{QAL} Block 17 - Arrowheads

Welcome to the tutorial for Block 17 in the HFWYG QAL. This is my last tutorial in the How Far Will You Go? QAL (so it's the second-last block). I apologise, but this one is actually different from what we planned. The block we'd originally intended to be here is actually a 9-patch and the measurements we'd be using would have been horrific. So I've swapped it for a 64-patch block - apologies for anyone who desperately wanted to make a Rolling Pinwheel. I'm more than happy to write up a tutorial for it if anyone wants, but it would have to be an 18" block...

Anyhoo, the block we'll be making this week is called Arrowheads. It's the final 20" block in the QAL and you'll only need one if you're making the full size quilt. 

We'll be using techniques we've already covered in the QAL so it should be a pretty straightforward block to make. All seams are a scant 1/4" unless otherwise noted, and I have pressed my seams open throughout (but use your preferred method.)

Cutting Instructions:

I have split the cutting instructions down to Background, Colour 1 and Colour 2 - I actually used several different fabrics for Colour 1 and Colour 2, but that's up to you. 

Background fabric: 

* One 7.5" square

* Eight 3" x 5.5" rectangles

* Sixteen 3" squares.

Colour 1 - Main colour (blue)

* Two 6.5" squares

* Eight 3" squares

* Four 3" x 5.5" rectangles

Colour 2 - contrast

* Eight 3" squares

* One 7.5" square

Making the Centre 4-Patch:

Take four 3" squares (two of each colour) and sew them into a four patch. This should measure 5.5" square.

Making the Corner Units:

We'll be making four of these corner units - two in each of the two colours.

Start by laying out your unit pieces as below (3" print squares and 3" background squares, 3"x 5.5" background rectangles):

Sew the pieces into rows, and sew the rows together. You'll end up with four units (each measuring 8" squares) like this:

Making the Flying Geese Units:

Draw a line diagonally through the centre of the eight remaining 3" background squares.
Take  your four Colour 1 rectangles, and place a background square right sides together, aligning the top and sides.

Sew along this line, trim 1/4" away and press:

Take a second 3" background square and place it as shown.

Sew along this line, trim 1/4" away and press.

You'll end up with four flying geese units, each measuring 3" x 5.5".

Making the Quarter Square Triangles:

Take your background 7.5" square and draw a line diagonally through the centre. Place the square right sides together with the Colour 2 7.5" square. 

Sew 1/4" on either side of the drawn line, cut along your drawn line and press your HSTs.

Take your two Colour 1 6.5" squares, and draw a line diagonally through the centre on the wrong side.

Place these right sides together with the HSTs you just made - making sure your drawn line runs perpendicular to the line on the HSTs.

Again, sew 1/4" away from either side of this line, cut down the centre.

Press your units. You'll end up with two each of these quarter square triangle units:

Now you need to be a little careful that everything lines up when you trim these down. We'll be trimming them to 5.5" square - so the centre point is at 2.75". You can see in the photo below, I've line up the 45 degree line with the orange/background seam, and I've line up the centre point with the 2.75" point on my ruler. I trimmed the side and top at this point.

My ruler shifted slightly for this photo sorry - but you can see I've lined up the 5.5" marks as I normally would when trimming, but also made sure that 2.75" mark is at the centre of the unit.

Next, take your four flying geese and the four units you just made, and pair them up as shown below. Sew this seam and press.

Putting the Block Together:

Now all the sections are made, it's simply a matter of sewing them together as you would a 9-patch. Lay them out as below, and then sew into rows and sew the rows together.

Your finished block should measure 20.5" (so 20" finished).

As always please add your blocks to the flickr group - we have some seriously amazing quilts being made.

Have a fabulous weekend!

xx Jess