A gorgeous sunset interpreted with half-square triangles.
Wow. How can it be that we are already making block 5 of our Carolina Sunset series? This month our quilt blogger, Lara, makes half-square triangle blocks to emulate the beautiful colors of the night sky. Her go-to Omnigrid rulers for this month’s block are the 6.5″ square and the 1.5″ x 12″ ruler. The Omnigrid rotating mat is a real time-saver for the trimming that you’ll do.
We’re excited to have Lara Whiting contributing our block of the month series. Lara is going to be teaching you how to make 9 different quilting blocks, which you can use in any combination to make a 9-block quilt. This month’s block is the fifth in the series, and you’ll use Omnigrid tools to make half-square triangles.
Hi friends! Welcome back to the Carolina Sunset sampler block sew-along. Have you ever been stuck inside all day, so consumed with mundane work that you don’t even notice what’s been going on outside? A casual stroll by the window gives you a chance to catch a glimpse of the sky … and it is completely lit up with gorgeous sunset colors.
Well, here is a very abstract version of that view in the form of a quilt block. I see the dark blue as the window frame and through the window pane is a tiny glimpse of the sky awash with nature’s palette. Remember to check out the initial inspiration for my color palette – mother nature is a real stunner, isn’t she?
The supply lists.
Omnigrid® supplies:
Dritz® supplies:
Other supplies:
- Sewing machine
- 50 weight thread
- Iron and pressing surface
The fabric requirements.
Background/white:
- 2 pcs: 6.5” squares, each cut in half diagonally
Coral:
- 2 pcs: 6.5” squares, each cut in half diagonally
Dark Blue:
- 4 pcs: 1.5” x 10.5”
Medium Blue:
- 4 pcs: 2” squares
Notes: ¼” seams and all seams are pressed open.
Makes a 12.5” block
Let’s get started.
With right sides together, center one dark blue strip on top of the long diagonal edge of background/white fabric triangle. Pin edges together.
Stitch dark blue strip to background fabric triangle. Repeat with remaining 3 sets. Press seams.
With right sides together, place long diagonal edge of coral triangle on top of opposite side of dark blue strip. Align this piece so that it is equal distance from two edges of white fabric beneath.
Stitch the long side of coral triangle to the opposite side of blue strip. Press seams. Repeat with other three sets. You will have four identical components that will make up the quadrants of your finished block.
Wow, this rotating mat.
Time to use the super fun and time saving rotating cutting mat! This thing is seriously amazing and I’ve found myself looking for patterns that use half-square triangles because I actually enjoy trimming them with this tool. (Check it out on YouTube and see for yourself!)
Place one component on rotating mat, then place 6.5” ruler on top of it. Use the diagonal line on ruler to position it on your block. The diagonal line should be centered between the two seams of dark blue fabric.
Trim your block and discard excess fabric. Since I can rotate this mat with just my fingertip, I leave the ruler on top of my fabric and then easily trim the next side. Each component will now be 6.5”.
With marking pencil, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of medium blue squares.
Place a square over corner of coral triangle. Diagonal line on square goes from side to side and not at the corner point.
Stitch along the drawn line. Trim ¼” away from stitch line. Press seams open. Repeat with other three sets.
Arrange your components so that the medium blue fabrics meet in the center to create a small blue square set on point.
Pin two components together, being careful to line up seams. Repeat with last two components.
Finish up.
Stitch each pair together to complete block.
Ta-da! A fun and quick block made even easier with the help of the rotating cutting mat. It has definitely reduced the amount of time I spend trimming half-square triangle blocks and that means more time to create. Have I mentioned I love this tool?!
Review all the blocks.
Be sure to take a look at all of the blocks thus far in the Carolina Sunset series. Remember that this is a sampler, so it doesn’t matter the order you go in, which blocks you choose to make, duplicate or delete – this is your unique 9-block quilt using some combination of what you’re learning here.
We hope you’re having fun and we’d love to see what you’re making! Join Omnigrid on Instagram, and tag us so we can see your progress. Happy quilting!
Lara Whiting is a passionate quilter whose designs are inspired by a fusion of influences that include traditional quilting, architecture and the natural world. When she’s not quilting, you can find her training for half marathons, tending her garden or hanging out with her rescue dogs. She lives in upstate South Carolina.
