Midnight Mystery - September Instructions - Square in a Square

Welcome to the fourth month of instructions for the Midnight Mystery Quilt!  The previous instructions were:

June - Fabric Selection

July - Cutting

August - Flying Geese

(all links and other information can be found in the Mystery Quilts tab above)

First, a Few Announcements:

1. Is it too late to join? - I have been asked a few time whether it is too late to join in.  It is definitely not too late! This quilt-a-long has a nice slow pace with a month between instructions so there is plenty of time to get caught up! 

2.  Want instructions in an easier to print format? - Simply leave a comment below (with e-mail address if you are a no-reply blogger) or send me an e-mail at cheryljbrickey (at) gmail (dot) com to get on the e-mail distribution list.

3.  Share your progress - Don't forget to post pictures of the fabrics you have chosen and your in-progress pics to our very active Facebook group and on social media using the hashtag #MidnightMysteryQuilt.

And now onto the instructions?  This month we are going to make...some Square in a Square blocks (SiaS)!  

We will be using Fabrics A, B, and C for the Square in a Square block.  Just as a reminder, in the illustrations for the quilt instructions, Fabric A will be represented by the color pink, Fabric B will be represented by the color yellow, and Fabric C will be represented by the color purple.

Combine 34 Fabric A squares (4” x 4”), 34 Fabric C squares (4” x 4”), and 34 Fabric B squares (4 ¾” x 4 ¾”) to form 34 Square in a Square (SiaS) units (6 ½” x 6 ½”) using the method below.

1. Cut each Fabric A square (4” x 4”) and Fabric C square (4” x 4”) in half once diagonally to form    68 Fabric A triangles (4” x 4”) and 68 Fabric C triangles (4” x 4”).

2. Center a first Fabric A triangle (4” x 4”) along a first side of a Fabric B square (4 ¾” x 4 ¾”).  Sew along the edge with a scant ¼” seam (shown as a dotted line), pressing the seam open or outwards.

3. Sew a first Fabric C triangle (4” x 4”) on the side of the square opposite to the first side, pressing seam open or outwards. (Note: you can sew both of these triangles on then press instead of pressing after each addition.)

4. Continue by sewing a second Fabric A triangle and a second Fabric B triangle onto the square, pressing seams open or outwards.  Make sure that the Fabric A triangles are next to each other rather than across from each other.

5. Trim off the tabs (dog ears) formed by the sewn on triangles and square the unit to 6½” x 6½” (if necessary) making sure there is ¼” between the corner of the inner square and the outer side of the unit.  Repeat to form a total of 34 SiaS units (6 ½” x 6 ½”).

A Few Additional Announcements:

1.  Button - I have made a button for the mystery quilt :)  If you decide to join in on the quilt-a-long and have a blog I would love it if you posted the button.

 

2.  The Un-Mystery Quilt - Want to join in the fun but making a mystery quilt is not your thing?  If you would like to see the final pattern to decide whether to join in, or to help pick colors; simply e-mail me and I will send you a sneak peak (the only rule is that you have to keep the design completely to yourself as to not spoil anyone else's surprise).

3.  Share your progress - Don't forget to post pictures of the fabrics you have chosen and your in-progress pics to our very active Facebook group and on social media using the hashtag #MidnightMysteryQuilt.

Many thanks to our wonderful Midnight Mystery sponsors!