Reposting original post (JUL 2014)

In May, I taught a Modern Block class at Spoonflower. I promised folks that I would share the designs/patterns of each blocks of my sampler quilt.

As promised, here is the first one – the modern “T” block. Finished size is 12″.

Planning your Block

This block is actually a repeated pattern (the whole repeat blocks are marked in blue below). You can chain piece the block pieces or you can make it using paper piecing.  Start by planning your block, color in the pieces so you know where pieces go. I have included a template you can color here.

Note: This is considered a challenging block due to the small pieces – to give you an idea the sashing is 1/2″, the small square is 1″.

Method 1: Piecing

Cutting Instructions

Below are cutting instructions for the pieces. I have mapped these instructions with the colors in the T Block photo above.

Making your Block

1. I chain piece all my small colored pieces to the white sashing strips. The white sashing will be pieces 2, 3, 4, 6, 8b and 9.
2. Start with all the 1 pieces and sew them to a strip of white sashing (#2). Trim all the pieces so that you now have 1+2 combined. Press seams open.
3. Now chain piece on the other side another white strip to the 1+2 pieces. Trim all the pieces, and now you have 1+2+3 combined. Press seams open.
4. Now chain piece 1+2+3 to another white strip (#4). Trim to create 1+2+3+4. Press seams.
5. Add #5 pieces to 1+2+3+4. Press seams.
6. Chain piece 1+2+3+4+5 to a white strip (#6). Trim and press seams.
7. Add #7 to the 1+2+3+4+5+6.
8. Chain piece 8a to a white strip (#8b). Trim and press seams.
9. Sew 8a+8b to 1+2+3+4+5+6+7 block. Press seams.
10. Finally, chain piece 1-9 block to a white strip (#9). Trim and press seams
11. Repeat 8 times for the whole block repeats (the sections marked above with blue lines).
12. At this point, use a design board. Layout your whole blocks. Take the other remaining pieces and lay them out. For the remaining pieces, you can sew each of the pieces one by one, using the same system as a whole block above, sewing just the relevant pieces.
13. Once all pieces /repeats are sewn, join pieces of each column (i.e. piece going down instead of the typical rows across).
14. When piecing the 4 columns together, use a lot of pins. I recommend lining up all the colored pieces to ensure alignment is accurate.

Method 2: Paper Piecing

This is not an instruction for paper-piecing, I am assuming you know. The template for the repeat block can be found here. Here are some instructions:

• Print template at 100%
• Cut the block out along the edge
• Cut down around the A, B and C sections
• Once you finish paper piecing each section; make sure you measure the 1/4 inch seam allowance from the edge of the paper.
• Join sections in the order A–>B; AB–>C
• Once the ABC block is complete make sure you measure the 1/4 inch seam allowance from the edge of the paper.
• Follow the above steps 13-14 in method 1 ( to join the blocks down each column and then joining column to column.

Hope you enjoy the block, let me know if you have any questions.

Additional Spoonflower Sampler Quilt Block tutorials:

• {Block 1: Broken Chevrons}
• {Block 2: Fallen Obelisks}