Hive 1 - July 2026 Tutorial - Begger's Block for Cindy

 Happy Summer all!

 I've chosen Beggar's Block (or Roman Square or Cats and Mice).  It is a very easy quilt block. With only rectangles and a square, the block goes together so quickly!  Rather than cutting each block separately, you can use a strip piecing assembly approach and reduce your sewing time.  The blocks are assembled in a 9 patch format and the rows are sewn together for the final product.  You should end up with a 9" (maybe 9 1/4) finished block.

FABRIC PULL

        The center  square (3 1/4 in) and the center stipes should be white.  The other stripes should be bold bright colors.

FABRIC/CUTTING REQUIREMENTS:

WHITE        (1)    3 1/4 square

                      (1)     1 1/4 x 42 strip (this is longer than you will need but makes chain piecing easier)

COLOR

                    (2)   1 1/4 x 42 strips

SEWING INSTRUCTIONS: 

1)    Using the picture above for reference, sew two of the Bright  1.5" x 42" rectangles to opposite sides of a White 1.5" x 42" rectangle. Press the seam allowances away from the White fabric.

2)  Cut the strip into  3 1/4 in squares for a total of eight Beggar Stripe units.

3)   Lay out all the Beggar Stripe units and the White 3.25" square as in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.  The solid white square is in the center and the Beggar stripes alternate direction around the square.

4)  Sew the units into three rows as shown below.

5)  Sew the three rows together to complete the block.  This should result in a 9" block.

Here is a link to a YouTube (by Sewing Parts online) tutorial which you may find helpful as well.  

How to Sew the Beggars Block (Step-by-Step)

This was a quick block to assemble and should be really great scrappy!  I'm looking forward to all the beautiful colors and prints.

Hope y'all have a wonderful 4th and a great summer.  Thanks.

Cindy