A Day At The Beach - Clue 2

Welcome to week two.  Did you survive the strings?  Or opt out?  Either way, this week is fun.  The colors get to come out and we get to start to feel the beach as it washes around our feet.  In the picture above, spot the sand, a shade of sky, and the green of the water.  Those are being played with during this clue.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO READ ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE CLUE BEFORE STARTING.

First up is Unit 2 -- keep it labeled as such from here on.  It is a variation on the Bird in the Air block and you will need 64 of these.

To get started you already have the color 6 triangles (either constant or string).  Now you will need 64 - 2 1/2" squares from color 5 (dark blue).  If I did my math right, you need to cut 4 - 2 1/2" strips of the dark blue to accomplish this.  Rotary cutters on your mark, get set, go.

Additionally, you need 64 pair (128 total) of 2 1/2" color 1 (light green) triangles.  I cut mine using the easy angle ruler with two strips right sides together.  Use whatever method you prefer that will net you this.  Traditional rotary cutting would have you cut 2 7/8" squares and then cut them in half diagonally.  Since I'm not sure what method each person is using, I'm not sure how many strips you will need.  I gave the link for the easy angle tutorial in last week's clue if you need a refresher for those who did strings.

Now, retrieve 64 of those 4 1/2" half square triangles that you cut last week.  We are ready to assemble this unit.

DO ONE COMPLETE UNIT FIRST TO MAKE SURE YOUR SEAM ALLOWANCE IS CORRECT!!!

Laying the green triangle on the blue square as shown, stitch a 1/4" seam down the right side, chaining as you go until all 64 have been sewn .  (Yes, I screwed up after taking the picture and started with the other side  - choose one - I suggest the way it shows on my machine as we will follow that one through the clue)

Press open.

Now you have a stack of these ready for the next piece.

Layout according to the photo on the right if you followed the sewing machine picture.  If you didn't, lay it out like the one below.  It will all come out the same in the long run.

Again chain stitch them through with a 1/4" seam.  You will have to tuck a triangle in no matter how you turn it.  Just sayin'.

Now for another press.

Aren't they pretty?

At this point in your first time through, check to see that this unit is the same size as your triangles!!  If not, you will need to make adjustments to your seam allowance.

If they match, you are golden and can continue on with the last seam on the unit.  Whew.  Now this last part needs you to slow down a bit to make sure your accuracy is spot on.

Being gentle so as not to pull on all that bias.  Stitch the two halves together using a 1/4" seam.  I sew with the single triangle on the bottom so that I can see exactly where the point of my blue square is.  You want to stitch just ONE THREAD to the right of where the seams cross as you get to the center.  That way you'll have a nice point when you open the unit.

Your unit should now measure 4 1/2".  Does it?

 Whew -- Unit 2 is finished and aren't they wonderful?  I'm so pleased with mine -- even the points are GOOD.

We're not quite finished yet this week.

Unit 3 - Half Square Triangles - Make 16 of these.

Using the Easy Angle ruler cut 4 1/2" strips and you need 8 pair of triangles.  If using regular rotary cutting, cut 8 - 5" squares and cut in half diagonally.  You may need to sliver trim after sewn - I did and I used the easy angle ruler.

 Match these up with 16 of the triangles you made in Clue 1 and stitch together with a 1/4" seam.

Press and verify that your unit is 4 1/2".

That's it.  Easy Peasy right?

 And you are at the end of Clue 2.  Is it starting to feel like the ocean at all to you?

I certainly hope so.  Well, speaking of, I am off to the beach TODAY for 10 glorious days of a quilt retreat.  I'll be sure to share pictures in the Facebook group Our Quilt World --- and Clue 3 will post while I am there.  Until next week, live life to the fullest and keep on creating.

Oh -- ooops -- the inventory

2 - 9" neutral (color 6) squares (if stringing - they are diagonal)
68 - 4 1/2" neutral (color 6) squares (if stringing - 64 straight, 4 diagonal)
64 - neutral (color 6) HST's (if stringing, sewn diagonal on a 5" square and then cut in half)
64 - Unit 1's
64 - Unit 2's
16 - Unit 3's

Okay, I'm outta here.