Spectrum QAL 2020 Block 11: Wave Texture collection by Benartex

Hello!

In a recent post, I alluded that the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to appear. The completion of piecing the 12 blocks for the QAL is getting close, so let’s enjoy our last few moments in the tunnel working on Block 11 of the Spectrum Quilt-Along (QAL) 2020. All twelve blocks in my version of the Spectrum QAL 2020 quilt design feature fabrics selected from the Wave Texture collection by Benartex.

Block 11 incorporates techniques demonstrated while making earlier blocks such as Block 10.

Spectrum QAL 2020’s Block 11

The design layout diagram below will be your guide for Block 11 today. Refer to it as often as you need to!

TIP Remember to read the entire post before starting to work on the block.

Design layout diagram for Block 11 of the Spectrum QAL 2020 quilt.

Block 11 needs only six different colored fabrics from the Wave Texture collection by Benartex. The cutting directions for each fabric color are as follows:

Fabric A Cut four 2″ x 2″ squares from 2966-20 Cayenne

Fabric B Cut eight 2⅜” x 2⅜” squares from 2966-20 Cayenne

Fabric C Cut one 4¼” x 4¼” square from 2966-20 Cayenne

Fabric D Cut two 4¼” x 4¼” squares from 2966-53 Cobalt

Fabric E Cut four 2⅜” x 2⅜” squares from 2966-55 Sky

Fabric F Cut four 3½” x 3½” squares from 2966-32 Amber

Fabric G Cut sixteen 2″ x 2″ squares from 2966-38 Pumpkin

Fabric H Cut four 3½” x 3½” squares from 2966-46 Basil

Fabric I Cut two 3″ x 3″ squares from 2966-46 Basil

Fabric J Cut one 3″ x 3″ square from 2966-38 Pumpkin

Fabric K Cut one 3″ x 3″ square from 2966-55 Sky

Six Wave Texture collection fabrics cut, labelled and ready for Block 11 piecing.

The first order of the day is to make flying geese units. Block 11 requires twelve flying geese.

Let’s get started!

First, select the B and E fabric squares. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each of the B and E fabric squares.

Next, take the Fabric B squares and place them, right sides together, on opposite corners of each of the larger Fabric D squares. Repeat by placing two Fabric E squares on opposite corners of the larger Fabric C squares as shown below:

Place two Fabric B squares on opposite corners of both Fabric D squares. Repeat with the E and C fabric squares.

Note: Unless otherwise stated, all seam allowances for this block are ¼“.

Now that the B and E fabric squares are in position, sew a seam on each side of the diagonal line on each set. There will be two seams for each B/D/B and E/C/E set. When all diagonal seams are sewn, cut along the diagonal line in each set and press fabrics open.

With fabrics right sides together, sew a straight seam on each side of the diagonal marked line, cut and press.

Place the remaining Fabric B squares, right sides together, on the triangular corner of each Fabric D. The marked diagonal line starts at the point of the corner as shown below. Repeat these steps using the E and C fabric pieces. Sew a straight ¼“ seam on each side of the marked diagonal line. When the seams are sewn, cut along the diagonal line.

Place squares on corners of triangular sections and sew a seam at ¼” to each side of diagonal.

You should now have a total of twelve flying geese units!

Next, draw a diagonal line on the backs of each of the 16 Fabric G squares.

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the Fabric G squares.

With right sides together, place two Fabric G squares on the opposite corners of a Fabric H square, ensuring the corners and edges are aligned.

Note: The diagonal lines marked on the backs of the G fabric squares are placed so they start from the center of the edge of the H fabric square as shown below.

Place two Fabric G squares on opposite corners of a Fabric H square.

Sew along each of the marked lines and cut ¼” away from the line towards the outside edge of the square and press as shown below:

After sewing seams, cut ¼” away from seams towards the outer edge of the square and press.

Next, take the remaining eight Fabric G squares and place them, right sides together on the free corners of the Fabric H squares as in the step above. Sew a seam on the marked line and cut ¼” away from the seam towards the outer edge of the square and press.

Sew along the marked lines, cut ¼” from the seams towards the outer edge of the square and press.

Now to complete the center of Block 11.

The next step features half-square triangles (HSTs).

To construct HSTs, pair each of the J and K fabric squares, right sides together, with a Fabric I square. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of one of the fabric squares in each pair.

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of one of the fabric squares in each pair.

With the J/I and K/I fabrics paired, sew a seam on each side of the diagonal line in both pairs and cut along the diagonal lines to separate.

Sew a seam on each side of the diagonal line and cut along the line.

Press the seams open and trim the HSTs to measure 2″ x 2″ square.

Trim each HST to measure 2″x 2″ square.

Sew the four HSTs together to form a four patch.

With every unit of Block 11 sewn, the block is ready to be assembled!

Using the Block 11 design layout diagram from the start of this post as a guide, lay out all the constructed units and pieces as shown below.

Place all fabric pieces into their correct places using the Block 11 design layout diagram as a guide.

With each component of Block 11 in its place, sew each piece to its neighbor to make five horizontal rows as shown below.

Sew each piece to its neighbor to make horizontal rows.

With each row sewn, the last step is to sew each row to the next.

Block 11 is now complete.

Eleven of twelve blocks are now complete! 

We can take a little break until next week when Claire Haillot will be the first to show us Block 12 of the Spectrum QAL 2020. I’m looking forward to seeing Elaine Theriault’s Block 11 later this week!

I’ll be back in two weeks. Until then…enjoy creating with fabric!

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