Moda Blockheads: Block 20-Devil's Claw

It's Betsy Chutchian's turn this week and she brings us Block 20-Devil's Claw.  Betsy posted a photo of the plant on  her blog and also gives us lots of options for putting this block together.  You can read her post HERE.
​ I decided to make flying geese units using two different methods and a quick hourglass method that I like.  You end up with two hourglass units, but I will use the extra one in another block.  Of course that means I have different pieces to cut so here is my list.
From Light Fabric:
A (cut 1)- 4 3/4" x 4 3/4"
C (cut 4)- 2 5/8" x 2 5/8"
E (cut 2)- 2 1/4" x 3 3/4"
From Dark Fabric:
B (cut 1)- 4 3/4" x 4 3/4"
D (cut 1)- 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
​F (cut 4)- 2 1/4" x 2 1/4"

I am going to start with the A and B (4 3/4" x 4 3/4") squares; draw a diagonal line through the A square and lay them right sides together.

Now I just stitch 1/4 inch from each side of the line.

Cut on the line and press both units towards the dark side.

Lay one of the Half-square triangles on top of the other, with dark sides opposing each other.  The seams will nest together now.  It is a good idea to check and make sure you can see the hourglass before actually sewing.

Draw a diagonal line down the middle.

Sew 1/4" from each side of the drawn line.  
​I like to  have the seam pointing away from the needle as I sew.

Just like before, cut apart on the line and press open.

I am only going to trim one of these Hourglass units since that is all I need for this block.
To do that I place the 1 3/4 inch mark on my ruler at the middle intersection and make sure the diagonal line on my ruler follows the seam.
​(1 3/4" is half of the trimmed size of the block which is 3 1/2")

I want this block to measure 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" so again, I place the 1 3/4" mark in the center-
the 3 1/2" lines are on the edges I have already trimmed, and the diagonal line is sitting nicely on the seam line-all is good for a final trim.

Setting the Hourglass unit aside I move on to the No-waste method to make four Flying Geese units just like I did for Block 19.  First lay two of the C squares onto the right side of the D square and draw a diagonal line through them both.

Sew 1/4 inch from each side of the liine.

Cut apart on the line and press towards the C triangles.
Draw a diagonal line on the remaining C triangles and place one on each unit as pictured.

Sew 1/4 inch from each side of the line.

Cut apart on the line and trim to 2 x 3 1/2 inches.
I am using a Bloc Loc ruler, for directions on how to trim using a regular ruler read over my directions for Block 19 by clicking HERE.

For our block we need to sew two Flying Geese units together.
Here they are complete along with the Hourglass unit.

Since I only need two more Flying Geese I decided to show you another easy method for making individual geese using my E and F pieces.

Start by drawing a diagonal line on all of the F squares.
Place an F square on top of an E rectangle; being careful with the direction of the diagonal line.

Sew right along that line, I am a needle width to the outside of the line.

Before trimming, I always check to make sure that the triangle piece covers up the rectangle underneath.

Trim leaving 1/4" for the seam and press towards the dark side.
​ If you are making any of Betsy's minis, these leftover triangles are perfect.

Place another F square on the other side of the rectangle, again making sure that the diagonal line is going in the correct direction and sew as before with the needle just to the outside.

These get trimmed just like the other Flying Geese units and are then ready to be added to each side of the Hourglass unit.  For this block it is important to make sure the Hourglass is facing the correct way-with the light colored fabric on top and bottom.

I pressed these towards the Hourglass unit.

The final step is to add the Flying Geese units we made earlier to the top and bottom of the Block.  I decided to press these final seams open as it just seemed like less bulk.

And here is Block 20 with the other blocks I have completed so far.

Some exciting news for me is the completion of my first pattern- a little Mug Rug that is perfect for beginners.  To celebrate I am giving away one kit with the fabrics I used in my sample.  So hop on over to my Facebook page and enter for your chance to win.  Just go to the post about the Mug Rug and in the comments tell me what your favorite summer flower is.  The winner will be selected by a random number generator and announced on Monday July 24th.  

Click Here for pdf version.

Until next time...
Happy Quilting!!