How to Piece a Spinning Sun Block

It’s hard to believe we’re already tackling our fourth block in the Machine Quilting Block Party! This Spinning Sun block is one of my favorite combinations of half square triangles and super simple four patch blocks.

Click Here to find the pattern for Block #4.

However, don’t let the simple piecing fool you! I made a mistake with my block as you’ll see in the video and nearly ended up with pleats near my seamlines. Watch the video to see how I noticed the issue and worked it out as I pieced the fabrics together:

It’s really easy to make a mistake like this and it might not seem like a big deal. I’m pretty sure I was stitching with slightly smaller seam allowance for the four patches, but then end up with the whole unit running slightly big. I should have double checked my four patches by placing a ruler over the top to make sure they were the correct size.

But as you can see in the video, even when I forgot that extra step, I was able to work out the extra fabric with a little persuasion through the full length of the seam.

Just in case you’re needing a refresher on the extra tip videos and posts I’ve shared on preparing your fabric and marking your block, make sure to check out the full collection of posts for this project right here.

Even if I had stitched a pleat into my block, I probably would have left it because we’re going to machine quilt the background with the gorgeous filler design Pebbling. In addition to being an eye catching design, Pebbling is also terrific at hiding mistakes!

So make sure to pop by on Friday to find a tip video on Pebbling and this time next week (Monday, 4-11) we’ll learn how to machine quilt this Spinning Sun Block with many beautiful designs.

Don’t forget to pick up your pattern for Block #4 before the 5th so you can get the very best deal!

Let’s go quilt,

Leah Day

LeahDay

Leah Day has been teaching online since 2009. She's the creator of the Free Motion Quilting Project, a blog filled with thousands of quilting tutorial videos. Leah has written several books including 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs, Explore Walking Foot Quilting with Leah Day, and Mally the Maker and the Queen in the Quilt.

1 Response

  1. elliek says:

    Easier to deal with extra fabric if it is on the underneath. "saggy bottom" then you can slightly pull the top fabric to match.

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