Hi everyone,
It is time for block 2 of our Qube sewalong! If you are just becoming aware of this sewalong now, here is the link to the getting ready post (click: https://myfarmhousequilts.blogspot.com/2025/02/accuquilt-qubeswhat-you-should-do-to.html ), and here is the link to the first block (click: https://myfarmhousequilts.blogspot.com/2025/02/qube-block-of-month-sewalong-month-1.html).
April's block is another fairly simple block, but it is oh so pretty! It is the Susannah Variation No.2, which you can find here: https://www.accuquilt.com/go-susannah-12-block-pattern.html
For this block you will need the following dies from your Qube ( and remember, ALL the Qubes have the same shapes, so ALL sizes of Qubes will make this block, but your 12" Qube will make a 12" block, and your 4" Qube will make a 4" block, with all the other Qubes making their respective sizes.
Dies needed:
SHAPE 2~ small square~ need 4
SHAPE 5~ half square triangle~ need 4
SHAPE 6~ square on point~ need 1
SHAPE 8~ rectangle~ need 4
I used 3 colors of fabric for my block, with one of those being white for my HSTs and small squares. Accuquilt chose colors for all their pieces. You get to make your own decision!
Grab the dies you need, and the fabric you have chosen, and start by subcutting your fabric. Here is a short movie clip about what I did: https://youtube.com/shorts/m0Sfk5QQXZ0?feature=share
Just remember the one most important thing about using your Accuquilt: Your fabric selvedge ( the tighly woven edge)HAS to go through your machine sideways and your label should be facing to the side as well!
Cut all your shapes and lay them out. If you are using fabric with lines or geometric shapes, where it is important that they are cut STRAIGHT, see my little video tip here: https://youtube.com/shorts/aZbnoWc8GHI?feature=share
Start by sewing two OPPOSITE triangles to your center square, like this:
Be aware that your triangles and your square won't match exactly~ that is okay! Just have a little piece of the square peeping out from both corners ( and try and make them as equal as posible, like this:
You can place both of your (opposite) triangles on your square, making sure they form a nice little overlapping square between them:
Now go ahead and sew from the tip to tip using a 1/4" seam:
I pressed these seams towards the outside. Then I sewed on the remaining triangles, this time matching the shapes exactly:
Press whichever way you prefer. I like to press in the direction where I get the least resistance, so in this case I pressed to the outside again.
You should now have a square within a square shape, like this:
If your outside square is a little wonky ( hey, it happens, especially when you are using smaller shapes!), you can use this little trick:
https://youtu.be/5BvP_YhXoh8
Next, it is time to sew your left and right rectangles to the sides of your center square. This is pretty straight forward. Pin if you like to keep everything lined up. I pressed towards the rectangles.
Then sew your corner squares to the remaining rectangles and press towards the rectangles as well.
Now it is time to sew those final 2 pieces to the top and bottom of your block. If you pressed the way I did, your seams will be lay in opposite directions, and you should be able to nest them very nicely. Pin and sew and press towards the outside. Just a note: If for some reason your rectangle and center units don't match up precisily, you can pin, pin, and pin, to line up your seams and "convince" the fabric to cooperate. IF, however, they are off by A LOT, I would suggest to resew and press those units carefully.
And tadaaa! your Susannah block is now finished!
She is simple, but very cute, don't you think?
As you know, I am making these blocks with my 4" Qube as well.
The process is exactly the same with all the Qubes, but just be aware that you might be able to cut MORE shapes per pass through your machine with the smaller sized Qubes. So, for example, on my 4" Qube I can cut 8 HSTs, and I only need 4, so I just covered HALF of my die with fabric:
After I cut all my shapes, I followed the exact same steps as I did for my 12" block.
And now I have a BIG and a little Susannah block!
SO cute!
These are my ONE blocks and TWO blocks together:
I can't wait to show you Block 3 in May! It is such a pretty little block too, and the blocks are going to get progressively more tricky, so that by the end of our 9 month sewalong we will have used all the shapes 1 through 8 and you will hopefully feel very confident using your Qubes to make whatever blocks your hearts desire!
Until next time~ happy creating!
Monique
