Block of the Month

Border Stripes - November

The Many Designs of Friendship

Size:  5-1/2" x 11" Finished (Make 16)
November 2004 Quilt Block of the Month Free from BlockCentral.com

Border Stripes quilt block

Notes:

  • This block is paper-pieced.  If you've never paper-pieced before, this is a super-easy block and a great one to begin with.
  • The paper-piecing pattern can be found here.  You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to open the PDF file.  
  • The pattern must be printed on legal size paper (8-1/2" x 14").  Not sure where to find legal size paper?  Try Wal-Mart or any office supply store.
  • Make sure that you've got "Print as Image" checked and "Legal Size" selected on your print screen.  Once you've printed it out, be sure to check that it printed to the correct size. (5.5" x 11" on the outer solid lines or 6" x 11.5" on the dashed lines.)

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

*Fabric:

Size & Shape:

Number to Cut:

2

3-1/2" x 14” rectangle  

16

3

3-1/2" x 8” rectangle

16

4

3-1/2" x 8” rectangle  

16

6

3-1/2" x 14” rectangle

16

*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 1/8” from the outer edge of the dotted lines.

Step 2:  Layer a Fabric 2 (lt green) 3-1/2" x 14” rectangle on a Fabric 6 (cream) 3-1/2" x 14” 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 2 (lt green) 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 2 (lt green) rectangle to 1/4” above the folded paper.  Unfold the paper foundation and layer a Fabric 3 (red) 3-1/2" x 8" rectangle on the Fabric 2 (lt 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 4 (gold) rectangle 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 4 (gold) rectangle 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. (I like to use a straight edge and an old rotary cutting blade for this task.)

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

I will be posting the December installment on November 15th.  I hope this helps you finish up your quilt before the holiday rush.

 

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