Are you a fan of Block of the Month (BOM) programs?  I love them! It’s a great way to keep a project moving forward and there is such a friendly community when you have a group working on the same design.  I especially like to use BOMs as a stash-busting opportunity. Since you are making just one block, it’s a great way to use up those smaller scraps of fabrics.

A Little Bit Different

For 2023, I am offering a free block each month for the Little Bit Different quilt. What makes it different? We are making a rectangular sampler, so each block finishes at 6″ by 9″ instead of a traditional square quilt block.  I got the idea from an online block swap that I was a part of back in 2014 or so. This year, I volunteered to coordinate the Block Lotto exchange for the Phoenix Modern Quilt Guild, so they get to see the blocks first. I wanted to design blocks that put a modern twist on the traditional so that’s where the rectangular dimensions come in. We will also play with some basic improvisational techniques for a few of the blocks.

January HSTs

Let’s keep things simple for the first month, starting with that classic quilt unit, the half sqaure triangle. Simply pair bright fabrics with a neutral/low-volume background for a fun, scrappy block. Here are the instructions to get started:

Materials

Three (3) 4’’ squares in neutral background 

Three (3) 4” squares in bright colors

Make six (6) half square triangles (HSTs) to finish at 3”. Use your preferred method to make 3-½” HSTs with a white background and a variety of bright colors.

Note: measurements based on two-at-a-time HST construction. Mark a diagonal line on the white squares. Pair with a colored square. Sew ¼” on BOTH sides of the line, then cut apart.  Press to the darker fabric and trim to 3-½” square. Watch my HST tutorial here.

Sew HSTs in three pairs, then sew the three rows together to complete a 6-½” x 9-½” block.

Bonus – January Layout

Along with the free blocks, I am offering a collection of patterns to help you finish your rectangular quilts. Each month I have a new layout that will be a Little Bit Different. Since we are starting simple, January’s layout features sashing and cornerstones. The pattern includes three sizes – a throw at 48″ x 60″, a twin at 56″ x 71″, and a queen at 83″ x 95″.

Purchase the Triangles Galore pattern here.

Thanks for joining the fun!

I can’t wait to see your Little Bit Different blocks and quilts. If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter, please click the link in the sidebar so you can stay up-to-date with all of the True Blue Crew adventures.

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