Bernina Group Block Of The Month Block 4 It is so much fun and it is so encouraging to see all the photos of the blocks being posted in the groups… thank you so much for sharing your beautiful blocks! Please keep posting photos!!

Today we are making block 4… it seems impossible that we are on our fourth month already but I hope this little BOM has helped you through a long winter and the Covid restrictions…

For this month’s block, you will need…

From three fabric prints or solids of your choice cut… Cut 4 background squares 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

Cut 4 light color squares 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

Cut 1 background square 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″

Cut 1 light color square 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″

Cut 2 dark color squares 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″

I think I spent more time cutting on this block than I did sewing it up!

Lay the Dark and Light 5 and 1/2 inch squares right sides together atop one another and matching all four sides very well, and stitch all around all four sides… do the same with the dark and background 5 and 1/2 inch squares… this is your skill builder for this month…

press to set the seams and cut both apart corner to corner both directions so you get four half square triangles from each one… press toward the dark fabric and square up all pieces to 3 and 1.2 inch squares…

Now lay the block out in pattern as you see me do in the video making sure you place all the pieces in the right order and sew the four rows together … now sew the block into two segments and finally the sew the center seam… check to make sure it is 12 and 1/2 inches … Have fun with this months block… See you for block 5 next month!

Did you have fun with January’s block? Well, here is block number two…it is a good time, spent with half square triangles…

This block will build your skills and confidence!

You will need four fabrics or comparable contrast scraps….

I used scraps but fat quarters work perfectly too….

Block 2 of the Bernina Group BOM 2021Cutting Instructions:

Cut 4 Green (or your color) squares 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″( these are your outer block triangles )Cut 4 squares 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ ( these are the windmill blades )Cut 2 Center print squares 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″Cut 6 White or background squares 3 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ All squares should be the same 3 7/8″ square. When you are making half-square triangles add 3/8″ to the size of the square size you need for piecing. For example we need a 3 1/2″ square to piece the block, so we would add the 3/8″ to that measurement.

Using a ruler and pencil, mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of each of white squares and two of the center print squares. With right sides together, match up two of the windmill blade squares with two of the center print squares. Match rest of the colored print squares with white background squares. Sew 1/4″ seam along each side of the marked pencil line. Repeat this with all of the squares.

Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut each square right on the pencil line. IMPORTANT – If you don’t want to do what I did, Press open your half-square triangles. Usually you press all seams to the dark side. But to create less bulk you will be pressing a few to the white or background side. Trim off the dog ears and TRUE UP the half-square triangles. The squares should be 3 1/2″ square – you won’t have much to trim off. Use the diagonal markings on your mat or your ruler to line up the diagonal seams. You want the diagonal seam to be right in the center of the corner of each square. That way when you sew your 1/4″ seams, the points will be perfect.

Lay out the squares forming the windmill. Sew the squares together in rows. Press the seams of each row in opposite directions. This way they will nest together when you sew the rows together. Backside view of pressed seams. unless you pressed all your seams open, Note how each row has alternating seam directions. This will help all of those squares nestle together. Sew each row together matching points and seams. Your block is all finished

Have fun!