Hen & Chicks July Block 2 - Massachusetts

I am going to post the sampler tutorials this  morning, so scroll down for the weekly linky party.  

Massachusetts is what happens when you cross an Ohio Star with a split nine patch.   I also see it listed just at a Split Ohio Star

Use the method of your choice to make HST units. The method of sewing squares yields an even number of HST units and you will need three for this block. I find that awkward, so I saved the extra for the smaller block and just trimmed it down. You can use the same fabric for the QST and HST or try two different shades as I did. 

In addition to your three HST blocks, you will need 4 QST units and a square each of background and teal fabrics. I will go through the QST method again, but if you made the last block, you are an old pro by now. Start by putting the larger squares of background and teal right sides together and drawing a line along the diagonal of the back. 

Sew a quarter of an inch on either side of your drawn line before cutting along that line to separate the fabric into two HST units.  

Now press and trim dog ears before rotating one block and putting it right sides together with the other. 

Repeat the process of drawing a line and sewing a quarter of an inch on either side of the line. 

Cut along the drawn line and open each half up to press and remove dog ears. I suggest spinning the center seam as you would for a four patch to reduce bulk while pressing.  

Now you have all the subunits you will need: 4 QST units, 3 HST units and one square each of your two fabrics. 

Now for layouts! This is a bit tricky, so please refer back to the photo below and take a quick photo to make sure it looks Ohio Starlike before you sew everything together. 

Sew this together as a nine patch and press away from the QST units as much as possible. 

  

Here is the finished block.  I can see a lot of potential for secondary patterns in a full quilt of this block. Imagine a fun patriotic print for the star points and then alternating red and blue accent fabrics. You could do any two color quilt in a similar way - think Christmas and school colors for example. The fun of sampler quilts is trying new patterns to see what you like before you commit to an entire quilt of blocks.