Machine Piecing 1904

12 Inch Finished Size

You could use the same directions for hand piecing just use the templates with the ¼” seam allowance included or try machine piecing this way.

There are several tools on the  market to help make this block.  The most readily available is the EZ TriRecs tool and these instructions will include dimensions for this tool.  There is also a paper piecing template included. The paper piecing template is in a PDF file which you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print.  If you do not have the reader installed, use the link on the BOM page to download this useful program.

For those of you who haven't done any paper piecing, good instructions can be found at either The Foundation Piecers Web Site or on Christine Thresh's site.  Both locations have text and image instructions.  Another good instruction source would be any of Carol Doak's books on paper piecing. 

A =  White         

B =  Gray          

 C =  Black          

1904 has three color values.  Use the drawing at the left as a color value guide (note the letters describe the color value not a specific template).

Choose three fabrics and label them with these letters.

                          A = lightest

                          B = medium

                          C = darkest               

Cutting instructions:

The measurements for paper piecing and the TriRecs Tool include extra fabric

From Fabric - A - cut   2 squares 4 3/8" x 4 3/8"

                               cut   4 squares 3" x 3"

                               cut   1 strip 6" x 15" for paper piecing or

                                        If using the TriRecs tool cut the strip

                                        4 7/8" x 15"

From Fabric - B - cut   2 squares 3 7/8" x 3 7/8", cut again on the diagonal

                                          to make the 4 corner squares

                              cut   3 squares 3" x 3"

                              cut   1 square 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" 

From Fabric - C - cut   4 rectangles 6" x 7" for paper piecing or

                                       If using the TriRecs tool cut 1 strip

                                       4 7/8" x 15"  and fold in half to cut

                                       mirrored right and left sides together.

Assembly:

Note: Arrows indicate where to sew and the direction to press the fabric

1.   Make the center side units first.  Draw a diagonal line on 2 light (fabric A) 3" squares.  Make half-square triangle units by placing a light 3" square right sides together on a medium (fabric B) 3" square.  Sew 1/4" on both sides of the diagonal line.  Cut apart on the line.  Press toward the dark.  Make 4

2.   Cut the 2 light (fabric A) 4 3/8" x 4 3/8" squares into quarter square triangles.  There will be 8 triangles.  They are cut this way to eliminate bias on the outer edge of the block.

3.   Sew these triangles to the half-square sets like this:     Make 4

4.   Cut the other 2 (fabric A) 3" squares in half on the diagonal and sew one to each side of the 3 1/2" (fabric B) square to make the center patch of the block.  Remember the diagonal of the 3" square will fit the 3 1/2" side of the center square.

5.  Make the 4 paper pieced patches.  Or follow the TriRecs packaging directions to cut and piece the triangles from the 4 7/8" x 15" strips (Fabric A and C).  Make 4    

Assemble the block:

6.   Attach 2 paper-pieced patches (or the TriRecs pieced patches) to opposite sides of the center "square in a square" patch.                      

7.    Make the other two sides of the block by sewing the center side patches to the two dark sides of the paper-pieced patches.  Layout and sew them this way:     

8.   Finally sew the corner triangle patch onto the bottom of the paper-pieced patches like this: