Seminole Sunrise Quilt Block Pattern

This pattern is for the Northcott 10th Anniversary Block Party International Contest. Visit the url below for all the information, rules and stores participating in the contest.

http://northcott.net/resource_details.aspx?resourceid=3135&resourceCatId=9

Designed by Karen Donnelly of Fabric Smart in Gulfport, Florida.

This is a asymmetrical improvisational design, using Northcott's newest collection, Stonehenge Solstice, inspired by the Seminole patchwork of the Florida Seminole Indian Tribe.

Please note: I would advise that you read all directions before cutting and that you practice this block using other fabrics before using your block kit fabrics.

If making multiple blocks, please make sure that your Seminole piecing units are exactly the same in size and angle because the block is based on this unit. This will ensure your success.

This is a 12 inch finished block. (12.5 inches unfinished)

*All seams are 1/4 inch

Supplies:

- Block kit of 7 Stonehenge Solstice collection (color and bolt# listed below*)

- 15 degree Creative Grids triangle ruler

- 6.5 inch by 24 inch quilt ruler

- Rotary cutter and mat.

- 50 weight cotton thread that blends with the fabric

- Size 75 quilt machine needle

- Straight pins

Figure 1 - Finished Block

Your kit contains 7 fabrics from the Solstice collection

#1 - 39482-54 Light gold with Celtic knots

#2 - 39432-66 Teal with Celtic knots

#3 - 39382-58 Orange

#4 - 39269-69 Teal with large gold Celtic knots

#5 - 39431-68 Teal with Celtic circles

#6 - 39382-68 Teal

#7 - 39382-59 Yellow

Mark each fabric with color numbers 1-7.

Let's begin the Seminole piecing unit as shown in Figure 2 below.

Cut the following:

Fabric #1 - 1 strip at 1.5 inches wide by 22 inches long

Fabric #2 - 1 strip at 2 inches wide by 22 inches long

Fabric #3 - 1 strip at 3 inches wide by 22 inches long

Fabric #4 - 1 strip at 4.5 inches wide by 22 inches long

Sew these four fabrics in order... #1 to #2 to #3 to #4.

Press seams open.

Figure 2 sewing strips for Seminole piecing and pressing

Cut strip set into a total of seven - 2 inch wide strips as shown in Figure 3

Figure 3 Cutting 2 inch wide strips

Pin each set strip to the next by stepping down to the next seam between fabric #1 and #2 (see Figure 4 below). Seam them together with 1/4 inch seams. The rest of the blocks will step down automatically and lay at an angle.

Figure 4 Stepping down the Seminole patchwork

After the strip sets are seamed together, you will need to trim off the points from the top and the bottom, so that the edges are parallel and measure 6.25 inches wide as in Figures 5 and 6. Be sure that when you are trimming that the top edge is parallel to the bottom edge and measures 6.25 inches from top to bottom.

Figure 5 Seminole patchwork section with one side trimmed

See Figure 6 below to show how to trim the Seminole piecing on the top and bottom.

Figure 6 trimming method

Square up the left lower corner of the seminole piecing so that the lower edge measures 12.5 inches long.

Seam a rectangle of fabric #5 measuring 6.75 inches long by 7.5 inches wide to the upper edge of the Seminole piecing section. Press the seam toward fabric #5. It will be longer than the Seminole piecing but will be trimmed off next.

Figure 7 Adding fabric #5

Use the right edge of the Seminole piecing as your angle guide and trim fabric #5 to match the angle of the Seminole piecing.

Figure 8

Using the Creative Grids 15 degree ruler, cut two, 18 inch triangles of fabric #6 and one, 18 inch triangle of fabric #7.

Figure 9 Cutting 15 degree triangles

Assemble the the three triangles in the order shown, fabric #1 to fabric #2 to fabric #1.

Figure 10 Triangle strip set completed.

Sew the triangle set to the rest of the block along the diagonal line created by the Seminole piecing. Then square up the rest of the right side and the top edge so that the block now measures 12.5 inches by 12.5 inches unfinished.

The points of fabric #2 in the Seminole piecing will be in the seam. This is intentional.

Figure 11 Finished block measuring 12.5 inches by 12.5 inches before seams.