Let's keep the excitement going!

Have you completed the January blocks yet?  For the overachievers, I wanted to go ahead and post the next 3 blocks with cutting instructions.  I am sewing these together differently than in the book, but you are welcome to follow the example of the Farmer's Wife book.

• #84 Spool
• #81 Snowball
• #41 Friendship Star

#84 Spool

1. 2 - lights 2 1/2" x 6 1/2"
2. 1 - dark 2 1/2" x 6 1/2"
3. EITHER 4 - 2 1/2" squares OR 4 triangles cut with the Easy Angle using a 2 1/2" strip width (before you decide, you may want to see the method below)

There is a way to trim the angle on the blocks that you would normally use the stitch and flip on.  I discovered a nifty little trick that I wanted to pass along.  When you do the stitch and flip method, you always stitch to the corner and trim 1/4" beyond the stitch line.  Sooooo to trim before we want to cut on a angle 1/4" from the corner.  This can be done very easily with the Easy Ruler.  Line up the ruler like the picture, and trim.  The tip of the ruler should extend beyond the edge of your fabric.  Do this to both ends of the light 2 1/2" X 6 1/2" light pieces.  MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE ANGLES GOING THE CORRECT WAY :-) 

Join the pieces with the triangles to the Dark rectangle to complete the spool block.  Check your measurements to make sure it is 6 1/2". 

Snowball # 81 is pieced the same way.

• 2 dark 2 1/2" X 6 1/2" rectangles
• 4 light triangles cut with the Easy Angle 2 1/2" strip (can use square method if you prefer)
• 1 light 2 1/2" square and 2 dark 2 1/2" squares

Join the light square with 2 dark squares trim off the angles on the dark 6 1/2" pieces and add the triangles.  Join the 3 pieces to complete the block.

#41 Friendship Star



• 4 Light 2 1/2" squares
• 4 light triangles cut with Easy Angle 2 1/2" strip
• 2 dark triangles cut with the Easy Angle 2 1/2" strip
• 1 dark strip 2 1/2" X 6 1/2"

Trim off the corners of the long dark strip just like in block 84 with the easy angle, and add 2 light triangles.  Join the remaining 2 light and dark triangle pairs to make the half squares and add the light squares to each side (make sure the angle is going the correct way).  Join the rows to complete the block.