Tuesday Tutor Stitch Along - Part Four: Flip Block

Welcome back to the fourth week of our stitch along. Here's a recap of the previous posts:

• Requirements
• Rail Fence Block
• 9-Patch Block
• Pre-order the whole pattern plus additional designs as they are released

Flip Block

This week’s block isn't a standard block but one made to fit our design. It’s a technique you will be learning which can be used in many common blocks. I refer to it as the flip-block.

This technique is an easy method of making an accurate block and can be used in blocks such as the very popular Snowball Block.

This method shows you how to make triangles using squares of fabric so no triangles are actually cut. You can use any sized square (or rectangle for that matter) as the background section and add corners which can also be any size.

The idea of this technique is so you do not have to cut and sew stretchy bias seams as you would with cutting a triangle. A square is much easier to sew and keep in shape whereas a triangle (because one side is cut on the bias) can easily be pushed out of shape as it is sewn.

For our sample we are going to make a double triangle block but only on one corner.

Fabrics used in this block are: 2 4 & 9.

You need to make FOUR of these blocks.

• Cut FOUR 6 1/2" squares from fabric 2
• Cut FOUR 4 1/2" squares from fabric 9
• Cut FOUR 2 1/2" squares from fabric 4

Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the WRONG side of all 4 1/2" and 2 1/2" squares.

Position ONE 4 1/2" square in corner of ONE 6 1/2" square so drawn line is positioned across the corner, right sides are together, and raw edges even.

Stitch across the drawn line. Tip: By stitching ONE thread toward the corner from the drawn line will give you a neater triangle as you are allowing room for the fold.

Press inside corner of 4 1/2" square over seam and there you have it a neatly formed triangle.

Measure the block to ensure it remains 6 1/2" square. Trim if necessary.

Fold back the top section again and trim the TWO under sections leaving a 1/4" seam allowance from stitching.

Press triangle back in place.

For our double effect you need to add the 2 1/2" square in the same way on the same corner. Remember to have raw edges even, right sides together, and sew the diagonal line across the corner.

Once pressed in place lift the top section and trim away the TWO under sections to reduce bulk leaving a 1/4" seam allowance as before.

That's all there is to it. Now make the other THREE blocks the same so you have a TOTAL of FOUR blocks.

Well done on creating another block. Remember you can purchase this pattern for a few dollars while we are running this stitch along. You'll find it here: Sampler Quilt, individual parts and patterns

Here are the bonus quilts found in the patterns: