Take a Spin!

…With your scrap pile, of course :) 

This week, I was playing with a new block idea that could use up more scraps! 

You’ll need at least three 2½” strips… or, several scrap length 2½” strips if you don’t have selvage to selvage length. I chose two red strips and one red and white gingham strip. Sew these strips together and press the long seams open. This strip set should measure 6½” across once sewn.

Cut the strip set into rectangles 6½” x 4⅝”. You’ll need (9) pieced rectangles for this project, but a set of three will make just one block. From a complementary fabric, cut a total of (12) 6½” x 4⅝” rectangles (four will make one block).

Sew these together, alternating the pieced rectangles with the complementary fabric rectangles. Press each seam open (very important).

Each strip set should look like this. This is enough for one block with three pieced rectangles and four complementary fabric rectangles.

I used the Large Creative Grids 60-degree Diamond Ruler to cut my triangles from the strip sets. Using the triangle lines on the ruler, align the 6½” line with the bottom edge of the strip set and the flat tip with the top edge. Center the solid black center line on the ruler along the seam between the pieced rectangle and the complementary fabric rectangle. Cut on both slides of the ruler, then rotate the ruler 180 degrees for the next cut.

Be sure to center the solid black line down the next seam for the next cut. You will likely have to cut on both sides of the ruler again, leaving a little sliver of fabric between the cuts.

From one strip set, you should get six split triangles. This is enough for one block. Three strip sets will make the whole project.

Lay out all six triangles as shown. I alternated the reds that came together in the middle. 

Sew these together in two halves with three triangles in each half. Press each seam open before adding the next triangle.

Sew the two halves together with one final seam, and press that seam open.

The center of this block is very bulky because you have twelve pieces of fabric coming together at one point. You need to press all your seams open to help disperse the bulk.

I made three blocks, like this, for a table runner and sewed them together along one of their flat edges.

I added batting and backing and quilted it up.

I used more of the complementary fabric for the binding, and it was done in no time! If you have never done a zig-zag binding like this, you’ll want to watch my YouTube tutorial here on my method for the straightforward, super-easy way to do it! I think this block has potential, and I plan to do more scrappy varieties-maybe even make a whole quilt with different variations 🙂

Happy Sunday, and Happy Mother's Day too!

Krista

Follow all my quilty adventures on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Visit my YouTube channel for free tutorials and tips. If you like my patterns, you can buy them on Etsy and here on the website.

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