Happy Wednesday everyone! I’ve gotten a few more guest blogger’s signed up to show you their ‘twist’ on a traditional block – if you’re interested in being a guest blogger designer just email me a date at lapaceksorchard at gmail dot com.
Homeward Bound Fish Block Tutorial for
52 Twisted Traditional Block Quilt Along
Finished Block Size – 10” x 10”
For this block tutorial I ‘twisted’ the traditional block ‘Homeward Bound” to pull out the ‘fish’ that I see when I look at it. First, I’ll show you how to make the basic Homeward Bound block. Then, I’ll show you a few additional steps to make the block on point by adding some corners. I used the ‘Square in a Square Ruler’ to do this and this is a great ruler to have in your ruler collection.
Cutting Instructions
Fabric 1 (orange):
2 – 4.5” squares
Fabric 2 (blue):
2 – 4.5” squares
Directions
The Homeward Bound Block is just four half square triangles (HST). The key is to pick the right colors that contrast enough to really show off the ‘fish’.
On the wrong side of your Fabric 2 (in my block, the blue fabric) draw a line from one corner to the other. Lay Fabric 1 and Fabric 2 with right sides together.
Sew a seam ¼” from one side of the line you just drew.
Like you can see in this picture.
Sew a second seam on the other side of that line.
Cut along the line you drew and iron towards the darker of the two fabrics.
Square up the four blocks to 4-inches.
Sew the top two blocks together and the bottom two blocks together. Iron opposite ways before sewing the pairs together to help line up the seams. Zig Zag stitch an eye in the one of the triangles.
If we turn our block on point – can you see the fish? I chose the orange to be my fish but the blue technically could have also been the fish. Since it looks more like a fish on point, I’m going to show you how to add a border to keep it on point.
Cutting Instructions
Fabric 3 (turquoise):
2 – 3.5” x 9”
Fabric 4 (lt. blue):
2 – 4.5” squares
Fabric 5 (sparkly white):
4– 2.5” squares
Directions
Line up the two Fabric 4 rectangles on the two bottom sides and Fabric 3 on the two top sides.
Sew a strip on each side of the square making sure you go over the edge just a bit on each side as shown in the picture. Iron towards the rectangle.
Sew on the remaining strips and be sure there is an overlap on each side. Iron towards the rectangles.
Now using your Square in Square ruler line it up so the 90-degree line follows the seams between Fabrics 1 and 2 and there is a quarter inch seam allowance.
Trim off the corner. Repeat at each four corners.
Now we’re going to add just a bit more to punch up the block by adding some sparkly white fabric to the corners.
Lay the four 2.5-inch squares on each corner. Sew. Iron towards the square. Trim block to 10.5-inches.
And with that…your ‘Homeward Bound Fish’ Block, on Point, is complete! Thanks for following along and I hope you enjoyed this block tutorial!
Get a FREE printable PDF by heading to my Craftsy page and getting the FREE Homeward Bound Fish Block Pattern. Don’t wait too long though! Starting in February there will be a small fee for the Printable PDF pattern…you’ll still be able to view it on my blog for free though.
I can’t wait to see what all your blocks look like! Be sure to share you blocks and any projects you make using your blocks onto our flickr group: 52 Blocks Quilt Along
Instagram/Twitter Hashtag: #52bTT
Great block Kim! That definitely looks like a ruler I need in my stash!