My MQU Block

As promised, here's my entry, Running Around, from Modern Quilts Unlimited magazine's block design challenge, and my tutorial for it.

Running Around

copyright July 2013 Jan Ochterbeck

12" finished block (12-1/2" unfinished) 

 

Jelly-roll and Charm friendly.

Recommended: low-volume print for center, bold print for arrows, and light neutral ground.

 

Cutting: 

-        From low-volume print or Charm cut one 4-1/2” square. 

-        From bold print cut one 2-1/2” WOF strip (or use Jelly Roll strip) then cut into four 8-1/2” rectangles. 

-        From neutral ground, cut one 2-1/2” WOF strip then cut into four 8-1/2” rectangles. From the remainder, cut eight 1-1/2” squares.

Assembly: Use scant ¼” seams.

1.      Mark the small background squares on the diagonal on the back side.

2.      Position a square on the print, right sides together; sew on the marked line.

 

3.      Press point open, then trim away excess from seam allowance. Pressing before trimming assures less distortion.  Repeat for all four arrows.

 

4.      Attach another small square, press, and trim in the same manner to form arrow point.  Repeat for all four arrows.

5.      Join background strips to upper edges of arrows.

6.      Partially join one arrow unit to center square, stopping about an inch away from the edge.

7.      Working counter-clockwise, sew remaining arrow units to center unit. Then complete the partial seam for finished block.

Here are some suggested layouts:

40" by 40"

Yardage, per EQ7:

Pale background, 1 yard

Text print, 1/4 yard

Featured Print, 5/8 yard

 

 

72" by 84"

Yardage, per EQ7:

Pale ground, 5 yards

Text print, 3/8 yard

Featured prints, 1/4 yard each (5 prints shown)

 

I hope you enjoy it! If you have any questions, please ask in the comments.  If you make my block or use it in a project, I'd love to see it!

 

 

Linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced - check out all the inspiring projects over there!