APPLE PIE IN THE SKY QUILT ALONG BLOCK 2

Whirlpool

Cutting Instructions:

• Cut 4 Green (or your color) squares 3 7/8" x 3 7/8"
• Cut 4 Red squares 3 7/8" x 3 7/8"
• Cut 2  Center print squares 3 7/8" x 3 7/8"
• Cut 6 White or background squares 3 7/8" x 3 7/8"

 All squares should be the same 3 7/8" square.  When you are making half-square triangles add 3/8" to the size of the square size you need for piecing.   For example we need a 3 1/2" square to piece the block, so we would add the 3/8" to that measurement.

Using a ruler and pencil, mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of each of white squares and two of the center print squares.  With right sides together, match up two red squares with two of the center print squares.  Match rest of the colored print squares with white background squares.
Sew 1/4" seam along each side of the marked pencil line. I used red thread on one square for you to see it better this week.  Repeat this with all of the squares.  Lightly press squares.  Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut each square right on the pencil line.

IMPORTANT - Press open your half-square triangles.  Usually you press all seams to the dark side.  But to create less bulk you will be pressing a few to the white or background side.  

• Press 4 of the green half-square triangle block's seams towards the white or background side.  These squares will go in each of the outside corners of your final block.  Press the remaining half-square green triangles towards the green side. 
•  Press all of the red and white half-square triangle's seams to the red side.  For the center red and cream half-squares triangles, press two to the cream center side and two to the red side.

Trim off the dog ears and TRUE UP the half-square triangles. The squares should be 3 1/2" square - you won't have much to trim off.  Use the diagonal markings on your mat or your ruler to line up the diagonal seams.  You want the diagonal seam to be right in the center of the corner of each square.  That way when you sew your 1/4" seams, the points will be perfect.

Lay out the squares forming the Whirlpool.  Place the four green half-square triangle blocks with the seams pressed to the white background triangle in each corner.   Place the two red and cream half-square triangles with the seam pressed to the cream side opposite each other.

Sew the squares together in rows.  Press the seams of each row in opposite directions.  This way they will next together when you sew the rows together.   Note - my bad.  I see that I somehow switched one of the center blocks and you can see that the cream seams are not opposite each other.  Your blocks will have less bulk if they are opposite each other.

Backside view of pressed seams.  Note how each row has alternating seam directions.  This will help all of those squares  nestle together.  Sew each row together matching points and seams.

Walaaaa.  You have finished this fun and easy Whirlpool Block.

Now for fun!  I have received a few pictures of finished Apple Pie Blocks.  Please remember to send in pictures of your blocks.  Email them to sistersandquilters@gmail.com.  We would love to post them.

This fun block was made by Jeanenne Nielsen.  The fabric collection is PB & J by BasicGrey for Moda.  Love these colors!

 Colleen Fifield is making her sampler quilt out of the Willow fabric collection  by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Designs.  This is a beautiful soft fabric collection.  

 Leisha's Apple Pie Block from the Indigo Crossing Collection.  Love the creams and navy.

 Sandra is using some traditional and reproductions fabrics for her quilt.  Beautiful and bright.

  

A Christmas Apple Pie Block from my scraps and stash.  From Kate Spain's 12 Days of Christmas.

To give you more ideas, I have worked up the Sampler Quilt with more of a Folk Art look - which I love.

Thank you all for sharing your blocks.  
Happy sewing!