Love and Luck – February Block of the Month

According to Irish folklore, those who find a four-leaf clover are destined for good luck. Each leaf in the clover is a good omen for faith, hope, love, and luck. Here is a quilt block that promises both love and luck. Four of them make a great table topper or mini quilt.

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Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with spray sizing. It will make it easier to cut small pieces. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins. When pressing, just hold the iron over a spot for a moment or two. This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4” seam.

Cutting Instructions for Block

Background:
(2) 2″ × 3-1/2″ rectangles
(4) 2″ × 6-1/2″ rectangle
(4) 2-1/2″ square

Dark Pink:
(4) 2″ × 3-1/2″ rectangles
(8) 2-1/2″ squares
(3) 2″ squares

Light Pink:
(2) 2-1/2″ squares

Dark Green:
(3) 2″ × 3-1/2″ rectangles
(1) 2″ × 5″ rectangle
(8) 2-1/2″ squares
(2) 2″ squares

This block will use Half-Square Triangles. Here is an explanation of the traditional method.

How to Create and Square Up a Half Square Triangle (HST) Quilt Block

The Traditional Method of making Half Square Triangle Blocks (HSTs) is to place two identical squares right sides together. These squares should be 7/8″ larger than the finished size of the final HST. Draw a diagonal line on the back of one square. Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the line. Cut on the line and press to the dark.

You will have made two identical Half Square Triangle (HST) blocks. My personal preference is to cut squares 1″ larger than the finished size of the final HST and square it up to the correct size after pressing.

There are two ways you can square up your block.

You can place a square ruler so the diagonal line is directly over the seam and just cut two sides. Quilt-in-a-Day has a Square Up Ruler that uses this method.

Or you can press open the block (pressing to the dark) and square it up using a ruler the same size as the block you are making. A fussy-cut ruler with lines on both diagonals will be very helpful with this.

Following the instructions above, make these blocks:

Assemble:
(2) 2-1/2″ Light Pink Squares
(2) 2-1/2″ Background Squares

Using these squares, make (4) HSTs.  Press to the dark and square them up to 2″ × 2″.

Assemble:
(1) 2-1/2″ Dark Pink Square
(1) 2-1/2″ Background Square

Using these squares, make (2) HSTs.  Press to the dark and square them up to 2″ × 2″.

Assemble:
(1) 2-1/2″ Dark Green Square
(1) 2-1/2″ Background Square

Using these squares, make (2) HSTs.  Press to the dark and square them up to 2″ × 2″.

Assemble:
(7) 2-1/2″ Dark Pink Squares
(7) 2-1/2″ Dark Green Squares

Using these squares, make (14) HSTs.  Press to the dark and square them up to 2″ × 2″.

Putting the pieces together to make a block

This block is assembled in quadrants.

Assemble:

(4) Light Pink and Background HSTs
(2) 2″ × 6-1/2″ Background rectangles
(2) 2″ × 3-1/2″ Background rectangles

To assemble this unit, first put the pinwheel together. Sew the smaller Background rectangles to the top and bottom, then sew the larger Background rectangles to the sides.  Press.  This unit should measure 6-1/2″ square.

Assemble:

(2) Dark Pink and Background HSTs
(2) Dark Pink and Dark Green HSTs
(4) 2″ × 3-1/2″ Dark Pink rectangles
(1) 2″ × 6-1/2″ Background rectangles
(1) 2″ × 5″ Green rectangle
(1) 2″ Green squares

This unit is assembled in three parts as shown below.  Assemble the Dark Green section first, then add the Dark Pink section to the left. The top section can be added in rows.  Press.  This unit should measure 6-1/2″ square.

Assemble:

(1) 2″ × 6-1/2″ Background rectangles
(2) Dark Green and Background HSTs
(2) 2″ × 3-1/2″ Green rectangles
(2) Dark Green and Dark Pink HSTs
(2) Dark Pink 2″ HSTs
(2) 2″ × 3-1/2″ Pink rectangles

This unit is assembled in two parts as shown to the right.  Press.  This unit should measure 6-1/2″ square.

Assemble:

The remaining (10) HSTs
(1) 2″ Green squares
(1) 2″ Pink squares
(1) 2″ × 3-1/2″ Green rectangles
(1) 2″ × 3-1/2″ Pink rectangles

This unit is assembled in two parts as shown.  Press.  This unit should measure 6-1/2″ square.

Assemble your four pieces as shown below and press.  Square up the block to 12-1/2″.

To make the table topper

Create and sew four blocks together, rotating them so they form the design. 

Cut (2) 2-1/2″ wide Border strips 24-1/2″ long and sew them to both sides of the top, taking care to match the center of the strip with the center of the top.  Press to the border.

Cut (2) 28-1/2″ long Border strips and sew them to the top and bottom of your quilt top.  Press to the border.  You are done!  Quilt as desired and enjoy!

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