Tutorial: square on point in square.. out of triangles...

In my last post, I showed the blocks I'm working on for a quilt for my master bedroom, and I've had a request for a tutorial on the block,

so here goes......

Cut out 4 squares. Mine are 6".

Just depends on how big of a block you are going for.

Pair them up, right sides together and pin.

Even if you're not a person who usually pins stuff, I'd pin here since you're going to be sewing on the diagonal.

Take a straightedge and draw a line corner to corner. I use black ink so I can see it.

You're going to cut on this line later, so don't worry about using permanent ink.

Using the line as a guide, sew 1/4" away from it on one side,
then flip it over and sew 1/4" on the other side.

(Chain piecing works really well here. I generally sew 20 or so at at time, all the way on one side, then back on the other side)

Cut off the corners to take out excess bulk.

We'll be doing this a few times. It makes it easier to quilt later.

Use your rotary cutter and cut down the line you drew. Now you have 2 triangles.

open them up and press them, and voila! magic squares made up of 2 triangles each!

Arrange 2 of these.

I like setting the dark next to the light here, with a medium tone on the outer corners.

You can create a lot of different looks with this technique depending on how you choose fabrics and arrange the blocks.....

Lay them right sides together and pin.

Even if you're not a pinner, the pins will help you know which side to sew.

My seam ripper would tell you that it's easy to get it confused.....

Sew them.

Again, chain piecing is really efficient here, so I pin a stack of them and sew them all at once.

Cut off the little corner excess.

And press them out.

They should be exactly the same.

Turn one around, and voila!

You have a square set on point!

Lay right sides together and pin. Again with the chain piecing....

And cut off the little corner excess.

And press it out!

My block measures right at 11"

Edible Birdhouse project

My daughter and I made an edible birdhouse this week and it was so much fun! I wanted to share......

You will need:

• a wooden birdhouse. I found one that was perfect at my local Dollar Tree. You can buy larger ones at any craft store.
• peanut butter
• cornstarch
• birdseed
• nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit, millet, or anything else birds will enjoy
• string or twine to hang your birdhouse
  

1. Start with a birdhouse. I suggest one with a ledge on the bottom so the birds can have something to stand on to eat the seeds. 2. Mix peanut butter and cornstarch to make a kind of mortar. You can use straight peanut butter, but it will be a little goopier.
3. Smear peanut butter onto the side of your birdhouse and push seed into it. This is really fun for kiddos! Small ones may need help with the smearing.

4. Repeat for all sides.

5. For the roof, we used peanuts and coconut. Raisins, cranberries or other nuts would work well too. Or more birdseed!

6. When all sides are covered, use the twine to hang your birdhouse.

This project works well for a range of ages. Gigi is 2, and she thought it was really fun. Older kids could get more creative in the design!

Also, when you are finished you can watch the birds and other wildlife enjoy your creation. And when it's empty, you can start all over again!