Summer of Sewing: Triangle Block Quilt

Welcome back to our Summer of Sewing tutorials here at Inspired by Fabric! 

We'll be featuring regular tutorials as part of our Summer of Sewing series, all using our newest fabric lines that you can find at your local quilt shop! Our tutorials will include a chance to win a bundle of the fabric line being used, so make sure to enter each time!

This week and next, we'll be sharing tutorials to make a lap-sized quilt top using a Dryad strip set plus additional yardage. This week we'll demonstrate how to make these triangle strip blocks (a variation on a Log Cabin block) for the quilt front, and next week we'll show you how to make a pieced back using additional strips.  This is definitely a quilt with modern appeal--we think you'll like it! 

A Snack Pack of the Dryad collection by Shannon Brinkley

Let's get started!

You'll Need (to make the quilt top only):

1 Dryad snack pack (we'll use the leftovers next week)

3-5/8 yards blue branch print

Ruler with a 60-degree angle line on it

Cutting:

From the blue branch print:

Cut one 5" x 42" strip

(See diagram for quilt background cutting in step 8)

Make the Triangle Blocks:

1. Align your ruler as shown in the photo with the 60-degree line parallel to the strip edge. Cut to create one side of the triangle. 

2. Flip over the strip and the ruler and align the 60-degree line along the left triangle edge. Cut to create the triangle. Cut a total of eight triangles. 

3. Select a 2-1/2" wide strip from the Snack Pack. Sew to one side of the triangle, making sure to leave at least 2" of strip on both sides of the triangle. 

4. Use your ruler to trim the strip edges even with the triangle. This is why you need the extra 2" on either side!

5. Choose another strip and sew to an adjoining side, again making sure you have 2" of extra strip on both sides of the triangle. 

6. Trim the second strip and work your way around the triangle, adding and trimming strips until all sides have two strips on them. This is your block. It should measure approximately 20" from point to point and 17" tall. Make a total of eight triangle blocks. 

7. Lay out the eight triangle blocks in row, alternating triangles pointing up with triangles pointing down, and join them together. Trim both ends of the triangle row 1/4" past the last triangle's point, as shown. Your row should measure approximately 50-1/2". Trim long edges if needed to ensure your row is straight, but try not to cut off triangle points. 

8. Referring to the Cutting Diagram below, cut the three pieces needed from the blue branch yardage to create the background. Note that cutting like this will only work with a non-directional fabric. 

9. Referring to the diagram below, sew the two 50-1/2" pieces together to make the quilt background top. The remaining piece is for the quilt background bottom.

10. Sew the triangle row between the quilt background top and bottom pieces. You may need to trim the sides slightly after all three pieces are added together. Your quilt top is done! 

Love these triangle blocks! You could make a whole quilt of them!

Be sure to come back next week for the tutorial on making the pieced backing using additional Dryad Snack Pack strips!

 See the entire Dryad collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop.

For a chance to win a Snack Pack of Dryad, make sure you follow us on the blog (options are in the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment letting us know you do, as well as telling us if you've ever made a project using pre-cut 2-1/2" strips. Giveaway is open through Sunday, July 24th at 11:59 pm CST. We'll randomly draw a winner and announce it on the blog next week. Make sure we have a way to get in touch with you if you are selected as the winner!  

Congratulations to the winner of the Fun in the Sun bundle: Amanda Best
We'll contact you for your mailing information!