Block of the Month
September-October
This easy spider-web block calls for using 30's prints or reproductions. Use a variety of prints and colors - a minimum of four. It is not necessary to line up specific colors. Your block will join three others to make the design.
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Rather than using the order of pieces as printed on the pattern, I found it easier and more reliable to start with the white piece in the center. This will allow you to place the corner on the straight grain of the fabric so you will be less likely to have distortion. |
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Set your stitch length to 1.5 or to a short stitch. This will make more perforations in the paper and it will be easier to remove the paper later on. |
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With right sides together, align the 30's strip with the raw edge of the white piece; pin; turn over and sew along the line. One of the advantages to starting in the middle is that as long as your fabric covers the paper pattern at the aligned edge, you will always have enough fabric when you fold it over. |
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Sew along the marked pattern line extending the stitching into the seam allowance. This will secure the edges and make it easier and more accurate when you sew the two half square triangles together. |
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Finger press the strip. Using a flexible ruler, fold the pattern along the line where the fabric will join the next piece. Use a ruler with 1/4 inch markings and trim 1/4 inch from the fold line. The 'add-a-quarter ruler' works nicely for this. Repeat these steps as you add each strip on both sides of the white center piece. Be sure that you allow adequate fabric to cover the triangle point at the end. |
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When you have added the four pieces to both sides of the center white piece, use a ruler with 1/4 inch markings to cut the long side of the triangle to the seam allowance. Complete the other half square triangle in the same way. |
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Sew the two triangles together being careful to match the seams on each piece. Press this seam allowance open to reduce bulk especially where blocks will join together. |
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The block should measure 10"x 10" to the outside edge of the seam allowance. |
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It will be fun to match your block with three other blocks to create a 'scrappy' spider web (octagon). I chose to leave the paper on to stabilize the bias edges. |
Laura Martin won the Applique blocks
Nan Scott won the Pieced Spider Web blocks