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Balkan Puzzle quilt | block

Finished size: 45" X 57" using 44" fabric bolt width.

The blocks in this quilt use only half square triangle units. The border is a triple border with mitered corners.

[top]Settings

Columns Finished size 45" by 57"
Rows Border width 41/2"
Block size Number of blocks 12
Fabric bolt width Here is Jeanne's
Coloring page

[top]Preview

cornerstone top top top cornerstone
left border block block block right border
left border block block block right border
left border block block block right border
left border block block block right border
cornerstone bottom bottom bottom cornerstone

[top]Fabrics

Fabric 1
Fabric 1: 11/2 yd
Cut 10 strips 37/8 inches wide. Subcut strips into 96 Unit A & B squares.
Cut 6 strips 2 inches wide. (Border)

Fabric 2
Fabric 2: 7/8 yd
Cut 5 strips 37/8 inches wide. Subcut strips into 48 Unit A squares.
Cut 6 strips 2 inches wide. (Border)

Fabric 3
Fabric 3: 11/4 yd
Cut 5 strips 37/8 inches wide. Subcut strips into 48 Unit B squares.
Cut 6 strips 2 inches wide. (Border)
Cut 6 strips 2 inches wide. (Binding)

[top]Half square triangle units

Half square triangle unit

Unit A - fabrics 1 & 2; make 96.
Unit B - fabrics 1 & 3; make 96.

  • Match 1 square of each fabric right sides together.
  • Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on wrong side of lighter fabric.
  • Sew 1/4 inch seam on both side of diagonal line.
  • Cut units apart on drawn diagonal line.
  • Press seams to one side.
  • Makes 2 units per square pair.

[top]Block instructions

Balkan Puzzle block

Using 8 each of unit A & B, sew block together as shown in layout with 1/4 inch seam allowance. Press seams to one side.

Make 12 blocks.

[top]Border instructions

Border instructions
  • Sew 2 horizontal strip sets, with a 1/4 inch seam allowance using border strips of Fabrics 1, 2 & 3 respectively and at least 451/2 inches long; press seams to lighter fabric and in same direction.
  • Sew 2 vertical strip sets, with a 1/4 inch seam allowance using border strips of Fabrics 1, 2 & 3 respectively and at least 571/2 inches long; press seams to darker fabric and in same direction.
  • Mark centers of all strip sets and quilt top sides.
  • Sew vertical borders to quilt sides starting and ending 1/4 inch from edge and matching centers and fabric 1 to raw edge of quilt. Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance; press toward borders.
  • Sew horizontal borders to quilt top and bottom starting and ending 1/4 inch from edge and matching centers and fabric 1 to raw edge of quilt. Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance being careful not to sew vertical borders; press toward borders.
  • For mitered corners, fold quilt top and borders diagonally matching border raw edges and point where previously sewn seams stopped. Draw a 45 degree line extending quilt top through borders.
  • Sew on drawn line stopping 1/4 inch from quilt top; take care not to stretch bias.
  • Trim excess to 1/4 inch; press seam open. Repeat for all corners.

[top]Finish instructions

Backing & Batting: including a 4 inch allowance on all sides, backing and batting should be about 53" by 65".

Sandwich:

  • Place pressed backing right side down on a flat surface large enough to lay flat; tape in place at sides, then corners.
  • Lay batting on top of backing and smooth wrinkles; tape in place at sides, then corners. (If using slippery batting, spray baste to baking and top.)
  • Put pressed quilt on top right side up.
  • Smooth borders and blocks square, pushing excess toward middle. Quilting will take up slack and quilt will hang better.
  • Pin baste 3 to 4 inches apart in quarters down length and width. Finish pin basting each quarter 3 to 4 inches apart.

Quilting: quilt as desired. Adjust presser foot pressure to accomodate quilt thickness prevent backing from sliding while quilting.

Binding: Binding instructions

  • If the number of binding strips are greater than 1, sew strips together by laying ends right sides together forming an L.
  • Sew on diagonal where fabrics cross from upper left to lower right.
  • Trim excess to 1/4 inch.
  • Repeat to make a continuous strip; press seams open.
  • Fold and press strip lengthwise in half wrong sides together.
  • Leaving a 5 inch tail, sew binding to quilt top matching raw edges with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
  • Stop 1/4 inch before corner with needle down.
  • Pivot work as if to sew next side and reverse sew off quilt top.
  • Fold binding back, creating a 45 degree fold, then fold forward matching fold to previously sewn side.
  • Continue sewing binding, and repeat above for each corner.
  • Stop sewing approximately 5 inches from beginning.
  • Unfold and overlap ends.
  • Cut at an approximate 45 degree angle somewhere where both ends overlap.
  • Match ends wrong sides together, leaving equal dog ears.
  • Sew together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
  • Refold binding and finish sewing to quilt.
  • Fold binding to back and handstitch to finish using a blind stitch.

[top]Tip: Put desired fabrics right sides together and then cut squares. This way, square pairs will already be matched.