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Diagonal Strips Quilt Block Pattern

quilting quilt sewing patchwork quilts quilter fabric handmade sew quiltlife quiltlove quilters modernquilting quiltingfun modernquilt sewingproject patchworkquilt quiltingfabric quiltblock modernquilter quiltpattern quiltinglove ilovequilting

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quilting quilt sewing patchwork quilts quilter fabric handmade sew quiltlife quiltlove quilters modernquilting quiltingfun modernquilt sewingproject patchworkquilt quiltingfabric quiltblock modernquilter quiltpattern quiltinglove ilovequilting

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Sewing a diagonal strips quilt block can be a fun and easy project for both beginners and experienced quilters. Here are the steps to sew a diagonal strips quilt block:

Materials:

  • Fabric strips in various colors and prints
  • Sewing machine
  • Rotary cutter and mat
  • Quilting ruler
  • Iron and ironing board

Steps:

  1. Cut fabric strips: Using a rotary cutter and mat, cut fabric strips in various colors and prints. The strips can be of different widths, but they should all be the same length.

  2. Arrange the strips: Arrange the strips in the order you want them to appear in the block. You can arrange them randomly or create a pattern.

  3. Sew the strips together: Take the first two strips and place them right sides together. Sew a ¼ inch seam along one of the long edges. Press the seam to one side. Add the next strip in the sequence and sew it to the previous strip, again pressing the seam to one side. Continue adding strips until you have a strip set that is the desired size.

  4. Cut the strip set into triangles: Using a quilting ruler, place it on top of the strip set and align the diagonal line on the ruler with the seam line on the strip set. Cut along the ruler to create two triangles. Repeat this step with the remaining strip sets.

  5. Sew the triangles together: Take two triangles and place them right sides together, making sure to match the seams. Sew a ¼ inch seam along the long edge, and press the seam to one side. Continue sewing triangles together until you have a square that is the desired size.

  6. Trim the block: Using a quilting ruler, trim the block to the desired size. Make sure to trim off any uneven edges.

  7. Repeat: Repeat steps 3-6 to create as many diagonal strip quilt blocks as you need for your project.

Once you have created your diagonal strip quilt blocks, you can arrange them in various ways to create different quilt designs. You can sew the blocks together in rows, or you can create a quilt top with alternating blocks of different designs. The possibilities are endless!

 

How to Resize Quilt Blocks:

The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on the size of your finished quilt block. You can come to a decision based on a number of factors: doubling a pattern, cutting your pattern in half, or choosing the size based on your available fabric.
NOTE: When working from a pattern’s cutting instructions, make sure you remove the seam allowance before doubling or tripling the size. For instance, if your pattern calls for 3-1/2″ squares, first you’ll subtract the sum of the seam allowances (1/2″), double the finished block size (from 3″ to 6″), and add the seam allowance back in (1/2″). So, when all is said and done, you will cut a 6-1/2″ piece of fabric.
Resizing Square Blocks:
Square blocks are the easiest to resize. Simply add to your finished block measurement. For example, if you’d like your finished block to be a 4″ square, you’ll need to cut a 4-1/2″ square of fabric.
Resizing Rectangular Blocks:
Similarly to the square, for rectangle blocks, you’ll add to the length and width measurements of your finished block. If you’re doubling block that measures 3″ x 4″ in your quilt, you’ll cut a 6-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ rectangle of fabric.
Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks:
When you want to change the size of a Half-Square Triangle block, add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. To make a 4″ finished block, you’d cut 4-7/8″ squares.
Resizing Quarter Square Triangle:
Since there are two cut lines and two seam lines in a Quarter-Square Triangle block you’ll need to add 1-1/4″ to the desired finished block size. For a finished block that’s 4″, you’d cut your squares 5-1/4″.
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