Mar 1, 2020 | 2020 Block of the Month
By Laura Loewen
CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS
Fabric A – purple
5.5”x7.5”
5” square
Fabric B – lime
5.5”x7.5”
3.5”x8”
(3)2.5”X6.5”
2.5”X8.5”
4.5” square
5” square
Fabric C – orange
(2)3.5”x8”
Fabric D – pink/purple
5.5”x10”
5” square
Fabric E – teal
5.5”x10”
3.5”x8”
(4)2.5”x4.5”
2.5”x10.5”
6.5” square
5” square
Step 2
Gather starting rectangles from cut pieces for all HRTs
Fabric A – purple
5.5”x7.5”
Fabric B – lime
5.5”x7.5”
3.5”x8”
Fabric C – orange
(2)3.5”x8”
Fabric D – pink/purple
5.5”x10”
Fabric E – teal
5.5”x10”
3.5”x8”
Step 4
Use the 5” squares to create paired HSTs. Trim to 4.5” square.
Fabric A – purple / Fabric B – lime
Fabric D – pink/purple / Fabric E – teal
Step 5
Layout block before assembly. There will be extra HRTs and HSTs.
Step 6
Assemble block and trim to 18.5”
On Instagram make sure to use #bouldermqgbom20 and tag us @bouldermqg
Mar 1, 2020 | 2020 Block of the Month, Tutorial
By Laura Loewen
Our first month’s skill is Half-Rectangle Triangles (HRT). These differ from Half-Square Triangles (HST) because they are directional, which means the direction you sew your diagonal makes a difference in the finished unit appearance. Another difference is that you do have to do a very tiny amount of math to figure out how big to cut your starting fabric rectangles. However, the biggest departure from HST construction is that the quickest and simplest HRT method uses a template.
We will teach you how to draw your templates and figure your cutting math so that you can apply this to almost any size HRT you want to make. The block features 3 sizes of HRTs so you will have plenty of practice building your skill.
Half-Rectangle Triangle Supplies
Template paper, trace paper, or printer paper
paper scissors
pencil/pen
ruler
Step 1 – Make HRT Template
Draw a rectangle the size you want your *finished* unit to be. (Finished does not include seam allowances). Make sure to draw this rectangle at least ¼” from the edge of your template paper.
Draw a diagonal line from corner to opposite corner, extending beyond the edges. (For regular printer paper, draw 2 diagonal lines. For trace or template paper, draw one diagonal line; the template can be flipped to be reversed).
Draw the seam allowances ¼” outside the original finished rectangle. Note that the diagonal lines meet the corners of the finished rectangle exactly, they do not meet the corners of the larger, seam allowance rectangle.
Cut out the template on the seam allowance lines.
Step 2
Figure starting rectangle size and cut 2 from contrasting fabrics.
Always add 1.5” to the short side. Figure the rectangle ratio and add up to 2” to the long side. Figure the ratio by dividing the larger number by the smaller number. The ratio is 1:[answer from division].
Examples:
For a finished 4”x6” HRT, cut starting rectangles at 5.5”x7.5”. Because the ratio of the rectangle is 1:1.5, only add 1.5” to the long side.
For a finished 4”x8” HRT, cut starting rectangles at 5.5”x10”. Because the ratio of the rectangle is 1:2, add 2” to the long side.
For a finished 2”x6” HRT, cut starting rectangles at 3.5”x8”. Because the ratio of the rectangle is 1:3, greater than 1:2, add just 2” to the long side.
Step 3
Place rectangle pairs right sides together. Draw a diagonal line on the back side of the top fabric in the opposite direction the HRT will be oriented.
Step 4
Rotate the top rectangle ¼ turn and match corners. Check orientation by holding in place and flipping back a free corner.
Step 5
Stitch ¼” on either side of the drawn line.
Step 6
Cut on line and press open. You will have 2 identical HRTs.
Step 7
Align the template diagonal line with the diagonal seam. Trim excess fabric from around edges of template.
Feb 29, 2020 | 2020 Block of the Month
We are excited to present the 2020 Block of the Month challenge. This year we are doing a Mystery Block of the Month and it will run from March – October 2020.
Each block will cover a new skill or technique that we hope you will be more comfortable with after completing your block. Make all the blocks and create a sampler quilt at the end of the tutorials. Or you can make just the blocks with skills you want to master. Each block is generously sized at 18” finished and can be made into a mini or other project.
Each month a different Boulder MQG member has designed a block and will provide instructions on the blog. This Block of the Month challenge is open to everyone. It is written for your enjoyment. A new tutorial will be posted at the beginning of each month.
Play along with us and make sure you share your blocks so we can see your progress! On Instagram use #bouldermqgbom20 and tag us @bouldermqg On Facebook share your blocks on the Boulder Modern Quilt Guild page. We may even share your blocks on our blog, Facebook, or Instagram!
