Modern Monday - Block 39
The Dragon Fly |
Block 39 - The Dragon Fly
This block is a fun little paper pieced block that is kin to Rocky Road to Kansas, which has string pieced points. If we were making a larger block I would string piece these points, but since each unit is only 3" finished, it seemed a bit extreme to do today! There is a bit of precision piecing in getting the four units to fit together perfectly, which you can see I didn't achieve too well, but as they say: it's good enough for government work!I keep gravitating back to too much gray in the blocks. I need some that are brighter, so I chose white blue and a new red-orange I recently got. |
Print out your templates. Measure them to make sure they are the right size. They should be 3 1/2" square measured from dashed lines. To access the template, click here. |
These are simple paper pieced blocks. Use any method you choose. Place the fabrics on the back side of the template. I hold it up to the light to see that there is enough room for the seam allowance. |
Reduce your seam allowance "some" so you can tear out the paper without tearing out your stitches at the same time. Sew on the line. |
Fold back the paper and trim seam allowance to 1/4". |
Press and repeat on the other side. |
Add the blue triangle on in the same way and press. Trim to 3 1/2" making sure you have enough seam allowance for all three points. |
This is what the back should look like after trimming. I take the paper out at this point rather than waiting until the end. |
Sew together like a 4-patch block. |
I press the seams open. There is a lot of bulk at the seams. Pressing open alleviates this bulk. It will be 6 1/2" when done. |
love this block - and i will have to try it. even thought i cringe at paper piecing!! :)
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