Machine Piecing Flying Shuttles Block

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.

This block is a simple nine patch with a lot of small pieces.  Make it easy by mass producing half-square triangles.  There are three products on the market that all work very well.  They are Thangles, Triangles on a Roll and Brandy's Half-Square Templates.  Each product is easy to use and the instructions are included with them.  These triangles are 2 inches x 2 inches Finished.

A = White       

B = Gray       

 C = Black        

Flying Shuttles 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 = light

                          B = medium

                          C = dark               

Cutting instructions:

From Fabric - A - cut   6 squares 2 7/8" x 2 7/8"

                               cut 12 squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

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

From Fabric - C - cut  3 squares 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"

                              cut  6 squares 2 7/8" x 2 7/8"

Assembly:

1.      Draw a diagonal line on each of the fabric - A - (light) 2 7/8" squares and layer each of them right sides together with each of the Fabric - C - (dark) 2 7/8" squares and sew a scant 1/4" on both sides of the diagonal line.

      Cut apart on the diagonal line and press the seams toward the dark.  These are the 12 half squares lightest/darkest patches

2.   Put these half square units into strips with the fabric - B - 2 1/2" squares like this:                                             and then into four patches like this:            

      Make 6 of the 4 patch units.  Note that although all the four patches are sewn the same, half of them are flipped in the final layout.  Be sure to lay the block out before you sew the units and the patches together.  This will avoid mistakes.            

3.   Next make the three "square in a square" patches.        .

      Draw a diagonal line on all the Fabric - A - 2 1/2 squares.  However this time, the line is the sewing line.  When using this technique sew a thread 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 - A - square in a corner of the larger 4 1/2" fabric - C - square, right sides together aligning fabric - A - 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 - A - & - C - outer triangles (those under the arrow) a 1/4 inch from the seam.  Then press the remaining fabric - A - triangle piece over the seam.  Repeat this one square at a time on all four corners of the 4 1/2" fabric - C - squares until there are three "square in a square" patches.

4.    Carefully lay out the nine patches into the block and sew them together, first in strips and then as a  block.

        Note that the four patch units flip from one side of the block to the other