How to Make a Wonky Block

Hi

Its been awhile since I have shared.  I have been busy working on organizing my fabric.  I am still working on it and will share with you when I am done.

I belong to an online  quilting board http://www.quiltingboard.com/forum.php.  One of the other members showed an interest in this quilt and I offered to show her how to make it.   As I was replying to her  private message I decided to do it on my blog, so I could share it with more than one person.  Since I didn't take pictures as I made the quilt, I made a sample using a different focus fabric.

Directions

1.  Fussy Cut your focus fabric.  - To fussy cut means that you are cutting out a motif rather than just randomly cutting as in usually done.

                 
2.  Cut fabric into strips.   I found it best if it was between 1 inch to 2 1/2 inches.   You want the length to be long enough to fit what ever size your sewing on.   Longer strips work better

3.  For the first frame around you focus fabric I used the same fabric.  The first two sides I used a narrow strip piece.  And for sides 3 & 4 I used a wider strip.  You start your first strip on the right side and continue  clockwise.   I sewed on the strips and then trimmed them.  As you add each strip you want to press.  Since my iron is not near my sewing machine, I just finger press as I add my strips

4. For the first three sides I didn't trim the fabric. but I the forth side (which was the top of the focus square) I made an angle cut.   There is no right or wrong way to cut the fabric.  Just lay your rotary cutter on the fabric whatever way you want I cut.

5  You continue to add strips in a clockwise pattern.  With each strip you add make an angled (wonky) cut.

5.  Sometimes the fabric is angled and doesn't line up for you to add your next strip.  If that happens just lined it up the best you can and cut off excess after you sew on your strip

6.  Continue to sew on strip until the square is larger than you want your final square to be. As it seems to be getting to the right size check it frequently so as to not waste fabric   For example in the square below when I checked it with my ruler I found that I needed to add more.

7.   When the square is big enough lay your ruler on to square it up.   You might want to lay it at different angles on the block to decide which you like best.  

8.  When you decide how you want your block to look, take your rotary cutter and trim it to the size you want.  Don't forget to figure in your seam allowance.  Press after you finish your block.

9.  You will continue the same method with the remaining blocks.  To finish the quilt top you will sew the block into rows and then sew the rows together.  This is the only place you are matching, so remember to nest your seams.