March 2020 BOM – Beggar’s Block

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.  

This March block is the Beggar’s Block.   From the original directions, is says

“THIS interesting block harks back to the neighborly custom of begging one’s friends for scraps of their frocks, or for the men’s old neckties to put into a quilt. While these are marked in colors for a calico quilt, this is an excellent design to piece with brighter colored scraps of silks and wools ” (McKim)

You can make it all coordinating or go scrappy and use 8 different fabrics.  This block would be great for using up a lot of scraps. We will be doing a little bit of paper piecing to create the 8 blocks.   You basically will be creating 8 copies of the same small block then making a nine-patch and sewing together.

The original instructions were for a 14” finished block using templates for the pieces.  Our block will finish at 12″ (12 1/2″ unfinished).

Fabric Requirements (amount of fabric needed to make block)

• Background (white) – 16″ x 11″
• Purple – 25” x 6”
• Yellow – 25” x 6″

Note: when cutting directional fabric, you may need more fabric to rotate pieces to layout correctly.

Fabric Cutting (actual cut pieces)

Note: All the pieces except for the 4 ½” x 4 ½” square are a little wider than needed, to help with matching and stitching.  They will need to be trimmed. The amount of trimming waste is minimal, and helps make the pieces more accurate. If you are a little unsure of how to piece, you can make the pieces bigger, and trim as needed.

Print Paper Piece foundation templates you will need to print the templates twice to get 8 sets for the block.  I reference Yellow and purple as those are the colors on the foundation pieces.   

Assembly

When you are done, you will have 4 with yellow in the middle and 4 with purple in the middle. 

We will first be creating the 4 with yellow in the center

• Note: You will want to reduce the length of your stitches on your sewing machine, this will make removing the paper easier.  On my machine, I usually stitch at 2, and I will reduce to 1.

Using two 2 ½” x 2 ½” background pieces, cut the pieces in half diagonally, creating two sets of triangles.   You will also need two 2” x 5” purple and one 2” x 5” yellow pieces.   

• Note: The solid lines are the stitch lines, and the dotted lines are the seam allowances.  When cutting your pieces apart, make sure that you do not trim inside those dotted lines.  You can leave extra paper outside, as you will be trimming the block at the end.

Using one foundation piece like this to assemble the first part.  (C1-C4)

Step 1 – Using the purple fabric, place the back of the fabric to the back of the paper, making sure to cover the “C2” space while making sure that you go at least ¼” over the line on the “C4” piece.

  

You can use a little bit of glue stick to hold the piece in place. 

Step 2 – Using a ruler or piece of cardboard, fold the paper back between C1 & C2. 

Using a ruler, trim the fabric back to ¼” from the edge of the paper. 

With the right sides together, lay a triangle background piece for “C1” with the “C2″ making sure to have 1/4” seam allowance.over the “C1” section.  This is your seam allowance.

Hold down, and turn over and stitch along the line between C1 & C2.

  Repeat Step 2 for the otherside of the piece, “C3”

Step 3 – Press Seams open. (your fabric will be pressed towards the background (White) fabric.
                       

Using a ruler or cardboard piece, fold the paper on the line between C4 & C2 (Away from fabric). Using a ruler trim fabric to 1/4″.

Step 4 – Unfold the paper.  With right sides together, lay the yellow piece on top of the purple/white piece.  Turn the paper over carefully and stitch along line between C4 & C2

Press seam towards yellow (C4)

Step 5 – Turn the piece with fabric up, and trim the block on the seam allowance line.  (Dotted lines), do not cut on the solid lines, or your piece will be too small. (You can use a ruler to help with the ¼” seam allowance as well.)

First part is of the small block is done.  Set aside for a moment.

Step 6 – Using Pieces J1-J3, repeat Steps 1-3 for C1-C3, and then trim to the seam allowance (dotted lines)

Step 7 – Using the two pieces, lay as pattern show, and then lay the right sides together betten the “C” piece and the “J” piece.  Then Sew along seam allowance for the two pieces.

Press seams

Step 8 – You have the option to remove the paper from the back of this block, or you can wait until you have sewn the blocks together.   When you do remove the paper make sure to pull paper carefully to not remove any stitches.

You have now completed one part of the block. It should measure 4 ½” x 4 ½”.  

You will repeat Steps 1 to 8 using the same colors, to create 4 sets of this block.

Then repeat Steps 1 to 8 using paper pieces D1-D4 (instead of C1-C4) and K1-K3 (instead of J1-J3).  You will be switching the yellow and purple. You will create 4 sets of these blocks as well.  

You can make all the same or mix and match for a scrappy look.  

Final assembly

Layout the pieces according to the pattern and sew.  Then press seams.

You have completed the Beggar’s Block.

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

Click Here for a downloadable PDF of the instructions.

I have made a video to help with the paper piecing, you can view on Youtube.

Thank you for joining us for this March 2020 block of the month! All previous blocks are listed under “Unit 2” in the Facebook Group.

Here are some other color variations that make the block look different.

1. Red/Gray/Black, all 8 smaller block parts are the same

2. Pink/Yellow/White – all 8 smaller block parts are the same, just lighter background

3. Pink/Yellow/Dark background – same block B, just black background.