Have all your fabric selected and ready to go? Then let's cut it up into pieces and sew it back together!
*Please note, these cutting instructions are for using Method 1 for constructing half square triangles {HSTs} If you are using Method 2 or 3 please refer to our Flickr group discussion area for the alternate method cutting instructions. I tried to post the three sets of cutting instructions here and it started looking very confusing!*
Lap size {55"x70"}
Cut 60 5" squares from your dark fabric {this color will be your background}
Cut60 5" squares from your various colors of fabric {these colors will be your chevrons}
Cut 84 5.5" squares from your dark fabric & set aside
Twin size {77"x98"}
Cut 60 6.5" squares from your dark fabric {this color will be your background}
Cut 60 6.5" squares from your various colors of fabric {these colors will be your chevrons}
Cut 84 7.5" squares from you dark fabric & set aside
Queen size {88"x112"}
Cut 60 7.25" squares from your dark fabric {this color will be your background}
Cut 60 7.25" squares from your various colors of fabric {these colors will be your chevrons}
Cut 84 8.5" squares from your dark fabric & set aside
Got all your squares cut?? Nice work! Now let's make some half square triangles...
Take your 60 squares of dark fabric and your 60 squares of colored fabric; these squares are what we will be making the HSTs from. Refer to this tutorial for constructing your HSTs using Method 1.
I prefer making all my HSTs at once, then pressing them all, and then squaring them all at the same time.
So now that you have your nice stack of HSTs let's press {not iron!} them...
*ironing involves a back and forth motion like when you iron a shirt. Don't do that here because it will distort your block shape. Pressing is simply putting your iron down on the seam, leaving the iron on the block for a reasonable amount of time, and the lifting the iron back up*
Before you open the block up, take your iron and press the block. This will set the stitches. Setting the stitches is especially important when pressing your seams open.
Now open your block and place it right side down on your ironing board.
With your finger carefully open the seam and press. Be careful not to burn your finger!
Flip the block right side up and press again. {this is where I like to use a spray of starch} Repeat with each HST until you have them all pressed.
*I have tried this chevron block with pressing the seams to one side as well as pressing the seams open and I prefer seams open. If pressing seams to the side is your preference then that's fine. I just find that there is less bulk and a flatter block with the seams pressed open*
Now it's time to square your blocks up. Square up to the size indicated below according to your quilt size:
Lap size: square HST to 3" Twin size: square HST to 4.0" Queen size: square HST to 4.5"
*Don't be alarmed if you are trimming your squares down more than just the dog ears. I overestimated just a bit to allow for error because there's nothing worse that trying to square a block only to find that it's a tad too small.*
Let's make the chevrons! Lay out your block as shown.
Match the seams up and pin or don't pin depending on your preference. Stitch with a scant 1/4" seam allowance
You will be making 2 sets of pairs. Set A and set B . Take note of how the HSTs are arranged in the sets above. It is important to sew your pairs as shown. If you don't, you won't get chevron blocks; you will just have a bunch of flying geese units.
Stitch you pairs together with a scant 1/4" seam allowance.
*Piecing the HSTs into pairs via chain piecing is a really good idea and you will probably hate me less for suggesting that we make a quilt out of 240 HSTs.*
Once you've pieced your pairs, press again using the instructions above on pressing.
Lay your pairs out to form a chevron. With right sides together, line up your seams and pin to secure the seam so your points are nice and lined up.
Press the completed block with the same pressing method and you will have your first chevron! Repeat until you have all 60 your blocks complete. It sounds like a lot but it really does go pretty fast using Method 1 and chain piecing.
*And again, if you are wanting to use Method 2 or 3 from my HST tutorial, please refer to our Flickr group for the sticky on cutting instructions.*
Once your blocks are done, that brings us to the end of part 2. If you have any questions at all please leave a comment, email me, or post in our Flickr group. Have a wonderful weekend!