Graceful Points QAL Block 8

Hello everyone, it's time for another block in our Graceful Points Quilt Along.  Today we are going to be working on Block 8, which marks the halfway mark in our quilt along. Before we begin, I want to see how everyone is doing so far.  Please comment below if you are all caught up or just getting started.  Don't worry if you have you haven't started yet, or you are behind, remember you can catch up at any time.

Block 8, which is Studio 180 Design Blockbuster #10 - Twisted Pinwheel, this block uses the V-Block tool, and the Sidekick & High/Low Technique Sheet, both are available on my website.

Before we start, you will need the following fabric colors, BG, C1, and C3, please refer to your color chart found in your general instructions. You will also want to download the Block #8 and the Blockbuster #10 Twisted Pinwheel Instructions, both are required to make your block.

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.

Since we are working with a new technique SideKick & High/Low please remember, along with the Technique Sheet there are two videos SideKick and the High/Low that will walk you through the steps of making the units.  

So let's get started making those High/Low Left units.  These units are similar to the V-Block units, they just have one side triangle and a folded corner.

High/Low (Left) Units

Start with cutting our base section units. First off we cut out squares for our based section and side triangles.  The side triangles should be easy with all the practice we had in Blocks 6 and 7.  Just remember to lay your fabric with the right sides facing up for the left side.

Right Handed

Left Handed

We start with our based section placing it on the cutting mat with the right side facing up, for the Left units.  That means we want to put the long angle of the Side triangle on the left.  Placing our V-Block Tool on the based section square, positioning the dashed line of your ruler on the edge of your square and the bottom with the finished unit size at the bottom.  Cutting along the slanted line.

Now lay out all your units as they will look in the final unit.  Position the side triangle and the based section with right sides facing together.  Align the edges, and stitch, just as we would for a V-Block unit.  Press toward the side triangle.  No need to trim at this point.

Tip: you may want to slide your side triangle about 1/8" to make sure you get enough room at the bottom of the unit for trimming later.

Next, we are going to draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the small corner squares.  Place these small squares on the opposite corner of the based section with the line going across the corner.

Stitch on the line, trim seams 1/4" from the stitching line, and press away from the based unit.

Right Handed

Left Handed

Now we can trim the units to size.  Positioning the V-Block tool on the unit, lining up the side triangle seam with the guideline on the tool.  Positioning the intersection of the two seamlines where the guidelines on the tool intersect.  Please remember that the folded corner will not line up with the guideline on the tool. Trim the first two sides.

Right Handed 

Left Handed

Rotate the unit 180° and line up the V-Block tool with the cut size measurement with the previously trimmed edges and "X" with the sewn seam line intersections.  Trim the last two remaining sides.

SideKick (Right)

The SideKick is the same concept as the High/Low unit, the only difference in making the units is that you will not be placing a folded corner in the opposite corner, it will remain empty.

The SideKick which is the Side Triangle will be placed on the right side this time.  So when we remove the side piece from the base section and the cut the side triangles we need to make sure the wrong side is facing up on the cutting mat. 

Align the Side Triangles and based units with right sides together and press toward the Side Triangle as you did in the High/Low unit.  

Right Hand

Left Hand

Positioning the V-Block tool on the unit, lining up the side triangles seams with the guidelines.  Making sure the fabric extends beyond the cleanup lines.  Trim the first two sides.

Right Hand

Left Hand

Rotate the fabric unit 180° and line up the V-Block tool.  Align the cut size measurement with the previously trimmed edges and the "X" with the seam line intersect.  Trim the remaining sides.

Assembly

Next, you will need to make one Four-Patch unit to finish all your units for your block.  

When all your units are complete, the next step is to finish your block #8. Please follow Blockbuster page Download to make sure you lay out the units correctly.  Double checking you have the correct placement of all your units.

Block 8, "Twisted Pinwheel" 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.

On Friday, May 24th will be the release date for our next block. In our next block, we will be using the Corner Beam® tool.  You can purchase them on my website.

Tina 

"Designing to Inspire"

2018 Master the Rulers: Studio 180 Design Blockbuster 10

Today, I am showing you something new for Blockbuster #10 Twisted Pinwheel.  Still using the Studio 180 Design V Block® tool, but in a whole new twist, making Sidekick & High/Low units.  So, I needed refered the Studio 180 Design Sidekick/High-Low Technique Sheet.  

The Sidekick & High/low units can be tricky, so make sure you read all the directions on the technique sheet throughly before starting.  The trickies part of the making the units is the position and orientation of the colors.

To start off, you make the Sidekick units.  Referring to the V-Block tool, to get the size of the strips you will need for the base units and side triangles. Once you have the base unit strip cut out, you will then subcut into squares.  

Then you need to determine where the sidekick is going to be place in your unit, left or right. When you have figured it out you will use the center cutting line on the V-Block Tool to cut out the based units.

Next, you will need to cut out the side pieces using the cut line for side triangle on the V-Block® trimmer.

Once you have all the pieces cut out you start sewing them together and press open. This is the same process as when we make V-Blocks. Trim down four of the Sidekick units using your V-Block trimmer.

Next, we will take the rest of the Sidekick units that were not trimmed, and make High/Low units.  Start by cutting out the squares according to the chart on the Technique Sheet. Draw a diagonal line across the square on the wrong side of the fabric. Then layer the squares on the opposite side of the sidekick piece and stitch.  Trim the excess fabric 1/4" away from the stitch line and press open.

Trim the High/Low units using the V Block® Trimmer.  Remember to refer to the technique sheet before trimming to read how to trim the units correctly.

Now the Sidekick & High/Low Units are made I need to make one 4-Path unit.  So I tried out my new Four Patch Square Up Ruler by Studio 180 Designs.  This is one of the newest rulers they put out and I fell in love with it.

To Start off the four patch unit, refer to the instructions on the ruler to get the width size of the strips you will need to make patch units.  I only need two pieces so I made mine short.  

Then sew the two strips together, and press open to one side.

Trim the strip to the size of the strips you started out with. Stitch the units together and press open.

The units will be oversized, so using the Four Patch Square Up trimmer, line up the ruler on the four patch unit and cut according to size.

You get a clean crisp four patch.  

Now it is time to assemble the units. 

Here is the completed Twisted Pinwheel, Blockbuster #10. 

Next week, I will be making Blockbuster #11 Search Light using the Corner Beam® Trimmer.  I will be making them live at 2:30pm EST on Quilting Affection Designs Facebook page.  I will make a second with with pictures also for this post. So next week will be a fun.

Have a great weekend.  I will have another blog on Monday, for the Quilt Qwazy Blog Hop.  So remember to watch for the Blog on Monday.

Tina

"Designs to Inspire"