Hive 5 - March Tutorial - Granny Square Block for Sara

As always, I have been so indecisive about what to choose for the month but ended up settling on a granny square quilt block. I used to cut my scraps into pre-determined sizes, including 2.5" squares, and still have quite a few left in my stash. I find these blocks to be fun and relaxing to make.

Before we get started

• Blocks will be 9" square unfinished
• Press however you prefer - I recommend nesting seams
• Blocks can be scrappy or not

Color Palette and Fabric Selection

I'm leaning into teals and burnt oranges for these blocks. Here's a palette for inspiration:

Each block is two-toned, with the low volumes and one color in various values. As you can see below, I've used a lighter and a darker value of contrasting teals for the pattern. For the exterior dark print, please choose a mostly solid color (i.e., if there's a contrasting print, the overall block should read as a consistent value) to help maintain the contrast. For the interior colors, I'm less particular. This is also a good block for fun focal fabrics as your interior square, if you'd like.

Looking at the photo on the left, I've pulled different oranges that may work. To the far left, these would make good dark contrast/exterior blocks as I'd prefer them to read as one color. In the middle, these fabrics start to have more contrast within the block and can visually be differentiated from the darker contrast exterior blocks. For the blocks that I played around with, I found that I preferred a strong contrast. The rightmost fabrics can either be similar to the exterior blocks, with strong contrast to the interior 4 but feel free to fussy cut if you'd rather. 

The photo on the right has diferent low volumes. The top row, with softer contrast, is preferred for these blocks. The bottom fabrics have strong contrast and end up making the blocks feel busy.

Directions

Cutting Directions

• 12 - 2.5" low volume squares (30" strip)
• 8 - 2.5" dark contrast squares in the main colorway (20" strip)
• 4 - 2.5" light to medium contrast squares in the main colorway (10" strip)
• 1 - 2.5" dark contrast focal square in the main colorway

Piecing

1. Lay out squares and determine placement. The focal square will be surrounded by the 4 light/medium contrast squares, which are then surrounded by the dark contrast squares. Finally, the low volume squares will make up the exterior of each row. First row of photos.
2. Using a 1/4" seam, sew the blocks in each row together. Press. I recommend alternating the direction of the seams for each row to help with nesting. Second row of photos.
1. You can either eyeball the placement of the topmost/bottommost low volume squares, or crease the rows at center to help with alignment.
3. Using a 1/4" seam, sew each row together. Press. I found the seams cooperated best when I pressed the rows above the middle row towards the top, and the rows below the middle towards the bottom. Third row of photos.
4. Trim block to 9" square. Be careful to leave 1/4" around the edges of the dark contrast fabric. Last row of photos.

A big thank you for sewing along!

Sara

@rippingoutstitches