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Sampler Quilt Along•Tutorials

Zigzag Block Tutorial

March 17, 2009

 

Well, here we go!  For you experienced quilters, there will be a little more info than needed.  For those of you somewhat new to the game, I hope to provide ample information.  Never hesitate to email should you have a question.  I’m always here to help.

IMG_3878 IMG_3879
IMG_3880 IMG_3885

1. Pick out 5 complimentary fabrics and cut the following:

  • Fabric 1: two – 4 1/4” squares (this will be the top of the block)
  • Fabric 2: four – 4 1/4” squares
  • Fabric 3: four – 4 1/4” squares
  • Fabric 4: four – 4 1/4” squares
  • Fabric 5: two – 4 1/4” squares (this will be the bottom of the block)

2. Cut your squares in half on their diagonal as shown.

3. Lay out triangles in order they will appear in block to help with the following step.

IMG_3898-Edit-3 IMG_3899-Edit-3
IMG_3900-Edit-3 IMG_3901-Edit-2

4. Match up your fabrics as follows:

  • 4 Fabric 1’s with 4 Fabric 2’s
  • 4 Fabric 2’s with 4 Fabric 3’s
  • 4 Fabric 3’s with 4 Fabric 4’s
  • 4 Fabric 4’s with 4 Fabric 5’s
IMG_3902 IMG_3916

5. Sew your all of your blocks together. Press seams to one side.

*IMPORTANT*  For each set of blocks, press two blocks seams one direction (say to the left) and press the other two blocks seams to the opposite direction (to the right).

6. Square up all of your blocks to 3 1/2” square.

IMG_3911 IMG_3913

** A note on squaring up your blocks**
i)  Using a square ruler, align your diagonal line on ruler (should you have one) along the diagonal of your sewn block.  Find the width of your block (mine was approx. 3 3/14”) and visually divide the difference between this number and your goal number (3 1/2” in this case) and cut away excess fabric on the right side and top of the block.

ii) Turn the block 180 degrees.  Line up your ruler’s 3 1/2” lines on the left side and bottom of block.  Your diagonal line on your ruler should be on the diagonal of your block automatically this time.  Now trim away the side and top edges.

You now have a perfectly squared block!  Continuing on…

IMG_3919 IMG_3929
IMG_3923 IMG_3928-Edit

7.   Match up two of your Fabric 1 + Fabric 2 blocks with the Fabric 2 sides matching.

You want to make sure your seam allowances are pressed opposite directions and that the seams are matched before sewing.  I recommend pinning them together after everything is matched so there is no shifting during sewing.  Pictures 3 + 4 show a better view of aligning seams.

8.  Sew them together.  Press seam allowance to one side.  Repeat for other pair.

IMG_3930 IMG_3934

9. Sew together the two Fabric 1 + 2 pairs to each other along the fabric one sides.

You now have your first row of the zigzag.

IMG_3936
Fabric 2 + Fabric 3

IMG_3948

 

Fabric 2 + Fabric 3

IMG_3938

 

Fabric 3 + Fabric 4

IMG_3947

 

Fabric 3 + Fabric 4

IMG_3940

 

Fabric 4 + Fabric 5

IMG_3945

 

Fabric 4 + Fabric 5

10.  Sew together the rest of your fabric pairs in the same manor.

IMG_3949 IMG_3950 IMG_3965

11.  Sew together your rows to create your zigzags, matching like fabrics together.

12.  Square it up to 12”…or save that for the end of the quilt-along.

Sampler Quilt-Along

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Comments

  1. Michaela says

    March 17, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    This one should be a quick one. I need to pick the fabrics! Thanks…

    Reply
  2. erica says

    March 17, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    great tutorial!

    Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    March 17, 2009 at 5:53 pm

    This is such great information! You have the best pictures and instructions too. Easy for me to understand-love that! I’ll be linking.

    Reply
  4. sandra says

    March 17, 2009 at 6:18 pm

    Thanks for the great tutorial!

    Reply
  5. Cristin says

    March 18, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    Great info! I’ll have to try this soon :-)

    Reply
  6. SandyQuilts says

    March 28, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    Have you seen the tutorial where no triangles are used

    http://beesquarefabrics.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-make-zig-zag-quilt-without.html

    Reply
  7. RosaMaría says

    May 28, 2009 at 12:11 am

    super nice and very easy block. thanks for the tutorial. today i’ll make a pillows for my brother with it

    Reply
  8. jaya pratheesh says

    February 16, 2010 at 6:25 am

    http://beesquarefabrics.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-make-zig-zag-quilt-without.html

    see the link… it shows how to do a zigzag quilt without cutting any triangles..

    Reply
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