March 2020 Scrappy Barrister’s Block Challenge

Welcome once again to the resuscitated Scrap Quilt Challenge!  All the specific rules of the challenge can be found by clicking HERE.  This month (March 2020), I’m challenging you to be inspired by the Barrister’s Block.  Not sure what block this is?  Don’t worry – I’ll share a tutorial below.  This block is PERFECT for using all those little extra half square triangles you have from making flying geese and snowballs.  I did find a free tutorial for this block to help you out if my directions aren’t clear to you HERE.

HOW TO MAKE A SCRAPPY BARRISTER’S BLOCK

I have a ridiculous amount of *bonus Half Square Triangles (HSTs) from previous projects.  It seems that most of them can easily be squared up to 1.5-inches so that’s what size I’m using for this tutorial.  You can adjust the size of the block to fit what you’re working with.  My tutorial shows the dimensions for making a 8.5″ unfinished Scrappy Barrister’s Block.

*My bonus HSTs are from my Layer Cake Pop Quilt in case you’re interested.

Cutting Instructions

Fabric A (brown/beige):
(2) 4.0″ squares
(2) 1.5″ squares

Fabric B (mint/blue):
(2) 4.0″ squares
(2) 1.5″ squares

For bonus HSTs you’ll need:

(24) HSTs trimmed to 1.5″

OR if you don’t have gobs of these cut …

Fabric A (brown/beige):
(12) 2.0″ squares

Fabric B (mint/blue):
(12) 2.0″ squares

Construction

Because I already have all my smaller HSTs made from previous quilts I just had to make the 3.5″ HST.

On the wrong side of the Fabric B (mint) fabric – draw a diagonal line.  Place a Fabric A right sides together with a Fabric B square.  Stitch a quarter inch on each side of the line you drew.  Cut on the drawn line.  Press open towards the darker fabric.  Trim the block down to 3.5″ square.  Four 3.5″ HSTs are needed for one Barrister’s block.  If you don’t already have your 1.5″ HSTs created, repeat this method with the 2.0″ Fabric A and Fabric B squares you’ve cut out.  Make 24 total 1.5″ HSTs.

Layout the Pieces

Take a moment to layout the 3.5″ HSTs, the 1.5″ HSTs and the 1.5″ squares as they’ll go together in the block.

I recommend sewing this block together one quarter at a time to avoid confusion.

Sew three 1.5″ HSTs together in a 1.5″ x 3.5″ strip and then three 1.5″ HSTs plus the 1.5″ square into a 1.5″ x 4.5″ strip.

Stitch the 1.5″ x 3.5″ strip to the 3.5″ square as shown above.  Press towards the 3.5″ HST.

Stitch the 1.5″ x 4.5″ strip to the section.  Press towards the 3.5″ square.

Repeat this until you have all four quarters of the block made.  Stitch them together.

You now have an 8.5″ Scrappy Barrister’s Block!

If my little tutorial made absolutely no sense to you whatsoever – check out THIS tutorial by patchwork square.

HST Tools

Here are a few tools that can help you make those Half Square Triangles!

The Slotted Trimmers will change how you feel about HSTs forever!

This Bloc_loc Ruler Set helps you make 1.5″, 2.5″ and 3.5″ HSTs.

Get Started

You have a year to start-and-finish a scrap quilt comprised mostly of the Barrister’s block.  When you have a quilt finished (minimum size 45″ x 60″) link a picture below for a chance to win a prize. The deadline for the Barrister’s block linked entries is March 15, 2021.

Share progress photos on instagram with hashtags #SQChallenge20 and #SQBarrister and/or in the Scrap Quilt Challenge Facebook Group.

Be sure to read through all the rules on the Scrap Quilt Challenge Page HERE before you get started.

If the idea of making a scrappy barrister’s block quilt is making you panic please don’t!  Each of these challenges are supposed to fun and inspiring and to help you use up those scraps!  You DO NOT have to participate in each month!  Just choose the months that make you inspired and happy!

Link up right below here your Scrappy Barrister’s Block quilts by March 15th, 2021.