Aztec Dance BOM - Month 1 - Part 1

Welcome to the Aztec Dance Block of the Month Kick-Off. I'm excited to get this 6-Month Block of Month started.  

Starting today, and every 15th of the month, I will be releasing a new block in the series and posting a tutorial right here in my blog on how to make the specific blocks.  Also, I will be doing Facebook Live tutorials in my Quilting Affection Design Block of the Month Facebook Group.  

You have two options for purchasing the pattern. First, My website is set up for both Printed and Downloadable PDF versions. For my International customers, I have an Etsy website, especially for you, where you can purchase the patterns as a Downloadable PDF only so you don't have to worry about shipping costs. 

On my website, I have set up an exclusive page for the Aztec Dance Block of the Month. This page will provide all the essential information that will get you ready to start this program, such as the General Instructions, possible color combinations, and tutorial links. 

The fabrics I used in my quilt cover are from the Island Batik "Sundance" Collection. If you are interested in other possible color combinations that this Block of the Month will look beautiful in, then check out the Aztec Dance Block of the Month page on my website.

You will have to decide which size of quilt you wish to make, the 56" x 56" (Wall Hanging), 90" x 90" Queen size. What size do you plan to make?

In designing this Block of the Month, I wanted to create something that will help develop your skills in the three fundamental tools of the Studio 180 Design tools. Depending on which size of quilt you have chosen to make. You will need the following: 

• Wall Hanging 
• Tucker Trimmer® I
• Wing Clipper® I
• Square Squared® 6."

• Queen Size
• Tucker Trimmer® III
• Wing Clipper® I
• Large Square Squared®

Now let's get started with Month 1's tutorial!

Month 1 is now available for purchase. The tools you will need for this month's block are the Tucker Trimmer and Square Squared tools. This block makes up into 6" (Wall) and 9" (Queen). 

For this month's block, you will be making three different units, Half Square Triangles, Quarter Square, and Diamond in a Square.

When you have your pattern, please read through the instructions thoroughly. Cut out and organize your pieces. I arrange my pieces on paper plates, writing down the unit sizes, and the color and sizes of the pieces needed.

Half Square Triangles

Making Half Square triangles is one of the most fundamental units in quilting, and using the tucker trimmer is so much easier to get quick and accurate units every time.

Start by marking two diagonal lines on the reverse side of your gold fabric squares using your favorite marking tool and Quilter's Magic Wand, these lines are now your stitching lines. Layer them with a Blue fabric square. 

Stitch on the lines, then cut them down the middle. Press according to the instructions.

Right Handed

Left Handed

Once you have them all pressed, take them to your cutting mat and Position the Tucker Trimmer® over the unit, carefully align the common diagonal and sizing diagonal line with the stitch line for the size of the block you are making, refer to your pattern instructions.  Trim the sides and across the top first.

Rotate the unit 180° and line up the Tucker Trimmer and trim the remaining sides to measure the cut size for the units you are making, refer to your pattern for exact sizes.

Once the unit is complete, put them back on the paper plates, so they are not lost, and set them aside.  Now it is time to make the Quarter Square Triangles.

Quarter Square Triangles

Quarter Square Triangles start out the same way as you would make Half Square Triangles, except you start out with slightly oversized squares so we can cut and sew them twice. 

Start by marking the two diagonal lines using your Quilter's Magic Wand on the reverse side of the Rust squares.  Layer the Blue and Rust together and repeat with Rust and Tan fabric squares. Stitch on the lines, cut, and press according to your pattern instructions.

Stop, please don't trim these units just yet, we need position a Blue and Rust unit and a Rust and Tan unit with right sides together. Mark two stitching lines using your Quilter's Magic Wand on the wrong sides of the fabric.

 Stitch on the lines, cut apart and press according to your pattern instructions.

Right Hand

Left Handed

Now, we can use our Tucker Trimmer to trim our units. Position the Tucker Trimmer over the unit, size according to your pattern size. Carefully aligning the common diagonal and sizing line with the stitched seam. Trim the sides and across the top first.

Right Handed

Left Handed

Rotate the unit 180° and line up the Tucker Trimmer and trim the remaining sides to measure the cut size for the units you are making, refer to your pattern for exact sizes.

Thank you for joining me today for Part 1 Half Square Triangles and Quarter Square units. Be sure to check in tomorrow for part two on how to make the Diamond in the Square units using the Square Squared 6" Tool.

Graceful Points QAL Block 7

Welcome to another release day for the Graceful Points QAL. Today we will be continuing working with our V Block® Trimmer, and we are going to be using our Tucker Trimmer® I by making Combinations and Quarter Square units for our Block 7.  Both can be purchased on my website. 

Block 7 is called in the Studio 180 Design Blockbuster #9 "Three in One."  We will be making all three blocks.

Before we start, you will need all 5 different fabrics, and please refer to your color chart found in your general instructions. You will also want to download Block #7 and the Blockbuster #9 Three in One Instructions, both are required to make your blocks.

Please remember that the pictures used in this tutorial are for the 6" 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

Since these blocks are reviews of blocks that we have made in the past, this will be a brief overview of what we will be making.

Unit A - V Blocks

We covered how to cut the Center and Side Triangle and assembly for the V Blocks in Block 6, so if you need a quick refresher, you can read all about it HERE.

So you will follow Block 7 instructions to cut all your Side Triangles Pairs and Center Triangles.

Helpful Tip: Organization is vital when you are working on new patterns.  I suggest getting paper plates and labeling with color, unit size, or any method that you feel with help and then place pieces on the plates.  As you make each of the V Blocks, you can add to the labels as you go.

Trimming

Right Handed

Left Handed

Place the V Block® tool on the unit and aligning up the Finished size measurement with the seam lines.  Trim along the first two sides.

Right Handed

Left Handed

Rotate the unit 180° and line up the V Block® too over the unit again, aligning the units cut sizes with the previously trimmed edges and "X" with the sewn line intersections.  Trim the remaining two sides.

You will be making four Different V Block units. Suggest place the units on separate paper plates with the unit name used in the block instructions. 

 Unit B - Combination Units:

Now we are going to do a quick overview of Combination units.  We made these in Block 4.

We are going to start off like we are making half square triangles. Using the Quilter's Magic Wand Mark two stitching lines 1/4" on either side of the center diagonal line on the wrong side one of the squares. 

Layer the units Squares with right sides together. Stitch on the drawn lines, cut down the middle and Press to the dark side. Do not trim these units yet! 

Now we are going to add an additional couple of steps to this process. Position the HST and the additional square with right sides together.  Using your Quilter's Magic Wand mark two stitching lines on either side of the center diagonal line.

Stitch on the drawn lines and then cut down the middle.  Press seam in the direction of the new triangle.

Trim using your Tucker Trimmer, carefully aligning the common diagonal and the sizing diagonal lines for the size you are making, refer to you Block instructions.

Unit C - Quarter Square Triangles

Quarter Square Triangles are made the same way as the combination, except we are going to sew the two half squares together.  We have completed QST in several of our blocks already, Block 4 was the most recent one, so I'm going to just a quick overview of this unit also.

Start off by making your half square triangles using the fabric colors indicted in your Block Instructions.  Reminder, you do not need to trim them to size at this point.  On the reverse side of your fabric mark a 1/4" on each side of the center diagonal of one the HST unit.

Position the two half square triangles with right sides together and assuring to position the fabrics to they the opposite of each other.  Stitch on the drawn lines and cut down the middle.

Trim with your Tucker Trimmer, carefully aligning up the common diagonals and sizing diagonal lines.

Assembly of Blocks

When all your units are complete, all you have to do is finish your block #7. Please follow Blockbuster page Download to make sure you lay out the units correctly. 

Block #1

Block #2

Block #3 

Your "Three in One" block is now complete, I look forward to seeing your Blocks, and I hope you will share your photos in the comments section below or on the Graceful Points Facebook Group.  Additionally, you can post your blocks on Facebook or Instagram making sure to use the #gracefulpointsqal and/or #quiltingaffection designs.  I can't wait to see your blocks.

The next block will be released on May 10th, where we will be using new tools, the Corner Beam and the Sliver Technique Sheet.

Tina

"Designing to Inspire"

Garden Enchantment BOM Month 1 Part 2

Welcome back to Part two of the Month 1 block for the Garden Enchantment BOM.  If you missed Part One you can catch up HERE.  

Today, we are making the four Diamond in Square units for the center of our blocks.  

1. Gather your white squares and Green Strip.

Left Handed

Right Handed

2. Position the Center Square Section of the Square Squared tool over the green strip.  Placing the Square Squared tool on the trimmed edge of the strip, lining up the corner of the strip with the center for the size of the unit.  Cut up the side and across the top to get a precise unit.  Repeat to make 4 center squares.

3. Cut the White squares on the diagonal once to yield two triangles from each square to white triangles.

4.  Position two triangles on opposite sides of the center square.  Stitch with the square on top of the triangle for best visibility using a 1/4" seam.

 Press seams away from the center square.

5.  Position the remaining two white triangles on the green center square.  Stitching two triangles using a 1/4" seam allowance and press seams again away from the center square.

Left Handed

Right Handed

6. Position the Trim Down Section of the Square Squared tool over the unit.  Be sure to refer to your pattern instructions for trim sizes.

Left Handed

Right Handed

7.  Rotate your Diamond in a Square Unit and reposition the Square Squared tool and the two remaining sizes.

Make 4 Diamond in the Square Units.