Mystery Quilt - Step 5

The blocks for the quilt are now taking shape so this week it is time to finish the quilt top.

A                            B                            C

1. Take a 10.5" square and cut in half along a diagonal to make two right angle triangles.

Position one pair on each side of the block made last week. Line up the centre of the block and the centre of the long side of the triangle. The trianges are larger than the block as shown. 

Sew in place and press open. 

2.  Trim the excess away as shown below.

Take another 10.5" square and cut in half along the diagonal as before. Position on  the other two sides of the block. Centre as before and sew in place. Press open.

3. Repeat to make the other 4 off set blocks ( 5 in total )

4.Take the four blocks made in Step 3

and arrange them with the offset blocks as shown below.

Sew them together and press open. (54.5" x 54.5")

The quilt top is now ready for borders. The borders can be to a depth of your own choosing but I have added tips on adding the borders.

You may find that one side of your quilt is larger than the other. This needs to be rectified now as if you add borders of different lengths the difference is multiplied and the quilt becomes skewed.

Add borders to opposite sides as you did when adding the corners to the block earlier. 

Measure opposite sides of your quilt top. 

Take an average measurement of the two sides, and cut two borders of your chosen width to this measurement.

Pin at each end of one side and at the centre of the border and block panel. 

Ease between the pins and pin in place. Repeat on the opposite side and sew the first two borders in place. Press open.

Now you will have to measure the other two sides as the quilt has increased by the depth of your borders. Again take an average measurement. 

Pin at the ends of the borders and the centre as before. Ease between the pins and pin in place. Sew and press open.

Your quilt top is now ready for your favourite batting and quilting.

I have just taken a quick photo of the quilt as I was basting it this morning

Cherry has also sent me a photo of her block from last week. Isn't it great.

Next week I will show you the simple cushion construction.

Bev