Part 4: Half-moon blocks

Part 4 - Half-moon Blocks

In This Lesson You Will Need:

• Quilter's pins
• Thread
• No 8 Cotton Pearl thread
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Pressing mat
• Rotary cutter
• Scissors
• Tailor's chalk

Instructions

1. Take two pieces of fabric and line up the bottom edges. Using your quilter's ruler and rotary cutter, trim the edges of the two fabrics so that they line up neatly.

1. Take your chalk 3–5 cm (1.18 – 2 in) from the end and draw a half-moon shape. Mark a few lines across the lines you've just drawn. These will act as registration marks/notches.

1. Using a rotary cutter, follow the line you have marked, making sure you are cutting through your notches.

1. Separate out all the fabric pieces. Match the inner curve of one colour with the corresponding negative space of the other colour.

1. With your tailor's chalk, draw a series of registration marks/notches across the curves. This will make sure the curves match up on both pieces of fabric.

1. Pin from the centre of the curved seam, working your way outwards and easing the fabric as you pin. Right sides facing, pin the two fabrics together and line up the notches.

1. Make sure your half-moon insert (F1) is underneath, so that your half-moon is touching the sewing machine bed. This is so the fabric can be eased into the seam as you sew. Stitch the two pieces of fabric together (F1 and F2) on your sewing machine with a 0.5 cm (¼ in) seam allowance, taking the pins out as you go. Use your hands to guide your fabric, but don't pull or tug your fabric in the sewing machine. Keep your curved seams flat. Once your patchwork is complete, trim any uneven edges.

1. Grab your iron and press the curve the way it naturally likes to fall. Then reverse the fabric, pressing the other side.

1. Using a quilter's ruler and a rotary cutter, line up the edges of your ruler with the edges of your cutting mat and fabric block. With the rotary cutter, trim your edges.