American Flag Block

For that most patriotic month of the year–the month of the Independence of the USA–I’ve designed my own version of the American flag block.

That’s daughter Jessica back in 1980. We were celebrating at her Aunt Nancy’s because the previous year we took her to the fireworks celebration in our small town and we had to leave.  Scary.  Noisy.  “Mommy, it’s time to go”.  Her little brother was born two days later so I don’t know why I was out with the masses, anyhow!  She likes to point out that in her baby pics I dressed her like a boy. I used to argue but she might be right!  Maybe that’s why she wears dresses all the time now!

I dither, back to the American Flag Block.

I’ve got all 13 stripes, starting and ending with red.

In the star field, I’m using one wonky star. Love wonky stars!  I made a wonky star quilt for my sister last year.  In my favorite colors–of course!  (Which also happened to be hers!)

I had planned on making one for the guest room.  But, couldn’t motivate myself to do it.  Once I conquered the pattern, didn’t feel like doing it again!  Been there, done that.

Now the Splendid Sampler quilt is going in that room!  So many more blocks to go!

I designed this block to be 19″ square.  (That’s what I should have been doing all along in this QAYG project!)

And here’s the tutorial!

American Flag Block

Cut the following fabrics:

STAR SECTION

White Fabric

1   3 1/2” x 3 1/2”
4   4” x 4” (cut on the diagonal)

Blue Fabric

8   3 1/2” x 3 1/2”
1   2 1/4” x 9 1/2”
1   11 1/4” x 2 1/4”

STRIPES

Red Fabric

A          8 1/4” X 2 1/4”
B          8 1/4” X 2 1/2”
C & D   8 1/4” X 1 1/2”
E          19 X 1 1/2”

F          19 X 2 1/2”
G          19 X 2 1/4”

White Fabric

H, I, K     8 1/4” X 1 1/2”
J             8 1/4” x 2 1/2”
L            19 x 2 1/2”
M           19 x 1 1/2”

Make the Wonky Star Block

Cut the four 4″ x 4″ white blocks on the diagonal. (Draw a line from corner to corner and cut) Follow the diagram…

Sew together

Put the left side on

Then the top. Now that I look at it all together, it kind of looks like a Wonky Chicken. A very patriotic chicken!

Sew the stripes together

Attach the top piece to the wonky star block

And the bottom stripes to the top. Done! Easy Peasy

Pin baste the batting and quilt!

And all together now!

ONE MORE BLOCK TO GO!