The Kansas City Star’s Quilt block 4: A coal miner’s granddaughter

Block size: 18 inches finished

1 (8-inch by 17-inch) rectangle and 1 (8-inch by WOF) strip white background fabric

1 (4-inch) square red polka dot on white

1 (6-inch by 12-inch) rectangle black and yellow print

1 (6-inch) square yellow solid

1 (7-inch) square red print No. 1

1 (5-inch by 7-inch) rectangle large green polka dot

1 (7-inch) square red print No. 2

1 (3-inch) square black print

1 (1 1/2-inch) square small green polka dot

1 (20-inch) square red solid

For the pieced block:

From white background, cut:

1 (6 1/8-inch) square (A1)

2 (4 7/8-inch) squares. Cut the squares in half once on the diagonal to make a total of 4 triangles. (A2)

4 (2 7/8-inch) squares. Cut the squares in half once on the diagonal to make a total of 8 triangles. (A3)

2 (3 1/2-inch by 12 1/2-inch) strips (A4)

2 (3 1/2-inch by 18 1/2-inch) strips (A5)

From red polka dot, cut:

4 (1 3/8-inch) squares. Draw a diagonal line on the back of each of the squares with a marking pencil. (B1)

From black and yellow print, cut:

1 (5 1/4-inch) square. Cut the square in half twice on the diagonal to make 4 triangles. (C1)

4 (2 7/8-inch) squares. Cut the squares in half once on the diagonal to make a total of 8 triangles. (C2)

From yellow solid, cut:

4 (2 1/2-inch) squares (D1)

From red print No. 1, cut:

4 (2 7/8-inch) squares. Cut the squares in half once on the diagonal to make a total of 8 triangles. (E1)

For the appliqué elements:

From large green polka dot, cut:

4 pieces using template A

From red print No. 2, cut:

4 pieces using template B

From black print, cut:

1 piece using template C

From small green polka dot, cut:

1 piece using template D

From red solid, cut:

1 frame using the template available at hazelsdiary.wordpress.com

Place a red polka dot square (B1) on one corner of the A1 background square, right sides together, with the diagonal line running across the corner. Stitch on the diagonal line. Press the piece out so it forms a triangle in the corner of the square. Trim the excess fabric out from behind the triangle. Repeat on each of the remaining corners. See Fig. 1.

Sew a black/yellow C2 triangle to a solid yellow D1 square as shown. Press seam toward the triangle. Sew another C2 triangle to the adjoining side to make a larger triangle. Press seam toward the triangle. Make 4. See Fig. 2.

Sew two of these units to opposite sides of the A1 background square. Press seams away from the center. Sew the other two units to the two remaining sides of the A1 square, again pressing seams away from center. This unit should measure 8 1/2 inches. See Fig. 3.

Sew an A3 background triangle to one short side of a C1 triangle, as shown. Sew another A3 background triangle to the other short side. Press seams toward the triangles. Make 4. See Fig. 4.

Sew a red E1 triangle to each end of each of these units, making sure to turn them as shown. Press seams toward the red triangles. Make 4. See Fig. 5.

Sew these to each side of the block center. Press seams away from center. See Fig. 6.

Sew the background A2 triangles onto each corner of the block. (Make sure you’re matching the background triangle up against the red triangles, right sides together.) Press seams away from center. The block should measure 12 1/2 inches.

Sew the A4 strips to two opposite sides of the block. Press seams toward the strips.

Sew the A5 strips to the two remaining sides. Press seams toward the strips.

It should now measure 18 1/2 inches. See Fig. 7.

Refer to the placement diagram, and using your preferred method of appliqué, attach the appliqué pieces to the block in alphabetical order. The red solid block frame is attached using reverse appliqué, or can be attached using fusible web.

Look for Block 5 of “Hazel’s Diary” in H+H on May 17.