2024 Block of the Week – Block 2

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed making block 1 of this sew along and that my tips were helpful in doing that. This week, I will share tips on making half-square triangle squares so they measure accurately and also show how to make multiples if you have a project that requires a lot of those units. So let’s get started on block 2!

Block of the Week

Here is block 2:

The name of this block is Jacob’s Ladder. It’s another traditional block like the one I presented last week. Click here for the instructions: 2024 BOW Block 2.

The history of this block has it’s basis in the Bible. The pattern was first discussed in 1915 by Marie Webster in her book, Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them. At that time in our quilting history, biblical names were a popular source for quilt blocks. Even though it was featured in this book in 1915, the block pattern itself pre-dates the Revolutionary War, making it one of the oldest traditional blocks.

This block is on a 16-patch grid if you were to layout each 3 1/2″ unit separately while piecing the block. My piecing instructions will be a little bit easier. 

Some fun with this block: flip the outer HSTs inward and you get an interesting “churn dash” look:

And this is another block where you can play with colors and make it scrappy:

It will take a little creative cutting of the scraps but if you keep four colors for the HSTs, it will work.

Tip of the Week

Now it’s time for the tip of the week. I’ll first cover making HSTs where you get two at a time. I’ll focus on getting the correct size there. Then I’ll move onto multiples.

• Classic Method – Two at a Time

For this method, you start with 2 squares of fabric of different colors. For this block, one is a color print and one is a tan print. The finished HSTs for this block are 3 1/2″ so start with squares that are 3 7/8″ (you can round up to 4″ if you want). Here’s the steps:

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of one of the squares and then place that square and the other one right sides together with the one with the drawn line on top so you can see it while stitching.

Next, stitch a scant 1/4″ on each side of the drawn line. The first photo below shows the stitched unit. Using the scant 1/4″ distance guarantees your squares will not be too small when you press them open because you can always trim them.  The next photo shows the unit cut apart on the drawn line. You will then have two units. 

Do not press them open yet. We will actually trim them before pressing. The great thing about that is you are only having to make two trimming cuts instead of have to trim all four sides individually! I use this ruler:

Once you trim and press the units open, you have two HSTs. If you do not have a Quilt in a Day Triangle Square-up ruler like the one above, then you will need to press open your HSTs prior to trimming. Place the 45 degree line of your ruler on the diagonal seam to trim evenly.

• Multiple HSTs

Here is a method to make 8 HSTs at once. I use this method when I have a project that requires a large amount of HSTs.

This method uses 2 squares like above, however they need to be twice the size as your finished square + 1 3/4″. For example, if you want 2″ finished HSTs, your starting squares need to be 5 3/4″ ( 2 x 2 = 4″ plus 1 3/4″).

Draw a diagonal line both ways on the wrong side of one of the squares and then lay your squares right sides together one on top of each other just like in the method above. Then stitch a scant 1/4″ on each side of those drawn lines (right photo below).

Once the stitching is done, cut the square apart as shown (first two photos below). Then cut the smaller squares apart on the diagonal line.

Now you can trim each of these with the ruler shown above, press open and you have 8 HSTs!

So that’s it for the tips this week. I hope you enjoy making block 2! Leave a comment or ask a question below and I will enter you into a drawing for this lovely stack of fat quarters.

The drawing will be the week after the sew along ends.

Happy Quilting!
Deanne