Star Spangled Picnic Tutorial Part #1

Welcome to the Star Spangled Picnic block pictorial!

This 2 part pictorial coincides with my Star Spangled Picnic pattern

Part 1:  The Watermelon Section.  Use up scraps to make it!

Use the pattern instructions to cut strips and squares to create the watermelon section

*Note:  You may want to consider cutting the strips into smaller lengths, I find sewing smaller lengths together creates less wonkiness'.

Sew the strips together as shown above and press. 

Subcut each strip into units.  I recommend 'squaring up' each unit before sewing them all together.  

*Note:  There are a lot of pieces to the watermelon section.  Cutting, Pressing and 1/4" seam allowance is important to maintain the correct block size.  

The next step is to create 10 Half Square Triangles that run across the top of the watermelon.  Cut out contrasting red squares,  

Create Half Square Triangles using the Magic 8 Method.  If you've not used the Magic 8 Method before, you will love it!  Click on the blue link for instructions!  

 *Note:  I've sized up the squares so you can trim for accuracy.

Press each Half Square Triangle to the dark squares.  I love my Bloc Loc ruler!  They have a groove that nestles right inside the seam line holding the hst together while trimming. 
There's an Amazon link at the bottom of this post if you need one!  Quick, Easy and Accurate!

Sew 2 Half Square Triangles together.  Sew the hst unit to a '2 patch' and press the seam open.  Now you have a '4 patch' unit.

Following the photo above, sew the top row of  '4 patches' together. 
Create the bottom row of  '4 patches'.  Sew only the middle 3 together per the instructions and add in the green square rind fabric.  

Matching seams, sew the top half to the bottom half of the watermelon. 
 To match seams I use a new product called Seam Align.  It's water soluble, non toxic, leaves no residue and once the seam is sewn together, you won't even know the light weight glue was there.  

Run a small dab of Seam Align on the edge of a seam, match seams together and heat set for a couple seconds.  It holds in place while you sew.  No more pinning!!!  It's developed by a company out of Canada.  Ask your local quilt shop if they will carry it!

 

And the rinds and press towards the green.  

 When dealing with small pieces, i like to size up a bit, sew together, then trim down for accuracy. This is noted in the pattern instructions

The last rind piece, finger press to find the center and likewise, do the same for the watermelon block.  Pin the centers together, then add pins to both ends of the block.  I also like to place a 3rd pin to secure the long rectangle so it will not shift when sewing.

Finally add the final pieces to create the watermelon section. 

 Click here for Part 2:  Flag Bird Tutorial 

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