March 02, 2017

Connections - A Free Block Tutorial

Devoted Quilter is 4 today! 


I'm amazed that I've been blogging for a full 4 years now 😊 I wanted to do something to mark the day, so I thought about doing a giveaway, but that really only benefits one person (the winner) and I wanted something that would be for everyone. That's when I thought of doing a free block tutorial, because we all love new quilt blocks, right?
Connections Quilt Block Tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com

I'm calling this block Connections. Partly because of the secondary pattern created when blocks are put together, but also because I wanted to create a block to celebrate the connections I've made with all of you through this blog, reading your blogs and through Instagram. This online quilting community it awesome!

Thank you for all of your support and encouragement these past four years. Your comments, especially, always make my day.

Without further ado -

Connections - a 12" block


Here is what the block looks like when tiled together, flipping every other block. Don't you love those connections that form between the blocks?
Connections Quilt Layout | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com

Let's get started!

 

Materials


For one block:

Background - 8 rectangles 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Dark Aqua - 4 rectangles 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Light Aqua - 4 rectangles 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"
                   - 4 squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Pink - 1 square 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" **

White - 1 square 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" **

** Note - the method we'll use to make the center hourglass block makes two at a time, so if you're making a quilt with this block you need 1 square of each colour for every 2 blocks you plan to make.

Make the Connecting Units


Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of all of the light aqua 2 1/2" squares.
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com
Pin the 2 1/2" square to one end of the dark aqua 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle as shown.
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com

Stitch on the drawn line, then trim 1/4" away from the seam.
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com
It was at this point I realized my new phone takes better pictures than our DSLR, so I switched
Press open.
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com
Stitch a background 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle to the connector strip as shown. Make 4 connector units.
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com
Note, to make a quilt where the blocks connect, you need to make half of your blocks with these connector units flipped. In this picture, the left connector unit is made as shown above and the one on the right is flipped. Make 4 matching connector units for each block.
Connections quilt block | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com

Make the Side Units


Stitch the remaining background 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles to the light aqua 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles as shown. Make 4 side units.
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com

Make the Center Hourglass


Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the white 5 1/4" square.
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com

Pin the white and pink 5 1/4" squares together and stitch 1/4" away from the line on both sides. Cut apart on the drawn line to make two HSTs.
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com
Press open. On the back of one of the HSTs, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner, crossing the seam. Pin the two HSTs together, alternating colours and nesting the seams.
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com
Stitch 1/4" away from the drawn line on both sides. Cut apart on the drawn line.
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com
Press open and trim the hourglass block to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2".

Assemble the Block


Arrange the units in 3 rows of 3 as shown, paying careful attention to the orientation of the units.
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com
Stitch the units into rows and then join the rows to complete the block and you're done!
Connections Quilt Block tutorial | DevotedQuilter.blogspot.com

As always, if you make this block, I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram (@devotedquilter) or Facebook (@devotedquilterdesigns) or send me an email (devotedquilter at gmail dot com).

 Here's to many more years of quilting together!

8 comments:

  1. What a fantastic idea for celebrating your blog-iversary (and congratulations on 4 years)! I do love how the blocks tie together to make a secondary design. :)

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    1. Thank you for linking up! It's fun to re-live the excitement of your blog-iversarys. :)

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  2. Congrats on your Blogiversary! Time sure flies when you are having fun. And a big thank you for sharing a new block with us to celebrate. I love how this one comes together in the pattern. I can see all kinds of quilting fun in it :)

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  3. Happy Blogibirthday! I really enjoy reading your posts. Thank you for the very cool tutorial! I love how the quilt comes together.

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  4. Happy Blogiversary! Thanks for sharing such a fun block. I love the secondary connecting design.

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  5. Congratulations on four years. I love these colours. And the second pattern is awesome. Need to add this to my to-do list.

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  6. Congrats on 4 years! Great block design, I love the secondary pattern it creates.

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  7. Congrats on 4 years! I realize my own blog turns 4 this coming September, wow. I'm here thanks to being a newsletter subscriber, and that block is yet another squirrel (that's 2 in like half an hour online today, both Canucks, yours and Lorna's racoon) and hey, I do believe I recognize that aqua fabric! Is it one of the strips you won from me?! Love the secondary pattern you have here, always something I love to do in designs.

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