My apologies to everyone, but it will be delayed til next week. We have a medical emergency in the family and I don’t seem to be able to concentrate enough to write a pattern. I hope you understand.
size: 4" finished
{You can find detailed instructions on how to make templates, mark your fabric, cut, and sew accurate seams as part of Basket Case Block 1.}
How about a little one.
It’s a little wonky in a folksy sort of way and would also look great in classic country colors.
Instructions
1. Make your templates and prepare your fabric pieces. Download the block template here.
2. Begin by appliqueing the handle. You can find instructions for needle turn applique as part of Basket Block 4.
3. Sew the basket body. You can find instructions for Y-seams as part of Basket Block 5.
I suggest carefully marking the fabric pieces on the back with their respective template letters as they are very similar to each other and easy to mix up.
4. Sew the handle unit to the body unit and you are all done.
size: 9" finished
It’s Thursday and time for another star block.
I am proud to report that this time no seam rippers were called into action. Good thing, too, since they are still recuperating from last week’s exertions!
I like this star a lot. If you play a little with the light/dark values of the fabrics, you can achieve all kinds of interesting effects with regards to perspective. Just give it a try!
Cutting
Fabric 1:
- Cut 1 strip 8″ x 2″. Cut this strip into 4 squares 2″ x 2″.
- Cut 1 strip 4.25″ x 8.5″. Cut the strip into 2 squares 4.25″ x 4.25″.
Fabric 2:
- Cut 1 strip 4.25″ x 8.5″. Cut the strip into 2 squares 4.25″ x 4.25″.
Fabric 3:
- Cut 1 strip 22″ x 2″. Cut this strip into 4 2″ x 2″ squares and 4 2″ x 3.5″ rectangles.
Fabric 4:
- Cut 1 square 3.5″ x 3.5″.
Making the Quarter Square Triangles
{Find detailed instructions for making Quarter Square Triangles as part of Space Cadet Block 3.}
1. Make 2 pairs of one 4.25″ square of fabric A and B each. Draw a line across the diagonal of the lighter square. Place onto the darker square right sides together. Sew 1/4 inch to the right and to the left of the drawn line.
2. Cut along the diagonal, along the previously marked line. Press open and trim to 3.875″ (3 7/8″).
3. Repeat step 1. with these newly created squares: Put 2 squares together, right sides facing. Make sure that fabric A faces fabric B and vice versa. Draw a line across one square’s diagonal, and sew 1/4″ to the right and the left of the marked line. Cut apart along the marked diagonal.
You should now have 4 quarter square triangle units measuring 3.5″ x 3.5″ each.
Making the Corner Units
4. Sew together one 2″ square of fabric 2 and one square of fabric 3. Make 4 pairs.
Sew one 2″ x 3.5″ rectangle of fabric 3 onto each pair.
Finishing the Star Block
5. Lay out you square units and the center fabric square 4 to form the star. Sew the units into horizontal rows.
6. Sew together the rows and, voila, another star.
size: 6" finished
{You can find detailed instructions on how to make templates, mark your fabric, cut, and sew accurate seams as part of Basket Case Block 1.}
Another Tuesday, another basket block!
This basket actually stands on a surface. I decided mine would be on a brown table cloth, but I can imagine it on a green lawn, too.
Instructions:
1. Make your templates and prepare your fabric pieces. Download the block template here.
2. Make the basket handle by sewing piece B to A and then piece C to AB.
3. Make the basket body by sewing pieces E and ER to the sides of D.
4. Sew triangle F to the basket body unit and then sew the handle unit to the body.
Finished already – that was quick and easy, wasn’t it?
size: 16" finished
This star block is almost a mini review of our previous blocks.
It has nine-patches, flying geese and modified quarter square triangles.
So, if you need a refresher of how to construct any of these units, just follow the links to the block that features the instructions with more detailed photos.
Cutting:
Fabric A:
- Cut a strip 2.5″ x 30″. Cut the strip into 12 2.5″ x 2.5″ squares.
- Cut one square 4.5″ x 4.5″.
Fabric B:
- Cut 2 strips 2.5″ x 30″. Cut the strips into 24 2.5″ x 2.5″ squares.
- Cut one squares 5.25″ x 5.25″.
Fabric C:
- Cut one square 5.25″ x 5.25″.
- Cut 2 squares 4 7/8″.
Fabric D:
- Cut one 5.25″ x 5.25″ squares.
Fabric E:
- Cut one strip 2 7/8″ x 11.5″. Cut the strip into 4 squares 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″.
Instructions:
1. Make 9-patch units:
Lay out 3 (2.5″) squares of fabric A and 6 (2.5″) squares of fabric B as shown below. Sew the three horizontal rows first, then sew together the rows into a final 9-patch square. The square should measure 6.5″ including the seam allowances.
Make 4 9-patch units.
2. Make Flying Geese units:
{Find detailed instructions for Flying Geese as part of Space Cadet Block 2.}
Draw a line across the diagonal of all fabric E squares. Place 2 fabric E squares onto a 5.25″ square of fabric C, right sides together, as shown below. Sew 1/4″ to the right and 1/4″ to the left of the drawn lines. Cut across on the drawn line.
Press open the seams. Take the other two fabric E squares and place onto the units you just cut apart, as shown below. Again, Sew 1/4″ to the right and 1/4″ to the left of the drawn lines. Cut apart on the drawn lines. Open seams – you have just created 4 Flying Geese units that should measure 4.5″ x 2.5″ each.
3. Making modified Quarter Square Triangle units:
{Find detailed instructions for making Quarter Square Triangles as part of Space Cadet Block 3.}
Draw a line across the diagonal of the 5.25″ square of fabric D. Put it onto the 5.25″ square of fabric B, right sides together. Sew 1/4″ to the right and 1/4″ to the left of the drawn line. Cut apart on the drawn line. Press open. You should have 2 half triangle squares as shown below left. Cut across the diagonal again, as shown in the picture below right.
Cut the two 4 7/8″ squares of fabric C across the diagonal to result in 4 triangles. Sew together one fabric C triangle and one half square triangle unit each to make 4 squares measuring 4.5″ x 4.5″.
Sew these squares to the Flying Geese units according to the block diagram.
Lay out all units into the star block. Join the units into horizontal rows.
Sew the rows together to finish your block!
This is what happens when you over commit yourself and operate on only three hours of sleep:
As you can see there are “issues” with Space Cadet number 6. And I won’t be able to fix them tonight, as I have a crochet class to prepare that I’ll be teaching tomorrow.
So, when I come back from the class, I’ll whip out that quilter’s best friend, the seam ripper, and get right to work on this. I am sorry the block is going to be late, but it will be up tomorrow evening, promised!
Ahem, and now you also know why this project is called Space Cadet (and why the hand sewing project is called Basket Case)! I sort of hoped I could have kept that a secret 
size: 6" finished
{You can find detailed instructions on how to make templates, mark your fabric, cut, and sew accurate seams as part of Basket Case Block 1.}
This is a very quick and easy block. Because it has so few and relatively large pieces it is perfect for using large print and unusual fabrics.
Instructions:
1. Make your templates and prepare your fabric pieces. Download the block template here.
2. Begin by piecing the top half of the basket block. Sew pieces d and dR to piece a. Then sew pieces c and cR to d and dR, respectively.
3.Next, piece the bottom half. Sew pieces e and eR to piece b.
4. Sew the two halves together to finish your block. Nice job!
size: 12" finished
Another star made entirely of half square triangles and squares.
Here, we use two half square triangle units to make a diamond, which is a quick and easy way to piece this shape without needing to use templates.
You’ll need three fabrics, one for the background and two for the star.
Instructions
Cutting:
From background fabric:
1 strip 3.5″x14″. Cut the strip into 4 3.5″x3.5″ squares.
1 strip 4″x16″. Cut the strip into 4 4″x4″ squares.
From star fabric 1: 1 strip 4″ x 16″. Cut the strip into 4 4″x4″ squares.
From star fabric 2: 1 strip 4″ x 16″. Cut the strip into 4 4″x4″ squares.
Making the Block:
1. Sort your 4″ squares to make the following pairs:
2 pairs of 1 star fabric 1 and 1 star fabric 2
2 pairs of 1 star fabric 1 and 1 background fabric
2 pairs of 1 star fabric 2 and 1 background fabric
2. Sew each pair of squares into 2 half square triangle units. You can find detailed half square triangle constructions as part of Space Cadet Star 1. Trim each unit to measure 3.5″x3.5″.
3. Lay out your HST units and your 3.5″ background squares to form the star.
4. Sew together the squares forming each horizontal row. Alternate the direction the seam allowances fall for each successive row.
5. Sew the rows into your star block. Finished!
size: 6" finished
{You can find detailed instructions on how to make templates, mark your fabric, cut, and sew accurate seams as part of Basket Case Block 1.}
The diamonds of this basket block are a great place to play a little with your fabrics and with color. I chose two striped fabrics to create a subtle chevron effect and if you used green fabric for the outer diamonds and a bright color for the inner ones you would have a nice flower. I am sure you can come up with many more versions, so have fun with it!
While our first four blocks all had straight seams, this one includes the much maligned Y-seams. It’s true, they are difficult to sew with a machine, but by hand they are really no problem. So, here we go:
Instructions:
1. Make your templates, mark and cut your fabric. You can download the block template pdf here.
2. Sew the four diamond pieces together. If you add triangles e and square a, you can see why they are called Y-seams. Sewing these background pieces to the diamonds requires a seam that makes an angular turn. The trick is to treat them as 2 straight seams.
3. Let’s begin by sewing square e to the diamonds. For the first leg of the Y-seam pin your square to the side of one diamond. Sew you seam as usual. Just make sure, when you reach the center where all the diamonds meet, that you do not catch any of those seam allowances. That’s already the whole secret to well behaved Y-seams!
4. Now line up the next side of the square a with the second diamond. Sew like the first leg of the Y-seam.
5. Sewing in triangles with a Y-seam works the same way.
Once you have sewn all your Y-seams, add triangle c to the bottom. You should now have a 4.5″ x 4.5″ square block.
6. Add a strip b to the square block segment.
Sew together the two triangles c to make a 2.5″ x 2.5″ square. Sew this square to the second strip b. Sew this segment to the basket segment. Beautiful!
size: 6" finished
Does this star block look familiar? It is a variation of the Friendship Star block we had as Space Cadet star block 1 with the half square triangle tutorial.
In this block the center square has been replaced with a diamond-in-a-square segment and the corner squares have been replaced with more half square triangles. Doesn’t it look much more interesting?
You can download a PDF to play with your own color: Space Cadet 4 Templates
For this block you need three fabrics; a light, a medium and a dark.
Cutting:
- light fabric: 1 x 1 7/8″ square, 2 x 3″ squares.
- medium fabric: 2 x 3″ squares.
- dark fabric: 4 x 3″ squares, 2 x 1 7/8″ squares. Cut each 1 7/8″ square in half diagonally.
Making the Half Square Triangles:
Note: if this is your first time making half square triangles, you may want to refer to the more detailed tutorial here.
1. Draw a line across the diagonal on the back of your light and medium 3″ squares. Or, if you have the HST ruler, use it to mark the lines 1/4″ to the right and left of the diagonal (this is shown in picture above).
2. Put each marked square onto a dark 3″ square right sides together and sew 1/4″ to the right and 1/4″ to the left of the center diagonal line.
3. Press open your HSTs and trim to 2.5″ squares.
Making the diamond in a square center segment:
4. Sew the 4 dark fabric triangles to the light fabric square.
Place the square onto the middle of the triangle’s long side. In other words, put it so that the triangle extends past the square by the same length on each side. It actually extends by 1/4″ on each side. This is what creates those dog ears that you later trim.
Sew and trim. (while you are doing that, I should be cleaning my cutting mat!)
Finishing the Block:
5. Time to lay out the block. Try out a few different arrangements of the half square triangles to see which one you like best. How about this…
or this way.
6. Once you like your arrangement sew the segments into three rows. Press the seam allowances of the top and bottom row pointing to the center of the block. Press the seam allowances of the middle row pointing to the edges of the block. This will reduce as much bulk as possible. It will also allow you to butt together the seam allowances sharp points in the next step.
7. Sew the rows and finish the block. Press Seam allowances towards the edges of the block.
Lovely!
size: 6" finished
{You can find detailed instructions on how to make templates, mark your fabric, cut, and sew accurate seams as part of Basket Case Block 1.}
In 1978 this basket block was featured on a US postal stamp. Commonly known as Baby Basket or May Basket it is real cutie and features an applique handle. You can download the block template here.
Personally, I prefer needle turn applique with freezer paper, so let’s start with that.
Making the basket handle: Needle Turn Applique
1. Copy the handle template onto the paper side of freezer paper (I happen to have an old stash of gridded freezer paper that as far as I know is not available anymore. Regular freezer paper from the grocery store works just the same way). Cut it out without adding seam allowances.
2. Iron the freezer paper template with the shiny side down onto the right side of your basket fabric. Trace around the freezer paper template. Cut out the handle with a seam allowance of roughly 1/8″ to 1/4″ around the outer edge. For the time being, keep the xtra fabric on the inside of the handle as this make it easier to keep the piece in place when you begin to applique.
2. Cut out the remaining basket pieces from your chosen fabric (instructions are part of Basket Case 1 here). Pin the handle onto background piece b as shown.
3. Start the applique at the lower right corner of the handle. Thread your needle and make a knot at the end of your thread. Your stitches will be almost invisible if you choose yoour thread to match your applique fabric, rather than your background fabric.
Turn under the seam allowance so that your marking line is hidden. Do this for about 1″ along the curve.
6. Come up with your needle trough the handle fabric right at the corner of the basket handle. Go back down for your first stitch. You want to catch only one or two threads of the handle fabric with each stitch. Come back up a short distance along the handle for your second stitch.
and the view from the back:
7. Continue appliqueing around the curve. Whenever you come to a point where your marking line shows use your needle to catch the handle fabric from underneath and push the seam allowance under the handle. Do this for about 1″-2″ at a time. Use your left hand thumb to keep the seam allowance in place.
8. At the end knot off. It should look like this:
9. Now cut out the extra fabric on the inside of the handle, again leaving approx. 1/8″ to 1/4″ seam allowance. Clip the seam allowance as shown.
10. Applique the inner curve of the basket handle.
Finishing the Basket Block
11. Sew your basket piece b to your handle segment. Let the seam allowance fall towards the basket body.
12. Sew c to d and another c to dR. Let the seam allowances fall towards the darker fabric.
13. Sew these segments to your basket unit with seam allowances falling towards the block’s edge.
14. Attach the last background piece b, seam allowance falling toward the edge of the block.
All done!
size: 9" finished
Today’s star block is commonly known as Variable Star.
In the slots in which Space Cadet block 2 contained Flying Geese segments, it sports quarter square triangles (QSTs).
Let’s sew those first:
Making the Quarter Square Triangles
The general measurement rule for making quarter square triangles is to add 1.25″ to the size of the finished QST size you want to make.
So for our block today we need to make 4 3″ QST segments. Therefore we need to cut 3″ + 1 1/4″ = 4 1/4″ squares from our background fabric and star fabric.
1. Cut 2 4 1/4″ squares of each fabric.
2. Draw a diagonal line across the back of your (lighter) star fabric squares.
3. Put one marked square on top of each (darker) background square, right sides facing.
4. Sew one seam 1/4″ to the right of the marked diagonal line and one 1/4″ seam to the left of the line. The photo shows the front and the back side.
5. Cut between the seams. Press the units open and trim the v-shaped dog ears. At this point you have made 4 half square triangle units.
Have a look and compare these with the HSTs of Space Cadet block 1. We are half way to the QSTs! 
6. On the backside of two of the HST units draw another diagonal line like you did in step 2. This line will cross the seam you just sewed.
I hope you can see the drawn lines at least a little.
7. You probably guessed it – sew again 1/4″ to the right and to the left of that diagonal line.
8. And yes, again cut between the seams.
9. Press open your brand new quarter square triangles and trim the units to measure 31/2″ square.
Finishing the Star Block
10. From your star fabric cut one 3 1/2″ square. From your background fabric cut 4 3 1/2″ squares. Lay out your star block using the squares and your QST units.
11. Sew each horizontal row of squares and QSTs. Press the seam allowances towards the solid squares.
12. Sew the rows together to finish your star block!
