Redbud 2012 Block of the Month ~ January

Missouri Puzzle

I am a member of the Redbud Quilt

Guild and each month we are given

instructions to make a block.  The patterns

this year are not mine, I'm just showing

how I made my block.  We bring our blocks

back the next month and put our names

in a basket.  The person who has their

name drawn gets all the blocks.  You can

then make a quilt for yourself or make a

quilt to donate to one of our charitable causes.

This block is 15 1/2" unfinished.

Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: White

4 - 3 1/2" squares

4 - 3 1/2" x 9 1/2" rectangles

1 - 1 1/2" x 16" strip

Fabric B: Red

8 - 3 1/2" squares - Mark

a diagonal line on back.

3 - 1 1/2" x 16" strips

2 - 1 1/2" x 8" strips

Fabric C: Blue

2 - 1 1/2" x 16" strips

1 - 1 1/2" x 8" strip

Fabric D: Gold

1 - 3 1/2" square

Make Star Point Units:

Place a 2 1/2" Fabric B square on left

side of Fabric A rectangle with right sides

together as shown.  Sew a thread width

below the drawn line.  Press to the corner

and trim back 2 layers of fabric.

Repeat procedure to opposite corner as

shown.  Square to 3 1/2" x 9 1/2".

Make 4.

Make Rail Fence Units:

Layout 1 1/2" x 16" strips as shown.

Sew together, when doing strip piecing

you should always start each seam from

the opposite side.  I find it helps to leave

the beginning thread trail on to show

where you started the last seam.  This

will keep your unit nice and square and not

allow it to bow and arc.  Press seams to the

Fabric B. 

Square off one end and cut

4 - 3 1/2" segments.  Set aside.

Make Small 9-Patch:

Layout 1 1/2" x 16" strips as shown

in top of photo, sew together on long

edges, remembering to alternate the

sides where you start sewing your

seams.  Press fabric to the Fabric B.

Layout 1 1/2" x 8" strips as shown

in bottom of photo and follow the same

 instructions for sewing and pressing.

Square off one end and cut 16" unit

into 8 - 1 1/2" sections.  Cut the 8"

unit into 4 - 1 1/2" sections.

Layout units as shown in 3 rows and

sew together.  Press seams to the inside.

Square to 3 1/2".

Make 4.

Make Large Center 9 Patch:

Layout units as shown in 3 rows

and sew together.  Press seams

open to reduce bulk.

Assemble Block:

Layout units as shown in 3 rows and

sew together.  Press seams in rows

1 & 3 to the outside and seams in row 2

to the inside.

Sew rows together and press

final seams open to reduce bulk.

Square to 15 1/2".

The kids went back to school

today after their holiday break

so I'm using quilting as therapy.

It always helps to have your best

friend with you in the studio.