Spectrum QAL 2020 Block 2: Benartex Wave Texture

Welcome back to Spectrum QAL 2020!

Last time, I demonstrated my version for making Block 1 of 12 blocks needed to create the Spectrum quilt. In that post you’ll find the full fabric requirements for the entire quilt. Also, see how Claire created her Spectrum QAL Block 2 posted last week.

Now for Block 2!

Follow along as I share the technique I used to make half-square triangles (HSTs) in my version of Block 2 using the beautiful fabrics from the Wave Texture collection by Benartex.

A few days ago, I posted a picture on Instagram of all the fabrics I’m using for my Spectrum quilt. Among the comments posted was one saying the fabrics reminded them of autumn and all its colors. While autumn was not the reason for my color selections, I must admit they are very appropriate for the season.

The second block in the 2020 Spectrum QAL.

Spectrum QAL 2020 Block 2

A = Amber
B = Basil
C = Cayenne
M = Medium Red
S = Sun

Layout diagram for Block 2.

Before getting started constructing the second block, here are its fabric requirements:

Pieces A, B and C – cut two 6” x 6” squares from each of:

Amber 2966-32
Basil 2966-46
Cayenne 2966-20

Pieces C and M – cut four 2½” x 2½” squares from each of:

Cayenne 2966-20
Medium Red 2966-15

Piece S – cut one 4½” x 4½” square from Sun 2966-31.

Five Wave Texture fabric colors cut and ready for piecing block 2.

Wave Texture fabrics from cut and ready for piecing block 2.

The first step when creating block 2 is to pair the following 6” x 6” pieces, right sides together as follows:

Amber with Cayenne
Amber with Basil
Basil with Cayenne

On the wrong side of one of the two fabric pieces in each pair, draw 4 lines:

2 lines are drawn 3” from each side of the fabric piece; then
2 diagonal lines going from corner to corner.

Note: All the lines should intersect in the center as in the photo below.

Drawing lines on the wrong side of one piece of fabric in each fabric pairs will help you construct half-square triangles quickly. Spectrum Quilt-A-Long quilt design featuring fabrics from the Wave Texture collection by Benartex.

Draw 4 lines on the wrong side of one fabric piece from each of the fabric pairs.

Note: All seam allowances for this block are ¼”.

Sew a total of 4 seams, one on each side of the diagonal lines. When the seams are sewn, cut the block to separate the squares into triangles along all 4 lines as shown below.

With seams sewn on each side of the diagonal lines the fabric is then cut along each marked line to create half-square triangles (HSTs). Block 2, Spectrum Quilt-A-Long quilt design featuring fabrics from the Wave Texture collection by Benartex.

Sew ¼” to each side of the diagonal lines, then cut along each marked line.

Press each seam and trim the HSTs to measure 2½” x 2½”.

Each half-square triangle seam is pressed then the HST is trimmed to measure 2½” x 2½”.

Press the half-square triangles and trim to measure 2½” x 2½”.

TIP Before moving on to the next step in constructing this block I lay each piece out in its proper spot using the layout diagram supplied above as my guide. Remember, the letters in the layout diagram represent the fabric’s color. When each piece is in place, I bring the whole cutting board with me to the sewing machine to make sure I don’t make a mistake in the placement of each piece when sewing. One can never be too careful.