Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt: December Block of the Month

Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt: December Block of the Month

Introducing the December Block of the Month

Puss in the Corner* block is the FINAL Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt Block for 2017. Like all blocks in this year’s block of the month challenge, this block is 15″ (finished size) and is created using quick strip-piecing techniques. Simple!

If you missed any of the complete block tutorials, find the 2017 Fat Quarter Mystery Block of the Month on the NZP blog. And, we’ll post the directions for finishing this quilt on December 30. Sign up for the Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC newsletter to have the directions delivered directly to your email inbox. Once your quilt top is finished OR your quilt is finished, we’d love to see a photo and possibly feature it on the NZP blog and social media sites. Email pictures to [email protected].

During this 12-month block of the month challenge, all blocks are made from one 24-piece fat quarter bundle and 2-1/4 yards of cream background fabric. We’re using the fat quarter bundle, Garnet, it’s Nancy’s most recent fabric line from Penny Rose, a division of Riley Blake Designs. You’re definitely welcome to use another collection of fabric, or fabrics from your stash!

Choose the Fabrics

For the Puss in the Corner block, select the following fabrics from your Garnet fat-quarter bundle. If you’ve chosen another fabric collection, select two medium tones, one dark tone, and one light tone for a total of four fabrics.

Cut

• Two 3-7/8″ squares for HSTs (light fabric)
• Two 3-7/8″ squares for HSTs (dark fabric)
• Four 3-1/2″ x 9-1/2″ rectangles (medium fabric)
• One 9-1/2″ x 9-1/2″ rectangle (medium feature fabric)

Half Square Triangles (HSTs)

• Layer two light 3-7/8″ squares on two dark 3-7/8″ squares, matching right sides.
• Mark each block set diagonally from corner to corner, using a fabric marking pen and ruler.
•  For greatest accuracy, use a No-Hassle Triangle Gauge. The left side of the gauge is designed to create the 3-1/2″ HST blocks used in the Puss in the Corner.

• Depress the button on the sliding portion of the gauge and move to the 3-1/2″ HST icon on the left side of the gauge.
• Place gauge on the block set, corner to corner. Match corner marks of gauge with corner of block sets. Mark fabric through center of gauge with a fine-point, fabric-marking pen.

The advantage of using the No-Hassle Triangle Gauge is accuracy. It’s easy to double check that the block set fits within the confines of the gauge. If the block set extends beyond or is shorter, trim or cut another block.

Stitch Half-Square Triangle Block Sets

• Attach a 1/4″ patchwork/quilting foot.
• Set machine for a straight stitch, 2.0–2.5 mm in length.
• Align foot along one side of the center marked line; stitch a scant 1/4″ from center marked line. Do not cut the threads.
• Kiss the next block set to the stitched block and chain stitch from one block to the other.

• Clip threads between chain stitched blocks. Rotate blocks 180-degrees. Align foot along second side of center marked line; stitch. Clip threads between chain stitched blocks.

• With a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler, cut the blocks apart along centerline markings.

• Press seam allowances toward the darker fabric.
• Create a total of four HST units.

• All seam allowances are 1/4″.
• Arrange block pieces as shown:

• Fold the right and left units onto the center pieces of each row, matching right sides. Pin.

• Stitch.

• Open the top and bottom rows.

• Press the top and bottom rows’ seam allowances towards the long rectangle.

• Open the middle row. Press the seam allowances towards the long rectangles.

• Arrange rows.

• Fold the top and bottom rows onto the center, matching right sides.
• Interlock the seam intersections. Pin.

• Stitch.

• Open and press.

The next stop on the 2017 Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt is the finishing details! Please feel free to finish the quilt any way you like, or join Team Nancy Zieman on Dec. 30th, as we reveal the final finishing steps for this beautiful quilt.

* Puss in the Corner Block, illustrated in Ladies Art Company, published in 1898. 

Share Your Success!

If you are on social sites, let all your friends know you are working on Nancy Zieman’s 2017 Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt by tagging your post with the hashtag: #NZBoM. Share your finished blocks with Team Nancy Zieman by emailing them to [email protected].

During the 2015 Quilt Adventure and the 2016 Quilt Extravaganza, Nancy shared three virtual quilt designs made with the month’s single block. This year, she changed it up and shared block color variations of one block.  Please note that the fabrics required for color-varied blocks will be slightly different than the original block of the month directions presented.

Take Your Block to the Next Level

• Visualize an entire quilt made from this block. Each block will measure 15″ square when sewn into a quilt. This quilt focuses on the contrasting light and dark halves of the Puss in the Corner block. Use HSTs as cornerstones in with high-contrast sashing to really compliment the simple design of the block.  Read more on finishing the quilt in Nancy’s book Fearless Quilting Finishes.

• Notice the subtle differences in these four color variations of the Puss in the Corner block.

 Virtual concepts presented in this post are created using Electric Quilt 7 (EQ7) software, available at Nancy’s Notions.

If you missed any of the complete block tutorials, find the 2017 Fat Quarter Mystery Block of the Month on Nancy’s blog. And, we’ll post the directions for finishing this quilt on December 30. Sign up for the Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC newsletter to have the directions delivered directly to your email inbox. Once your quilt top is finished OR your quilt is finished, we’d love to see a picture and possibly feature it on our blog and social media sites. Email pictures to [email protected].

Get ready for the 2018 Block of the Month!

The new 2018 NZP Block of the Month program will feature Nancy Zieman’s NEW! Farmhouse Florals Collection by Penny Rose Fabrics. Here’s the inside scoop:

•  2018 NZP Block of the Month kicks off in January 2018.
• As always, there’s no cost to join and no need to formally sign up.
• One block will be stitched in two colors each month.
• 2018 NZP Block of the Month is Fat Quarter Friendly.
• 2018 NZP Block of the Month Project lasts only six months.

Happy Sewing,

Team Nancy Zieman

Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.

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