Clay’s Choice BOM – April 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.  

This block is the Clay’s Choice also known as the Star of the West. An simple block with HST and Squares. 

“QUILT pattern is ever so much more interesting if one knows its story. Clay’s Choice is a very lovely block in its own right, but when it is traced back to the bitter Clahoun and Clay days one finds it as Harry’s Star, Clay’s Star, or Clay’s Choice in the soft brown-tone prints of prewar days.” (McKim)

The original instructions were for a 10” finished block, Our block will finish at 12″ (12 1/2″ unfinished).  

Fabric Requirements

Pink – 8″ x 8″
Yellow – 6″ x 12″
Purple – 6″ x 6″
White – 8″ x 13″

Fabric Cutting

Assembly

HST  – 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ Unfinished

• Using the a Purple and a yellow 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ piece
• Place front sides together
• Stitch 1/4″ along all four sides of square (red line is stitching)

• Cut Diagonally from Corner to corner both directions (purple lines)

• Press open, resulting in 4 HST
• Square up the HST using your preferred method.

Repeat using a Yellow and white 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ piece

Sew the pieces together based on the layout below

Sew the pieces, you can use my method for the Chain Piecing, or the method you prefer.

Recommend double checking as you sew to make sure that the pieces don’t get turned in error.

Press Seams, and you have completed the Clay’s Choice or Star of the West.

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

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

Check out our Video for the Clay’s Choice. 

Click Here for a downloadable PDF of the instructions.For the previous blocks, you can check under announcements in the Facebook group.