Mystery Quilt 1 - Step 1

Today it is time to make a start on the mystery quilt.

The first step is to make the half square triangle units from the 3"  and the 7" squares

A                     B                   C         

1. Mark one diagonal line on the wrong side of all fabric A, 3" and 7", squares. 

I have used a Frixion pen which disappears when ironed but any fabric marking pen or chalk will work just as well.

2. Place Fabric A onto the same size squares of fabrics B and C with the right sides facing each other. Pin in place.

3.  Using the marked diagonal line as a guide stitch a scant 1/4" seam on either side of it. You can see the effect on the wrong side of the darker fabric better as I have used a neutral thread.

4.  Cut along the marked diagonal line to make two right angled triangles with the stitched edge along the long side. Press the squares open to form the half square triangle units 

These will be larger than the 2.5" and 6.5" required so will need trimming back.

I know that for half square triangles the magic number to add is 7/8ths of an inch ( for a finished size of 2" the starting square should be 2 7/8" ) However I find that adding a little bit extra to the starting square and squaring up gives me more accuracy, as sometimes my scant 1/4" seams are not quite there.

 5. Using the 45 degree line on your ruler, square the half square triangle units to 2.5" and 6.5" 

6.   The 2.5" half square units will have a finished size of 2" when they are added into the pattern, and the 6.5" half square triangle units will have a finished size of 6" 

See you next Monday for the second step

Bev