Chasing the Sun - Clue 5

It's Week FIVE!  This is just flying by.  I am  home from a wonderful time at the beach and already looking forward to the October retreat.  Yes!  This is by far my favorite time of year and today we are going to play with some color combos that even fit the fall theme.

Let's get started.  Oh, but first.  In the first mystery we worked strictly with 2" strips and this time we have varied the sizes a bit but we are also going to do couple of triangles just to make things interesting.  I will give directions for the way I made them, but if you prefer a different method, go right ahead knowing that it might change your cutting requirements and you may need to cut additional fabric.

REMEMBER TO READ ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM BEFORE STARTING.


White (color 1):  Cut 21 - 1 1/2" white strips THEN subcut into 60 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" bricks and 60 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" bricks.  (A hint here:  I found that if I used WOF folded, I could cut 2 - 7 1/2" pairs and 1 - 6 1/2" pair out of each strip with very little leftover.  When you have enough 7 1/2" strips then just go exclusively for the others.
Orange (color 3):  IF SCRAPPY:  Cut 2 - 3" squares and then subcut in half diagonally to have half square triangles (HST's).  You will have two waste triangles (or use whatever method you wish to cut 2 HST's)
Orange (color 3):  IF CONSTANT:  From a leftover 3 1/2" strip, cut 1 - 3" square as shown on the right.  Then cut in half diagonally, leaving you two triangles.
Red (color 4):  IF SCRAPPY:  Cut 2 - 3" squares and then subcut in half diagonally to have half square triangles (HST's).  You will have two waste triangles (or use whatever method you wish to cut 2 HST's)
Red (color 4):  IF CONSTANT:  From a leftover 3 1/2" strip, cut 1 - 3" square as with the orange.  Cut in half diagonally, leaving you with two triangles.
Lavender (color 6):  IF SCRAPPY:  Cut 8 - 2" x 7" bricks
Lavender (color 6): IF CONSTANT:   Subcut 8 - 2" x 7" bricks from your 2" strips.
Purple (color 7):  IF SCRAPPY:  Cut 4 - 2" squares
Purple (color 7):  IF CONSTANT: Subcut 4 - 2" squares from your 2" strips



Unit G (go find your unit) - make 1  (It's hard in graphics to show the seam allowance at the points, but know that it is there.

To add the triangles, start with the orange and make sure the orientation is correct.  When your triangles is placed right sides together with the four patch, the yellow square should be to the left of your point.

A trick I have for this is to simply fold my triangle in half and line it up.  It doesn't matter if the ends extend as we will be trimming this to size anyway.  Stitch that side and then simply finger press open while you repeat the process with the other side of the four patch.

Open your triangles out and I trim my dog ears off at this point as it makes it easier for me to sew a straight line with the next seam.

Repeat the entire process with your red triangles.

YES - your seam allowance will be more than 1/4" on the points.  This is a good thing.

Once you have both sides sewn on, press everything nice and trim any remaining dog ears.

For you who hate triangles -- Ta-Da - you have a square in a square.

Now, lining up the center of your four patch with the center of your ruler, trim to a 3 1/2" square.  This is actually pretty easy to do if you line up the 1 3/4" mark with all four of the four patch points.

Set this unit aside for awhile and bring out your Unit D.  We are going to add the lavender bricks and purple squares to it.

Unit D (make 4)

Using your D unit and the lavender 2" x 7" bricks and purple 2" squares, layout 4 blocks as shown.  White and dark purple are opposite each other.

Sew one lavender brick to the main unit and the purple square to the other lavender brick.

Chain piece all four sets, one right after the other.  It's a mini web as well as it's own leader/ender.

Here is what your webbed unit will look like after separating the four sets.

Now, attach the lower section to the unit.  That's it.  Your unit D's should now measure 8 1/2" square.  This is now your Block A and is called Children's Delight.

Unit A (make 60):

It's time to add those white bricks to our Unit A's.  Using the diagram above, place the 6 1/2" brick on the yellow side and chain away.  Isn't this just a pretty stack behind the machine?  Still in love with these colors.  Ahh.  Now press your units.

At this point they should measure 6 1/2" by 7 1/2".  Yes, I am living with the fact that mine look wonky.

For the next step, add the 7 1/2" white bricks to the remaining yellow side.

After pressing, your blocks should now measure 7 1/2" square.

Unit C: (Make 8)

Our last item this week is to make packs of 5 from our Unit C's.  Simply sew them end to end as the diagram shows.  You will have two sets of four.  Four of the upper layout and four of the lower layout.  NO THEY ARE NOT JUST TURNED AROUND.  You must sew them differently.

Here are all eight of my constant ones laying on the quilt frame.  Isn't is lovely?  Well, that's it for this week.  Have fun.