. Begin by aligning the top edge of the tool with the top of the strip. Position the ½” dashed line on the tool approximately 1/8” from the corner edge. Then, trim across the tool.

Repeat this process for the number of replacement triangles needed for your block. You will need four Type 1 Replacement Triangles. I cut two red and two blue replacement triangles in my block.

Popping Unit B Half Square Triangles

Right-Handed

Left-Handed

Position Unit B Half Square Triangles right side up on the cutting mat. For right-handers, place Unit B with the darker fabric in the top right-hand corner. For left-handers, place the darker fabric in the top left-hand corner. Use the Unit Cut Away Size indicated on the cutting instructions for the block pattern to align the Corner Pop III tool Cut Away Corner tool lines on the unit, as shown above. Position the Trim along the angle to remove the triangle.

Place the Replacement Triangles on the left side of the trimmed unit.

Place the trimmed half-square triangle unit on top of the replacement triangle and sew a ¼” seam allowance. Ensure the half-square triangle unit is on top of the replacement triangle. After stitching, press the seams open. Repeat for all four Unit B units.

Right-Handed

Left-Handed

Place the unit's wrong sides up on the cutting mat. For right-handers, place the replacement triangle across the top; for Left-Handers, place the replacement triangles on the left side. Locate the Corner Trim Down section on your Corner Pop III tool. Place the diagonal line that indicates the unit size you are making on the seam line; see the images above. Trim away the access. Repeat for all your units.

Unit A and B

You will now have completed four Units, A and B. The next tutorial for Units C and D will be next Wednesday, January 22, 2025.