In 2022, the Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild's annual quilt-along is a block of the month! From February to November, we will release one block pattern per month, and the plan is to make 3 of each block for a total of 30 blocks for the year. (That's a 5x6 block layout of 12-inch finished blocks, putting the finished quilt around 60x72 inches.)
BLOCK #1: GRADUATED GEESE
The first block we've chosen is Graduated Geese, using a free tutorial from the Boulder MQG (thanks quilty friends!)
The instructions are posted here: https://bouldermqg.com/2018/07/29/august/
If you're using only 2 colors in your quilt, you can make all 3 blocks the same or swap your color placement for variety. For example, here's the block made up in Kona Pond and Peacock:
BLOCK #2: CHAIN LINK
The second block is Chain Link, using a free tutorial from the Block Central index.
The instructions are posted here: https://www.blockcentral.com/qb-chainlink.shtml
If you're using only 2 colors in your quilt, you can make all 3 blocks the same or swap your color placement for variety.
BLOCK #3: MODSQUARED
The third block is ModSquared, a free block available to members of the Modern Quilt Guild. If you are not a member of the MQG, you can substitute any 12" finished block of your choice.
The instructions are posted here: https://community.themodernquiltguild.com/node/6241
Note that the center of the Square in a Square block should be a 3-1/8" square to preserve the points (not 3-1/4" as the pattern indicates).
BLOCK #4: MODIFIED GRANNY SQUARE
The third block is the Modified Granny Square, a free tutorial created by KMQG Education Coordinator, Sarah Elliott.
The instructions are posted here: https://www.knoxvillemqg.com/2022/05/kmqg-block-of-month-2022-block-4.html
BLOCK #5: DRUNKARD'S PATH
The fourth block in the series features 4 Drunkard's Path blocks set in a spinning configuration. In order to make the four sections of this block, you need Drunkard's Path templates -- one for the inner portion and one for the outer portion.
You can find instructions to make the block here, along with an option to purchase templates in several sizes, including 6.5" unfinished. If you'd like to make your own templates, this tutorial walks you through how to do that. Remember that your unfinished block size is 12.5", so you need templates to make a 6.5" unfinished square. There are also templates in the book A Quilter's Mixology by Angela Pingel, and you're likely to find templates in other books that feature a Drunkard's Path block.
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BLOCK #6: SAWTOOTH STAR
Our sixth block is a Sawtooth Star, which is an iconic, classic quilt block. This version uses opposite color placement for a graphic result.
Instructions from the Boulder MQG are available here.
BLOCK #7: CROSSED CANOES
The seventh block in our series is Crossed Canoes, another classic quilt block. This is a fun one that uses foundation paper piecing to achieve precise results.
The template and instructions are available from Art Gallery Fabrics here.
BLOCK #8: CIRCLE IN A CIRCLE
The eighth block, Circle in a Circle, is a little different in that you can create it however you like. Choose your own adventure! If you would like to piece curves, there are instructions here. Or you may prefer to make a template and use an applique method on a solid background square instead. It's up to you! Just make sure the block is 12.5" unfinished.
BLOCK #9: GEESE IN A ROW
This block is unique in that the geese are pieced in rows the width of the block, with no half-square triangles.
***When sewing this block, it's important to take care with your seam allowances. They should be a scant 1/4" -- and if you're really worried, I'd shave another scant off of that! There is no excess built into the vertical measurement of this block, although you will have a little extra width to trim it to 12.5" unfinished at the end. You may want to sew two practice strips and piece them together, making half a block, to check your seam allowance and sizing.
For the final block in this series, we're keeping things nice and easy with the Mosaic block, which consists of just 16 HSTs!
If you would like to make 8-at-a-time half-square triangles, you can follow this tutorial. The HSTs need to be trimmed to 3 1/2" before assembling the block. If you would rather make 2 at a time, cut 4 1/8" squares to start with and you'll have enough extra to trim the HSTs to size.
If you're following the two-color prompt, the only adjustment you'll make is in how you position the HSTs to get the opposite layout.
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| Jane |
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| Christy |
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| Pat |
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| Laura |
