Happy Scrappy QAL: Cross Block + Ribbon Block

Welcome to the Happy Scrappy quilt along! This is your low-key, casual, creative therapy, quilty distraction from what’s going on in the world this year. For all the details, you can read yesterday’s blog post that provides more info on how this QAL is being run, but here’s the quick rundown:

• The Happy Scrappy QAL will be run right here on my blog, and go for about a month
• It’s a mystery quilt designed to use up some scraps, so get scrap-bin digging and don’t overthink the process
• Every 2-3 days I’ll be posting what blocks to make – either new ones, or some repeats of already-shared block patterns
• Each set of blocks posted is designed to take up to 30 minutes each day over the next 2-3 days
• Join in the QAL community on Instagram using #happyscrappyqal and in the Blossom Heart Quilts Facebook group.

Today you’ll be making one cross block, and four ribbon blocks.

Happy Scrappy Block 1 – Cross Block

Fun fact: did you know that in Australia, the use of the red cross emblem without the written permission of the Minister for Defence is a breach of the law?! So this is definitely not the red cross logo whatsoever, let’s just be clear about that!

What you’ll need

Print:
2 – 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ squares
1 – 3 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ rectangle

Background:
4 – 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ squares

Use a 1/4″ seam. Press seams open unless otherwise directed.

Step 1. Sew a background square to either side of a print square. Press. Repeat for the remaining print square. Press.

Step 2. Sew a unit from step 1 to either side of the print rectangle. Press. Block should measure 9 1/2″ x 9 1/2″.

Happy Scrappy Block 2 – Ribbon Block

Big thanks to Jane for sewing up a sample of this block for me, as my wry neck took me out of action for a few days…

What you’ll need

Print:
4 – 3 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ rectangles

Background:
8 – 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ squares

Use a 1/4″ seam. Press seams open unless otherwise directed.

Step 1. On the wrong side of each background square, use a fabric-safe erasable marker to draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner.

Step 2. Place one background square right sides together with one print rectangle. Sew along the line. Trim the excess fabric 1/4” from the seam line. Press.

Step 3. Place another background square right sides together with the print rectangle at the opposite end so that the drawn line is running in the same direction as the previous seam. Sew along the line. Trim the excess fabric 1/4” from the seam line. Press.

Block should measure 3 1/2″ x 9 1/2″. Make four blocks.

Share your blocks using #happyscrappyqal on Instagram and in the Blossom Heart Quilts Facebook group! The next blog post will go up on Friday. If you’d like to make sure you don’t miss any posts, sign up for my weekly newsletter below and you’ll be reminded each week of what blocks to make. Remember – this is a sew-at-your-own-pace QAL!