Brandywine Valley Quilters Block of the Month

Block of the Month -- March, 2009
“Brave World”

Block Size -- 8" x 8" finished (8½" x 8½" with seam allowance)

This year, in keeping with our 2008 Quilt Show Theme, we’re going “Around the World with Many Quilts!” Most of the upcoming blocks will be based on a 4-patch grid and will finish to either 8½" or 12½" (including seam allowances).

Here's another pattern from Maggie Malone's 5,500 Quilt Block Designs, originally published in Farm Journal in 1944. We remember another time in history when bravery was displayed around the world by making this block in reproduction fabrics. If you don't have any mid-20th century reproduction fabrics in your stash, use calicos or similar prints or solids.

March 2009 Block of the Month -- Brave World

Diagram: Fabric: Cutting Directions:

Small Triangles Tone-on-tone white (4) 2 7/8" squares, cut in half diagonally

Large Triangles Medium to medium-dark 30's or 40's reproduction print, or calico (2) 4 7/8" squares, cut in half diagonally

Squares Medium to medium-light 30's or 40's reproduction print, or calico or solid (4) 2½" squares

Assembly Instructions:

Sew two small triangles to adjacent sides of a square, forming a triangle unit; repeat with remaining small triangles and squares. Press seams toward squares.
Sew the large triangles to the triangle units, forming four squares. Press seams toward large triangles.
Following the diagram, join square units in pairs and join those units to form the block.

Tips to consider:

Use 100% cotton fabrics for the block. Wash fabrics before cutting. Do not use fabrics that bleed or run!
It helps to arrange the patches on a piece of felt, flannel or batting before sewing to aid in assembly.
Stitch all seams using a scant ¼" seam allowance. Please try to be accurate!
Unless otherwise specified, press seams toward the dark fabric if possible, taking care not to stretch any bias edges.

Block of the Month -- March, 2009 “Brave World”

Block of the Month -- March, 2009
“Brave World”