September Block of the Month Tutorial

Welcome to September's Block of the Month:

Hope of Hartford

 Hope of Hartford is a tradition block, which first appeared in print in the Farm Journal in 1945.  It is also known as Double Star, and looking at it, you can see why.

Our block was chosen by Helen L. when she won the Birthday Cake blocks.
This block finishes at 10 in. square, and we are making them in fall colors. 

Patterns were printed and handed out at the August meeting by Colleen, but if you didn't get one or need another, just click HERE.  The link will take you to the Hope of Hartford block directions on the Quilters Cache web site.  Note--there are 3 pages of the directions, and they print separately.

I don't cut my Hope of Hartford blocks the same way they do at Quilters Cache.  Naturally, I think my way is better (haha).  I will show you how I cut my blocks with the Easy Angle and Companion Angle rulers in the tutorial below.  YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT THIS WAY!!  It's just another option.
The sewing is the same, either on this page or at the Quilters Cache.

Optional Cutting Directions:

Start with 3 strips:  1 light strip, 2.5 in. wide, 1 dark strip 2.5 in. wide, and 1 medium or dark strip 4.5 in. wide.  (Remember, fall colors.)

Cut 4 half square triangles from the 4.5 in. wide strip with the Easy Angle ruler.

Cut 4 quarter square triangles from the dark strip, using the Companion Angle ruler.

Also, cut 4 quarter square triangles from the light strip.

Then cut 4 2.5 in. x 4.5 in rectangles from the light strip.

Now all your pieces are cut and ready to go.

Sewing Directions:

1.  First, sew the sets of two quarter square triangles together.  Make sure the dark one is on the left in each set.  Press toward the dark triangle.

2.  Now add the large half square triangle to each set.  Make sure to use a quarter inch seam.  Press toward the large triangle.

Each of these squares should measure 4.5 in.
Now add the rectangles to these squares, sewing it to the side with the dark triangle.

All four sets should look like this.  These five pieces are all that's left to put together.

Lay out the block so you can see how it's going to fit.

The first seam is a partial seam.  Don't freak out!  It just means you only sew about half of the seam, and then stop.
The Quilters Cache directions tell you to press to the dark here.  I disagree.  The rest of the pressing is not done toward the center square.  I press this seam away from the center square.

Here's what things look like now.  Good job not freaking out.  The next 3 seams are easy.  Just add another unit, and press toward the newly added unit each time.

Two more have been added here.  You are doing this!  Keep going!  Add the last section just like the other two before it.

Now all of the units are added to the center square.  We just need to finish the partial seam.  Line the edges up carefully, and make sure it's all lying flat.  I like to sew a little slower here.  You could throw in a pin or two.  Sew until your stitching meets the partial seam.  I sew a couple stitches over the previous stitches, and then stop.

Ta-da!  It's ta-done!  You've got a nice block in fall colors to bring to the October meeting for the Block of the Month.  Maybe you'll win a stack of these.

Hope of Hartford is also great in 1930s fabrics, or really any good contrasting colors.

Good luck!  I hope we see lots of these blocks in October.

Any questions?  Leave a comment or send me an email.
Happy quilting!

Block of the Month Returns!

Happy New Year to all Ties that Bind members!

Next Meeting:  Wednesday, January 17th, 6:30 p.m.  OOPS!!! I almost forgot we changed the time!!!
Pilgrim Lutheran Church
462 Meadowbrook Drive, West Bend, Wisconsin
All are welcome.

We are starting Block of the Month again.  Here's the deal.  A block will be announced each month, and directions will be provided.  You can make one (or more) if you like.  For every block you make, you get one chance to win all of them.  The lucky winner's name will be drawn, and she will take home the blocks.  She will also bring a pattern the next month for a new Block of the Month.
Clear as mud?  Comment with questions and I'll answer if needed.

January's block of the month is Economy, kindly provided for us by Colleen.  Don't worry if you lost your directions.  You can follow this tutorial.

Block size:  9 in. finished
Colors:  fall colors

Cut:
1   5 in. square for the center
2   4.75 in. squares for the first round
2   6 in. squares for the second round

Subcut:
The center square stays the same.
Cut each of the other squares in half diagonally.  You now have 4 triangles of each.

 Now we're ready to sew.  These directions use 3 steps: sew-press-trim.
1.  Sew two opposite triangles to the center square.  Creasing the square in half and doing the same to the triangles makes it easier to match them up.

2.  Press the triangles away from the center square.

3. Trim the ends of the triangles even with the sides of the center square.

Now you're ready to add the other two brown triangles.
1.  Sew the triangles to the square.
2.  Press away from the center square.

3.  Trim this square, leaving a quarter inch at each point.  (My squares measured 6.75 in. after trimming.  I'm not sure if that's right.  Math!)

Okay, 4 triangles are on, now it's time to add the other 4.

1.  Sew triangles to opposite sides of the block.
2.  Press the triangles away from the center.

3.  Trim the ends of the triangles even with the block.

Then
1.  Sew the last two triangles onto the block.
2.  Press the seams away from the center of the block.

3.  Trim the block to 9.5 in., with the points a quarter inch from the edge.

I tried this 3 times, and none of them came out perfect.  As you can probably see, a couple of my outside points are more than a quarter inch from the edge.  But the block is 9.5 in. exactly.

So if you win these blocks, please forgive me for the floating points.
Let me know if anything in this tutorial is unclear or incorrect, and I'll fix it.

See you soon!