Machine Piecing The Around the Square block

12 Inch Finished Size

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

A = white 

                  B = Light Gray            

              C = Dark Gray         

D = Black  

This block has 4 color values. Using the drawing to the left for as a color guide (notice that I am describing colors with lettering not the specific template)

Choose four fabrics and label them with these letters

 A = lightest

      B = lt. medium

        C = dk. medium

  D = darkest

Cutting instructions:

From Fabric A cut 2 -  5 ¼”  x 5 ¼ “ squares

                                  2 -  4 7/8” x 4 7/8” squares

From Fabric B cut  8 – 2 ½” x 2 ½” squares

                                1 – 4 ½” x 4 ½” square

From Fabric C cut  4 – 2 ½” x 2 ½”  squares

                                2 – 5 ¼” x 5 ¼” squares

From Fabric D cut  6– 4 7/8” x 4 7/8” squares

Assembly:

1.       On the wrong side of the fabric draw one line diagonally from corner to across the two- A – 5 ¼” pieces and layer them right sides together with the 2 – C – 5.1/4” pieces.   Sew a seam a scant quarter inch on either side of the drawn diagonal line.   Then cut on the line between the two sewn seams of each unit.   You will have 4 half-square triangle units.  On the wrong side draw a diagonal line across the non-seam diagonal of these four units. Layer them right sides together with four of your darkest – D – 4 7/8” pieces.  Sew a seam a quarter inch on either side of this diagonal line and cut apart on the line.   Keep the four units that look like this:  

     Put the other four away.

     You will be able to use them in another block.   

2.   Draw a diagonal line across all 8 pieces of your Lt. Med.- B – 2 ½ “ pieces.  Using four, place them  and sew on the drawn line like this:

      Press the resulting triangle toward the outer edges and leaving a ¼” seam allowance and cut off the two under layers. These are the four side center patches of your block:     

3.   Draw one line diagonally from corner to corner across the two -A- 4 7/8 inch units and layer them  right sides together with the other two -D- 4 7/8 inch units.  Sew a scant quarter inch seam on either side of the diagonal line.  then cut the units apart on the drawn line.  You will have 4 half-square triangle units.  These are your four corner blocks and we will now complete them.

4.    Using the other four lt. Med.- B –2 ½” squares, position one on each of the fabric D (darkest) side of the half square triangle units you just made.  Place them, lining up the edges of the small and larger square, right sides together so that the drawn line is parallel to the seam like this:  

Sew on your drawn line and press the resulting triangle toward the outer edges. I cut off the two under pieces a quarter inch from the seam and saved them for another project.   

The four finished corner patches will look like this:

 5.   The center patch is a square in a square.  You could use the Square in a Square tool from Jodi Barrows or do it this way.  Draw diagonal lines on all four Dk. Med. – C – 2 ½” pieces.  Using the Lt. Med. – B – 4 ½” square place one of the Dk. Med. 2 ½” squares right sides together in a corner of the larger square so that the drawn line looks like this:

Sew a square on each corner pressing and trimming each of the under layers as you go.  The final patch looks like this:

6.    Lay out the entire block and sew each patch together into three strips.  Then the three strips into the  block as you see in the layout below.    The completed block is shown on the right.  Finished Size is 12 Inches