June – Strawberry Blocks

June is strawberry season, and in celebration, we’re making bright and cheerful strawberry blocks!

Our inspiration for these blocks comes from Skyberries Handmade, who has a tutorial for a super cute scrappy strawberry. We’ve simplified the block for ourselves, so read on for instructions!

(Please read through the full instructions before you start sewing)

For each block you need:

Solid White Background Fabric:

• two squares 3.5″ x 3.5″
• four squares 2″ x 2″
• two squares 2.5″ x 2.5″

Green Stem Fabric:

• two squares 2.5″ x 2.5″
• two squares 2″ x 2″
• one rectangle 3.5″ x 2″

Red or Pink Strawberry Fabric:                                                                                 (as we said during the meeting, use a primarily pink or red fabric for the strawberry. Only make strawberries that you’d like to eat!)

• one square 8″ x 8″

Using an erasable pen, mark the diagonal line on both of the white 3.5″ squares, on two of the white 2″ squares, and on both of the white 2.5″ squares.

Step 1:

Use the 3.5″ squares and the 2″ squares that have diagonal lines drawn on them. Lay the squares on the strawberry fabric as shown above.

Stitch along the marked lines, or just along the outside of each line (outside being the side closest to the outer corner).

Step 2:

Use a ruler to trim the seam allowance to 1/4″ on each corner. Make sure you don’t cut them too small! Press open. The block should measure 8″ x 8″. Measure and double check, you may need to trim the corners slightly.

Step 3:

Use the two 2.5″ white squares and the two 2.5″ green squares to make four HSTs. Use a scant 1/4″ seam allowance, and go to Skyberries Handmade for instructions on how to make HSTs. After you’ve made the HSTs, trim them to 2″ squares.

Step 4:

Lay out the four HSTs with the two remaining 2″ squares of white, the two 2″ squares of green, and the green rectangle 3.5″ x 2″.

Step 5:

Stitch the HSTs to the plain squares as shown above. Press seams to the solid/non-pieced side. Stitch the 5 segments together. The finished segment should measure 8″ wide and 3.5″ tall.

Step 6:

Take your leaf and strawberry segments and stitch them together. (Note that my leaf segment is too wide in this pic – i fixed it before i sewed them together. Thank goodness for Krista’s accuracy tips!) Press the seam allowance towards the strawberry portion.

Step 7:

Done! Your finished block should measure 8″ x 11″. Isn’t it cute?

Remember, every strawberry you make is a chance to win ALL the strawberries at the July meeting!