Moda Blockheads: Block 46 Alternate

Lisa Bongean has once again provided an alternate block for those who do not want to do the applique blocks.  I have to say that I can credit Lisa with losing my fear of working with teeny tiny pieces.  This block is no exception as some of the squares finish at 1/2"  but what a beautiful block it is when done.  You can find Lisa's pattern here.

I made a few changes to the cutting directions and did not cut any of the them intro triangles.
With these tiny pieces I decided to starch my fabrics before cutting them.

Cutting Directions:
A-(cut 1) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square
B-(cut 2) 3 1/8" x 3 1/8" squares
C-(cut 4) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles
D-(cut 4) 1 5/8" x 1 5/8" squares
E-(cut 1) 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" square
F-(cut 4) 1" x 1" squares
G-(cut 1) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square
H-(cut 2) 3 1/8" x 3 1/8" squares
I-(cut 4) 2 518" x 2 1/8" squares

I started with the A and I squares to make the large Flying Geese Units.

Place 2 I squares right sides together on top of the A square and draw a line down the middle.  I used a fine tip Sharpie pen for this.  Sew 1/4 inch from each side of the line.

Cut the units apart on the drawn line and press towards the small triangles.

Place the remaining I squares on the units and draw a diagonal line dwon the middle

Sew 1/4 inch from each side of the line, cut apart on the the line,
​ and press towards the small triangle.

I now have four Flying Geese units that need to be trimmed.  I am using Creative Grids "Ultimate Flhying Geese Tool for this.  I love that this one ruler does many sizes and is easy to use.  It also benefits from the Creative Grids non-slip design.
Since they finish at 1" x 2" I find that mark on the ruler and make the first trim.

Then just rotate the block and turn the ruler for Trim #2.
The Flying Geese now measure
1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Next I repeat the process with the G and D squares.

Marked and sewing on each side of the line.

Using the ruler I trim these to 1" x 1 1/2"
It is vital when trimming to make sure that there is 1/4 inch left above the point of the triangle.  If you do not have 1/4 inch you will most definitely lose those points
when you put the block together.
​
-itty bitty Flying Geese!!!

I set the Flying Geese aside and start making Half-square Triangles using the B and H squares.

I have drawn a diagonal line on the back of the B squares
​ then place them right sides together on an H square.

Once again I am going to sew 1/4" from each side of the line.

These are cut on the line and pressed towards the dark side.

Using my Bloc Loc ruler I trim these to 2 1/2" squares.

Time to put all of the pieces together.

I started with the center square and lay out the small Flying Geese with the F and E squares.

As I sew the rows together I work with the Flying Geese units on top so that I can see that my needle falls right on the intersection of the "X" made by the stitching lines.  This will ensure nice crisp points. 

I pressed the top and bottom rows towards the F squares and the middle row towards the E square. After stitching the rows together I now join them to make the center square of the block  I did place pins at the intersections where the seams were nested together.

This square should measure 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" now.

I need to join the large Flying Geese with the C rectangles now.

Again, as I sew these I aim for the center of the "X".

I pressed these towards the C rectangles.

Now to put all of the pieces together.

The only tricky parts are making sure my needle crosses at those X intersections again.

There are diagonal seams meeting in the corners-the best way I have found to deal with these is to sew with the seams faceing away from the needle as this seems to help push them together most of the time.  A pin snuck in to hold them can help too.

I pressed the top and bottom towards the middle sections and the center row towards the C rectangles.  Just a matter of sewing these rows together and I am done.

I am very happy with this one-I love it when things fall into place like this.

I have been doing Lisa's alternate block with red, white, and blue scraps.  I have a few more to add to my collection and then I am not sure what I am going to do with them.  Time will tell.

Hard to believe the journey is almost over-two more blocks to go--well two more blocks to be shared by the designers, I still have some to catch up on.  

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Until next time...
Happy Quilting!!