Warped Spinster: "Spinners" Mystery Quilt, Clue 4

This week we're preparing another strip unit for the block.

4.1 Using a sharp pencil or an erasable marker, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of the Red 3-1/2” squares. As last week, don’t be slap-dash about the line; the accuracy on the next step will depend on this line being truly corner to corner.

4.2 With RST, place a Red 3-1/2” square from the previous step on one end of a White 3-1/2” x 9-1/2” strip, making sure the drawn line is oriented as shown. Sew on the drawn line. (As in the previous clue, you may wish to sew just a thread or two toward the outside corner of the square, to allow for the thickness of the thread and the fold-back that you’re going to do. )

Fold back the triangle and press, using the White strip as a base to line up the edges.

Pull the triangle back so you can trim the seam to approximately 1/4".

4.3 Repeat with 23 more White 3-1/2” x 9-1/2” and 23 more Red 4” squares, for a total of 24 strip units.

4.4 Draw a diagonal line, from corner to corner, on the wrong side of 12 of the White 4” squares. (Note that you’re using 4” squares now.)

4.5 With RST, place this White square on a Red 4-1/2” square. Sew a scant 1/4" on both sides of this drawn line.

4.6 Cut on the drawn line, giving you two units.

Fold back the Red triangle and press

Square up to 3-1/2”, making sure the seam line runs from corner to corner.

I like to use the Bloc-Loc Half Square Triangle ruler (I'm not paid to say that!), but you can also use a square-up ruler.

Repeat with the other unit to give you 2 HSTs (Half Square Triangle units).

4.7 Repeat with the other 11 marked White 4” squares and 11 Red 4” squares. You will have a total of 24 Red/White HSTs.

4.8 Sew a Red/White HST from the previous step to the end of a strip unit from Step 4.2, making sure the Red triangle is oriented as shown. Press toward the White.