Spectrum QAL 2020 Block 8: Wave Texture by Benartex

Hello everyone and welcome back to our exciting Spectrum Quilt-A-Long (QAL) 2020!

Today, it’s my turn to make Block 8 using fabrics from the Wave Texture collection by Benartex. As always, I look forward to seeing the completed block.

Here’s a preview of Block 8.

Spectrum QAL 2020 Block 8

TIP It’s always a good idea to read the entire post before starting work on the block.

Most of the piecing methods for Block 8 will be familiar to many, as I’ve covered all but one in previous posts. Today, I’ll demonstrate a new technique; adding a square element to a flying geese section.

Adding a square element to a flying geese unit

Below is the design layout diagram for Block 8. I’ll refer to it often in this post.

The design layout diagram for Block 8 of the Spectrum QAL 2020 quilt

Six different colored fabrics from the Wave Texture collection are needed for Block 8.

The fabric cutting directions are as follows:

Fabric A  Cut four 3½” x 3½” squares from 2966-20 Cayenne

Fabric B  Cut four 3″ x 3″ squares from 2966-20 Cayenne

Fabric C   Cut four 2⅝” x 2⅝” squares from 2966-19 Dark-Red

Fabric D   Cut four 3⅞” x 3⅞” squares from 2966-32 Amber

Fabric E   Cut four 3″ x 3″ squares from 2966-34 Honey

Fabric F   Cut two 3″ x 3″ squares from 2966-19 Dark-Red

Fabric G   Cut two 3″ x 3″ squares from 2966-39 Tangerine

Fabric H   Cut one 2½” x 2½” square from 2966-45 Forest

The selection of Wave Texture fabric colors for Block 8

TIP It’s a good idea to group and label the cut fabric pieces to keep organized.

Today’s first step is to assemble the center of the block using half-square triangles (HST).

To begin, draw one diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of each of the Fabric E pieces. Now, take two of Fabric E pieces and pair them, right side together, with the two Fabric F pieces. Pair the remaining two Fabric E pieces, right side together, with the two Fabric G pieces.

Draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of each Fabric E.

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

With the EF and EG pairs grouped, right sides together, sew a seam on each side of all diagonal lines. Each pair should have two diagonal seams. After all seams are sewn, cut each pair along its marked diagonal line to separate them into HSTs as shown below.

Sew ¼” to each side of the diagonal lines on each set of paired fabric pieces, then cut along each marked diagonal line.

Press each HST pair and trim them all to measure 2½” x 2½” square as shown below.

Press the fabric pairs, then trim each HST to measure 2½” x 2½” square.

Using the Block 8 design layout diagram above as a guide, layout the HSTs with the green Fabric H to create the center of the block as shown below. Once the HSTs are correctly placed, sew the HSTs to one another first in horizontal rows, then sew each row together to complete the center of Block 8.

Using the design layout diagram for Block 8 as a guide, place the HSTs in their correct spots along with fabric piece H in the center, and sew them together.

Next, take the 3″ x 3″ Fabric B squares and cut each of them on the diagonal from corner to corner to make eight triangles.

Match a Fabric B triangle to each of two perpendicular sides of each of the Fabric C squares as shown below.

Place a Fabric B triangle on two perpendicular sides of each Fabric C piece.

With right sides together, sew the two B triangles to each C square. With the seams completed, four larger triangle BCB units have been created.

Next, take the four 3⅞” x 3⅞” Fabric D squares cut each in half diagonally making eight triangles. As shown below, match a Fabric D triangle to each of the two short sides of the BCB triangle unit created above.

Place a Fabric D triangle on each of the two short sides of the BCB triangle units.

With right sides together, sew the two Fabric D triangle pieces to each of the short edges of the BCB triangle units as shown above. With seams completed, four units of a variation on flying geese have been created.

Now, lay all of the units and pieces of the entire block out according to the Block 8 design layout diagram above.

Using the Block 8 design layout diagram as a guide, place all fabric pieces and constructed units in their correct places.

Sew each of the block’s units and pieces together into horizontal rows as shown below.

Using the design layout diagram as a guide, the units and pieces are sewn together into horizontal rows.

Finally, sew each of the three horizontal rows to its neighbor and press all seams to complete Block 8!

Block 8 in the Spectrum QAL 2020 is now complete.

With Block 8 sewn, I’m already planning the final placement of all twelve blocks when they’re completed. Only four blocks to go! I love the way the ‘waves’ in the Benartex Wave Texture fabric gives the feeling of movement to each block, this feeling will be more evident once the whole quilt is put together!

In two days, Elaine will show us her version of Block 8 and next week, Claire will start us off again with Block 9 of the Spectrum QAL 2020! Do share your version of Block 8 with us using #TheSewGoesOn, I’d love to see it!

See you in two weeks with my version of Block 9!

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