My Secret Garden - Block 5 with Brenda

We are getting so close to finishing our blocks!  I love how the pattern designer used a pinwheel block as the center of the first three blocks, and now a nine patch for the last three blocks.  It is a clever way to change things around.  I find that the nine patches go together quickly and I am eager to see these blocks completed. 

I used a slightly different technique to piece the pink rectangles with the small half square triangles.  First of all, I had to look a little deeper into my Accuquilt die collection to find the die I needed.  The 12.1 die from the 6” Qube was the one that worked to make the correct size half square triangles.  After cutting them out, I laid them across the rectangle as shown below and then I sewed guiding my foot along the straight edge for my quarter inch seam allowance.

After the sewing and pressing was done, I trimmed the pink rectangle bit that was under my white triangle and then repeated the process to the other side of the rectangle.  As I mentioned earlier, I always chain sew my pieces so you can see another unit under my machine as I am readying this one.  I just continue to sew piece after piece and eventually cut them all apart to press and trim.

After these units were complete, I made my flying geese.  Remember that flying geese units use die #4 and #5, this time from the 8” Qube.  The speed and accuracy that these add really help level up your sewing game!

The half square triangles were fast and easy to cut and assemble as well! 

Next I made my center unit using the gray and white.  Again, I pressed towards the gray when I was sewing the subunits and then for the rows, I pressed the seams open to eliminate bulk.

The final step was to sew the units together like a nine patch.  For these units, I pressed towards the pink in each row and pressed the final seams open again.  I hope you enjoy making this block as much as I did!

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