Hello fellow quilting enthusiasts! If you’re looking to broaden your skills or are in search of a fresh project to challenge yourself, you’ve come to the right place. This tutorial will guide you through crafting the Scrap Bag Block Four, a stunning pattern that is sure to add depth and charm to your quilt collection. Remember, the key to perfecting your quilting is practice. Let’s get started!
Understanding the Scrap Bag Block Four
This intricate design consists of a central square, accented by half-square triangles and quaint nine-patches. With its mix of background and accent colors, it creates a harmonious balance that’s visually appealing. It may seem a bit complex at first glance, but with our step-by-step guide, we assure you it’s an achievable endeavor.
Required Materials
For a seamless quilting experience, gather these materials before beginning:
- Background Fabric
- Accent Blue Fabric
- Accent Purple Fabric
- Green Fabric
- A gridded cutting mat
- A ruler
- A fabric marker or chalk
- Your trusty sewing machine
The dimensions you’ll need for each component of the block are specified in the Cutting Chart below:
Background:
- Center Square: (1) 3½” square
- Side Half Square Triangles: (1) 9½” square
- Nine Patches: (2) 1½” x 22″ strips, (1) 1½” x 15″ strip
- Center Sides: (4) 3½” x 3¾”
- Corner Half Square Triangles: (1) 4¾” x 9½”
Accent Blue:
- Corner Half Square Triangles: (1) 4¾” x 9½”
Accent Purple:
- Nine Patches: (1) 1½” x 22″ strip, (2) 1½” x 15″ strips
Green:
- Side Half Square Triangles: (1) 9½” square
Crafting the Nine-Patch and Center
Maintain a scant ¼” seam allowance for all sewing. Here’s how to proceed:
- Lay out the 22″ strips. Flip the middle strip to the first strip, right sides together.
- Add the second background strip. Set seams and press towards the middle.
- Line up the strip with the lines on the cutting mat.
- Repeat the same procedure with the 15″ set of strips. Press seams towards the dark.
- Arrange segments with four strips in each stack. Flip the middle row to the first row and assembly-line sew. Add the last segment.
- Set seams, press away from the center. Square to 3½”.
- Cut (4) 1½” segments and (4) 3½” segments from the 22″ strip set. From the 15″ strip set, cut (8) 1½” segments.
Making the Half Square Triangles
Making Four Half Square Triangles
- Place the Background rectangle right sides together with the Accent Blue rectangle.
- Draw a center line and one diagonal line in each square using your fabric marker.
- Sew ¼” from both sides of the diagonal lines, then set the seams.
- Cut apart on all drawn lines, set the seams, and press towards the Accent Blue. Square to 3½”.
Making Eight Half Square Triangles
- Place the Background square right sides together with the Green square. Draw diagonal lines on the wrong side of the Background square.
- Sew ¼” from both sides of the drawn lines.
- Without moving the fabric, cut the squares horizontally and vertically, then cut apart on all drawn lines.
- Set the seams and press towards green. Square to 3½”.
Sewing the Block Together
- Arrange all the pieces according to the desired layout.
- Flip pieces in the second vertical row right sides together. Sew vertical rows.
- Continue adding vertical rows three, four, and five.
- Set the seams. Open. Press seams for Rows 1, 3, 5 to the left and Rows 2 and 4 to the right.
- Turn the block and sew columns together to complete the block. The square should measure 16½”.
Full Pattern: Click Here
Congratulations! You’ve just created a beautiful Scrap Bag Block Four. Remember, the journey to becoming a quilting master is one of constant practice, patience, and creativity. Each stitch you make is a step towards perfection, each pattern you try a new adventure in your quilting journey. Never stop learning, never stop creating, and above all, keep on quilting!
