The second block for March 2021 Block is the Storm at Sea, this block was originally released in the Kansas City Star on May 18, 1932. The pieces were cut out with templates and assembled. We are doing this block as a paper pieced block to help with the odd shapes and odd sizes. The nice thing with paper pieced blocks is you don’t have to worry about seam allowances, as you are sewing on lines.
The block looks like there are curved lines, but all are straight and would look great with different color combinations, or even fuzzy cutting fabrics for the center of the Squares.
If you have not done paper piecing before, at least give it a try, you may be surprised at how easy it can be. There are a lot of steps in these instructions, but they are basically all the same few steps.
The original block finished at 12″ x 12″ (12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ unfinished), and our block will finish at the same size.
Fabric Requirements
- Color A – (white)
- Color B – (Blue)
- Color C – (Red)
Print out the Paper Piecing sheets.
Fabric Cutting
Print one copy of the Paper Piece sheets at 100%, and do not fit to the page.
Best Practice is to print on thin paper, like newsprint paper, as it is easier to remove at the end. It can be printed on regular printer paper.
After printing make sure to check the 1″ block to make sure the pdf printed the correct size. The block will not finish at 12″ x 12″ if the 1″ block is incorrect.
Cut each section apart, on or outside the line, (seam allowance). Pieces A, B, C & D are all used in Step 2, E, F, G & H are all used in Step 3, and J is used in Step 4
Best Practice: Reduce your stitch width. For example, my normal stitch width is “2”, so I reduced it to “1”. This makes removing the paper easier.
Assembly
Each step will be basically the same process, except for the size of the pieces. We are doing “Square-in-a-Square” for each section, and the middle is square-in-a-square-in-a-square.
Step 1 – Four corners Squares
You will need fabric pieces A&B, and paper Pieces A, B, C, & D
Take Red Piece A ( 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″) cut all 8 pieces diagonally in half for a total of 16 Triangles
Using one piece B (2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ White) Fold the piece in half, open, then fold in half the other way, so you have a + on the fabric, to show the center.
Center fabric on the backside of the Paper piece A covering the A1, make sure it extends out at least 1/4″ on each side. (seam Allowance) Make sure that the backside of the paper and the wrong side of the fabric are together. The right side of the fabric to be showing.
Best Practice is to use a glue stick to hold the piece down.
Side 1
Fold the piece back between A1 & A2, trim the excess fabric over 1/4″ seam allowance, unfold the paper.
Lay a triangle background piece for “A2” laying right sides together with the “A1” matching the long edge with “A1” edge, and the center point is towards the center line.
Hold down, and turn over and stitch along the line between A1 & A2
Finger press the triangle, making sure it goes at least to the edge of the block.
Side 2
Fold the piece back between A1 & A3, trim the excess fabric over 1/4″ seam allowance, unfold the paper.
Repeat the process, Lay a triangle background piece for “A3” matching the long edge with “A1” edge, and the center point is towards the center line.
Hold down, and turn over and stitch along the line between A1 & A3
Finger press the triangle, making sure it goes at least to the edge of the block.
Side 3
Fold the piece back between A1 & A4, trim the excess fabric over 1/4″ seam allowance, unfold the paper.
Repeat the process, laying a triangle background piece for “A4” matching the long edge with “A1” edge, and the center point is towards the center line.
Hold down, and turn over and stitch along the line between A1 & A4
Finger press the triangle, making sure it goes at least to the edge of the block.
Side 4
Fold the piece back between A1 & A5, trim the excess fabric over 1/4″ seam allowance, unfold the paper.
Repeat the process, laying a triangle background piece for “A5” matching the long edge with “A1” edge, and the center point is towards the center line.
Hold down, and turn over and stitch along the line between A1 & A5
Finger press the triangle, making sure it goes at least to the edge of the block.
Press the block with the iron to set the seams.
Paper side up, trim to the outside lines, squaring the square to 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″.
You have now completed one of the corners, repeat the process to complete 3 more matching squares.
Step 2 – Four middle-sides of block
You will need fabric pieces C, D & E, and paper pieces E, F, G, & H of paper pieces
NOTE: Make sure the pieces C & D are cut opposite of each other, otherwise they will not fit around the squares.
Take Pieces C ( 4 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ White) cut all four pieces the same, with Right sides up, cut diagonally in half. To create 8 identical triangles.
Take Pieces D ( 4 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ white) cut all four pieces the same, with right sides up, cut diagonally opposite of piece B. To create 8 identical triangles.
This section of the block is similar to Step 1, however you will not center the point on the block.
Using one piece E (6 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ Blue).
Center on the backside of the Paper piece E covering the E1, make sure it extends out at least 1/4″ on each side. (seam Allowance) Make sure that you put the wrong side of the fabric towards the back of the paper.
Best Practice is to use a glue stick, just put a little on the middle of the paper, to hold the first fabric piece down.
Side 1
Fold the piece back between E1 & E2, Trim the fabric to 1/4″ seam allowance. Unfold.
As you work around E1 you will rotate the triangles between B & C, depending on the side, to create a rectangle.
Pieces B will be opposite corners, and Pieces C will be opposite from each other as well.
Lay a triangle background piece for “E2” laying right-sides together with the “E1″ making sure to have 1/4” seam allowance.
Hold down, and carefully turn over and stitch along the line between E1 & E2
Finger Press seams open.
Side 2
Fold back between E1 & E3, trim the fabric to 1/4″ seam allowance, unfold.
Lay a triangle background piece for “E3” laying right sides together with the “E1″ making sure to have 1/4” seam allowance.
Hold down, and turn over and stitch along the line between E1 & E3
Finger press seams open.
Side 3
Fold back between E1 & E4, trim the fabric to 1/4″ seam allowance, unfold.
Lay a triangle background piece for “E4” laying right sides together with the “E1″ making sure to have 1/4” seam allowance.
Hold down, and turn over and stitch along the line between E1 & E4
Finger press seams open.
Side 4
Fold back between E1 & E5, trim the fabric to 1/4″ seam allowance, unfold.
Lay a triangle background piece for “E5” laying right sides together with the “E1″ making sure to have 1/4” seam allowance.
Hold down, and turn over and stitch along the line between E1 & E5
Press the block with the iron to set the seams.
Paper side up, trim to the outside lines, squaring the square to 6 1/2″ x 3 1/2″.
You have now completed one of the sides.
Note: You should have 1/4″ between the blue points and the edge of the square (seam allowance), if you do not, you trimmed on the wrong line.
Repeat the process to complete 3 more rectangles.
Step 3 – Center
You will need the last paper piece J.
Cut pieces F (4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ red) diagonally in half.
Cut piece H (4 3/4″ x 4 3/4″ white) diagonally in half both directions, creating 4 triangles.
G – 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ – 1 piece (blue)
The block is created the same way as in Step 1, with the white around the blue center. DO NOT trim the square yet.
Fold back the between J3/J4 and J6, and trim ¼” seam allowance.
Unfold, and then fold back between J2/J3 and J9 and trim ¼” seam allowance.
Unfold, and then fold back between J2/J5 and J8, and trim ¼” seam allowance.
Unfold, and then fold back between J4/J5 and J7 and trim ¼” seam allowance.
Outer square
Now you will continue to add the outer square around, red in my block.
Add the red around the block in the same process. Creating a square in a square.
With paper side up, trim to the outside lines, this will square the piece to 6 ½” x 6 ½”.
Note: you should have 1/4″ at the point of the white points, this is the seam allowance when you assemble the block.
Step 4 – Assembly of block
Layout the pieces created in the first three steps in the following layout.
Sew the pieces together.
Press Seams, I recommend pressing the seams open to reduce bulk in the block.
After sewing the block into three rows, I recommend removing the paper from the seams, before you sew the next seams. This makes it easier to remove paper.
After sewing the three rows together, press the seams open.
Carefully remove the paper from the back of the block. Watching to see if you pull out any stitches to make sure and fix as you go. Pull from the middle towards the outside, instead of from the edge to the middle. This helps reduce the chance you will pull out stitches.
You have now completed the second block for March 2021 Storm at Sea.
I look forward to seeing all your wonderful blocks! Let us know if this is your first paper piece, and how it went, will you do them again?
If you need more help with this block, check out the Storm at Sea Video.
Make sure to post on the Facebook group! Remember to add the hashtag #StormAtSea.Click Here for a PDF of the instructions.
Click Here for a PDF of the instructions.
Lisa's Quilting Passion 