Spectrum QAL 2020 Block 2

Welcome back! I hope you had as much fun making Block 1 of the Spectrum QAL 2020 as I have. I’m moving on to Block 2, which promises to be as exciting as Block 1. I’m using The Little Girl in the Blue Armchair fabric collection from Anthology Fabrics, and every quilt block I finish takes me closer to my quilted bed runner.

Let’s get to the cutting instructions for Block 2 of this awesome QAL 2020. Remember that you can go to my post on the fabric requirements for the complete cutting instructions for all 12 blocks.

Piecing Instructions

Step 1

• Take your B1 squares and, on wrong side of fabric, mark a full line diagonally in the center as well as two dotted lines at ¼″ on each side of the center line.
• Align a B1 square with a B2 square, right side together, and stitch together on both dotted lines.
• Cut on full line.
• Press the seams to the darkest fabric and open.
• Makes a 2½″ square (trim off excess).
• Repeat to make 8.

Step 2

• Stitch a square from step 1 to an A1 square.
• Press the seams to the A1 fabric and open.
• Makes a 2½’’x 4½’’ rectangle.
• Repeat to make 4.

Step 3

• Stitch a square from step 1 to an A2 square.
• Press the seams to the A2 fabric and open.
• Makes a 2½’’x 4½’’ rectangle.
• Repeat to make 4.

Step 4

• Stitch a Step 2 rectangle to a Step 3 rectangle.
• Press and open.

If you pressed the seams as mentioned above, you’ll also be able to create a mini 4-patch on the back of the block when pressing the seams. You’ll notice that it helps reduce the bulkiness in the center of the block.

• Makes a 4½’’ square.
• Repeat to make 4.

I’m now adding Flying Geese blocks. If you’re a little nervous about Flying Geese blocks, I invite you to read my blog post on 4 best kept secrets to accurately make a Flying Geese! This will help greatly!

Step 5

• Take the B4 squares and, on wrong side of fabric, mark a full line diagonally in the center as well as two dotted lines at ¼″ on each side of the center line.
• Take 2 B4 squares and align diagonally on your C1 square.
• Stitch on the two dotted lines.
• Cut on the full line.
• Makes two units.
• Press open the triangles on each half square unit.

Step 6

• Take another B4 square and align on the corner of a unit made in Step 5.
• Stitch on the two dotted lines, beginning on the corner edge to ensure stability.
• Cut on full line.
• Makes two flying geese rectangles size 2½’’ x 4½’’.
• Press open the triangle on each unit.
• Repeat to make 4 units.

Step 7

• Take your B3 squares and, on wrong side of fabric, mark a full line diagonally in the center as well as two dotted lines at ¼″ on each side of the center line.
• Take 2 B3 squares and align diagonally on your C2 square.
• Stitch on the two dotted lines.
• Cut on the full line.
• Makes two units.
• Press open the triangles on each half square unit.

Step 8

• Take another B3 square and align on the corner of a unit made in Step 5.
• Stitch on the two dotted lines, beginning on the corner edge to ensure stability.
• Cut on full line.
• Makes two flying geese rectangles size 2½’’ x 4½’’.
• Press open the triangle on each unit.
• Repeat to make 4 units.

Step 9

• Stitch a Step 6 rectangle to a Step 8 rectangle.
• Makes a 4½’’ square.
• Repeat to make 4.

Step 10

• Stitch 2 Step 4 squares on opposite edges of a Step 9 unit.
• Makes a 4½’’x 12½’’ rectangle.
• Repeat to make 2.

Step 11

• Stitch 2 Step 9 squares on opposite edges of your D square.
• Makes a 4½’’x 12½’’ rectangle.

Step 12

• Stitch your 2 Step 10 rectangles on opposite edges of you Step 11 rectangle.
• Makes a 12½’’ square.

I just can’t wait to see how your version of Block 2 looks! Please, do take a picture and add in the comments below. You can also be part of our sewing and quilting community simply by adding #TheSewGoesOn when showing off your blocks on your favorite social media platform.

And don’t forget to stay tuned next week (October 13 and 16) as Paul Léger and Elaine Theriault will show you their versions of Block 2 using their colorful fabric collections. Elaine is quilting along using the beautiful Riley Blake Blue Stitch collection and Paul is using the colorful Benartex Wave Texture collection, same design, completely different look. I’ll be back in two weeks with the instructions for Block 3 of our Spectrum Quilt-A-Long 2020.

Go back to: Spectrum Quilt-A-Long 2020 Block 1