Spectrum QAL 2020 Block 6: Riley Blake Designs Blue Stitch

Can you believe we’re already on Block 6? That means we’re halfway through the blocks for the Spectrum QAL 2020! I’m excited to start sewing the quilt top together, however, I’m waiting until all the blocks are together to ensure the values of the fabrics from the Blue Stitch collection by Riley Blake Designs get evenly distributed throughout the quilt.

So let’s get started on Block 6.

Cutting Instructions are as follows.

Note that I’m selecting my fabrics block by block, so the fabrics are not labeled the same in each block.

Fabric A Background (white with small square)

• Cut 4 squares at 2″ square
• Cut 12 rectangles at 2″ x 3½” (flying geese)
• Cut 4 squares at 3½” square

Fabric B Light blue flowers

• Cut 8 square at 2″ square (flying geese)

Fabric C Light Blue with squares

• Cut 16 squares at 2″ square (flying geese)

Fabric D Medium Blue

• Cut 2 squares at 4″ square (half-square triangles)

Fabric E Dark Blue

• Cut 2 squares at 4″ square (half-square triangles)

Fabric F Second Medium Blue

• Cut 1 square at 3½” square

As per my usual method, I lay the fabric pieces on a mini design board to visualize Block 6 before I start to sew.

Start by making the half-square triangles. Using the 4″ square of Fabrics D and E, make four half-square triangles. Be sure to trim the units up to 3½”.

Position these units back onto the design board.

The next step is to make the flying geese units. There are two different fabric combinations. Make 8 units from Fabrics A and C. These units are for Block 6‘s outer edges. Make 4 flying geese from Fabrics A and B. These units sit around the center square in Block 6.

Be sure to trim the units to 2″ x 3½”. Refer back to this post if you need a refresher on how I assemble the flying geese.

Next, move the twelve flying geese units back onto the design board.

I sewed the four components in each corner together to get a four-patch. There are many points in this unit, and I felt it was best not to twirl the seams as I usually do. Here’s how I pressed the back of each of the four corner units.

Sew the center flying geese units to the 3½” square of background fabric. Now the Block 6 looks like a nine-patch.

There will be some lumpy intersections. You may wish to press the seams open, but I prefer to finger-press them first to get the points to sit correctly, and then I follow up with some steam from the iron.

And here’s the finished block. It’s gorgeous!

Here’s the back of Block 6. I didn’t twirl any seams on Block 6. I was trying to distribute the bulk of the seams evenly, and twirling didn’t help. The quilt block is flat and I’m so happy with the results.

There it is – one more block done for the Spectrum QAL 2020. We’re halfway there! Be sure to check out Claire and Paul’s version of Block 6. Their fabric collections make the blocks look like totally different blocks!

Have a great day!

Ciao!