Positivity 2022 QAL - Block Tutorial

This Block Tutorial post marks the beginning of the Positivity 2022 Quilt Along.  Although I shared the Sponsors & Prizes, the QAL Schedule and the Fabric Requirements earlier, this is the post where you can actually get started!!!

I am so very excited. But first - a disclaimer. 

Please note that the block itself is not new. But this method of making this block is my very own. 
Think of it this way - I did not discover New York, but I am the driver of this new superfast overnight train to New York (or Chicago, in case you live in New York).

If this irks you for whatever reason, and you wish to chastise me, please leave now. Thank you. 

If you are still here, I love you so much. Let's proceed to the block construction. Using this method, we will make the blocks in pairs (two at a time).

Fabrics for two blocks
Background Fabric (Gray) - One 5" square, Two rectangles 2.5" by 5", Two rectangles 2.5" by 9"

Focus Fabric (Turquoise) - One 5" square, Two rectangles 2.5" by 5", Two rectangles 2.5" by 9"

Directions for two blocks

A. Frame each 5" square with the contrasting fabric.

• Sew the two background rectangles (2.5" by 5") on opposite sides of the 5" square of focus fabric. Press and trim. 
• Sew the two longer background rectangles (2.5" by 9") on the remaining two sides of the focus fabric square unit we created in the step above.  Press and set aside.
• Sew the two focus fabric rectangles (2.5" by 5") on opposite sides of the 5" square of background fabric. Press and trim.
• Sew the two longer focus fabric rectangles (2.5" by 9") on the remaining two sides of the background fabric square unit we created in the step above. Press.

Square each unit to 9" by 9".

B. Now we will cut these two units into quarters.

C. In the next step we will take two quarters from the left + two quarters from the right to construct our final block. 

Repeat with the remaining four quarter units to construct the second block. The blocks should measure 8.5" square.

Please make sure that the focus fabrics are on the inside.  It is easy to make an inside-out block (where the focus fabric and background fabrics are reversed). 

We want to keep all blocks with focus fabrics on the inside (background fabric outside) to create the tessellation effect in the completed top.  

In the pictures below, you can see my audition blocks. Always a good idea to make a couple of trial blocks before we dive head first into making 80 :-D

Focus Fabric Center

Background Square in the Center

Two sides stitched

Two sides stitched

Ready to press and trim

Both units squared to 9"

These look pretty good. If you wish to stop here and make your entire quilt using just these framed blocks, it is completely acceptable. But I digress. Getting back on track.

Cut into quarters

Cut into quarters

Two stacks 

Taking two units from each stack, we construct our final blocks. Sew them like a 4-patch, but watch the direction of the fabrics - focus fabrics meeting in the middle, background on the corners.

First block comes together :-)

Two blocks, squared to 8.5"

Do a happy dance!!! Or shall I say do the twist? 

We have a month to make our 80 blocks. The finished flimsy linky party is not until July 17, 2022.

Plenty of time? What do you think?

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. 

I have combined the block instructions, layout options and fabric requirements from the 2021 QAL into a downloadable PDF, available on my Etsy Store.