Merry Go Round – February 2020

During 2020 we will be doing blocks from the “One Hundred and one Patchwork Patterns”  book by Ruby Short McKim.  The book was published in 1931, and my husband’s maternal Grandmother learned to quilt from this book.  These blocks are done in her honor.

February’s second block of the month is the Merry Go Round, that is made with lots of 1 1/2″ finished HST.  With small pieces, the seams need to be 1/4″ consistently.  I used scant 1/4″ after doing one fourth of the block, and came up short on the size.   This one can be done with different colors of fabrics for different looks. Originally it was suggested to do these blocks scrappy with different scraps of fabric. 

The original instructions were for 18” finished block, using templates for the pieces.  Our block will finish at 12”.

Fabric Requirements

• Green – 5″ x 10″
• Blue – 5″ x 15″
• Background – 20″ x 10″

Pieces Needed

• 16 HST (Green)
  • 2 pieces of 4 3/4″ x 4 3/4″
• 20 HST (Blue)
  • 3 pieces of 4 3/4″ x 4 3/4″
• Background fabric
  • 5 pieces of 4 3/4″ x 4 3/4″
  • 4 pieces of 5″ x 3 1/2″
  • 4 pieces of 2″ x 2″

Using one Background and one Green 4 3/4″ x 4 3/4″ pieces, draw a line from corner to corner on the back on the lighter fabric, creating an “X”.

• Stitch 1/4″ on both sides of the drawn lines, creating a double X (Black lines)

• Cut along the drawn lines, and then again vertical and horizontal halfway. (Cut on the Red lines

• A good practice is to go ahead and square up the HST to make sure they are 2″ square.  With these small squares, it will make a big difference in the block sizes.

• Press open, and trim dog ears.

Repeat using another Green and background fabric for another 8 HST.

Repeat three more times using the Blue and Background fabric to create 24 HST (you will only need 20 of these).

Layout of Block 

Create four of these by using three Green HST, four Blue HST and a background square.

Create four of these with one Blue HST, one Green HST, and 5″ x 3 1/2″ square)

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Sew first block to the second block, per layout.  Create 4 of these. Each one should be 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″.  You should have four sets of this block.

Laying one down and lay second one by rotating one 1/4 turn. Continue with all four blocks until they are laid out according to pattern.

Once you have sewn the pieces together, press the seams.

Your block is now complete.

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

Thank you for joining us for this February 2020 block of the month!  

Click Here for a downloadable PDF of the instructions.

If you haven’t had a chance to do the first block for February, Pinwheels.

In the meantime, if you haven’t done the two January blocks, Weathervane and Dutchman’s Puzzle, and get some practice with Flying Geese.