Farming in February

These are the last 3 blocks for February- #70 Prairie Queen, #72 Railroad, #98 Waterwheel.  These blocks are very similar, so I grouped them together. 

Do you remember when you changed your rotary blade last?  How about your sewing machine needle?  When you are cutting and sewing these small pieces, it can make a BIG difference.  A dull rotary blade will push the fabric and give you inaccurate cuts.  Measure your 4 patch units and half squares to make sure they measure 2 1/2" before you join the pieces together.

#70 Prairie Queen

• 4 - 2" finished half squares (2 1/2" strip and use easy angle  or your favorite method)
• 1 - 2 1/2" square
• 1- dark 1 1/2" x 13" strip (13" gives you a little extra)
• 1- light 1 1/2" x 13" strip

Sew the half squares by sewing a light to a dark.  Sew the 13" strips together and cut into 8-1 1/2" segments.  Line up a perpendicular line on the ruler with your center seam to keep the segments square.  Join the segments to make 4 - 4 patches    You should now have 9 units.  Join them together like illustrated in your book.  I pressed away from the half squares to make everything lay nice and flat.












#72 Railroad

•  4 - 2" finished half squares (2 1/2" strip and use easy angle or your favorite method)
• 1- dark 1 1/2" x 16" strip (16" gives you a little extra)
• 1- light 1 1/2" x 16" strip

Sew this one together in the same fashion as #70 Prairie Queen.  Sew the 1 1/2" strips together and cut into 10- 1 1/2" segments.  Make 5 -4 patch units.  Make 4 - 2 1/2'" half squares.  Join the 4 patches with the half squares and press away from the half squares. 














#98 Waterwheel

This one is almost identical except with more colors.  I just cut out squares when I made mine, but I will present the instructions with strips.  You need 4 - 2" finished half squares, so feel free to use your favorite method. 

• 4 light triangles cut with Easy Angle 2 1/2" strip
• 2 medium triangles cut with the EA 2 1/2" strip
• 2 dark triangles cut with the EA 2 1/2" strip
• 1 dark and 1 light - 1 1/2" X 3 1/2" strips
• 1 dark and 1 medium - 1 1/2" X 3 1/2" strips
• 1 light and 1 medium - 1 1/2" X 3 1/2" strips
• 1 light and 1 medium 1 1/2" X 6 1/2" strips (illustration presents a 4th color as the medium, so this should be different than your other medium color)

Sew the 1 1/2" strips together and cut into 1 1/2" segments.  Make the 4 half squares that finish at 2" (should measure 2 1/2" at this point).  Sew the 1 1/2" segments together like the illustration in the book.  Your 4 patches should measure 2 1/2"  arrange the pieces like the book illustration and sew together in a 9 patch fashion.  Press toward the 4 patches as you join your rows.  This block could be done in 4 colors as well. 

The instructions sound more confusing than this block actually is!  It might be easier for you to just look at the picture and cut squares.  I'll leave that up to you.  Double check your 4 patches before you sew them.  I had to un-sew more than one time to get them going the right direction.  Not sure I really care for this block.

Enjoy!