Tips for constructing the See Saw Square block that we will be drawing for at the May meeting.

From the background fabric cut 4 squares that measure 3½" and 6 squares that measure 4¼".
From the wine fabric cut 2 squares that measure 4¼"
From the gold fabric cut 4 squares that measure 4¼".

Cut each of the large (4¼") squares in half diagonally.
**If you use a stipe like I did for the gold and you would like the stripes to spin, lay all the squares right side up before cutting along the diagonal.

Sew the triangles together to form 8 gold/background half-square triangles (press 4 towards the gold and 4 towards the background), and 4 wine/background half-square triangles (press all 4 towards the wine).

Trim each of the half-square triangles so they measure exactly 3½" square. Start by aligning the 45 degree diagonal line on your ruler along the diagonal seam line. Make sure the 3½" marks are inside the square. Trim along the right and top edges. 

Now rotate the block a half turn and line up the 45 degree diagonal on the ruler to the diagonal seam, and line up the 3½" marks on the ruler with the left and bottom edge of the block. Trim along the right and top edges.

Now you have a perfect 3½" half-square triangle!   

Using the twelve 3½" squares, layout the block.  Oooo, pretty!

Now consider just the four squares that make one quarter of the block. All four quarters will be sewn the same.
Notice the gold/background half-square triangle on the left has the seam pressed towards the gold triangle, and the gold/background half-square triangle on the right has the seam pressed towards the background triangle. That way the seams will lock when we sew them together.

Flip the right-hand squares over the left and sew along the right edge.

Press as shown so the seams will interlock on the next step. Each of these units should measure 3½" by 6½".

Next flip the top half over the bottom half and sew along the top edge.

Now take out the 2 or 3 vertical stitches on the front and back so you can spin the seam intersection.

One-fourth of the block is now complete. This square should measure 6½" square.
Repeat the same steps to complete the other three-fourths.

Now we'll sew the fourths together to form the block.

Flip the right-hand squares over the left and sew along the right edge.

Just as we did before, release the vertical stitches and spin the seam intersection.

Now just flip the top half over the bottom half and sew along the top edge.

As always, the finished block should measure 12½" square.

I just love the way a stripe fabric adds a little extra pizazz to a block!
See you next month,
Carol 

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Roberta said:

block of month demo Carol, this is soooo cool!! I am such a nut when it comes to keeping the seams right, and YOU make me want to do another pieced quilt just to try your techniques. Thank you so much for such a nice demo that even people like me can understand. Bless your heart, you are such a wonderful teacher, we need to have you do a workshop for beginners and let us all make a block under your careful eye. Keep up the good work! I am amazingly impressed!!

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April 21, 2010
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Marilyn said:

	I am making 2 blocks... Your directions are well written and I like to photos. I am a visual learner, and what I am learning is that I am better at art quilts. Some how 1/4" seam allowances sound easier than they are! lol
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May 15, 2010
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