Australian_Homespun_2016_07_

Cutting

1

Sort the charm squares into two

groups of 55 – one group will be

for the Kiss blocks and the other for

the Cross blocks.

2

From the grey fabric, cut:

• Two strips, 5in across the width
  of the fabric. Crosscut them to yield
  a total of 55 strips, 1^1 ⁄ 2 x 5in (Cross
  blocks)


• Two strips, 5^1 ⁄ 2 in across the width
  of the fabric. Crosscut them to yield
  a total of 55 strips, 1^1 ⁄ 2 x 5^1 ⁄ 2 in
  (Cross blocks)


• Four strips, 8in across the width
  of the fabric. Crosscut them to yield
  a total of 110 strips, 1^1 ⁄ 2 x 8in
  (Kiss blocks)


• Another four strips, 5in across
  the width of the fabric. Crosscut them
  to yield a total of 99 strips, 1^1 ⁄ 2 x 5in
  (vertical sashing)


• 14 strips, 1^1 ⁄ 2 in across the width
  of the fabric (horizontal sashing)


• Six strips, 2^1 ⁄ 2 in across the width
  of the fabric (border)


• Another seven strips, 2^1 ⁄ 2 in across
  the width of the fabric (binding).

Kiss blocks

3

Using the 55 charm squares you

selected for these blocks, cut each

square in half diagonally. Keep the

triangles in matching pairs.

4

Fold two matching triangles in

half, short edges matching, and

fi nger press a crease in the longest

edge. Unfold. Fold each 1^1 ⁄ 2 x 8in grey

strip in half, short edges matching,

and fi nger press a crease. Unfold.

Then fold each of these grey strips

in half, long edges matching, and

fi nger press a crease. Unfold.

5

Sew the two matching triangles

to the long edges of the grey strip,

matching centre creases. Press the

seams away from the grey fabric.

6

Cut the block in half diagonally,

as shown in Diagram 1, cutting

across the strip you’ve just sewn.

7

Repeat Step 5 to sew another

11 ⁄ 2 x 8in grey strip between the

halves, as shown in Diagram 2 –

this time match the centre crease

in the long edges of the new grey

strip with the centre crease that

runs down the length of the fi rst

grey strip. Press these seams

towards the second grey strips.

8

Trim the block to measure 5in

square: to do this, place a quilter’s

square ruler on it with the 45-degree

line on the diagonal crease down the

centre of one of the grey strips, and

the vertical line marking 2^1 ⁄ 2 in from

the right edge of the ruler lying over

of the centre of the block – through

the corners of the top and bottom

Kiss block

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

MELISSA’S SEAM

TIP Discover your true quarter

inch. Every sewing machine is

diff erent, and even though you

may have a^1 ⁄ 4 in foot, looks can

be deceiving. I discovered this

with my beloved machine and

have mastered my quarter inch

by moving my needle one position

to the right. Now I have perfect

block measurements every time. If

you don’t have a^1 ⁄ 4 in foot, mark the

measurement on the machine bed.