Chain Mail Block Tutorial

Hey there!  Today is my stop  stop on the 2016 New Block Blog Hop sponsored by Paintbrush Studio. This hop features the awesome Painter’s Palette solids by Paintbrush Studio.   They provided me with 6 fat quarters to use any way I’d like as long as I made a 12″ block.  I came up with a super simple block that I’m calling Chain Mail {thanks to my awesome friend Melissa}.

On it’s own, my block isn’t the most exciting block ever.  But…the beauty lies in the secondary patterns that are created with multiple blocks.  Plus, it’s a fast block.  And I don’t know about you, but I love fast!It’s also super fun to reverse the navy and white.  In this color variation I also eliminated the peach color and used only 3 colors.  Lot’s of possibilities with this super simple and fast block.  You’re welcome.  Bahahaha

So let’s get to the directions.  {All seams are 1/4″}

Color A {white in my block}:

Cut 6 –  2″ x 2″ squares

Cut 4 – 3.5″ x 3.5″ squares

Cut 4 – 2″ x 5″ rectangles

Color B {navy in my block}:

Cut 4 – 2″ x 2″ squares

Cut 2 – 3.5″ x 3.5″ squares

Color C {pink in my block}:

Cut 2 – 2″ x 3.5″ rectangles

Cut 2 – 3.5″ x 5″ rectangles

Color D {peach in my block}:

Cut 2 – 2″ x 2″ squares

I did a lot of chain piecing so I wasn’t jumping up and down every five seconds to press.  It just makes it go faster.  I also pressed all my seams to the dark side and they nest together perfectly.

First, sew together one 2″ x 2″ color A  and color B. Make two.

Flip one of these units around so the colors are opposite to make a four patch.  Sew together.  Make two four patches.

Sew each four patch to a 3.5″ x 3.5″ color A.  Make two.

Sew together one 3.5″ x 3.5″ color A and color B.  Make two.

Sew these units together per the picture.  Make sure you flip the units so that color B lines up in a diagonal line.  These blocks should measure 6.5″ once sewn together.

Sew together one 2″ x 2″ color A and one 2″ x 3.5″ color C.  Make two.

Sew together one 3.5″ x 5″ color C and one 2″ x 5″ color A.  Make two.  Ok, so I’m human and I totally forgot to take a picture of this one.  But I know you can figure it out.  PS…they are the bottom units in the below picture.

Sew together.

Sew together one 2″ x 2″ color D and one 2″ x 5″ color A.  Make two.

Sew one of these to each unit made in the last step.  Make sure that the color D square is in the opposite corner of the color A square.  Make two.  These should also measure 6.5″ once sewn together.

Now it’s time to assemble the block.  Lay out all four sections like the picture below.

Sew the top blocks together.  Then sew the bottom blocks together.

Join the rows and you are finished!

Now…you should go check out all the other bloggers participating in the hop.  Lots of talented people sharing blocks in this hop.

Host: Stephanie @Late Night Quilter
Vicki @Orchid Owl Quilts
Shelly @The Carpenter’s Daughter Who Quilts
Amy @13 Spools
Geraldine @Living Water Quilter
Jan @The Colorful Fabriholic
Sharla @Thistle Thicket Studio
Margo @MY Quilts and Crafts
Jinger @Trials of a Newbie Quilter
Kathryn @Kupitis
Jane @Jolly and Delilah
Josi @Avocado Quilts
Deanna @Stitches Quilting
Lori @SewPsyched!

That’s it from me today…now go sew something!  I’ll be over here trying to work through my big stack of quilts.  :O)

Vicki