Swirl #3 A

How To Piece Bernice

Yesterday I showed you quilt designs using my Bernice block.

Today I'll show you how I would piece this block.

On the left I show it as a 6"x 6" block on a 1/2"x 1/2" grid.

On the right I show the block broken down into pieces.

Sew 2 pieces, each 1 1/2"x 2 1/2", together end to end to start the center unit.

Sew squares 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" to either end of the center unit on the diagonal. Trim the corners to leave a 1/4" seam allowance. Fold the flap back and press to make a triangle.

Set the center unit aside.

The next 2 pieces are 2"x 3 1/2".

Sew 1"x 1" squares on the diagonal onto 3 corners of the 2 pieces. Trim them and folded them back, as above, to make triangles.

Sew 2" x 1 1/2" rectangles on to the ends of the two new units.

Sew the 2 units to either side of the center unit as shown.

Add 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles to either end.

Sew 1 1/2"x 1 1/2" squares on the diagonal in opposite corners as shown. Trim and fold back to make triangles.

Add 1 1/2"x 6 1/2" rectangles top and bottom as shown.

Sew 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" squares on the diagonal in opposite corners as shown. Trim and fold back to make triangles.












If you want blocks bigger than 6"x 6" you only need to change the size of the grid and use it to size the pieces, always remembering to add 1/4" seam allowances.