Square Dance Quilt

Fabric Requirements: Yardage Fabric Cutting Instructions 1/2 yd each 3 different light chambrays Cut (40) triangles, fabric right side up on die Cut (40) triangles, fabric right side down on die 3/4 yd each 2 different dark chambrays Cut (40) triangles, fabric right side up on die Cut (40) triangles, fabric right side down on die 1/4 yd Navy blue print Cut (32) small Squares Cut (4) large Squares 1/4 yd Red solid Cut (32) small Squares 1/2 yd Binding fabric Cut (6) 2 1/4" wide Strips x WOF 1 yd Backing fabric 33" x 40" Batting

Notes: Finished Size: 26" x 33" Note: The Square Dance block uses "partial seam" construction a simple trick to make complicated-looking blocks easy! To create the "spinning" blocks, you are making 10 blocks that twist to the right and 10 blocks that twist to the left. The only pieces that change are the triangles. Follow cutting instructions to get pieces that face the correct direction. All seam allowances are 1/4" unless noted. WOF = width of fabric RST = right sides together

Piecing the Quilt Top

1. Sew a red small square together with a navy blue print small square. Press seam toward navy square. Repeat with all the small squares.
2. Place two of these segments together, alternating red and navy. Seam allowances should alternate and "nest" together to easily match seams. Pin seams together and sew along longer edge to form four-patches (see Fig. A). Make 16 four-patches.
3. Make right-twist blocks by arranging four triangles (the ones cut with the fabric face down on the die) around a four-patch (see Fig. B). How to sew a partial seam (see Fig. C): ◾Place one triangle RST with a four-patch square, aligning the straight corner with the edge of the square. Sew from the edge, stopping and backstitching as shown at the dot, a little ways before the end of the four-patch. (This is the partial seam. You will finish this seam after adding the rest of the triangles.) ◾Open and press seam allowance toward triangle. Working in a clockwise direction, attach the next triangle, sewing across the whole seam. Open and press seam allowance toward triangle. Continue, adding the third triangle in the same way. ◾Fold the first triangle out of the way to add the final triangle. After pressing the seam allowances toward the triangle, you can now complete the first seam to finish the block.
4. Make eight right-twist blocks with four-patch centers.
5. Make two right-twist blocks with navy blue print large square centers.
6. Make left-twist blocks by arranging four triangles (the ones cut with the fabric face up on the die) around a four-patch (see Fig. D).
7. Follow partial seam instructions above (same steps as right-twist blocks).
8. Make eight left-twist blocks with four-patch centers.
9. Make two left-twist blocks with navy blue print large square centers.
10. Arrange blocks using the photo for reference, alternating right- and left-twist blocks. Sew blocks together, matching seams and placing a pin at each intersection to increase accuracy. Press seam allowances open to reduce bulk.

Finishing:

11. Layer the backing, batting and quilt top. Quilt by hand or machine, as desired.
12. Sew the binding strips together to form one long strip. Fold the binding in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together, and press.
13. With a 1/4" seam, sew the raw edges of the binding to the edges of the right side of the quilt. Turn the folded edge of the binding to the back side of the quilt and stitch in place by hand, mitering the corners.