Take a moment for yourself this week as you quilt.
Find somewhere inspiring to sit and sew a few blocks with me.
Slow down and focus on your cutting, pinning, and sewing this week.
You will only be making 4 Block 3s, so take your time, relax, enjoy yourself, and really master your craft.
Watch this block's mystery unroll itself as I show you a brand new block building technique!
For Block 3, you will need:
(These notions are just my recommendations)
• Fabrics (3 medium/dark and 1 light background)
• Aurifil Thread – 2370 recommended
• Olfa Rotary and Blades
Edyta’s Tip: Always have a stash of fresh blades for your rotary and remember to change yours often. for the cleanest cuts.
• Sewline Fabric Pencil, Best Press, Pins, Scissors, and fresh Microtex Needles 70/10
We will be making 4 total Block 3s.
Cutting Directions:
Begin by cutting strips from 3 medium/dark fabrics and 1 light background fabric:
6" Finished Block
• 1 Dark Fabric - 1 strip 1½" x WOF
• 2 Medium Fabrics - 2 strips each 1½" x WOF
• 1 Light Background Fabric - 1 strip 1½" x WOF
9" Finished Block
• 1 Dark Fabric - 2 strips 2" x WOF
• 2 Medium Fabrics - 4 strips each 2" x WOF
• 1 Light Background Fabric - 2 strips 2" x WOF
Cut each strip in half on fold.
Arrange your strips in color order following the image above.
Block Assembly
Place your fabric strips right sides together and pin into 3 sets of two strips.
(Please do not press strip sets)
Sew into 3 sets of two strips.
Note: Since we are creating a strip panel, it is important to use smaller stitch lengths.
Sew sets of two into a full panel of 6 strips.
Repeat steps for a total of 2 panels, 6½" x 20½".
For 9" finished block, you will make 3 panels, 9½" x 20½".
Match outer edges of the panel with each other and sew together as shown above.
You have just created a fabric strip tube - I'm so excited for you!
Do not iron your panel, please wait for the next step.
Place your panel tube on your cutting board.
make one 6½" unfinished block (24 sections for 4 total blocks).
For a 9½" unfinished block, you will be cutting six 2" sections (24 sections for 4 total blocks).
Pull gently on the seam as shown above to start creating strip sets.
Arrange your opened strip sets.
Every second strip set, the seam allowance will be pushed up. (I am pointing to the sets in the left image.)
Remaining strip sets, the seam allowance will be pushed down.
Edyta's Tip: I like to use my fabric markers to remind myself which direction to press seams.
Once pressed, arrange your pieces to double check the layout.
Position strips right sides together to create sets of 2 strips and pin.
Make sure you are locking the seams between strip sets. Sew into sets of two, then sew sets together.
9" finished block trim to 9½" x 9½" squares.
Repeat steps for a total of 4 Block 3s.
Our Block 3s will be positioned as shown above in our Summer Mystery Quilt 2022 grid.
These are just a few of our fabric options- I can't wait to see what you create!
Happy Quilting!
Edyta
Please remember to share your progress photos on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!
Tag us @laundrybasketquilts and use #summermysteryquilt2022.
The shaded picture shows 2 background blocks in the corners and the instructions in the PDF end up with three background blocks in the corners. Is that going to make a difference in the final quilt design?
Hi Edyta, I love what we are doing so far! Mine is looking great. Thank you so much for these mystery quilts. They are so much fun!