September 2019 ~ Bookshelf BOM

While all the schools around us went back to School in August, I feel like September is really “Back To School” month, so I wanted blocks to represent that.  I created two blocks, the Bookshelf is the easier of the two blocks, and the School House has a new way to create HST (Half Square triangles) when you only need one of each set.

Fabric

• Fabric for Books – 8 to 12 pieces ranging from 1 1/2″ to 2 1/2″ wide strips, at least 5″ to 12 1/2″ long
• Background – FQ or 1/4 yard  (white or black)

Assembly

• Trim the background fabric to 9″ tall by width of the book strips (note the shorter the book strips, the taller the background fabric needs to be)

• Arrange the Book strips with the top side edge of the book strips to the background fabric

• Sew 1/4″ seam along edge of fabric strips, press seam towards the darker fabric

• Cut apart each of the book strips with Background fabric (using a ruler and rotary cutter is best.) 

• Align the book strips in the order you like best, with the bottom of the strips even (the background fabric will be all different lengths)

• Stitch the books strips together using 1/4″ seam allowance (making sure the bottom of the books are all even, the tops will be different lengths).

• Press the seams towards the darker sides

• Trim the block so it is 12 1/2″ tall and 12 1/2″ wide, the block will finish at 12″  (I removed a strip as my width was too wide, but that is easier than trying to add an additional strip afterwards.) 

Additional block ideas

• Add a piece of ribbon between the book strip and the background fabric for a “bookmark”. (make sure to watch when you quilt the block, to not catch the bookmark).
• Add strips from the selvages of fabric for “book labels” for additional detail.
• Embroider titles to the books.

Let’s see what variations of books everyone can come up with.  A group of School Books, Flowers, Toys, Christmas, Halloween or many others.

I look forward to seeing all your wonderful blocks!  Make sure to post on the Facebook group!

Thank you for joining us in this Season Block of the Month!  

Make sure to check out our other September block – School House.

Click here for a downloadable PDF of the instructions.See You next month for the October Block!