A Little Americana

While I'm waiting for Ms. Pinkerton (the main character) to join the set for Rag #3, I am working on an Americana quilt. I saw a block that I like over on Country Junk'tion  and decided to copy it.

It's not a hard block to make at all:

I script my blocks onto graph paper, color them ~ 'cause that's how I work, and proceed on.  A lot of people use the A, B, C, D . . . . method, but that just confuses me for the most part.  I need a comparison chart, if you will.

Any way, I'm making 12.5" blocks (12" finished).  I just divide that number by the number of blocks in the row and come up with a "cut number".  In this case it is 12" divided by 4 blocks = 3" blocks.  Add 1/2" for seam allowances (1/4" each side) to give me 3.5" squares.  But. . . . I am doing HST (half square triangles), so I cut 2 - 4" blue squares for the corner squares, 4 - 4" red squares for the sides, 6 - 4" cream squares to match with the red and blue, 2 - 3" blue squares and 2- 3" red squares for the four inside squares, like so:

To make the HST, I match a cream square with each of the 4" red and blue squares, right sides together.  Then I use my handy dandy little 1/2" ruler to draw two lines diagonally from corner to corner on the cream fabric, like so:

Just match the line that runs down the center of the ruler to the corners and draw a line on either side of the ruler with a pencil or fabric pen.

Sew on the pencil lines.  (You may want to stick a pin in to hold the pieces together while you stitch.
You will then cut right down the center, like so:

This will give you  twelve 3 1/2" (ish) squares.  Here is where you can square up (or fussy cut) your HST to make sure they measure 3 1/2".  If you cut correctly and your seams are good, they should be pretty much on the money.  You will then trim off those little ears.  Put all your stars in one spot.  Find your script.

Place everyone in their position.  (this is why I color my script)  Carry the characters to your machine and following the script, sew a scant (a little narrower than) 1/4" seam. Sew a row at a time. Press each row and then sew the rows together. Press those rows.  I learned after several blocks, it is probably best to press open the seams instead of pressing to one side.  This helps with some of the bulk that comes with all these pieces. 

 

 

 

Ta-da!  You have a block!

 

 

 

I know ~ the colors are opposite.  That's because this isn't block one.  It's block two.  I thought I might like it reversed.  As it turns out, I don't like the center of the block at all, this one or the first one.   It seems . . . . off.  Not nearly as pretty as the one on Country Junk'tion!

 

So, I toyed with some different twists and turns and new characters for the centers.  And this is what I have so far:

 

I like the variety in the centers.  It lends more personality to the set.  I have two others that weren't in the photo opt (you know the kind ~ too busy to be bothered with) but they will be in the final act.  I'm thinking this will be a lap quilt.  Just big enough to throw over your legs while watching a movie or star gazing on a cool night.  So I'm figuring three blocks wide and four down and about a two or three inch sashing.  That should seal the deal.  Can't wait to get her done!

But, until then,
Sweet Dreams from the Land of Cotton