Block of the Month Club #7...Whirlwind

Hi everyone!! Here's block #7 in the block of the month club...Whirlwind quilt block. You can see all the other quilt blocks listed on the top of my blog under the tab "Quilt Blocks" or you can see all the posts for the Block of the Month Club by clicking HERE.

As with all the blocks, they will be 12 1/2 inches unfinished size and all sewn with a 1/4 inch seam.

Whirlwind...

This is a quick an easy block!

I went for a quick way to make this block. You could do this block differently with just squares and half square triangles, but this is my little take on this block. Hope you like it!!

Here are the pieces and measurements needed...

• one dark center square at 6 1/2 inches x 6 1/2 inches
• four dark rectangles at 3 1/2 inches x 6 1/2 inches
• two light rectangles at 3 1/2 inches x 6 1/2 inches
• four dark squares at 3 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches
• four light squares at 3 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches

First step...

Take the four dark rectangles and the four light squares.

Take the light squares and place them on the right side of the dark rectangle, right sides together.

With a ruler and pencil, draw a diagonal line as shown below.

Here is a close up.

Sew just a smidge outside the pencil line (towards the outside corner)

For a bonus half square triangle ( not used in this block) you can sew another line of stitching 1/2 inch away from the first line.

Here is a close up.

Cut between the 2 stitch lines

Press and iron back the corners. You will get the main rectangle for this block and extra half square triangles for another project! You will need to square them up though.

Now we are going to make the 2 flying geese with the 2 light rectangles and 4 dark squares.

Take the 2 light rectangles and place 2 dark squares on the left side...right sides together.

Do the same techniques with the diagonal  pencil line as shown below.

Close up.

Stitch a smidge just outside the pencil line.

Don't forget your bonus half square triangle!

Cut between the two stitch lines.

Press and iron back the dark square. You MUST iron back the first dark corners BEFORE you add the other corner.

Now add the second dark square to the other corner.

Draw diagonal line and stitch.

 Don't forget the bonus stitch too!

Cut between the lines.

Press and iron back the dark corner square.

Now take all the pieces and arrange them like this below.

I started with the middle row and stitched the 2 rectangle blocks to the center square.

Pin each rectangle,  right sides together on the center square.

Stitch. Press and iron the rectangles open.

Now take the 2 rectangles in the top and bottom rows and sew them right sides together.

Pin them right sides together.

 Press and iron open.

Now sew the top row, right sides together to the center row.

BONUS TIP...

When sewing through flying geese, sew just a smidge above the "X".

If you sew a little above the "X", you will get a perfect point on the flying geese.

This is the point.

Close up.

Sew the bottom row to the remaining block.

Pin right sides together.

Press, iron open and you're done!

 Here are the blocks so far...

Happy Quilting!
~Karen~