Hello friends! I hope you are all enjoying these last lazy summer days, and soaking in the sun. I know I am! I love a nice warm summer, because then I’m extra ready for fall, which happens to be my favorite season. I’m just about to get out all my fall decorations, which makes me so happy!

We only have two blocks this month. So easy, right?! These easier months can give you a chance to catch up on getting those sashing strips done. It’s tempting to set those aside each month, but you really don’t want a mountain of them to do at the end, trust me on this. I may or may not be speaking from experience!

BLOCK #16

Before we begin with this block, I would like to suggest that you use some good starch on these fabrics before cutting and sewing. Some of the units are sewn on the bias, so adding some extra stiffness to the fabrics will make things easier.

We will begin by sewing two F triangles to each E square, just like the diagram shows. When sewing the first triangle to the square, make sure the top of the F triangle lines up with the top of the E square, so that the triangle tail hangs down.  

Then of course, when attaching the second F triangle, you want to have E and F line up at the side.

Once that’s done, sew on the D squares to each unit to make four 4-1/2” squares. These are the parts that are on the bias, so giving them another spray of starch probably wouldn’t hurt.

Now sew the four units together, rotating as needed to get the desired pattern in the block. You want to end up with two D triangles in the outer corners, and the other two facing inward.

Then you just need to add the HST border to finish.

Now on to our 2nd block:

BLOCK #17

Again, more starch would be helpful for this block too. Especially with those E squares that get cut into triangles. I think you’ll be happier with the results.

This block is basically a sawtooth star, but with the added twist of a diamond center. Let’s get started by making the center, by sewing the four E squares to the F square one at a time.

I mentioned this in a previous blog post, but I’ll repeat the following suggestion here. If you are having trouble with the placement of the E triangles, finger press the F square in both directions, and use the folded marks as a guide by lining up the point of the triangle with the folds.

Since I use the iron to press this block as I go, I usually will re-finger press those folds with each triangle placement. The edges of the triangles should go past the square evenly on each side. Those tails can be trimmed off at the end.

After you’ve completed the center square in a square diamond, you’ll make four flying geese units using the stitch and flip method, which we’ve talked about before. Somehow I forgot to take a photo of the first triangle being pinned and sewn. I think I do this to myself every month at some point! Ugh. So below is the photo of the 2nd square, marked and pinned.

Once those are finished and trimmed, it’s time to lay out all the units to make the sawtooth star and begin sewing.

And of course, no block is complete until after we’ve sewn the borders one.

That’s all for this month. I hope you enjoyed making these blocks. Don’t forget to make your sashing strips! Your future self will thank you.

Until next month, stay safe, and keep quilting!

-Kristin