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Thursday, May 21, 2015

Spangled Stars QAL Block 3 - Stripe and Cross Block

Time for the Spangled Stars QAL Block 3 - Stripe and Cross Block! Here's a recap of the schedule:


Stripes and Cross - May 21, 2015
Star Block, part 1 - May 28, 2015    
Star Block, part 2 - June 4, 2015
Quilt assembly - June 11, 2015
Completed Top Linky - June 18, 2015
     Completed Quilt, Grand Parade - July 2, 2015

After today, the majority of the blocks are done, as there is just one block left, with it's construction spread over two weeks. Hang in there - it's almost a top!  

Now on to the Stripe and Cross Block!

The number of blocks to make is much less than last week, and it is composed of 3 units (A,B,C). The following chart displays how many blocks for each size, and how many of each unit to make for those blocks.



# of Stripe and Cross
blocks
# of A units needed
# of B units needed
# of C units needed
Wall Hanging
4
4
8
8
Throw
8
8
16
16
Twin

15
15
30
30
Double/Full
18
18
36
36
Queen
18
18
36
36
King
25
25
50
50

See? A lot less! Let's start working on Unit A, 



then at the end, we'll sew all the units together to make the block. The following chart for Unit A gives the number of 40" width of fabric strips to cut for each size quilt. I'm making a twin, so I'll cut (3) 2" background strips, and (5) 2 1/4" red strips, to then make a total of 15 Unit A's.


WOF=40”
A unit
White
background
A unit
Red
for stripes
Wall Hanging
(1)  2”x WOF
(2) 2 1/4” x WOF
Throw
(2)  2”x WOF
(3) 2 1/4” x WOF
Twin
(3)  2”x WOF
(5) 2 1/4” x WOF
Double/Full
(3)  2”x WOF
(5) 2 1/4” x WOF
Queen
(3)  2”x WOF
(5) 2 1/4” x WOF
King
(4)  2”x WOF
(7) 2 1/4” x WOF
In the picture below, I've got cut strips on the left; a red and white strip sewn, with seams pressed to the red, in the center; and a full strip set of red/white/red, on the right.


For efficiency, the strip sets are stacked,


and subcut to 5 1/2", 


making (15) Unit A's at 5 1/2" x 5 1/2".


On to Unit B.


From the top chart, I need 30 Unit B pieces, because they are going on two sides of Unit A. For the twin size, the next chart says to cut (4) 2 1/4" background strips, and (2) 2" BLUE strips. Notice the color change!

WOF=40”
B unit
White
background
B unit
Blue
for bars
Wall Hanging
(1)  2 1/4” x WOF
(1) 2” x WOF
Throw
(2)  2 1/4” x WOF
(1) 2” x WOF
Twin
(4)  2 1/4” x WOF
(2) 2” x WOF
Double/Full
(5)  2 1/4” x WOF
(3) 2” x WOF
Queen
(5)  2 1/4” x WOF
(3) 2” x WOF
King
(7)  2 1/4” x WOF
(4) 2” x WOF

The assembly of this strip set is the same as Unit A, except the background pieces are on the outside. In the picture below, I've got strips, on the left; a white and blue strip sewn, with the seam pressed to the blue, in the center; and a complete white/blue/white strip set, on the right.


Stacking those strips sets again,


they are subcut to 2 1/2"


yielding (30) 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" Unit B pieces.


Unit C is last, and again, from the topmost chart, my twin size needs (30) Unit C pieces, for the remaining two sides around Unit A.


This chart displays the number of strips to cut for Unit C


WOF=40”
C unit
White
background
C unit
Blue
for bars
Wall Hanging
(1)  4 1/4” x WOF
(1) 2” x WOF
Throw
(2)  4 1/4”x WOF
(1) 2” x WOF
Twin
(4)  4 1/4”x WOF
(2) 2” x WOF
Double/Full
(5)  4 1/4”x WOF
(3) 2” x WOF
Queen
(5)  4 1/4”x WOF
(3) 2” x WOF
King
(7)  4 1/4”x WOF
(4) 2” x WOF
and for the twin size, I need (4) 4 1/4" white strips, and (2) 2" BLUE strips.

In the following, the strips are on the left; a 4 1/4" white strip is sewn to a 2" blue strip, with seams pressed to the blue, in the center; and a complete white/blue/white strip set on the right.


Layering yet again,


the strip set is subcut to 2 1/2", yielding (30) units 2 1/2" x 9 1/2".


Now all three units are ready to be sewn together.


Make sure all Unit A's are oriented with stripes heading up and down (vertical). 


Chain stitch all of one side of the Unit A's, then chain stitch the other side. I have my Unit B's on the bottom because I have red thread in the needle, and want that on the red fabric. But you can stitch your Unit B's on top!


Press the seams to the red.

Now attach the Unit C's,

carefully nesting the blue bar in with the white strip of Unit A.

Chain stitch one side, then repeat for the other, saving on time.



Press the seams toward Unit A.

Now stand back and admire that beautiful block!


Happy Quilting!

5 comments:

  1. These are certainly striking! Thanks so much for sharing the lovely tutorial, Susan.

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  2. Hi Susan, I've got my blocks linked but forgot to put in my name. So #4 is mine....Marei. Thanks, I'm enjoying the quilt along.

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  3. I'm done! I just want to finish another quilt before I make a blog post so I can get 2 Finishes in the same post. I hope I get it done before it's too late!

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  4. Great inspiration. Our guild is in the process of making 75 quilts for the long-term patients at our local VA hospital. I will be taking a closer look at your quilt along.

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  5. Whew.. just made the linky party. Getting nervous about doing all those stars...

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Thank you so much for commenting...you just made my day!