Country Roads Block

Country Roads Block Made with Template Set L Finished size: 12 inches

We called this block Country Roads in the Encyclopedia of Patchwork Blocks, Volume 4, and Country Crossings in Block of the Month Notebook L (one of our block of the month programs for shops). It is also known as Western Roads. These instructions are adapted from Notebook L (copyright 1998).

Before printing the PDF, check your printing preferences to be sure you do not have "shrink to fit" selected. Otherwise, the patterns will be smaller than the actual templates. Select "source" when saving the PDF to your hard drive. 

 

To cut with Set L templates, first cut strips one dimension of the template, then place the template on the strip and cut the shapes. Use template #69 to cut perfect-width strips for pieces #70 and #71.

Eliminate joining two bias edges by cutting triangle #71 with the straight grain on the hypotenuse. Strips cut with template #69 will not be the correct width for this option. Cut strips 1 3/4 inches wide.

To make the block:

Template LUse squares #70 and #71 to make four sets of each of the sub-units shown at right. If the fabrics are non-directional, the end sets can be made identically, then rotated. Press seams toward the squares.

 

Join the smaller subunits to make four diagonal sets, shown at right.

 

Make quarter blocks by adding a triangle #68 to each side of the diagonal sets. Be careful not to stretch the bias edges as you join them.

 

Assemble the block components intro three rows, then join the sections in each row. Watch fabric placement carefully. Press seam allowances toward the strips. This directional pressing will make the seams meet neatly when the rows are joined together.

 

Complete the block by joining the rows. The assembled block should measure 12 1/2" square, including 1/4" seam allowances.