The Star’s 2015 Quilt Project, Block 9: Hazel recounts joyful and tragic events in 1953

Block size: 18 inches finished

1 (10-inch by 12-inch) rectangle and 1 strip (8-inch by WOF) white background fabric

1 (3  1/2 -inch by 6  1/2 -inch) rectangle red polka dot on white

1 (5  1/2 -inch) square red print

1 (6-inch by 11-inch) rectangle yellow print No. 1

1 (6  1/2 -inch) square and 1 (3-inch by 8-inch) rectangle navy print

1 (5-inch) square yellow print No. 2

1 (20-inch) square red solid

Cutting instructions

For the piecing:

From white background, cut:

1 (5  1/4 -inch) square. Cut the square in half twice on the diagonal to make a total of 4 triangles. (A1)

1 (3  3/8 -inch) square (A2)

4 (2  7/8 -inch) squares. Draw a diagonal line on the reverse side of these squares with a marking pencil. (A3)

8 (2  1/2 -inch) squares (A4)

2 (3  1/2 -inch by 12  1/2 -inch) rectangles (A5)

2 (3  1/2 -inch by 18  1/2 -inch) rectangles (A6)

From red/white polka dot, cut:

2 (2  7/8 -inch) squares. Cut these squares in half on the diagonal to make a total of 4 triangles. (B1)

From red print, cut:

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

From yellow print #1, cut:

2 (5  1/4 -inch) squares. Cut the squares in half twice on the diagonal to make a total of 8 triangles. (D1)

From navy print, cut:

4 (2  7/8 -inch) squares (E1)

For the appliqué elements:

From navy print, cut:

4 of template A

From yellow print No. 2, cut:

5 of template B

From red solid, cut:

1 block frame using the template available at HazelsDiary.Wordpress.com

Sew a red polka dot triangle (B1) to two opposite sides of the A2 background square. Press seams toward the triangles. Sew the two remaining B1 triangles to the other two sides of the square, again pressing seams toward the triangles. This unit should measure 4  1/2 inches square. See Fig. 1.

Lay a C1, an A1, and two D1 triangles out as shown. Sew them together as pairs, then join the pairs to make a larger square. This unit should measure 4  1/2 inches. Make 4 like this. See Fig. 2.

Match up a navy E1 square with an A3 background square. Place the squares together with right sides facing with the background square on top (you will need to be able to see the drawn line as you sew). Stitch  1/4 inch on each side of the line, then cut apart on the line. Press seams toward the print fabric. You will have two units that should each measure 2  1/2 inches square. Repeat for the rest of the E1 squares, for a total of 8 of these units.

Arrange two of the E1/A3 units as shown with two A4 background squares. Make sure you have them turned correctly, and sew them together in pairs. Press seams toward the squares. Join the pairs together to complete the unit. This unit should measure 4  1/2 inches. Make 4 of these. See Fig. 3.

Arrange all the units in the following layout, making sure you have them turned correctly. See Fig. 4.

Join the units into rows.

Join the rows to complete the block. It should measure 12  1/2 inches.

Sew the A5 strips to two opposite sides of the block. Press seams toward the strips.

Sew the A6 strips to the two remaining sides. Press seams toward the strips.

It should now measure 18  1/2 inches. See Fig. 5.

Referring 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 10 of “Hazel’s Diary” in H+H on Oct. 18.