Mardi-Gras Magic Mystery Clue One

The Magic Eight Method of Making HSTS

Mardi Gras Magic Mystery Quilt HSTs: In this clue, you are sewing ahead a little bit. You will need (80)
3-1/2″ square HSTs by the end of this project, so you might as well make them now. Here is a detailed tutorial on how to make HSTs using the Magic Eight method.

This method works well when you need to make a lot of identically colored HST blocks. Make a test block first. (My personal preference is to cut the squares slightly too large so that I can square up the HST blocks later on. If you are sure of your 1/4″ seam, you can use 7-3/4″ blocks. )

If you don’t like the Magic Eight method, cut your 8″ squares into (4) 4″ squares (or (4) 3-7/8″ squares) so you can use the Traditional method. Here is a detailed tutorial on how to make HSTs using the Traditional method.

Assemble:

• (10) 8″ × 8″ Background Squares
• (5) 8″ × 8″ Jester Squares
• (5) 8″ × 8″ Fleur-de-lis Squares

Using your preferred method of making 40 HST blocks from each set of colors, create, press and square up to 3-1/2″:

(40) Background and Fleur-de-lis HSTs

and

(40) Background and Jester HSTs