--- title: "Bean There Week Three" date: 2025-05-24 author: "Phoebe Moon" featured_image: "https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/red-and-white-cats-cradle.jpg" categories: - name: "Quilt Block Tutorial" url: "/category/block-tutorial.md" --- # Bean There Week Three ## **This week you will be making the 16 RED blocks.** ## How to Make a Cat’s Cradle Quilt Block This is the block we are making this month. ![red-and-white-cats-cradle](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/red-and-white-cats-cradle-228x230.jpg) **Just as a reminder:** ## Method One uses HSTs Just 2-1/2″ (unfinished) squares. You will have an awful lot of seams, though. The block finishes to 4-1/2″ square. I recommend pressing seams open or [twirling them](https://scrapdash.com/four-patch-quilt-blocks/) to keep bulk down. ![red-corner-HST](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/red-corner-HST-230x230.jpg)Need 16 of these blocks ### **Method One Will Require:** - (48) 2-1/2″ white squares. That would require (3) 2-1/2″ strips of white, cut into 2-1/2″ squares. - (16) 2-1/2″ red HSTs. Use your favorite method to make these. ## method two also uses HSTs This method starts the same way as the [Shaded Four-Patch block](https://scrapdash.com/shaded-four-patch/) but instead of the square at one end, you use an HST. This gets a bit tricky. You need to make sure the point is going in the correct direction. (Ask me how I know…) ### Make a test block first! ![Red fabric scrap with decorative floral patterns and folded corners, used for quilting or crafts, showcasing colorful textile material suitable for creative projects.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC-2-red-189x230.jpg) Make 8 To make the unit in the graphic above, you would sew a 2-1/2″ unfinished Red HST to a 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ White rectangle. Make (2) and sew them together as shown. Keep pressing those seams open. It really will make things easier later on. Place this unit right sides together with a 4-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ **White** rectangle. The dark line is the sewing line. The dotted line is the cutting line. Cut on the dotted line. One unit like this will make two Cat’s Cradle blocks like the one at the top of the page. Make 16 Cat’s Cradle blocks. ### **Method Two Will Require:** - (16) 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ white rectangles. That would require (2) 3-1/2″ strips of white - (8) 4-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ white rectangles. That would require (2) 4-1/2″ strips of white - (16) 2-1/2″ red HSTs. Use your favorite method to make these. ## methods three uses a clipped corner This time you start with a unit like the one below. That’s a 2-1/2″ square matched to a 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ White rectangle. You will also need a 2-1/2″ white square to snub the corner after the unit is completed. Remember that after you make these blocks, you have to add a white 2-1/2″ square over the colored corner square so you can sew on the diagonal to make the clipped corner. The tutorial is at [Follow Me Fish](https://scrapdash.com/follow-me-fish-quilt-block/). ![Cutting quilting ruler on a green cutting mat with yellow grid lines and fabric pieces for quilting project.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC31.jpg) Use the Cat’s Cradle ruler to draw the two diagonal sewing lines. Make 8 of these units. ![Colorful fabric quilting blocks with red and pink accents, arranged on a green cutting mat with grid lines, showcasing sewing and quilting craft techniques.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC32.jpg) Sew on those lines ![Pink fabric squares with red borders, layered with white strips, on a green cutting mat for quilting projects. Perfect for scrap fabric sewing and patchwork quilting.](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC33.jpg) Cut between the lines and press to the larger triangle. ![Cat's Cradle Method 3 Step 4](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC34.jpg)Draw a diagonal line on the back of (2) 2-1/2″ white squares ![Cat's Cradle Method 3 Step 5](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC35.jpg)Sew on the line. Double check the position. If it is right, you can trim to 1/4″. ![Cat's Cradle Method 3 Step 6](https://scrapdash.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CC36.jpg)Square it up to 4-1/2″. ### **Method Three Will Require:** - (16) 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ white rectangles. That would require (2) 3-1/2″ strips of white - (8) 4-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ white rectangles. That would require (2) 4-1/2″ strips of white - (16) 2-1/2″ red squares. - (16) 2-1/2″ white squares. ## Sewalong Schedule - [Introduction](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-quilt/) - [Week One: ](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-sewalong-introduction)5/10/25. Making HSTs with Magic - [Week Two:](https://scrapdash.com/making-the-cats-cradle-quilt-block/) 5/17/25. Three Methods of Making the Cat’s Cradle block. - [Week Three:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-three/) 5/24/25. Making the Cat’s Cradle Red Blocks - [Week Four:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-green-week/) 5/31/25. Making the Cat’s Cradle Green Blocks - [Week Five](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-five/): 6/7/25. Catchup and Cutting Ahead - [Week Six:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-six-flying-geese/) 6/14/25. Ten Methods of Making Flying Geese Blocks - [Week Seven](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-seven): 6/21/25. Making More Flying Geese - [Week Eight:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-eight/) 6/28/25. Catchup and Sewing Ahead - [Week Nine:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-nine/) 7/5/25. Finally putting the blocks together - [Week Ten:](https://scrapdash.com/bean-there-week-ten/) 7/12/25. Adding the borders and finishing. Whew! If you would prefer to work from a pattern,[ it is available here](https://scrapdash.com/quilt-patterns/bean-there-quilt-pattern/).