Lil' Orphan Scrappy Tutorial Part One

Hello Everyone,

 

This is Part One of my Lil" Orphan Scrappy quilt tutorial.  There are a lot of pictures, so I'm breaking it down over a couple of posts. 

 

Begin with an interesting center.  Key off of the colors in the center to help you select the fabrics. It is helpful to have at least three colors in your center square.

 

 

 

Schematic of the block. 

Cutting Instructions:

" (1) A 2-1/2” x 2-1/2” – Use an interesting fabric that has several different colors

" (4) B 2-1/2” x 2-1/2” – Light fabric, checks, stripes and diagonals are good

" (1) C 3-1/4” x 3-1/4” – Medium/Dark fabric

" (1) D 3-1/4” x 3-1/4” – Light fabric  (This can be the same fabric as B)

" (2) E 3-1/4” x 3-1/4” – Dark fabric

Place the two "E's" face up on a cutting surface.

Place a "C" and a "D" on top of the "E's" Right sides together.

I use a small Omnigrid™ ruler that has a centerline ¼” from both sides of the ruler.  Place the ruler diagonally on the wrong side of the fabric and draw a line on each side of the ruler using a marking pencil.  I use a very fine, Frixion pen for marking.

If you don't have a 1/4" ruler, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.  Stitch 1/4' from each side of the line.

Stitch on the line.  Or stitch directly on the inside of the line, closest to the center line, if you tend to run small. Begin with your needle down, and have the fabric touching the needle.

Cut apart between the stitching lines.

You will have (4) half-square triangles.

I run a line of Best Press spray starch along the stitching line.  You can also use a brush to apply the starch.  This helps to keep the components nice and flat.

Press toward the "E's".

 

©      Place the half-square triangles on top of each other, right sides together. Draw a diagonal line perpendicular to the seam allowance from corner to corner  Make sure to ‘butt’ the two seams together and pin to secure   

Peel the top back to make sure the seams and the placement are accurate.

Mark and stitch on the lines.

Cut them apart.

I gently pull the seam back and remove about 3 stitches.

 

I turn the unit over and do the same thing on the other side.

 



Apply spray starch along the thread line. I guess I was feeling a little woozie here with my wavy line!

 Press it like this.  The back is nice and neat and is very flat.

Trim to 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" and cut off the dog ears. (Don't let Mazey hear me say that!)

I you are working with directional fabrics, make sure it is all going in the same direction.

Pin, stitch press toward the squares.

Now stitch the rows together.

Have your needle pass through the intersection of the previous seams.

Square to 6-1/2" x 6-1/2"

Here are some other color combinations.  There are endless possibilities.



Make a few blocks and see how it goes.  I'll be posting a continuation of this tutorial later this week.  If you would like to purchase the pattern which contains more, detailed instructions, it is available HERE in my Etsy shop.

Thank you all for the get well wishes.  I'm feeling better this morning, but I'm not ready to run a marathon.....or the 50 yard dash.....or a 10 yard dash.  Now if one of the bears we have around here was after me, that's a different story!

Soon,
Lynn