Here is a quick tutorial on how to make the blocks I used for this quilt. My quilt used 64 blocks -- 32 sets of two. Each block is 6.5" once sewn (7" before). For each set of two, you'll need approximately 9" x 15" of a solid fabric and a coordinating print. (I used Kona cotton for my solids.) Besides standard rotary-cutting tools, no special tools are needed. All seams are standard quarter inch.
Stack your fabrics on top of one another for cutting. Start by cutting a 3" x 9" strip. Then cut that strip into one 3" square, one 1.5" x 3" strip and one 2" x 3" strip. From the remaining fabric, cut three 2" strips and three 1.5" strips. Remember, you're cutting through both layers, so you should end up with one solid and one print piece for each cut.
Start with the pieces you cut from the 3" strip, pairing the smaller printed strips with the solid square and the smaller solid strips with the printed square.
Sew the strips to opposite sides of the squares as shown, pressing seams open. At this point, it doesn't matter to which side you sew the narrow (1.5") strip and which side you sew the wide (2") strip.
Next, take one of the coordinating narrow 9" strips and one of the wide strips. Trim each to slightly longer than the longest side of your block so far and sew one to each long side. At this point, it still doesn't matter to which side you sew the narrow strip and white side you sew the wide strip.
Press seams open. Next, take your ruler and rotary cutter and trim all four sides of your block so that the narrow strips measure 1" from the center block and the wide strips measure 1.5" from the center block.
Repeat the last few steps on your second block.
Now, you're going to add a second set of strips to your block, but this time it will be important to pay attention to which sides are being paired with narrow and wide strips. Start the same way, by taking one narrow and one wide strip, trimming each to be slightly longer than your current block.
Now, sew a strip onto two opposite sides of your block, making sure that a) you're starting with the same sides you first sewed the 3" strips to (as in a log cabin or square-in-square block) and b) that the wide strip is sewn to the side that will put it next to a narrow strip and the narrow strip is sewn to the side that will put it next to a wide strip. Repeat this process on the other two sides of the block, again making sure to match a narrow strip with a wide strip and a wide strip with a narrow strip.
Again, take your ruler and rotary cutter and trim all four sides of your block so that the narrow strips measure 1" wide and the wide strips measure 1.5" wide.
That's all there is to it! Repeat the last few steps on your companion block to make a complete set.
If you'd like to show off your blocks, please join my Flickr pool.
