Flat Bottom Blocks Are So Pretty...

Are we having fun yet? Last week was a little intense for the thinking cap, so this week we are going to try to make it a bit easier on the thinker.

Remember those 2-patch units we made all the way back in the beginning?

Yeah, those!

Let's get them out and play with them a bit. Yes, you know what that means here at Stoney's Crew, we grab that big bowl again!

Dump those neatly stacked 2 patches in the bowl and give them a stir.

Once they are mixed up, take 2 patches (make sure they are different!) and nest the seams like this:

Now with the bulky side of the two blocks aimed at your sewing machine needle, let's sew those 2 two-patches together using a quarter inch seam.

See how that seam is pointed toward my sewing machine needle?

Now sew and open the now 4-patch unit:

Pretty blah, right? Now with your good old pointer finger, press that top half seam toward the right...

Moving clockwise, continue gently pressing with your finger...next seam down (see it already is):

Keep moving in a clockwise direction. Next seam LEFT:

Next seam UP:

Look! Look! A little bitty 4-patch appeared!

Now using the highly technical quilting term coined by Eleanor Burns, Smoosh that little bitty 4-patch:

Well, would you look at that!

It's a thing of beauty really isn't it? Now give your block a press (and measure to make sure your block is 4-1/2" x 4-1/2") and you have a nice and FLAT BOTTOM 4-patch Block.

Now that secret little 4-patch hidden on the back may not seam too exciting, but trust me when it comes to quilting your long-armer, or quilter, or you will appreciate how flat your quilt lays. That and it is a lot like wearing wild underwear. No one knows it's there...unless you show them. But it's fun and it makes you smile that you have a secret. (by the way, if you run around showing people your underwear, that is a whole 'nother discussion. As my mom would say, "Ladies (or gentlemen) don't do that!")

You only need to make 59 more of these precious little blocks. That's right, this week's assignment is a total of 60 each 4 patch units.

Hey you, Ms. Crew, there are some 2 patches left.

Why, you are correct, there are, aren't there...Next week, my friend, next week!  See you then!

Recap of where we've been:

Intro Week: Materials Requirements
Week 1: Let's Play with Our Fabric (Clue 1)
Week 2: Happy Half Square Triangle Week (Clue 2)
Week 3: V, V, Victory V-Block Week (Clue 3)