We are continuing to do more 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.
The 21st block for 2020 is the Rob Peter to Pay Paul block. This block is sometimes called “Orange Peel” or “Dolly Madison’s Workbox“.
“Rob Peter and Pay Paul looks like a series of circles when set together, but the unit block is square, as shown in the small sketch at the left. Of course half of the blocks are made with dark centers and half with light centers surrounded by the darker color. ” (McKim)
This block does have curves and requires a template to be printed. The original instructions suggested cutting the templates from cardboard, and then tracing on the fabric. I have included the seam allowances in the templates, so you just need to cut the fabric to the size of the templates.
The original blocks were 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, we are doing the blocks at 6″ x 6″ finished, for a 12″ x 12″ finished block.
You can do these with two colors, or you can use more fabric colors to give variety to your block.
Fabric Requirements
- Yellow – 10” x 20” piece
- Teal – 10” x 20” piece
Fabric Cutting
The pieces are to be cut using the templates. Print one copy of the templates, making sure to print at 100% , and check the 1″ block to make sure the pdf is printed at the correct size. If this is incorrect, your block will be the wrong size.
Using the two template pieces cut the following out of each fabric color
- Piece A – Cut out eight (8) pieces
- Piece B – Cut out two (2) pieces
This will give you enough to make the four sections of the block.
Assembly
To assemble one quarter of the block, you will use four (4) Yellow of Piece A, and one (1) Teal of piece B. (Using two colors, pieces A of one color, and piece B of the other.)
Layout the pieces to form the first quarter block.
Fold the center piece (B) in half, and finger press the middle of the fold, then open, and fold the other direction and finger press the fold.
Fold the teal pieces (A) in half and finger press along the curved fold, repeat for all 4 pieces.
Fold markings on pieces, these markings are the center, and you will start to match at these points.
Starting on one side the piece B, match the center of piece A (curve side). Pin starting in the middle and work your way out.
Then match from the center towards the other corner.
NOTE: I pin on one side and then on the other side of the fabric, so that when I start stitching at the middle and going out the pins are on the top and easy to remove so I do not stitch on them.
On your machine, start stitching at the middle point and stitch outwards. Then turn your piece over, and start at the middle and move towards the other end. Make sure to stitch over the starting point, so you have locked the stitches. This is why I put the pins on opposite sides, to make it easier to pull out before the needle gets to them.
Press the seams towards the teal (outwards), as this makes it easier.
Repeat the opposite side of the piece, and match from center out and the stitch center out.
Best Practice: this is a good time to stop and make sure that your seams are correct, and that from the top of the teal to the bottom are 6 1/2″. Easier to remove one or two pieces, instead of all four.
Continue with one of the side pieces and attach the same way.
Then repeat for the last side.
You have the first quarter of the block finished.
Now make sure that your quarter is 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″, trim as needed.
You will make a second one, so you have two that match. Then repeat two more times to create the opposite, teal in middle, yellow outside edges in my example.
When you are done, you will have two sets of each, to assemble.
Lay one of each piece, right sides together, and match your corners. Sew 1/4″ seam, press.
Repeat, with the other two pieces.
Then lay your two pieces as the picture above shows, and then sew the two together to complete the block, then press your seams.
You have now completed the “Rob Peter to Pay Paul” quilt block, the first for August 2020.
I look forward to seeing all your wonderful blocks! Make sure to post on the Facebook group! Remember to add the hashtag #BOMRobPeter.
Thank you for joining us for this additional 2020 block of the month!
We have created a YouTube video that you can view for more detailed instructions.
Click Here for a downloadable PDF of the instructions.
For the previous blocks, you can check under “Units” in the Facebook group.
Layouts how they would look – for inspiration
Lisa's Quilting Passion 