Previous Block of the Month: Whirling Octagon
Make a wreath from strip pieced triangles.
"Whirling Octagon" is easier to piece than you may think!
Strip pieced triangles surround a central octagon and four triangles complete the block.
Give it a try, you'll be surprised!
BLOCK SIZE: 10 1/2" square
MATERIALS
- Dark print strip at least 3" x 35"
- Beige print strip at least 3" x 35"
- Red print strip at least 3" x 35"
- Fat eighth (11" x 18") light print for the background (enough for 2 blocks)
CUTTING
Pattern pieces are full size and include a 1/4" seam allowance, as do all dimensions
given. Make templates for each of the pattern pieces and cut them
out.
- Cut 2: 1 1/2" x 35" strips, dark print
- Cut 2: 1 1/2" x 35" strips, beige print
- Cut 2: 1 1/2" x 35" strips, red print
- Cut 1: B, light print
- Cut 2: 4" squares, light print; then cut each in half diagonally to yield 4 corner
triangles.
PIECING
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Sew a 1 1/2" x 35" beige print strip between a
1 1/2" x 35" dark print strip and a 1 1/2" x 35" red print strip to
make a pieced panel. Make 2. Press the seam allowances toward the red print. Lay
template A on a pieced panel, aligning the long edge of the template with the edge of the
dark print strip, as shown. Trace around the template. Cut on the traced lines to yield
one pieced triangle. |
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Flip the template and align the long edge with the edge
of the red print strip. Trace and cut, as before.
NOTE: The color sequence will be reversed in this pieced triangle.
You will have enough of these to make a second block, if you wish. You will need to cut
another light print B and 4 light print corner triangles. |
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In the same manner, cut 8 pieced triangles from each
pieced panel. Separate them into 2 groups of 8 matching triangles. NOTE: Two
edges of the pieced triangle are bias. Handle them carefully to avoid stretching. Lay
a pieced triangle on a light print B, right sides together, as shown. Starting at the
edge, sew approximately 1 1/2". Remove the unit from the sewing machine and finger
press the seam allowance toward the triangle. This seam will be completed later. |
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Sew a pieced triangle to the unit, as shown. Finger press
the seam allowance toward the triangle. |
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In the same manner, sew another pieced triangle to the
unit. |
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Continue sewing pieced triangles to the unit, working
counterclockwise until all 8 triangles have been attached. Finish the first seam to make
a pieced octagon.
Sew 4 light print corner triangles to the pieced octagon to complete a Whirling Octagon
block. |
To printout the full size patterns for Whirling Octagon, click here.
Back to Current Block of the Month.
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