Modern Double Cross Block {a Tutorial}

I am the Queen Bee for the month of March over at We Bee Learning and for my month I asked my bee mates to make modern double cross blocks in either 12.5" or 6.5" sizes  While there are lots of tutorials for modern or wonky cross blocks I didn't find quite what I was looking for so I decided to improvise and this is what I came up with.

I also figured I'd share with you how I made them.

MODERN DOUBLE CROSS BLOCK

You'll need: (12" Finished block)

• one background block (I started with a 12.5" block)
• several strips (2"-4" in width) of Accent Color 1 (I used orange) at least 2" longer than your base block
• several strips (2"-4" in width) of Accent Color 2 (I used navy) at least 2" longer than your base block
• Rulers, Sewing Machine, Rotatory Cutter

Start by taking your ruler and laying it at the desired angle across your background block.  Remember, the more angle, the wonky-er your block will be.  Cut the block.  Take one strip of your Accent Color 1 and sew the strip into the opening, taking care to try and keep your outside edges lined up (sorry, I didn't take photos of this part).  Press your block.

Now take your block and lay it on your cutting mat with the stripe you just sewed in facing horizontally.  Take your ruler and lay it at the desired angle across your background block.  Remember, the more angle, the wonky-er your block will be.  Cut the block.

Take the second strip of Accent Color 1 and sew it into the opening, this time, taking care to make sure your edges of the cross line up.  Press your block.

Congratulations.  You just made a wonky cross block.  BORING (at least for the purposes of this tutorial!).  Take your block and line your ruler up in the middle of the first Accent Color 1 Section.  Cut down the middle.  Want a wonky-er block, cut the line so it ISN'T parallel to the first cross.  Sew your sections together with a strip of Accent Color 2, again, taking care to line up the center sections of your cross, and press your block.

Lay your block on your mat so that the section you just sewed is horizontal.  Take your ruler and cut the block at the desired angle through the remaining Accent Color 1 section.  Sew the strip of Accent Color 2 into the opening and press your block.

You now have an untrimmed Modern Double Cross Block.  

Trim your block to the desired size and you're done.  My block ended up being about 15" before I trimmed it.  You could start with a smaller block but I didn't want to risk coming up short on the finished product.  I also decided it would be fun to make these in half-size to finish at 6" square.  I didn't take pictures of that process but it's the same thing with smaller starting background blocks and skinny stripes of fabric (on average)

What do you think of these blocks?  Would you use them in a quilt?  What about the tutorial.  What would you find helpful that I left out?  I'd love to hear your opinion.

Happy Quilting!

February We Bee Learning Blocks

I had another productive Saturday (and it's not even over yet!).  I worked on blocks for the February We Bee Learning queen bee: Christine.  She asked for wonky pinwheel blocks in green and aqua with accents of grey and yellow.  We used a tutorial by Greenleaf Goods that was super easy to follow.  At first I had a hard time getting into the blocks but once I figured out my rhythm they went quickly.  I hope Christine likes them!

I liked making these so much that I jumped right into working on two mini quilts using the pattern adjusted to 2.5" foundation blocks instead of 3.5".  One will be for me and one will be a gift for a friend who's always 'complaining' about not having a quilt!

I also have to share this advice from Singer, circa 1949.  Thank you to my sister-in-law for sharing it with me.

I laughed out loud when I read it!  How many of us are guilty of sewing over doing dishes or laundry or cooking dinner (I'm guilty!).  I also must confess that I didn't bother putting on real pants on Saturday... sweatpants for the win!  Luckily my husband doesn't care if I'm a hot mess when he gets home, covered in thread and band-aids (because I changed my rotary cutter blade that day).

I did however, give up sewing time on Sunday night to clean our kitchen after we got out stove and fridge in!  We've been without for quite a while, so I was pretty pumped!

I'm linking up with Stitch by Stich for anything goes mondays.

Happy Quilting, let me know if you find French Chalk!