Spangled Stars QAL Block One - Uneven 9-Patch

Welcome to the first block of my Spangled Stars QAL! So glad to have you quilt along with me! If you're here for the first time, here's the schedule for the QAL:

      Welcome to the Spangled Stars QAL - April 30, 2105 

       Uneven Nine Patch Block - May 7, 2015

Bar Block - May 14, 2015

Stripes and Cross - May 21, 2015

Star Block, part 1 - May 28, 2015    

Star Block, part 2 - June 4, 2015

Quilt assembly - June 11, 2015

Completed Top Linky - June 18, 2015

  Completed Quilt, Grand Parade - July 2, 2015

All of the fabric requirements, sizes, layouts, etc can be found on the welcome post. Check out these posts for additional options for color and fabric choices. 

For the next week, your homework is to cut and assemble the uneven 9-patch block. This is a simple block, measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2", and goes together fast if you follow my time saving methods. So, let's get started!

The following chart lists the number of uneven 9-patch blocks needed for each size quilt, plus the number of units needed to make up each block. For this block, there are two units, A and B.

	# of uneven 9-patch blocks	# of A units needed	# of B units needed
Wall Hanging	4	4	8
Throw	8	8	16
Twin	28	28	56
Double/Full	35	35	70
Queen	35	35	70
King	48	48	96

The next chart tells how many strips to cut for each size quilt, and for each part of the units. Measurements are based on a 40" width of fabric (WOF). Refer to this picture for color codes.

WOF=40”	A unit White background	A unit Red For squares	B unit White background	B unit Red For squares
Wall Hanging	(1)  2”x WOF	(1) 3 ½” x WOF	(1)  5” x WOF	(1)  2”x WOF
Throw	(2)  2”x WOF	(1) 3 ½” x WOF	(1)  5” x WOF	(1)  2”x WOF
Twin	(5)  2”x WOF	(3) 3 ½” x WOF	(3)  5” x WOF	(3)  2”x WOF
Double/Full	(7)  2”x WOF	(4) 3 ½” x WOF	(4)  5” x WOF	(4)  2”x WOF
Queen	(7)  2”x WOF	(4) 3 ½” xWOF	(4)  5” x WOF	(4)  2”x WOF
King	(9)  2”x WOF	(5) 3 ½” xWOF	(5)  5” x WOF	(5)  2”x WOF

I'm making a twin size quilt, so I need 28 uneven 9-patch blocks. It also says I need 28 A units. For that A unit, I'll cut (5) 2" x WOF white pieces, and (3) 3 1/2" x WOF red pieces.

Keep in mind that I'm using many fabrics, so some pictures may have short pieces in them.

Before I cut the B units, I'll sew the A units together, one white strip to each side of a red strip,

so that the unit looks like this:

Press the seams towards the center.

Clean up one edge of the strip set,

and cut 3 1/2" pieces all the way to the end.

If I don't have enough A units, I can take out the red part out of that piece on the end, and use the white strips to make another A unit. Just a way to save from cutting more fabric! Now my A units are all done.

Now for the B units. Referring to the chart, I need 56 B units. The other chart says to cut (3) 5" x WOF white background strips, and (3) 2" x WOF red strips.

 The B unit looks like this:

Sew a white and a red strip together, press to the narrow strip (red).

Now here's a speed step: layer the three strip sets on top of each other, carefully lining up the top and bottom edges, 

and cleaning up the side edge by cutting through all three.

Proceed to subcut the strips into 2" pieces.

All 56 lined up, and ready to go!

Now to sew the A and B units together. Employ chain stitching here, as it makes the process much faster! With an A unit on the bottom, nest the A and B seams together, with the red of the B unit closest to you.

Sew down the right side, continuing with the next unit,

chain stitching one side of all units.

When done, don't cut the chains! Just flip the chain of units around, and sew the other side, again with the A unit on the bottom and the B unit on top, with the red closest to you.

When done, clip the chains, 

and press the seams away from the center.

And your done! These uneven 9-patch blocks measure in at 6 1/2" x 6 1/2". Put them in a safe place until needed in a month.

Join the Spangled Stars Flickr group. Anyone can join the QAL at any time, though the linky party has passed.

Happy Quilting!