Civil War Remembered - Block 8

Cotton Boll

We are in Week #8 of Barbara

Brackman's Civil War Quilt.

http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

I took photos as I made the block

with a few tweaks to aid in precision.

Cut 4 - 2 7/8" squares and cut on diagonal.

Cut 4 rectangles 3 3/8" x 7".

Use the same fabric for all 4 or

2 of one and 2 of another, the

choice is yours.

On the back, draw a line in the center.

Place the diagonal line on a square

ruler on top of the drawn line and

the point of the angle on the edge

of the fabric.  Cut excess triangles off.

Place long edge of small triangles

right sides together on long edge of

rectangles.  Overlap the point of the

triangle by 1/4" and sew.  Repeat to

the other side.

This is an important step for

precise points.  Press the triangle

seams of 2 rectangles to the inside

and the seams of the other 2 rectangles

to the outside.  If using rectangles of

the same color, just do 2 and 2.  If  using

2 different fabrics, press Fabric A

seams to the inside and Fabric B

 seams to the outside.

Square up the pointed edge

of rectangle as shown.

Now square up opposite side

of rectangle, unit should measure

to a 4 1/2" square.

Layout units as shown and sew

together in 2 rows.  Now this is

where the pressing of the seams

comes into play.  As you pin the seam

before sewing, take care to "lock" the

seams together at the mid section

of the seam.

By pressing and taking care you

will get very precise points.

On the two units press the

seams in opposite directions.

Sew final seam of block and

press seam open to reduce bulk.

Square block to 8 1/2".

Here is one I did using the

same fabric for the rectangles.

Check out everyone's blocks at:

www.flickr.com/groups/civilwarquilts2011/