Easy Striped Blocks Tutorial

This is one of those blocks where the fabric does all the work so it looks more complicated than it is.  It is SO easy to make these blocks—here’s how.  You will need a half-square triangle ruler like the Omni 96L, the larger size Easy Angle or any similar ruler that will give you an 8” finished square.

My blocks will be 8” finished.  I decided on this size because I started with fat quarters and that will be the most efficient use of the fabric and have very little waste.

After pressing the fabric, fold it in half and place it on your cutting mat with the fold at the top.  Make sure the stripe is even along the top edge (the fold).  Cut two 8-1/2” strips.

Open up the strips and place one on top of the other, right sides together.  My fabric is a woven stripe so I could see the stripe on both sides.  I put them right sides together so they are ready to go through the sewing machine, but if you can’t see the stripe on the wrong side, place your fabrics wrong sides together.  Make sure the stripes are aligned.

You can see on the right side, the stripes aren’t quite aligned correctly. I have it offset a little bit so you can see how to align them, but before cutting, this will have to be smoothed out and aligned so the stripes will match when the block is sewn.

I’m using the Omni 96L and there is a little line across the top at the tip (the Easy Angle has the tip cut off).  Place that line on the top edge of your fabric.  The tip will be over the edge. 

The bottom edge will be along the bottom edge of the fabric.  Since this will be an 8” block, it’s the “8” line on the ruler.

Cut along the left edge of the ruler and along the diagonal edge on the right.

Now flip your ruler 180 degrees and align your ruler with the diagonal.  Make sure the bottom of the ruler is at the top of the fabric and the tip is aligned.

Cut along the right edge.

You should be able to cut two more sets of triangles from the strips.

Now you’re ready to sew.  Simply sew 1/4” seam along the diagonal edge.  As you’re sewing, make sure the stripes stay aligned.  Be careful not to stretch the fabric since this is a bias edge.  That will also work in your favor since you will have a little “give” to help line up those stripes!!  🙂

After the seam is sewn, open up the block and press the seam to one side.  Again, be careful not to stretch the block.

Voila!  A fun block with matched stripes!  How cool is that?  Now you’ll be keeping an eye out for striped fabrics just so you can make some of these blocks!! 

To finish this top I’m just setting the blocks together with sashing and cornerstones.  I’m using a 3” wide sashing to give it a more modern look.  So far, I’m liking it, but it’s taking longer than I thought to get the top sewn together.

Tomorrow I’m heading down to Quilt Expo in Madison and will probably come home with more ideas and quilts I just HAVE to make!!  I’m also going to have lunch with my daughter and do a little shopping with her.  It will be a fun day.