This Adirondack Winter Quilt Block represents the first day of snow in the Adirondack mountains. The trees are still exploding with their fall colors but the snow doesn’t care! Here it comes!
Free Block of the Month
Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with spray sizing. It will make it easier to cut small pieces. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins. When pressing, just hold the iron over a spot for a moment or two. This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4” seam.
Fabric Requirements & Cutting Instructions
White Background
Cut (1) 4″ wide strip by the WOF. Using this strip, cut (1) 4″ square, then cut the rest of the strip down to 3-1/2″ wide. From that strip, cut (4) 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ squares and (4) 2″ x 3-1/2 rectangles. Save the rest of the strip.
Dark Green
Cut (1) 3-1/2″ wide strips by the WOF. From this strip, cut (1) 9-1/2″ x 3-1/2″,
(2) 3-1/2″ squares and (4) 2″ x 3-1/2 rectangles. Save the rest of the strip.
Medium Green (Mine is the leafy fabric)
Cut (1) 3-1/2″ wide strip by the WOF. From this strip, cut (1) 9-1/2″ x 3-1/2″,
(2) 3-1/2″ squares and (4) 2″ x 3-1/2 rectangles. Save the rest of the strip.
Light Green (Mine is a Light Tan)
Cut (1) 4″ wide strip by the WOF. From this strip, cut (1) 4″ square.
Things you will find helpful:
- The Tri-Recs Ruler (You could also use the Accuquilt die #55027)
- Fine, sharp pins
- A 3-1/2″ and a 12-1/2″ square ruler
- Best Press or other spray starch
How to Create and Square Up a Half Square Triangle (HST) Quilt Block
The Traditional Method of making Half Square Triangle Blocks (HSTs) is to place two identical squares right sides together. These squares should be 7/8″ larger than the finished size of the final HST. Draw a diagonal line on the back of one square. Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the line. Cut on the line and press to the dark.
You will have made two identical Half Square Triangle (HST) blocks. My personal preference is to cut squares 1″ larger than the finished size of the final HST and square it up to the correct size after pressing.
There are two ways you can square up your block.
You can place a square ruler so the diagonal line is directly over the seam and just cut two sides. Quilt-in-a-Day has a Square Up Ruler that uses this method.
Or you can press open the block (pressing to the dark) and square it up using a ruler the same size as the block you are making. A fussy-cut ruler with lines on both diagonals will be very helpful with this.
Using this method, make (2) Half Square Triangle blocks from the 4″ light green square and the 4″ background square. Square it up to 3-1/2″.
How to Make a Triangle in a Square Quilt Block
In this pattern, you will be using a specialty ruler called a Tri-Recs to make the Triangle in a Square block. Here is a general tutorial. The piecing of this block is tricky the first time. I suggest you make a practice block first.
A Tri-Recs ruler actually has two pieces. There is a large isosceles triangle piece (which makes the center of the point block) and a half-triangle piece (which will make the two sides.) Because there is a right and left side of this block, you will need to cut both a right and left half-triangle piece. To do this, just fold the fabric right sides together before cutting.
To cut the isosceles triangle using the Tri-Recs ruler, align the square edge of the ruler with the edge of a strip of fabric the same size as the desired unfinished block along the strip size line on the ruler.
Using the smaller ruler, cut the half-triangle sides. Make sure that you clip that little corner on the ruler. It helps you line up the pieces later on.
Lay the right side triangle on the center triangle, right sides together. That little snipped triangle will be on the lower right-hand side. It should line up with the bottom of the block exactly. When you sew the two triangles together using a 1/4″ seam allowance, the seam should go through the point of the snipped edge.
Open this unit and press to the outside triangle gently. Does it seem to line up properly? If so, add the left side block using the same seam allowance.
Open up the block again, press, and square it up if necessary.
Using the 3-1/2″ wide strips, cut these blocks:
Following the directions above, create ONE of each of the blocks below. Press to the outer triangle.
Square up to 3-1/2″ if necessary.
Time to make the Adirondack Winter Quilt Block
Assemble:
- The (6) blocks above
- The (2) HSTs
- The (2) 3-1/2″ background squares
- The (2) 9-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ rectangles
Put it together in columns as shown below. Press the first and third columns toward the 3-1/2″ background square. Press the second and fourth columns toward the 3-1/2″ x 9-1/2″ rectangle. Your seams should just touch at the intersection, which will help keep the block flat. Use pins to encourage this behavior.
And you are done! Give your block one final pressing and square it up to 12-1/2″.
Three blocks make a skinny table runner!
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Thank you so much for offering your quilt block “Adirondack Winter”. I will enjoy making it.
Thanks so much for a great block for this time of year. That looks like fun!