I’m really happy to be participating in the #100Blocks100Days quilt along, and hope you’ve been having a good time working your way through Tula’s City Sampler book (and blocks). Today I get to showcase Block 54, or as I’m calling it Block Studio 54. 🙂
I love this block because it has Flying Geese – they are my favorite! The block was really quick and easy to put together, and I could showcase some fabrics I love.
I’m going to show you how I put the block together, and give you a few tips so you can have piecing perfection.
Tula has easy to follow directions at the beginning of each section. Block 54 is in the Triangles section, and you can find instructions on page 85.
Start by cutting out your pieces according to the directions on page 123 (no, I can’t give you that info – you’ll have to buy the book).
Once I had the pieces cut, I started by assembling the Flying Geese units. You can’t really make the block until they are made 🙂
Once all four Flying Geese are made, sew them in a row. When I sew Flying Geese units together, I sew with the wrong side of one of the geese facing me. I do this so I can make sure the needle and thread go just above the point of the Flying Geese units, and I get a perfect point. This means I adjust my seam allowance, if needed, as I sew. I give myself up to 1/8” difference, so there’s a little wiggle room. This cheat means I can be a little off and still get a perfect point.
Sew the Flying Geese units together, making sure you don’t do this.
Once your Flying Geese units are sewn together, press them. I like to press towards the top of each Flying Geese unit (see above). I find that the fabric sort of naturally falls that way, anyhow.
You should have 3 sections that look something like this:
IF your Flying Geese units aren’t quite perfect and square, go ahead and trim the edges. I take a small ruler, and run it along the side of my block between two points to make sure I am 1/4” from each point (look between my two fingers). Trim off any excess.
Once you’ve squared up/trimmed any excess from either/both sides of the Flying Geese units, sew the left and right strips to each side of the block.
You should have some perfect points to those Geese. If you don’t, that’s okay. Remember, you are better off having a point “float” instead of getting chopped off.
See how the point floats a little? It’s okay. Leave it. No one will notice once it’s quilted.
Voila! Enjoy!
Patty Murphy 