Hi! Welcome back to Block of the Week! This week’s block has traditional roots and also some interesting piecing. So, this week’s tips will be a “how-to” in piecing this block. If you are just joining the BOW, you can find last week’s post here: Block 3. There are links in that post to blocks 1 and 2 as well. So let’s get started with this week’s block!
Block of the Week
Here is block 4:
This block is called Darting Birds. You can find the instructions to make this block here: 20204 BOW Block 4.
Here’s a bit of history: Florence LaGanke created this block in the 1930s. That name may not be familiar to you, but I bet you’ve heard of Nancy Page. That name was a nom de plum used by Florence to write a nationally syndicated home economics column that often featured quilt blocks. She was a major figure in the 1930s quilting revival. This pattern was first published in July of 1935. Each section of the block was at that time a traditional 9-patch made with squares and half-square triangle squares. However, later versions are made differently, like the one we will be making this week. If you’d like to read more about Florence a.k.a. Nancy Page, click here.
Tip of the Week
So this week’s tip is on how to piece this block accurately. I like this version because there are fewer seams to match up and fewer HSTs to construct.
The first part of the block that you want to concentrate on to make the whole thing work is the area I have circled below:
This little section needs to be pieced accurately to fit with the larger triangle in this section. So here are the steps.
The first photo below shows the pieces for this unit laid out. In the center, I am pointing to the 90 degree angle of the square and the triangle that need to match up when stitching. Flip them right sides together and pin:
Stitch that seam and then you will match up and stitch the next triangle as shown below. Leave the little “tail” I’m pointing to in the center photo. Line up the 90 degree sides again and pin (last photo below)
Once that seam is stitched, you can press the unit open. Now you’re ready to match it up with the larger plain triangle to make the unit for this block.
You can now trim off that little “tail” if you like.
As shown below, match up the unit above with the larger triangle. I like to have the pieced triangle on top when the pieces are matched right sides together so I can see that my seam line passes above the point created by the triangles.
As you can see from the last photo above, the point of the square is nice and sharp! Now you should be able to complete each of the four units for this block easily!
So that’s it for this week. You can once again make this block multi-colored to fit in with a scrappy look.
Remember to comment or ask a question below to be entered into the drawing for the fat quarter pack:
The drawing will be on the Monday after the Block of the Week ends, November 11th.
Join me next week for Block 5!
Happy Quilting,
Deanne
Another beautiful block! Thanks so much!
Thank you. I enjoy the history of the blocks. Your detailed instructions and photos are very helpful!
Thank you. Love the history of the blocks!
I am really enjoying your block of the week. Thank you for the history lessons and your tips. They are very much appreciated!
Thanks for the lesson!
As always, your directions are clear and detailed. Always appreciate that.
As always, your directions are clear and detailed. Always appreciate that.
Thank you for your tips and creating this block of the week quilt.
You are so generous with your free block patterns and so creative with your wool patterns. Thank you so much.
Thanks again for the very useful tips and the history of this week’s block. Your instructions are always so easy to follow.
Keeping us on our toes, thanks for another pretty block
Thank you for this block pattern that I’ve never seen before…which is unusual! I admire and envy your precise piecing and really appreciate your step-by-step photos. I’ve said before I’m a visual learner and I have learned so much from your posts over the years…not to mention the wonderful BOM’s you’ve so freely shared. Blessings…I hope you know how much you are appreciated.
You’re welcome!
Lol he these blocks and the histories! Thanks for doing this. I need a new bedspead so these will be my starting point.
Your photos are great! Helps make every move clear. Thanks.
I have trouble with this block. Thanks
Hi!
So sorry you are having trouble with is. It is a bit challenging. Since a few people are having difficulty, I will address it in the blog on 10/14 (since I already wrote today’s post before I read this).
I’ll come up with alternate piecing for those of you who are experiencing some problems. 😁
Thank you.
I started this block yesterday. My fabric choices in my scraps are limited, but I am pleased with how it goes together due to your diagrams. Thank you for your tips also, and the history behind the block. That adds more interest. I finished it tonight.🤗