Something Fishy Goldfish Quilt Block Tutorial Blog Hop

The challenge for this month is to create a block and/or project with the theme of Something Fishy. Here is a way to make a large fish block and set it on point. This Goldfish Block makes a great 12″ block for a table runner or quilt.

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Something Fishy Goldfish Quilt Block

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.

Goldfish-Quilt-Block-Fabric-Requirements
Note: Here I was making THREE blocks because I was
making the table runner at the bottom of the page.

Assemble:

  • (2) 3-3/4″ Gold square
  • (1) 6-1/4″ Gold square
  • (2) 3-3/4″ Blue squares
  • (2) 3-3/8″ Blue squares
  • (2) 7″ Blue squares, cut on the diagonal to make (4) triangles

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.

How to Create and Square Up an HST Quilt Block

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.

Place a 3-3/4″ Blue square right sides together with a 3-3/4″ Gold square. Draw a diagonal line on the back of one square.  Sew 1/4″ on both sides of the line. Cut on the line. This will make (4) HSTs but you will only need (3) for this project. Press to the dark and square up to 3-3/8″.

Creating the Goldfish Quilt Block

Assemble:

  • The (3) 3-3/8″ HSTs you just made
  • (2) 3-3/8″ Blue squares
  • (1) 6-1/4″ Gold square

Sew (1) HST to (1) 3-3/8 Blue square as shown left, pressing to the dark. Sew this to one side of the 6-1/4″ Yellow square, matching the configuration shown below. Press to the dark.

Sew (2) HSTs to both sides of (1) 3-3/8 Blue square as shown below, pressing to the dark. Sew this to the other side of the 6-1/4″ Yellow square, matching the configuration shown. Press to the dark.

Goldfish-Quilt-Block-piecing

Press this block from the back so you can fix any twisted seams. Square it up to 9″
(not 9-1/2″) if necessary.

Setting the Block on Point

Matching the center of the long side of the triangle with the center of the block, sew a triangle to opposite sides of the Goldfish block you just made.  Press to the dark.

Sew the remaining triangles to the other sides. Press to the dark and square up to 12-1/2″.

Goldfish-Quilt-Block Square-up
This is a CGRSQ12, a great 12-1/2″ square-up ruler.

What can you do with this block?

How about appliqueing it on front of a bag, or making a quick table runner? Of course, you can always make a quilt! Here is a table runner I made.

Goldfish Table Runner

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Other Designers

JULY 22

JULY 23

JULY 24

JULY 25