AARTI Number 2 Block

This is the tutorial for the second block in A Ribbon Runs Through It.  You will be making (8) of them, and they are a piece of cake compared to the first 16 blocks! 

I will only be referring to the letter of the piece, not the size.  It wouldn't be fair to everyone who has already purchased the pattern if I give away the sizes that need to be cut.

I always begin by starching my fabric with Heavy Duty Faultless spray starch.  I have this wonderful old-fashioned clothes dryer above the bathtub.  It is out of the way and is actually a working dryer.  I use it all the time for my "unmentionables"!  And yes, I have quilts on display in all of the bathrooms.

I thoroughly spray the fabric until it is soaked.  I let it dry before I even think about ironing it.  You could bounce a quarter off of it.....that is just how much starch I use.

Then make a strip unit using Piece F and D. Press toward the dark red fabric.

Cut it into the following pieces.  You will need to cut (4) of the larger sections and (24) of the smaller sections.  Refer to the size to cut on page 22 of your pattern.

Place them on the BLS.

Then stitch them together.  You will make (4) of the larger sections.  I do this with the seams in the back to reduce bulk.

Make (8) sections like this.

Then using a Sewline or any kind of glue stick, adhere them to the BLS in the correct orientation.

Now you will make the Flying Geese using Piece G and Piece B.  

Place (2) Piece B's, the green on top of Piece G.  Mark on a stitching line on both sides of the Omnigrid 1/4" ruler.

Stitch on the lines.

Cut apart between the lines.

Now place another B like this, and mark again, stitch directly on the lines.  Press toward the green.

Cut them apart.

You will have four Flying Geese.

Trim with the same ruler you used when you made your first 16 blocks.

Voila!  Perfect Flying Geese.

Glue to your BLS.  Notice I've added the other squares and rectangles to the BLS.  This is quickly turning into one nice looking block!

Now you will make (16) Half-Square Triangles.  Begin with (2) Piece C's and (2) Piece I's.

Use a 1/4" ruler and mark corner to corner.

AFTER, you've stitched on the lines, cut like this.  Vertically first.

Then cut horizontally.

 The cut vertically.

Trim with a Bloc-Loc Ruler.  I always place the letters upside down when I cut to make sure I'm trimming correctly.

Adhere to the BLS in the correct orientation.  I really like the look of this block.

I purchased a new quilter's clapper that has a wool pressing bar.  I LOVE IT!  I press my seams either open or not, then put them under the clapper.  The combination of the starch, the wool pressing mat, the wool on the clapper, and the clapper on top of the component are the best!  My seams are flat!

The next tutorial will be the sashing.  Don't worry, it's easier than you ever thought possible.

Soon,

Lynn