Machine Piecing Swing in the Center

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.

I've added a third color to the machine piecing instructions, if you prefer two colors cut the light gray (B = medium) pieces from the white (A = lightest) fabric instead.

If you own and want to use the Corner Cutter tool the cuts are given below.  Follow the instructions included with the Corner Cutter tool for assembly.

A =  White         

B =  Gray          

 C =  Black          

Swing in the Center 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:

From Fabric - A - cut  12 squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

                                        If you are using the Corner cutter tool cut 4 squares

                                        2 7/8" x 2 7/8" (this makes four Flying Geese units)

From Fabric - B - cut  16 squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

                              cut    4 rectangles 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

                                        If you are using the Corner Cutter tool cut 1 square

                                        5 1/4" x 5 1/4" (this makes four Flying Geese units)

From Fabric - C - cut   8 squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

                              cut   4 rectangles 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

                              cut   5 squares 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"

                                       If you are using the Corner Cutter tool cut 1 square

                                       5 1/4" x 5 1/4" and cut 4 squares 2 7/8" x 2 7/8"

                                       (this makes four Flying Geese units)

Assembly:

Assemble the eight flying geese units:

1.   Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each of the 12 - A -, 16 - B -, and 8 - C - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares.  Put 4 of the - A - (lightest) and all 16 - B - (medium) squares aside.                                              

2.   Place an - A - (lightest) square right sides together on the left side of each of the - C - (darkest) rectangles with the diagonal line drawn on the 2 1/2" square running from the center side to the center top of the rectangle unit.  Sew a needle's width to the outer side of your drawn line to compensate for the thickness of the fabric and thread.  Trim away the outer triangle (two layers), open and press toward the light to control bulk.  Repeat this step with a 2 1/2" square placed on the right side of each rectangle.  Make 4 units.            

3.   Repeat step 2 with the - B - (medium) rectangles and the - C - (darkest) squares.  Press toward the dark.  Make 4 units.

Assemble the 4 Flying Geese patches:

4.   There are now four units of - A - & - C - fabric and four units of -C - & - B - fabric.  Sew them together into 4 patches that look like this.    

Next make the 5" "square in a square" patches.

5.  Use the - B - (medium) 2 1/2" squares and the - C - (dark) 4 1/2" squares.  When using this technique sew a needle's width toward the outer side of the line.  This will allow space compensation for the thickness of the thread and the fold of the fabric.  See diagram.  Place one fabric - B - square in a corner of the larger 4 1/2" fabric - C - square right sides together aligning fabric - B - 's outer edges with the outer edges of the fabric - C - square.  Sew a thread to the outside edge of the diagonal line.  The outside edge is the side of the line shown by the arrow.  Cut away both the fabric - B - & - C - outer triangles (those under the arrow) a 1/4" from the seam.  Then press the remaining fabric on all four corners of the 4 1/2" fabric - C - square.  Make 4 "square in a square" patches made of  dark centers and medium corners.

6.   Repeat step 5 using the last 4 1/2" - C - (darkest) square and the 4 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" - A - (lightest) squares.  Make 1.

Assemble the block:

7.   Assemble the rows as shown:

8.   Assemble the block as shown: