This is my process for making the January 26 block from Katja Marek's Hexagon calendar.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZwynXzigCVSCBfnbo6TrRI0aRiDfQIPlxFwS3DhexAsEFCTZQc2yKqQK-olg5GnISzf8mpWxSkS6gb3cjlQ1MbuPgDASUpUkEDVZU1WtGrPtMBwFre1l-sgatSCzt0bvr2ZPcT9cqsE/s400/Jan+26+Diamonds.jpg) |
18 diamonds cut for my six Baby Blocks |
This block is what I would call a traditional Baby Blocks. I begin with a lot of diamonds. Each block uses 3 diamonds and I will be making 6 blocks. Put on your math hat: what is 3 x 6? 18 diamonds! I am using all Kaffe Fassett fabrics for the diamonds.
Then what's next? I cut 120 degree triangles from my background fabric:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgAefYia74mwTvTM3Dhy2EyhSEmgSdSoJ5nTX_ZYe6UFXJ1lEhrAUVOk5VDXUpdd4RvIbO2LSerHAbt3HDGXknFm3c5BBWxDhuGft6sJMwhR-wI-6txLqoEOQ7uXtxGpAf42MgK5tMVE/s400/Jan+26+Triangles.jpg) |
Oversized 120 degree triangles |
Instead of English Paper Piecing (EPP) these, I have cut out patches VERY close to the size used in the calendar. This will have the SAME result, just slightly larger (ie, about 1/4").
I join two of these odd sized triangles to each of my diamonds. Hey! What's that little dot at the top of that diamond? That's how I will know where to stop stitching when I put all three of these sections together. You'll see.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2ZMj5GzQQ_zi9_ldqot-YCw1i7xfxy8idN6I8SLr1ZroyIFWSHOyZTHWpgVsQHrbJgSrUpTx7NcdRjpk86WkYWHAOtBdka2oJ6CpZBf75ikjkghZfxLN8lqQXQ07-tr5QaFkH32ZKKo/s400/Jan+26+Marking+Diamond.jpg) |
Two triangles joined to a single diamond |
Here are the 3 diamonds I selected for one block. Yes, I know. There's a y-seam about to happen. There actually is no other way to stitch this one. But we're going to get back to that little black dot.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2cQbpZE-44UniVsp4zj6g4DDjmNLhw8AMgFshfVW7eSDIB0ldhx3nymAh8m9q7Yc_ZhDtDc7kUkm75lWf9SqUDvfr0ExBG-ZZsLZpnBWS-NPRPGGCidL9ccriTEaZZRt5kId3QzN8Nc/s400/Jan+26+Units.jpg) |
Three sections to my Baby Blocks |
The marked dot tells me where to stop stitching:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDYctjTUijt4Zj6CYF2pjScKAABxE97IVrp8OUzzgxbHDGfhRfIafxEE-CN5RbVJq7IPbethQ-o-677spFbcSnFNbXzf2trctT5Uf0kLHktmI4V-7gQEKQ7YMxYhDNJzGsInTrnLU6zI/s400/Jan+26+Y-Seam.jpg) |
Stitch from the raw outside edge to the dot |
Now what?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEEYM4Jg7R-gavDMPekh41tdHasCRCLioBWacFKr69v8sYkQzd2wBVDNhEcrPtcx5vuOdXi066mRiNy3DVzxUmrSujLktGb7dLe_5iSqRwCVn88AtSZQD_r7gQ-BYWOz5c8qiXaEE4qw/s400/Jan+26+Y-Seam2.jpg) |
Sewing the 3 diamonds just UP TO the marked 1/4" dot. Then you can "spin" the center join |
And from the front?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67AhctF8UeEa2bTk4o9ECrf3PK_yJUec9j8mODJjgSoH73j41xlPA5Qrhz_an6TQ6oPms-D_SEOAa_aqmfGvagT9QlKta1qhUXJqQH5gAdcbhWE2pe_Bz1m_0V0ADTfjhyphenhyphenJD0uSoc8nw/s400/Jan+26+Trimmed.jpg) |
Trim, leaving 1/4" seam |
Let's see another:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaFjngSrGWmFydARu0ecIYCmYOO_E5tdGoZdO7eK9PmJNysXGamwtV8kC8CdS_64t1yXZmZnHT6kVJxtg0dAAR8aZuu8Mldu8dO_kikFFh1dBOC6qg2JfDwtgSMlSJf5N8riyV8-KRWI/s400/Jan+26+Block.jpg) |
This is the Baby Blocks upside down |
I made a total of 6 Baby Blocks. Then, I added a triangle to 3 of the 6 sides. I used one blue fabric for 3 of the blocks and a second blue print for the other three.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLZAgg75hJ97L_H4k1d-jsCetVwtMbmxRAQoktX0R99rndxnxN3UT1KuEnR1kauJJpv0pel3ZPimbyDKDa9MCDTxdtVbAR7kXwbgpiU5Ilv371v74jIAgeYe9Btv7IF8ndIJ7wj6ySGI/s400/Baby+Blocks+w-triangles.jpg) |
Adding triangles |
And, how does it all look? Here is my wreath of Baby Blocks.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7fg4JVq1ryeP7qpVvvI3yeIo8P11RfwNgKRBRXBaRSceZfAO64sD5MVYYZQ6W771V3WNpnNsJ3uk21dSrB_J4B8Meb8SSaHrLGA5ociPRwKZbg3496I-Nz2tr_36Y8nhN7O5B6_7-3Q/s640/January+26+Wreath.jpg) |
My wreath of Baby Blocks! |
My plan for this one is to turn it into an awesome table topper. I love looking at all these delightful, colorful Kaffe Fassett prints, don't you?
Lovely.
ReplyDeleteYou do such a great job of interpreting the designs and making them your own. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteHi, Debby! Although I'm usually not a fan of multiple bold fabric prints used together your choice of background makes this one work for me, especially, admittedly, the one just above your name. I could see myself trying this one with some of my bolder stash fabrics. Y-seams aren't scary, they just take time and thought. Thanks as always for inspiration and the occasional push outside my ever-expanding comfort zone. Hope to see you at Cleveland Expo this year. (janeherbst at roadrunner dot com)
ReplyDeleteThat looks great, Debby. You have a very creative mind! I really like the way you can take anything and make it simpler to piece. =) Thanks for explaining this one.
ReplyDeleteThat is gorgeous.
ReplyDelete