Marcus Fabrics Friends & Companions Designer Sew-Along Continues

Welcome back to the Marcus Fabrics Friends & Companions Designer Sew-Along. This week, we're featuring the block made by Dolores Smith, one of the owners of Homestead Hearth.

Dolores loves classic, simple quilt blocks, reproduction fabrics, plaids and Japanese taupes. Working with wool is also a passion.

Let's get started with Dolores' block! Here are her instructions:
  

Cutting instructions:

Background print (1038-0188)

*  Cut (4) 2 ½” x 2 ½” squares

*  Cut (4) 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” squares, cut once on the diagonal

Red print (1034-0111)

*  Cut (2) 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” squares, cut once on the diagonal

Blue print

*  Cut (2) 2 7/8 x 2 7/8” squares, cut once on the diagonal

Black print (1035-0112)

*  Cut (2) 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” squares, cut once on the diagonal

Green print (1702-0116)

*  Cut (1) 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” square, cut once on the diagonal

Cheddar print  (1033-0128)

* Cut (1) 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” square, cut once on the diagonal

Sewing instructions:

As you probably noticed, this block is all about half-square triangles again!  Sarah and I seem to always do more hst than normal.  What I like to do is match all the hst up in pairs and sew them all at once.  As Sarah mentioned in her blog post a few weeks ago, the Judy Martin point trimmer is one way we ensure accurate points.  Just want to let you know, it is a must--we both use it.  I have Sarah to thank for showing me this tool. When you use it, your triangles end up looking like this with no pointy ends to worry about:

All HST will be 2 ½” unfinished

*  Sew background and red print triangles together to make HST.  Make 2.

*  Sew background and black print triangles together to make HST.  Make 2.

*  Sew background and blue print triangles together to make HST.  Make 4.

*  Sew red and green print triangles together to make HST.  Make 2.

*  Sew black and cheddar print triangles together to make HST.  Make 2

Watch the placement of the prints and how the hst are turned to form the design!

Row #1

Sew hst and squares together and press seams to the left.

Row #2

Sew hst and square together and press seams to the right.

Row #3

Sew hst and square together and press seams to the left.

Row #4

Sew hst and square together and press seams to the right.

After all rows are made sew together in order as above.  Another favorite I like to use are fork pins to join my seam intersections.

Block is 8 ½” unfinished

For a downloadable version of the pattern, click here.

 What's a sewalong without giveaways? Please post a comment right here for a chance to win.  If you're stumped for a comment topic, tell us favorite style of fabrics--is it repros, 1930s, plaids, brights, etc?  I'll choose a winner the morning of August September 22nd.  (Please do not email your comments as only comments left on the blog will be eligible.)