Hive 3 - February Tutorial

February is supposed to be filled with chocolates, sentimental cards and sonnets, love and peace. That being said, I chose a block that can stand alone as a wall hanging or be incorporated into a quilt.  This block was designed by Megan Pitz.

I would like to take the lovely blocks that all of you make along with my own and make a couple of quilts to be donated to the Comfort Quilts for Parkinson's.  People with Parkinson's typically don't have the strength to lift a full sized quilt so having throw quilts is not only easier they provide the individual with a bit of joy.

                                                                     True Love

                                        Finished Size: 16 1/4" x 16 1/4" without the sashing
Fabric Requirements
10 - 5" squares of assorted squares
1/3 yard background fabric

I used an assortment of batiks in pinks but you can use whatever colors your prefer.  Please do try and keep them in happy colors.

Cutting
From the Background Fabric:
4 squares 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
2 squares 4" x 4"

Assemble the Units
1. Layer the 5 - 5" x 5" colored squares into five groups, draw a diagonal line, from corner to corner. Stitch on either side of the line (1/4") seam.  Cut down the middle and you'll have 10 HSTs.

Press the blocks open, I pressed my seams open to reduce bulk.  I know it takes a bit more to do it this way but it really does make the block lay smoother.

2. Take 6 of the blocks and layer them together with the seams creating an 'x'. Draw a diagonal line, from corner to corner. Stitch on either side of the line (1/4") seam. Now cut them down the middle and you'll have 6 QSTs. Trim them to 4" square.

3. Take the remaining 2 colored HST blocks and layer them with the 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" background blocks. draw a diagonal line, from corner to corner. Stitch on either side of the line (1/4") seam. Cut them down the middle on the line and press. Trim these blocks to 4" square.  You'll have 8 QSTs.

Assemble the block
Layout the block using the picture below. Press thoroughly.