Hive 2 - June Tutorial - Prairie Wind Block

 Prairie Wind

I've been thinking about what I wanted for my block and quilt for several months now. I decided to modify a free block pattern I found online. My design will be a modified windmill. I call it the Prairie Wind block. Traveling through the Panhandle of Texas you can see windmills practically anywhere you look. Historically they have provided a power source for pumping water for farming and ranch life. Many are still in use today.

The finished block will be as shown below:

Block size

I would like finished blocks that are 12.5" square. The block is made of four sections using the same color fabrics for each. Each section will finish at 6.5" by 6.5". 

Fabrics

For the background please choose a white or white on white print.

For the windmill blades you will need two prints of varying textures. Anything other than novelty prints will work fine. One print should be a darker color. The other should be a similar shade of color with white print that will coordinate with the first. See my color pulls below.

Cutting

Each completed 12.5" block will consist of:

White:                   4 squares - 4.5" X 4.5"

                             8 squares - 2.5" X 2.5"

Dark Color :          4 rectangles - 2.5" X 6.5"

Light Color:           4 rectangles - 2.5" X 4.5"

                              4 squares - 2.5" X 2.5"

(The red strips below should say 2.5" X 6.5")

Block assembly

1. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of eight white 2.5" squares and four 2.5" light color squares. Orient the white 2.5" square as shown. Sew on the drawn line onto the light colored 2.5" X 4.5" rectangle. Trim .25" outside the drawn line. Press toward the colored rectangle. Make four units that are 2.5" X 4.5".

2.  Sew the unit to one side of the white 4.5" square as shown below. Press seam toward the colored unit. Make four units that measure 4.5" X 6.5".

3. Place a marked white 2.5" square on a 2.5" X 6.5" dark colored rectangle, orienting the line as shown. Sew and trim as before, ironing toward the dark color. Repeat to add a marked square of the light color print to the other end of the rectangle, paying close attention to the direction of the seam line. Make four units, 2.5" X 6.5".

4. Sew the units from steps 2 and 3 together to complete four matching quarter blocks measuring 6.5" square. Pin to match the seam between the two units as circled below. Press toward the darker colored units. 

5. Arrange the quarter blocks, rotating the units as shown. Sew the blocks together in pairs, pinning to match all seams. Press seams open. Then join the pairs to make a block measuring 12.5" square, including the seam allowance. 

Thank you for helping to make my Prairie Wind quilt. I look forward to seeing your beautiful blocks!

~ Kathryn