2010 BOM - Let's get started early!

[[ All 2010 block files can now be found in one place: 2010 BOM folder ]]

So, it's not 2010 YET, but it's vacation for some of us and we need to use the time when we have it, right???

So---here's what's ramblin' in my mind...

A 2010 Mystery BOM; although each month there will be THREE blocks to choose from (for 10 months; through October). That will be 30 total blocks. For those of you wanting to make all three blocks each month, a final 5x6 layout could be made. Each block will measure 12", so some quick mental math....12x5=60; 12x6=72; add some sashing (2 inches?), and a border (4 inches?) we're talking....yeah...A BIG quilt. OR, another idea rambling in my mind: make all 30 blocks, but make them into TWO 3x5 layouts, OR, one as a 4x5 layout (20 blocks), then the other 10 blocks could be made into another 4x5 layout (after making 10 simple connector blocks).

OR you could just made TWO blocks each month, leading to a 4x5 layout; STILL a nice sized quilt...

I will stick with a background fabric and two coordinating colors (reds and blues for me). Blocks will be posted (hopefully) by the first of each month (give or take a day???). I already know once Vball rolls around in August, I'll have to be prepared ahead of time for September and October blocks! ;0)

November will be set aside for sashings, layouts, borders, etc. By December, this baby (or babies) should be finished for gifting or snuggling. A lovely Slllllooooowwwww project; no rush, only three blocks a month! Very do-able.

Blocks being used? Dunno! I have a few sites online that I will be looking at as well as some from my Grandmother's books. What I can say is that most of the blocks, if not all, will be traditional, simple and geometric. I do want to broaden my horizons and attempt some paper-piecing. Those directions will probably be directly from any site I find them from...

Okay, I think that's enough of the basics......ready to play???

2010 BOM – January
Materials:
* EZ Angle Ruler (used in many 2010 BOMs)
(YES! It's worth the little $$ for this ruler to make half-square-triangles (HSTs)!!! However, if you don't have one, another method for HSTs is to cut a square 7/8" larger than the FINISHED size (2 7/8" for most of January's tutorials, except for the red of Block #1--that needs to be 4 7/8"). Draw a diagonal line from opposite corners of the squares, and v'iola! HST)
* Two Coordinating fabrics for each block (I will be using Reds and Blues)
* One background fabric for each block
If planning to use the same background fabric for each 2010 BOM, safely plan for 3½ - 4 yards.

Block #1 (Rocky Road to Dublin)
Fabric
Background: 1 – 2½” strip
Red: 1 – 4½” strip
Blue: 1 – 2½” strip






Almost a cross between Dublin Steps & Jacob’s Ladder: (http://www.quilt.com/BlockOfTheMonth/19981999/DublinSteps.html)
(http://www.quilt.com/Blocks/JacobsLadder/JacobsLadderDirections.html)

Cutting directions scattered (SORRY), but can be found in BLUE print.

Directions:
A. Cut a 16” strip from the Background and Blue strips. Strip-piece together, pressing towards blue.






Subcut into six 2½” x 4½” pieces.







Sew pieces together to create three 4-patch units (4½” x 4½” unfinished).








B. From remaining background strip, cut eight 2½” squares (set aside), and cut four half-square-triangles (HSTs) using the EZ Angle ruler.





C. From remaining blue strip, cut twelve HSTs using the EZ Angle ruler.
**Tip: Keep fabric folded wrong sides together when cutting the HSTs. This will make step (E) nicer.

D. Piece four blue and four background HSTs together on long sides, creating HST squares. Trim dog-ears.

Use the background squares and HST squares, sew to form a HST-4 patch block. Make two total units.






E. Sew a blue HST (short side) to a background square. Press towards blue. Piece another blue HST (short side) to adjacent side of the background square. Make four of these triangle units.



F. Cut four HSTs from the red strip.

G. Sew each triangle unit (E) to the long side of a red HST (F).


H. Sew units to form completed block.


Want another version? Here are Marcia Hohn's directions at Quilter's Cache-Quilt blocks galore. Rocky Road to Dublin-Quilter's Cache.

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Block #2 (Four Square)
Fabric
Background: 2 – 2½” strips
Red: 1 – 2½” strip
Blue: 1 – 2½” strip






Directions:
A. Cutting:
Background fabric – ten 2 ½” squares & sixteen 2 ½” HSTs
Red fabric – eight 2 ½” squares & eight 2 ½” HSTs
Blue fabric – two 2 ½” squares & eight 2 ½” HSTs

B. Sew a Background HST to a Blue HST on long side. Repeat to create eight HST squares. Press away from background. Trim dog-ears.

C. Sew a Background HST to a Red HST on long side. Repeat to create eight HST squares. Press away from background. Trim dog-ears.

D. Sew into units A and B (2 each).
UNIT A













UNIT B










E. Layout units and sew pieces to make completed block.

Want another version? Here are Marcia Hohn's directions at Quilter's Cache-Quilt blocks galore. Four Square-Quilter's Cache. Take notice of the difference in color placement.

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Block #3 (Four Square variation)
Fabric
Background: 2 – 2½” strips
(or only 1 strip if using the left-over from Block #2)
Red: 1 – 2½” strip
Blue: 1 – 2½” strip





Directions:
A. Cutting:
Background fabric – twelve 2½” squares & sixteen 2½” HSTs
Red fabric – six 2½” squares & eight 2½” HSTs
Blue fabric – two 2½” squares & eight 2½” HSTs

B. Sew a Background HST to a Blue HST on long side. Repeat to create eight HST squares. Press away from background. Trim dog-ears.

C. Sew a Background HST to a Red HST on long side. Repeat to create eight HST squares. Press away from background. Trim dog-ears.

D. Sew into Units A and B (2 each)

UNIT A










UNIT B











E. Layout units and sew pieces to make completed block.

Want another version? Here are Marcia Hohn's directions at Quilter's Cache-Quilt blocks galore. Four Square variation (Class Blue)-Quilter's Cache. Take notice of the difference in color placement.



Until next month, enjoy!!!