Moda Blockheads: Block 26-Cat's Cradle

Betsy Chutchian designed Block 26 and I had a lot of fun making it this week as I continue to play catch-up.  You can read about Betsy's block on her blog and get the pfd pattern HERE.

I did change up the cutting directions a wee bit as I like to be able to trim the Half-square triangles (HST's) to size.  

A-(cut 3) 2 1/4" x 2 1/4"
AB-(cut 3) 2 1/4" x 2 1/4"
B-(cut 6) 1 7/8" x 1 7/8" and cut them in half on the diagonal ( / )
C and D same as directed in pattern

I started with the A and AB squares.  On the back of all of the A squares I drew a diagonal line.  Place these right sides together with the AB squares.

Stitch 1/4 inch from each side of the diagonal line.

Cut on the line and press towards the dark side.
These HST's need to be trimmed to 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" squares. 
​Be sure to line up the diagonal line on the ruler with the seam line as you trim.

Next I add the B triangles to each side of the HST's as shown. Laying one triangle on top with right sides together, matching the corner edges as shown.

I chain piece all of these making sure that I am sewing on the correct side of the unit.

Press towards the triangle.  I like to trim off the little extra bit before adding the triangle to the other side.

Just like before, I lay a triangle on top and chain piece the units. I pressed towards the triangle.

These  pieced triangle units should now be the same size as the C triangles.  I trimmed off the little extra point that extended out before proceeding. When sewing these together I placed the pieced unit on top so that I could watch my needle to make sure it went over the "X" the previous stitching formed.  The center of the X will hopefully fall on my 1/4" seam line each time.

I pressed these towards the C triangle due to the bulky seams
and then trimmed to 2 1/2" squares-making sure the diagonal line on my ruler
​lines up with the seam line on the unit.

Adding the remaining D squares I lay out my squares the way I want them for this block.

As I sew the rows together I am going to make sure once again
that my needle lands on the "X."

I pressed the top and bottom rows one direction and the center row in the opposite way.  I am not totally happy with the bulkiness of some of those seams, but with a little convincing (if you have a rubber mallet you can hit them into submission if needed) they did eventually lay pretty flat.

I placed a pin where the seams join together and slowly sewed the rows together.

The finished block looks pretty good.

I just might need to put all of my blocks up on my design wall to enjoy them as a whole next time.  I hope you are enjoying your quilting journey as much as I am.
Until next time...
Happy Quilting!