Spectrum QAL 2020 Block 5: Anthology Fabrics Little Girl in the Blue Armchair

Welcome back! I hope you’re enjoying our very unique way of presenting our Spectrum Quilt-A-Long (QAL) 2020. Please keep on sending us your comments. We love to read them all! What’s your favorite block so far? Which project size do you prefer, and which fabric line are you using?

Here’s a link to take you back to Block 4 in case you missed it.

I’m really enjoying using fabric from the Little Girl in the Blue Armchair collection by Anthology Fabrics.

Before we begin Block 5, I have to say that this is a more complex block to make, so I apologize in advance. When looking closely at the design, you’ll notice that the corner blocks enhance the middle star and to make this happen, you’ll create not 4 identical blocks, but 2 different sets of blocks.

Using several fabric prints can be overwhelming. Keep in mind that making a complex quilt block with different prints may be visually challenging, but you’ve got this! My best advice when working on a complex quilt block is to be well-rested and enjoy the process. I had my mini design wall beside me the whole time. And to be honest, I had to use the seam ripper a few times. I also had to pause occasionally as I couldn’t see how to set the designs, so be patient and kind with yourself if it happens to you.

Here are the cutting instructions for Block 5 of the QAL 2020 using the Little Girl in the Blue Armchair collection from Anthology Fabrics.

Let’s begin with some Flying Geese blocks. If you feel like you need more information on how to make them, you can read my blog post on 4 best-kept secrets to accurately make a Flying Geese!

Step 1

• Take 4 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 C1 square.
• Stitch on the two dotted lines.
• Cut on the full line.
• Makes two units.

Step 2

• – Take a B3 square and align on the corner of a unit made in Step 1.
• – Stitch on the two dotted lines, beginning on the corner edge to ensure stability.
• – Cut on full line.
• – Makes two flying geese rectangles size 2” x 3½”.
• – Press open the triangle on each unit.
• – Repeat to make 4 units.

Step 3

• Take 4 B5 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 B5 squares and align diagonally on your C2 square.
• Stitch on the two dotted lines.
• Cut on the full line.
• Makes two units.

Step 4

• – Take a B5 square and align on the corner of a unit made in Step 1.
• – Stitch on the two dotted lines, beginning on the corner edge to ensure stability.
• – Cut on full line.
• – Makes two flying geese rectangles size 2” x 3½”.
• – Press open the triangle on each unit.
• – Repeat to make 4 units.

Step 5

• – Take 4 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.
• – Align a B2 square with a B4 square, right sides together, and stitch together on both dotted lines.
• – Cut on full line.
• – Press the seams to the darkest fabric and open.
• – Makes a 2” square (trim off excess).
• – Repeat to make 8.

Step 6

• – Take 4 B5 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 B3 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 2″ square (trim off excess).
• – Repeat to make 8.

Step 7

• – Take 4 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.
• – Align a B1 square with a B4 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 2” square (trim off excess).
• – Repeat to make 8.

All the squares are now ready to be positioned to make the final layout of Block 5. Pay close attention when placing all your units on your design wall and ensure you have the correct final layout before continuing.

Step 8

• – Stitch A1 square to Step 7 and Step 6 (refer to photo).
• – Makes a 2” x 5” rectangle.
• – Repeat to make 2.

Step 9

• – Stitch A3 square to a Step 7 and a Step 5 (refer to photo).
• – Makes a 2” x 5” rectangle.
• – Repeat to make 4.

Step 10

• – Stitch a A2 square to a Step 5 and a Step 6 (refer to photo).
• – Makes a 2” x 5” rectangle.
• – Repeat to make 4.

Step 11

• – Stitch a Step 8 unit, to a Step 9 and a Step 10 unit (refer to photo).
• – Makes a 5” square.
• – Repeat to make 4.

Step 12

• – Stitch a Step 2 unit and a Step 4 unit to a D rectangle (refer to photo).
• – Makes a 3 ½’’ x 5’’ rectangle.
• – Repeat to make 4.

Step 13

• -Stitch 2 Step 12 units to your E square.
• – Makes a 3 ½’’ x 12 ½’’ rectangle.

Step 14

– Stitch 2 Step 11 units to a Step 12 unit.
– Makes a 5’’ x 12 ½’’ rectangle.
– Repeat to make 2.

Step 15

– Stitch 2 Step 14 units to your Step 13 unit.
– Makes a 12½’’ square.

Congratulations! You just finished Block 5 of the Spectrum QAL 2020! Please, do take a picture and add it in the comments below. You can also be part of our sewing and quilting community simply by adding #TheSewGoesOn when showing off your first five blocks on your favorite social media platform.

Lastly, don’t forget to stay tuned, as Paul and Elaine will show you next week their versions of the same block using their colorful fabric collections. Elaine is quilting along with Riley Blake Designs Blue Stitch collection and Paul is quilting along with Benartex Wave Texture collection. Same design, completely different look, check them out next. I’ll be back in two weeks with the instructions for Block 6 as part of our Spectrum QAL 2020. Join us!