Tuesday Tutorial: Magic Triangles

If you haven't yet  finished your shaded four patches for Easy Street, you might want to try my "easy" (well, easi-er) method.

I bought this tool years ago and used it to make a wedding quilt for my oldest nephew.  Being the "directions are for wimps" quilter that I am, I wound up with enough blocks also to make a quilt for My Little Sailor's high school band director!

Bonnie calls these shaded four patches, but the tool designer calls them Magic Triangles, so that's what I'll call them for this tutorial.  I'm sorry to report that I can't find a web presence for this company, but you may still find the tool at your LQS.

1. First, cut strips of two different widths -- depending on the size of your finished blocks.  The dark fabric will form the corner square, the light forms the little triangles.  Mine are 2" and 3".  Sew them together along the long side and press toward the wider strip (in this case, the wider strip is the light fabric):

[The kitty cat Christmas mug is an important part of this project!]

2.  Layer two strip sets (strata) right sides together, dark side to light side and light side to dark side.  Cross-cut at 2" (again, depending on your finished block size).  Stitch all the sets together along the long side. 

3.  Next, snip into the seam but not past the stitching in the middle of the block:

Because of the snip in the seam, it's easy to press the seam toward the light fabric and make the block lie nice and flat:

I know, this doesn't look like it's going to come out square!  Trust me!

 4.  Next, mark the stitching line on the reverse of your blocks.  I used a pencil:

If you have a sandpaper board, the block won't wiggle around while your're marking.  See how the template is exactly in the corner of the purple square?

You can also use a Frixion pen if you want a really clear line:

5.  Repeat on opposite corner.  These will be your stitching lines.  Notice they go right through the seam intersection of the purple and background fabrics:

6.  Stitch on both lines, then cut between the lines (it is more than an 1/4" seam, don't worry, it will all work out!).  This results in TWO Magic Triangle blocks -- remember that when you're cutting your strata.

7.  Press toward the turquoise fabric and square up:

One episode of Downton Abbey, and voila!  64 Shaded Triangles.  Remember, each Magic Triangles block makes two shaded four patch blocks!

There we are, strolling along Easy Street!

Have you commented on my "Sugar Block Club" giveaway?  I have a little secret -- shhh, don't let Amy know I told.  I'm test-sewing for this project.  And I can tell you, you want to play along!  Go here and comment to win a free membership in the Sugar Block Club.

From the desk of your