New to quilting? Check out our beginner quilting class covering all the basics.
How to Sew a Streak of Lightning Quilt Block
The Streak of Lightning quilt block creates a bold, dynamic lightning bolt effect using two contrasting fabrics and diagonal seams. Choose a high-contrast color combination to make the lightning bolt really pop!
Materials Needed
- Fabric in two contrasting colors (one for the lightning bolt, one for the background)
- Sewing thread
- Rotary cutter or fabric scissors
- Cutting mat
- Quilting ruler and fabric marker
- Sewing machine
- Iron and ironing board
Cutting Guide
- Background fabric: one 10½" × 6½" rectangle
- Lightning bolt fabric: two 5½" × 6½" rectangles
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Choose your fabrics. Select a lightning bolt color that stands out boldly against the background fabric.
- Place the lightning bolt rectangles right side up on top of the background rectangle, with the shorter edges aligned and centered, leaving equal amounts of background fabric on either side.
- Draw the diagonal lines. Using a quilting ruler and fabric marker, draw a diagonal line from the top corner of the lightning bolt fabric to the bottom corner of the background fabric on each side of the lightning bolt.
- Sew along the diagonal lines with a ¼" seam allowance. Trim off the excess fabric on either side of the seam, leaving a ¼" seam allowance.
- Press the seams open.
- Trim the block. Place the block right side down on your cutting mat and trim to 10½" × 6½", making sure the lightning bolt is centered.
Your Streak of Lightning quilt block is complete! Repeat these steps to make as many blocks as needed for your quilt.
Covered Corners Method
The covered corners method is a quick and accurate way to add diagonal corner accents to any block without cutting triangles separately.
How to Resize Quilt Blocks
The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on your finished block size. You can base this on doubling a pattern, cutting it in half, or working with your available fabric.
Note: When working from a pattern's cutting instructions, remove the seam allowance before scaling. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½″ squares, subtract the seam allowance (½″), double the finished size (3″ → 6″), then add the seam allowance back (½″) — giving you a 6½″ cut piece.
Resizing Square Blocks
Add ½″ to your finished block measurement. For a 4″ finished square, cut a 4½″ square of fabric.
Resizing Rectangular Blocks
Add ½″ to both the length and width. To double a 3″ × 4″ block, cut a 6½″ × 8½″ rectangle.
Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks
Add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished HST block, cut 4⅞″ squares.
Resizing Quarter Square Triangle Blocks
Add 1¼″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished block, cut 5¼″ squares.
0 comments