Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt: February Block of the Month

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 1 WM

Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt: February Block of the Month

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FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 1 WMIntroducing February’s Block: Meet at Home

Meet at Home is February’s Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt Block. Like all blocks in this year’s block of the month challenge, the block is 15″–finished size—and is based on a combo of half-square triangles and squares. Simple.

This block has many names; I chose to use Meet at Home as all “roads” lead to the center or hearth of the block. Okay, you gotta use your imagination.

During this 12-month block of the month challenge, all blocks will be made from one 24-piece fat quarter bundle and 2-1/4 yards of cream background fabric, not including backing or binding. We’re using the fat quarter bundle, Garnet, it’s my most recent fabric line from Penny Rose, a division of Riley Blake Designs. You’re definitely welcome to use another collection of fabric or fabrics from your stash!

Garnet CakeStand Nancy Zieman

Choose the Fabrics

For the February block, select the following fabrics from your Garnet fat-quarter bundle. If you’ve chosen another fabric collection, select two darker tones, two medium tones, and the background fabric for a total of five fabrics

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 2

Half-Square Triangles (HSTs)

Cut the following to create four HSTs:

  • Two squares measuring 3-7/8″ x 3-7/8″ from medium fabric (garnet leaves with white background)
  • Two squares measuring 3-7/8″ x 3-7/8″ from dark fabric (garnet flowers on garnet background)
FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 4

Make HSTs:

  • Option one: Mark each block set diagonally from one corner to the other, using a fabric marking pen and ruler.
  • Option two: Use a No-Hassle Triangle Gauge. The left side of the gauge is designed to create HST blocks.
  • January 2017 Block of the Month by Nancy Zieman/Sewing WIth NancyDepress the button on the sliding portion of the gauge and move to the 3-1/2-HST icon on the left side of the gauge.
  • Place gauge on the block set, corner to corner. Match corner marks of gauge with corner of block sets. Mark fabric through center of gauge with a fine-point, fabric-marking pen.

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 5b1
Note from Nancy: The advantage of using the No-Hassle Triangle Gauge is accuracy. It’s easy to double-check that the block set fits within the confines of the gauge. If the block set extends beyond or is shorter, trim or cut another block.

Stitch Half-Square Triangle Block Sets

  • Attach a 1/4″ patchwork/quilting foot.
  • Set machine for a straight stitch, 2.0–2.5 mm in length.
  • Align foot along one side of the center marked line; stitch a scant 1/4″ from center marked line. Do not cut the threads.
  • Kiss the next block set to the stitched block and chain stitch from one block to the other.

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman HST 1

  • Clip threads between chain stitched blocks. Rotate blocks 180-degrees. Align foot along second side of center marked line; stitch. Clip threads between chain stitched blocks.

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman HST 2

  • With a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler, cut the blocks apart along centerline markings.

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman HST 3

  • Press seam allowances toward the darker fabric.

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman HST 4

  • Set four half-square triangles aside.

Watch the No-Hassle Half-Square Triangles episode of Sewing With Nancy for a complete demonstration of the gauge and technique.

Solid Squares

Shown top row left to right, then bottom row left to right:

  • Cut four squares 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ from light fabric. (cream/background)
  • Cut eight squares 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ from medium fabric. (garnet leaves on white)
  • Cut four squares 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ from dark fabric. (garnet flowers on garnet)
  • Cut four squares 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ from dark fabric. (bold pattern on garnet)
  • Cut one square 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ from medium fabric. (pink flowers on pink)

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 3

Create Block

  • Arrange the large block as shown:

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 5

  • Join pairs of blocks to create rows.
Arrange Jan Block Nancy Zieman 3
  • Stitch one row at a time, starting with the top row.
  • Row One:

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 6

  • Row Two:

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 7

  • Row Three:

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 8

  • Row Four:

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 9

  • Row Five:

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 10

  • Press odd numbered row seam allowances in one direction and even numbered seam allowances in the opposite direction.
  • Arrange the rows.

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 12

  • Join rows one and two.
  • Join rows three and four.
  • Interlock the seam allowances at each unit.

Arrange Jan Block Nancy Zieman 10

  • Press.
FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 11
  • Add the fifth row.

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 13

  • Stitch the final row seam to create the block.
  • Press.
FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman 1 WM
The second block in the 2017 Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt is solved!

Share Your Success!

If you are on social sites, let all your friends know you are working on Nancy Zieman’s 2017 Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt by tagging your post with the hashtag: #NZBoM. Share you finished blocks with Nancy and her team by emailing them to [email protected].

During the 2015 Quilt Adventure and the 2016 Quilt Extravaganza, I shared three virtual quilt designs made with the month’s single block. This year, I’m changing it up and sharing block color variations of one block.  Please note that the fabrics required for color-varied blocks will be slightly different than the original block of the month directions presented.

Take your Block to the Next Level

  • Visualize an entire quilt made from this block. Each block will measure 15″ square when sewn into a quilt. The image below shows 20 blocks framed with 3″ sashing and pieced corner-stone blocks. Read more on finishing the quilt in my book Fearless Quilting Finishes. This quilt as shown measures 82″ x 100″.

FebruaryBoM2017 NancyZieman Quilt

  • Notice the subtle differences in these four color variations of the Meet Me at Home block.
MeetMeAtHome NancyZieman 4
. .
MeetMeAtHome NancyZieman 1
space
MeetMeAtHome NancyZieman 2

spaceMeetMeAtHome NancyZieman 3

Virtual concepts presented in this post are created using Electric Quilt 7 (EQ7) software, available at Nancy’s Notions.

Watch No-Hassle Triangles Quilt Blocks on Sewing With Nancy online.

NoHassle1 2Triangles SewingWithNancy

Watch for the March Block of the Month on Saturday, March 18th.

If you missed any of the complete block tutorials, find the 2017 Fat Quarter Mystery Block of the Month on my blog.

Bye for now,
Nancy Zieman The Blog

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21 Comments

  • Starla
    February 18, 2017

    What a beautiful block! A great example of what simple squares and half-square triangles can become!

  • S Carter
    February 18, 2017

    I love the simplicity of the piecing and the amazing block it creates. Thanks Nancy.

  • Delores
    February 18, 2017

    Love the block-and the name you chose. Makes an interesting quilt with secondary pattern.. Wonder what it would look like without the sashing? Time to boot up EQ!

  • deb
    February 18, 2017

    I’m using a fat quarter bundle of a different color scheme. Shall I divide my fabrics into 2 categories (med & dark) or 3 (light, med, dark). The blocks you’ve done so far call for med & dark. Will future blocks call for light or shall I incorporate my lights into the medium category? Your blocks are so beautiful! And thank you for the wonderfully easy instructions with clear pictures! Your BOM projects are THE BEST!

  • Karen P.
    February 18, 2017

    I love this block! I have so many projects going but want to start this one too. I have a pretty fat quarter pack in the blues and whites….would be beautiful! Thank you Nancy for the great idea!

  • Gail Beam
    February 19, 2017

    Love the block and the tutorial! As always you make it look so simple because your tutorial is so easy to picture and understand all of the directions.

  • Cathy Luff
    February 19, 2017

    I’m curious about the other names for this block. I can’t find “Meet at Home.” I like to explore the history and different versions of blocks, but I’m stumped on this one. By the way, it is a neat block, and I love your Garnet fabrics!

  • Jean Anderson
    February 21, 2017

    Like the looks of this one. I have trouble with piecework. I prefer applique. Maybe this would be a good starter block. What other colors do the packs come in?

  • Knella
    February 22, 2017

    What exactly is the name of the cream fabric? There are several different shades.

  • Mary
    February 22, 2017

    Love the mystery quilt. I’m just mesmerized with the numerous
    Variations when we use half-square tri-angles.

  • Linda Rupe
    February 25, 2017

    I love this collection of fabrics!

  • Lucille Stokes
    March 3, 2017

    Love the pattern &
    the Garnet collection however I WOULD like to order the collection & it is no longer available. Will it be possible to get this line or is it discountinued permanently?

  • monica johnson
    March 5, 2017

    hi…I would like to print off the instructions for this BOM since i’m a little on the slow side but i’m not sure how to do it….is it even possible?

  • Chris Smith
    March 11, 2017

    Nancy, I really enjoyed making the January and February block. All seams lined up so well, thank you so much for the awesome instructions on the tutorials. You are the best!
    I am looking forward to block #3 next week!
    Chris

  • Bonnie Noland
    March 11, 2017

    Hi Nancy, I set aside today to work on Feb BOM and had it done in about an hour. Very disappointed in the skill level. Half square triangles were covered in Jan BOM..Aargg, what was this block all about? Thanks for letting me vent.
    Bonnie

  • "Willie" Loyall
    March 15, 2017

    I love your Garnet FQ bundle and would like to order that and the cream background fabric as well and get started on the 2017 BOM mystery quilt. My problem: when I click on “print post as PDF” so I can print out all of the instructions, I get a blank page. Is there an easy way to print the instructions for the blocks each month? Thanks,
    Willie

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