Hive 5 ~ October Tutorial ~ Blue Cross Block for Laurie (aka @FujiQuilts)

 These #BlueRKblocks are  12.5” (unfinished) and are also known as a “Raspberry Kiss” Block

Months ago, I asked @craftycop for directions and promised to send blocks.  This month, as Queen Bee, I would like to make  enough blocks (with your help) to send Jessica (@Craftycop) a quilt top!  Jessica has been a police officer in Stamford, CT now for 21 years.  About 5+ years ago she had an idea to make quilts for fallen officers’ families; however, unlike other quilt charities, hers had a hitch…someone had to have a personal connections to the fallen officer and/or his/her family to request a quilt and personally hand it off to the family.  (It might be years or months later…)

The label for this quilts mentions #BlueRKblocks and something to the effect, “it’s not how they died that makes them heroes, it’s how they lived…2017” (the year she started this)

Jessica’s account is private (I’m sure you can guess why, with her job) ; however, if she sees you are a quilter, I’m sure you can follow her on IG.  She’s originally from S. Africa…came to the US to go to Indiana University, and then later on became a police officer.  She’s an avid gardener, quilter, and knitter, and has become one of my IG quilty friends…

These blocks all feature a Dark Blue / Navy or Royal blue cross block (a 7 patch that measures 9” when trimmed (unfinished) and then adds a square in it square outside triangular borders, which result in a 12.5” (trimmed) unfinished block size.

Fabric Requirements:

To make one block, 12.5” unfinished, you will need at least this much fabric in the following size and colors:  

- Navy / Blue / medium blue fabric:  1 -  3.5” X 17” strip of fabric, OR 1 - 9.5” X 7” square

- Background low volume fabric:   1 - 3.5” X 14” long step of fabric and 2 - 7.5” squares

Cutting Instrutions:

1) For the inside cross block, you will need the following:

4 - 3.5” background squares (white / off white / beige ) 

2 - 3.5” blue squares 

1 - 3.5” X 9.5” blue rectangle

2) For the outside corner rectangles, you will cut;

2 - 7.5” background squares / low volume (white / off white/beige)

             (These shall be cut on the diagonal in half)

PLEASE use ALL the same Blue fabric in the cross and all the same background fabric for the 

4 - 3.5” squares in the inside cross block.

For the outside corner triangles - please use all the same fabric on each side, but NOT the same 

Low volume you used on the inside cross block.

If you are making a pair of blocks, you can use the same 2 fabrics, but alternate their positioning in the block.  (I cut both the outside corner triangles and the inside background squares out of each background / low volume fabric I used.)  That way, when assembled, there will be a cohesive nature to this quilt, rather than 42 random scrappy block.  (I’m not a fan of a miss mash / muddy / scrappy look…especially if I’m going to spend time making something and using nice fabrics!). 

Sewing Instructions:

1) Assemble the 7 patch cross block first.  If you are making multiple blocks, I lay out the blocks and chain piece then, assembly line fashion.

Notice in the middle picture, I fold the 3 rows (after they are pieced in half and finger press (or iron) to finish the middle of each strip.  (I alternate right sides to right side and wrong side to wrong side in each row so the fabrics will nest together when I sew them place them together in the middle.  (I’m a “pinner” or “clip user” to I attach at the center 1st, then the ends and pin in between…)

I also pin both the top row and the bottom row to the middle cross (long rectangle) so I can chain 

Stitch them at once.  (I make at least 2 blocks at once, but recommend 4, if you want to make that many at once.)

Chain stitching hints: 

- if your fabrics get sucked down into the throat plate, I recommend using fabric scraps (a spider / a leader / ender - - whatever you want to call it) when you start sewing and when you finish sewing.  Saves on thread, unless you have one of the newer machines that cuts threads automatically.

(I’m using a 25+ year old Pfaff…)

- I also recommend a 1/4” foot and engaging both feed dogs, top and bottom if you have them for accurate seams.  If you don’t, then a 1/4” walking foot will work best!

2) Trim finished cross block down to measure 9” square.  Notice how the guide marks on the ruler nicely outline the cross at 3” and 6” for trimming this block?  (Must have the 1” X 1” square on your ruler in the upper right hand corner of the block.  I trim the right and top sides first and then spin my mat around trim the other sides of the block…)

3) Now that you have your inside 9” unfinished 7 patch cross block finished, it’s time to audition sides for block and attache the square in square corners.

4) Similar to what we did with the cross block, fold your side corner triangle blocks in half and finger press to mark the centers.  Do the same with your blue cross block and match the centers when pinning the sides together.  Be careful NOT to stretch the bias edge of the triangle.  Pin the center 1st, pin the sides and then fill in pins in between.  

• Sew opposite sides on first
• - press or finger press - seams facing out
• Next set other opposing sides onto the block.
• Your block will measure nearly 13”
• TIP:  to get the 1/4 “ outside border and NOT lose the points when the quilt blocks are sewn together…I sewed a VERY GENEROUS 1/4” seam when connecting the corner triangles.
• If you sew an exact 1/4” seam, it will be difficult to have the 1/4” extra around the points AND still have your block measure 12.5”!!  
• Remember, use a Wide / generous 1/4” seam when connecting the corner triangles.
• (I ALREADY MADE THE CORNER TRIANGLES BIGGER…AT 7.5”, BUT THEN YOU ALSO NEED TO STAY WITHIN THE 12.5” BLOCK SIZE.)
• It would be disappointing to do all that work and have the points cut off when joining the blocks together into a quilt, don’t you think?  :)
• Press the coroner triangle seams to the outside
• Measure twice and cut once…please be careful to leave 1/4” past your points!

5) I realize this block exceeds the parameters if you make 4 and put the corner triangles on.

    Please fell free to just make the 4 inside 9” trimmed cross blocks and send to me.  I will finish them and add side corner triangles.  (This will be like Vonnie’s 4 blocks we made then…)

Other notes:

1. New Needle
2. New cutting blade!  (Extremely helpful when trimming these blocks!)
3. Please have borders read white, off white, B&W, or cream.  I do not want to see multi color fabrics, pastels, pink, red, green, etc., even if they are low volume.  It’s BOTH low volume and these color parameters…must read white/ off white / beige / B &W only.  (Some #blueRKblocks on IG just don’t work for me!)  
4. Please use Blues that READ blue!!  
1. Let’s skip the batiks, novelties, sheriffs badges, cartoons, pastels, old fashioned fabrics, etc.

6) Thank you ALL for your help with this volunteer quilt!  I really appreciate it!  

Best regards,

Laurie (Harris) Fujimoto

@FujiQuilts

Cell:  (630) 207-7655 (text me if you have a question!)

Thanks again!