This month I’ve been dreaming of a long overdue trip back to the state of my alma mater, and where my sweetie and I met and were married- the good ol’ land of lovers- Virginia. That lush, green moss that hangs from the trees along the roads…a barn over every hill…lightening bugs and no bake cookies and late nights chatting at the kitchen table. Oh how I miss that place. I ache to hear a symphony of ciadadas on a warm summer night.
So I decided to use the traditional Virginia Star block as my inspiration for the club this month, and stitched up a new version– Shenandoah.
It’s a simple block, really, but that’s what I love about it. Just those eight bold star points- the quintessential quilt classic- with a pop of color at the corners and in the center, which I really think adds depth and interest to it.
Here’s the full quilt that I’m working on…it’s 61” x 73” and what I call a “new traditional” throw. I’ll be posting the pattern in my shop this week (and Premium members will also receive it).
So here’s the block pattern! Enjoy! If you stitch it up, be sure to post a pic on Instagram and tag @sugarblockclub and me, @SticheryDickory.
Shenandoah Block
Finished Size: 12” square
Fabric Requirements:
1/4 yard of white
1/4 yard of green
1/8 yard of navy
1/8 yard of gold
Cutting:
- White:
- Cut (4) 6 ½’’ x 3 ½’’ rectangles
- Cut (4) 3 ½’’ squares
- Cut (4) 2 ½’’ squares
- Green:
- Cut (1) 6 ½’’ square
- Navy:
- Cut (8) 3 ½’’ squares
- Gold
- Cut (4) 2 ½’’ squares
Construction:
1. Draw a diagonal pencil line from corner to opposite corner on the wrong side of the gold and navy squares, as well as the 2 ½’’ white squares.
2. Construct the center snowball unit by aligning each of the 2 ½’’ white squares on a corner of the 6 1/2″ green square, right sides together, so that the drawn lines are crossing the corner. Stitch on the drawn lines, then trim to ¼’’ outside the seam to create a seam allowance. Press corners open (Figure 1).
Figure 1
3. To make the corner units, stitch a gold square to one corner on each 3 ½’’ white square, using the same draw, stitch & flip method described in Step 2.
4. The four flying geese units are constructed by adding two navy squares to a white rectangle using the same draw, stitch & flip method used in the snowball unit. Press the first triangle open before adding the second square, and be sure the drawn lines are perpendicular to one another (Figure 2).
Figure 2
5. Stitch the nine units together into 3 rows of 3 units each, following the block layout guide (Figure 3). Press seams toward navy, then join rows, matching and pinning at seam intersections. Press. Square up block to 12 1/2″ as needed.
Figure 3
And that’s it! Simple, eh? I thought this block would be a nice break from the more tedious paper pieced one we did in July…plus school’s starting…us mammas are braving the school supply aisles at Wal-Mart, shopping for new clothes, shoes, backpacks and lunchboxes, and trying to get the kids back into an early morning schedule! What a month!
PS- Looking for the other block patterns from this year’s club? Look HERE.
PPS– Want a super printer-friendly PDF download of this pattern? Sign up for a Premium Sugar Block Club membership and receive all 12 months of block and full quilt patterns for a flat $19.99. You’ll get 24 patterns (12 blocks and 12 full quilts), complete with step by step diagrams, tips, photos, and many in multiple-size options- for just $.83 per pattern! You can sign up to be a premium member HERE.
Have a fabulous August, everyone, and thanks for stopping by!
I used to get these in my email. What’s happened? Wish I had your fabric stash to choose from. Love your colors.
I did not receive my PDF version.
Have I missed the Sept. Block.? Can’t find it posted yet
Another gorgeous block!!
Love it! Thanks!
I just love stars, thanks….I’m from Ohio, maybe I’ll combine them!
I am enjoying all of these blocks (although I am very much behind!). I somehow missed July’s block and when I click on your Sugar Block Club link, only Jan-June are listed. Can you help me find July’s block?
Thanks for all your hard work and not doing the paper piecing. It makes me crazy!!!
Thank you! I like this block quite a bit. I used the January block for a swap block the other day, and I think this one might find its way there, too. =)
Thanks Amy for this beautiful block. Your thoughts of Virginia bring back memories of summer family visits. That is the Virginia that I remember. Happy summer!!!
Yet another very nice block! I still haven’t done July, yet! Shame on me! Life just kind of happens, but I’ll catch up! Thanks!
Love this block! Thank-you for posting :)
I love this block, but I live in the Shenandoah Valley, You described it perfectly. And yes, the cicada’s are humming this summer.
Love the block! While I’m NOT from Virginia, you perfectly described a summer’so evening in, believe it or not, Ontario, Canada!
Yes, we DO have Cicadas, firefly, warm lazy evenings and high humidity! Don’t forget about the Great Lakes enormous evaporation in the air!
I have experienced 98% humidity at 106°F (44°C)!!!! Argghhh!!!!
your post made me so home sick!
Hi Amy! Another gorgeous block. However, I too cannot find July’s block. Hmmm … any help would be surely appreciated! In the meantime I have this block to make along with a “few” UFO’s to finish. haha!
I did not receive my pdf version either from the Premium Club.
Thanks for another lovely block Amy. I really like the way you’ve mixed two star blocks in the Shenandoah quilt pattern – so many new patterns emerge as I look at it – very clever. My youngest starts University in Sept so we can miss out the ‘back to school aisles’ and instead head down the kitchen and household goods aisles!
Once again I did not receive my new block for September. Is this a problem for anyone else? This is the 3rd month that I have not received the email or tutorial.
I haven’t received mine the last few months either. I just go to the website to get it but September’s is not up.
I haven’t received my September 2016 SBC pattern yet? Did I miss something?
I’m getting anxious for the September block too. Several of us in my quilt group are doing this together and we are all checking and checking! Love the blocks that have come so far.
Anxiously awaiting the Sept block. Wearing my phone out with all the ‘checking ‘!
I never did get the full quilt pattern pdf for this month, just the block pdf. Eagerly awaiting this months block as well!
Amy,
Hope all is alright on your end. It is not like you to leave us all hanging. Praying that this is just a technology glitch and that you and your family are ok. With the terrible storms that seem to be everywhere we hope you are safe. Love and hugs.