Quilted Potholders: Half Squares

The next skill to try with strips or squares for piecing quilts is half squares for more design options.

Rosebud Block
This block is a variation of the Bear's Paw block.

I used Stampin' Up! Twitterpated fabric. 125412

From Stampin' Up! Twitterpated fabric cut:
Pink print: (3) 2-1/2 in. X 18 in. strips and sub-cut (1) 2-1/2 in. square
Floral print: (1) 2-1/2 in. X 18 in. strip and sub-cut (1) 4-1/2 in. strip and (1) 6-1/2 in. strip
Stripe: (1) 2-1/2 in. X 18 in. strip and sub-cut (1) 6-1/2 in. strip and (1) 8-1/2 in. strip

From background fabric cut (1) 2-1/2 in. X 40 in. strips and sub-cut:
(5) 2-1/2 in squares
(1) 4-1/2 in. strip
(1) 8-1/2 in. strip
(1) 10-1/2 in. strip

Place a background square on the ends of the print fabric strips and mark a diagonal line lightly with pencil.

Copy the direction of the diagonals in this photo and sew on the pencil lines.
Trim 1-4 in. from the stitching and press the background triangle over the seam allowance.

Use a scant 1/4 in. seam allowance and sew a background square to the pink print square and press the seam toward the print fabric.

Sew 4-1/2 in. background strip to the unit and press seam toward background.

Sew 4-1/2 in. floral print strip with background triangle to the unit.

Sew the next floral print strip with background triangle to the unit.

Continue sewing strips to unit and pressing seams as you go.

Trim the edges and layer over batting and backing fabric. Quilt through all layers 1/4 in. inside and outside printed fabric shapes. I used pink thread.

Sew pink print strips together to make binding and refer to Log Cabin Potholder tutorial for binding edges.

Open Rose Block
Another half square block. I used Deck the Halls Stampin' Up! fabric. 121716

Red print: cut (2) 2-1/2 X 18 in. strips and sub-cut into (12) 2-1/2 in. squares
Green print: cut (3) 2-1/2 in. X 18 in. strips and sub-cut into (16) 2-1/2 in. squares
Tan print: cut (3) 2-1/2 in. X 18 in. strips and sub-cut into (2) 2-1/2 in. squares and (1) 2-1/2 X 6-1/2 in. strip

Pair up 8 sets of green print and red print squares. Mark a diagonal line and sew on the line.

Cut off one triangle leaving a 1/4 in. seam allowance.

Press seam toward green fabric.

Lay out squares and strip.











Use a scant 1/4 in. seam allowance.
Sew squares together to form sections.
Sew sections together to form block.
Trim edges and layer block over batting and backing fabric. Quilt through all layers following photo. I used red thread.
Sew tan print strips together to make binding and refer to Log Cabin Block tutorial to finish edges.