The Island Batik Ambassador’s challenge for June 2022 is the New York Beauty Block. The hardest of the three New York Beauty blocks is Layout 2, for blocks 2.
Each of the blocks got a little harder each week, this is the hardest of the three blocks that I have in the quilt, Layout 2. You will create three of color set 2. There are even more complex blocks of the New York Beauty, but I did not want to make anything more difficult for my first go at the Blocks.
Templates/Paper Piecing
You will need to download and print the Templates and Paper Piecing or Paper Piecing Legal.
At least the Paper Piecing sheet needs to be printed on a piece of Freezer paper. You can purchase this in the grocery store, where you get foil. I cut out a sheet at 8 1/2″ x 14″ (legal size) so I could print without having to piece the paper together. You can download the size you want.
Print on the dull side (not the shiny wax side).
You can do these instructions without the paper piecing, you can cut all the pieces to the exact size of the templates, and then piece together, just watch your seams, making sure 1/4″.
Cutting
This Block is similar in sewing, except you will use two pieces for the Triangles instead of one. This block will use 6 different colors for the layout.
Using the templates, cut out the pieces needed. Piece C will need to be combined from the two pages, each straight side should measure 9 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ from seam allowance to seam allowance.
Block 2 – Quantity needed 3
Fabric I used in this block from the Savannah collection
- Center – 4805
- Circle – 1566
- Triangles 1 (dark) – 4885
- Triangles 1 (light) – 3836
- Triangles 2 – 6521
- Outside – 5790
This block will go together very similar to Layout 2, however, the triangle 1 is split into to fabrics for additional color.
Step 1 – Paper Piecing
Trim the Paper piecing piece, it does not need to be exact, we will trim after we sew the pieces together.
You will repeat this process three times for the three blocks needed.
Fold along each of the center lines between the shading. We will be sewing along the folds, to reduce having to print multiple copies, or to pull off paper. You will be able to iron the pieces as we go.
You can start at one end, or in the middle, your preference. I decided to start with one end and work across. I found with this many pieces of fabric, to layout the pieces as I will need to use them, this way I can make sure that I am attaching them correctly.
The first piece, you will iron on to the paper piece, with fabric back against the paper. The rest of the pieces will be right sides together.
After ironing the fabric to the paper, fold back on the fold line, and trim to 1/4″
Flip over, still folded, and place right-sides together the next fabric piece, makings sure to match the direct of the paper. (opposite of the previous piece.)
Then holding together, flip over, and go to sewing machine and stitch right along the fold of the paper (not on it).
Press open.
Fold next paper fold back, and trim the fabric to piece to 1/4″.
Flip over, and attach next triangle piece. Making sure the opposite direction.
Gently flip over, and go to sewing machine and stitch along fold of paper.
Continue going back and forth with the pieces, until you finish the row.
NOTE: The first and last pieces will be different pieces. (Pieces D & E)
Once you have attached all the triangle pieces across. Press seams.
Then trim the strip to the dotted outline, 1/4″ from the points of the triangles.
Carefully remove the paper from the back.
I found you pull less stitches out if you pull in the direction that you press the seams.
Layout the pieces with Piece A (center), Piece B (Quarter Circle) and Piece C (outside Edge).
Find the center points, and quarter points of the pieces, and you will combine pieces A/B and Pieced with C.
Now match the Piece A (center piece) to Piece B (quarter circle), matching the center and edges. Sew 1/4″ seam allowance. And the Pieced piece with Piece C.
I found that if you stitch on the pieced side (triangles), you can watch for the points to make sure that you do not go over them.
NOTE: With this set you will need to press two one direction, and two the other direction, this way you can nest the four pieces together.
a. Press two squares towards the center piece (piece A)
b. Press two squares towards the outside piece (piece C)
Next sew Piece C (outside piece) to the pieced triangle piece, matching the center and edges. Sew 1/4″ seam allowance.
Again, if you sew from the pieced side, you can watch for the triangle points, so you do not lose them when sewing.
Square the blocks to 9 1/2″ x 9 1/2″
You have now completed block 1, you will have three of this color and layout.
Remember the templates and paper piecing pieces are only available until end of September 2022.
Come back later this week to see how I assembled the top.
Thank you to Island Batik, Hobbs Batting Aurifil Thread and Schmetz for providing me with the materials to make this quilt.
Lisa's Quilting Passion 