Diagonal Stripes - Paper Piecing Method
Size:  6" Finished (Make 16)

February 2004 Quilt Block of the Month Free from BlockCentral.com The Many Designs of Friendship

You have a choice of techniques with this block.  You can paper-piece the block or you can use templates.  The instructions on this page are for Paper-Piecing.  Click here for Template Piecing instructions.

Cutting Instructions (for all sixteen paper-pieced blocks):

*See Fabric Requirement Chart for fabric key.

Sewing Instructions:

Step 1:  Make (or print out)16 copies of the paper foundation pattern. Click here for the paper foundation pattern in .pdf format.  Cut each foundation out about 1/4” from the outer edge of the dotted lines.

Step 2:  Layer a Fabric 1 (dk green) 2-3/4” x 10” rectangle on a Fabric 6 (cream) 2-3/4” x 10” rectangle, right sides together.  Place the top edge of the layered rectangles about 1/4” above the line between section 1 and section 2 on the wrong side of the paper foundation.  Pin in place on the printed side of the paper foundation.  Using a very short stitch length setting, machine stitch on the line between section 1 and section 2.  (You will sew on the printed side of the paper foundation.  The fabric will be UNDER the paper.)  Flip the Fabric 6 (cream) rectangle over to cover the seam and press with a warm, dry iron.

Step 3:  Fold the paper foundation along the line between section 2 and section 3.  Trim the Fabric 1 (dk green) rectangle to 1/4” above the folded paper.  Unfold the paper foundation and layer a Fabric 3 (red) triangle on the Fabric 1 (dk green) rectangle, right sides together.  Pin in place.  Machine stitch along the line between section 2 & 3.  Flip Fabric 3 (red) over to cover the seam and press. 

Step 4:  Fold the paper foundation along the line between section 1 and section 4.  Trim the Fabric 6 (cream) rectangle to 1/4” above the folded paper.  Unfold the paper foundation and layer a Fabric 1 (dk green) trinalge on the Fabric 6 (cream) rectangle, right sides together.  Pin in place and machine stitch along the line between section 1 and section 4.  Flip the Fabric 1 (dk green) triangle over to cover the seam and press. 

Step 5:  Trim the excess fabric and paper away by cutting along the dotted edge of the paper foundation. 

Step 6:  Repeat Steps 2 through 5 fifteen more times for a total of sixteen Diagonal Stripe blocks.  Leave the paper foundations in place for now.  They will be removed in a later step.

(Note:  The numbers in the block above represent fabric numbers.)