Tips for constructing the Noon and Light block that we will be drawing for at the July meeting.
From the background fabric cut four 3½" squares, two 4¼" squares, and two 4½" squares.
From the wine fabric cut six 4¼" squares.
From the gold fabric cut two 4½" squares.
Cut each of the 4¼" squares in half diagonally.
Cut each of the 4½" squares along both diagonals to form four triangles.
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Start by making 4 half-square triangles (HST's) using the large background and wine triangles. Don't forget to chain-piece, set the seam with your iron, then finger press, then press. Press the seams to the wine triangle.
Trim so that each HST measures exactly 3½" square. (See directions for previous months for more details on trimming.)
Next we're going to make a new shape that is a combination half-square triangle and quarter-square triangle. Let's call it a three-quarter square triangle (TQST). 
Start by joining the small gold triangles to the small background triangles.
Very Important! Sew along the short side of the triangle, not the long side.
VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!! Sew four of the pairs so the gold triangle is on the left, and the other four pairs so the gold triangle is on the right. (If you forget to do this you will have to unsew them like I had to do.  )
DO NOT TRIM THE GOLD/BACKGROUND TRIANGLES AT THIS TIME.
Now sew the new gold/background large triangle to the 8 large wine triangles along the long side. Don't worry if the two pieces don't match exactly in length.
Press the seams to the wine triangles.
Now we need to trim this square so it measures exactly 3½" square. Lay the ruler on the piece so the diagonal line is on the diagonal seam, AND the 1¾" mark on the diagonal line is at the intersection of the gold, background and wine.
Notice the 3½" lines are inside the square.
Trim along the right and top edges.
Rotate the block half a turn. Line up the diagonal line of the ruler with the diagonal seam, AND the 1¾" mark on the diagonal line is at the point of intersection. The 3½" lines should be right at the edge of the square.
Trim along the right and top edges.
You should now have a perfect 3½" square with the point of intersection right in the middle.
Now we can layout the pieces to see how the block is formed.
You can see it's made up of four identical four-patches. Let's concentrate on one of the four-patches.
Lay the right squares over the left, and sew along the right edge.
Press the seams to the TQST (three-quarter square triangle).
Now sew the two halves together. Notice how the seams interlock in the middle. After you sew the seam, release the vertical stitches so you can spin the seam intersection. (See previous months instructions for more detailed photos on spinning the seam intersection.)
Now we can put these four squares together to form the block. Just like before, lay the right squares over the left squares and sew along the right edge. Spin the seam intersections.
Sew the two halves together and spin the last seam intersection. And that completes the Noon and Light block.
Here are a couple of layout ideas.
See you next month when we'll tackle the Star Puzzle Block.
In the meantime, try to stay cool! 
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