Machine Piecing Toad In The Puddle 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 month there are two ways to machine piece this block.  The first is to use the same techniques as last month, cutting squares, drawing diagonals and trimming.  The second method is to make the flying geese units four at a time using a tool called the Corner Cutter by Joanie Weeden.  This is my all time favorite tool.  It makes flying geese as simple as piecing a four patch and there is no waste.  See the Vendor listing for Corner Cutter on the Links page to visit her site and order the tool.

A = White        

B = Light Gray

C= Dark Gray  

D=Black          

Toad In The Puddle has four 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 four fabrics and label them with these letters.

                          A = lightest

                          B = lt. medium

                          C = dk. medium

                          D = darkest

From Fabric A cut 2 - 21" x 2 5/8"  strips and sub cut them into 16 - 2 5/8" x 2 5/8"

                                 squares or if you are using the Corner Cutter tool

                          cut 1 - 31"  x 3"  strip and sub cut it into

                                 8 - 3" x 3" squares.

From Fabric B cut  1 - 4 3/4" x 4 3/4" square

From Fabric C cut  1 - 10 1/2" x 4 3/4" strip and sub cut it into 4 3/4" x 2 5/8" rectangles

                                or if you are using Corner Cutter tool cut 1 - 5 1/2" square

                          cut 2 - 3 7/8" x 3 7/8" square and sub cut each of them diagonally once

                                 to make 4 half square triangles.*

                          cut 1 - 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" square and sub cut in both diagonal directions

                                 to make 4 triangles (quarter square triangles)*

From Fabric D cut  1 - 10 1/2" x 4 3/4" strip and sub cut it into 4 3/4" x 2 5/8" rectangles or

                                 if you are using the Corner Cutter cut 1 - 5 1/2" square

Note: Piecing instructions for the flying geese units with the Corner Cutter tool are included in the packaging.

 *(These are deliberately cut in this manner to control how bias edges are sewn.)

Assembly:

1.       The four flying geese units: On the wrong side of each -A- 2 5/8 inch x 2 5/8 inch square draw a diagonal line.  Place a square right side together on the left side of each of the C & D rectangles with the diagonal line drawn on the 2 5/8 inch square running from the bottom left to the top middle of the rectangle unit. 

      Sew a thread 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 5/8 inch square placed on the right side of the rectangle

      Repeat until you have four units of -A- & -C- fabric and four units of -A- & -D- fabric.  Sew them together into four pairs that look like this

2.   Add one of the smaller of the -C- triangle units to each of the flying geese units so that there are four units that now look like this:

3.   Attach two of these units to the opposite sides of the -B- 4 3/4 inch x 4 3/4 inch square so that the center of the square is complete and looks like this:

4.     Attach two of the four larger -C- triangles to either side of each of the remaining flying geese units so that the two units look like this:    

5.    Attach each of these two units to opposite sides of the center unit to complete the block: