Fancy Stripes Block Tutorial
Have you ordered the 2017 Quilter's Planner yet? There are some amazing block designs there.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_296303af9c0e4a75844b150ef6e98f24~mv2_d_3696_2880_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_115,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_296303af9c0e4a75844b150ef6e98f24~mv2_d_3696_2880_s_4_2.jpg)
Don't you love a good half-square triangle block? There is so much you can do with HSTs. The Fancy Stripe block is a great example. You can find this design on the August tab of the 2017 Quilter's Planner. So, today I am making a blog appearance to show you how to make this 12" block in a super fast way.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_0bb8c6ed6400434489ff2a340eccaf1c~mv2_d_2709_2709_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_147,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_0bb8c6ed6400434489ff2a340eccaf1c~mv2_d_2709_2709_s_4_2.jpg)
All you need for this block is 16 HSTs, but the best part is that they are made from just two square sets.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_382a6be11ecd4da78ee9336de193d8ac~mv2_d_3600_3600_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_147,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_382a6be11ecd4da78ee9336de193d8ac~mv2_d_3600_3600_s_4_2.jpg)
So lets get it started.
MATERIALS:
2 Fat-Quarters (one light, one dark)
Cutting mat and ruler
Rotary cutter
Sewing machine
Thread
Iron and ironing surface
Chalk or washable fabric marker
CUTTING:
Cut 2 squares at 7 3/4" from the light fabric
Cut 2 squares at 7 3/4" from the dark fabric
Note: If you like a little room for trimming, cut squares at 8".
* This is a 12" block. For others sizes, follow the cutting chart bellow. Remember to add 1/2" to the finished HSTs in the chart when trimming it before joining the units.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_094b0d84657c49d9be5b026186bc4e4c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_74,h_17,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_094b0d84657c49d9be5b026186bc4e4c~mv2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_56a041fe96654be794e64737fd30e173~mv2_d_4074_2716_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_56a041fe96654be794e64737fd30e173~mv2_d_4074_2716_s_4_2.jpg)
BLOCK CONSTRUCTION:
1. Place a light square and a dark square right sides together. You will have two sets.
2. Mark the blocks with the chalk or washable pen from corner to corner, making an X.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_b6d991680acb4009ab67f34530273544~mv2_d_4058_2705_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_b6d991680acb4009ab67f34530273544~mv2_d_4058_2705_s_4_2.jpg)
3. Pin and sew 1/4" away from marked lines.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_fc324e6fb34e40d89771acfcddbcc778~mv2_d_4416_2944_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_fc324e6fb34e40d89771acfcddbcc778~mv2_d_4416_2944_s_4_2.jpg)
4. Cut first between the X, in a plus sign direction.
5. Then cut on marked lines, in a X direction.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_4679f5c0dc964d03b77e05f1b9bbf3f9~mv2_d_4989_3326_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_4679f5c0dc964d03b77e05f1b9bbf3f9~mv2_d_4989_3326_s_4_2.jpg)
6. Press and open units towards dark fabric.
7. Lay blocks forming the fancy stripe pattern.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_93da1f61a84a47eb94b3681b69d28964~mv2_d_4082_3355_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_121,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_93da1f61a84a47eb94b3681b69d28964~mv2_d_4082_3355_s_4_2.jpg)
8. Start joining the units 2 by 2 and press each row to different directions, following diagram below.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_5a7075d9de7f4ed780f3e923e351ea49~mv2_d_2957_2482_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_123,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_5a7075d9de7f4ed780f3e923e351ea49~mv2_d_2957_2482_s_4_2.jpg)
9. Continue by joining the 2 by 2 units to finish joining the rows. Press to same direction as the other units on each row.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_a9b466b55583498fb4aa52146dfc7ee8~mv2_d_3888_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_131,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_a9b466b55583498fb4aa52146dfc7ee8~mv2_d_3888_3456_s_4_2.jpg)
10. Nest seams and join rows 2 at a time. Press to the side.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_bcd2c002fef64fee81b2d744d2502c44~mv2_d_4008_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_127,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_bcd2c002fef64fee81b2d744d2502c44~mv2_d_4008_3456_s_4_2.jpg)
10. Finish by nesting and joining the last center seam. Press to the side.
11. Trim block to 12 1/2" square.
There you go! You are done!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_56c1e90668df41d685eaaa57460aeb0f~mv2_d_4368_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_116,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_56c1e90668df41d685eaaa57460aeb0f~mv2_d_4368_3456_s_4_2.jpg)
You can always refer back to the 2017 Quilter's Planner reference tab for a diagram of this method and more size options.
Below is a quilt design made by using only the Fancy stripes block in two colors.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56813d_42412257ac0e4a4a9fefb41e47071329~mv2_d_2400_2400_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_147,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/56813d_42412257ac0e4a4a9fefb41e47071329~mv2_d_2400_2400_s_4_2.jpg)
Thanks for stopping by and keep on sewing!
Happy Holidays!
S.