TUTORIAL: NO BRAINER BLOCK

  Alma Day’s

“No Brainer Block”

String Piecing Has Never Been So Easy!

  

   

Hello everyone.  We have been having many requests for this tutorial.  Alma is not online so I am putting this together with her permission and approval. 

January was our class at White Eagle Grange.  The hardiest of our members came out and we had a blast with much humor and not a little reflection!   This block is original to Alma.  There was only one other block that was even close.  String piecing is so random, it is hard to identify whether it has even been made before.  Alma and her friend Jeanne have a home for their string quilts with “Children In Crisis”  These bright and cuddly quilts go to kids who need a bright spot in their lives. 

 

February has found us all pulling fabric from our group stash at Rocky Ridge Quilters, cutting 1½, 2½ inch blocks and strings. Any strip from ¾ of an inch to 2 ½”.  To think that many of these smaller pieces are given to us so we can carry out our “Community Quilt Chest”!!! We keep a number of quilts of all sizes for folks who have had an emergency (fire etc) And are ready to gift them with a little warmth. 

 

About The Quilt:  It can be done in any size, the designing is up to the maker.  Alma wanted 8½ inch blocks but after I had all the muslin foundation cut (100 blocks) she thought maybe 9 inches would have been better.  ANY size will lend itself to this block.  One of our members was stressing a bit and Alma explained that you just grab blocks and strips and sew.  It is a NO BRAINER!  LOL  Thus the block name. 

 

Tools and Fabrics:

Cutting and pressing mats

Random fabrics, brights, and lots of contrast between light, bright and dark colors will be needed. 

For each block you will need a muslin foundation in your block size. 

7- 2 ½ inch squares

A stack of light and dark color value strips as well as bright strips on either side of the single row of blocks.

A marking utensil to mark 2 lines for keeping your blocks in line. (pencil works fine)

A sharp pair of scissors for trimming thread and small bits of fabric.  (I like Fiskars Razor Edge Shears or Karen Kay Buckley Scissors) 

Rotary cutter and an appropriate size ruler to cut your strips and square your block.

 

NOTE: Do not throw away your trimmings, they will fit in MANY places on blocks yet to be created.  Bring a small tray, basket, etc… to keep your scraps tamed as you work on your blocks. 

 

“Hints” to think about to make your block stand out!  There are no rules, only strings and blocks 😊

Do NOT cut blocks from the same fabric as you cut strips from.  It can be visually confusing.  This helps each element stand out. 

Start your squares with a dark value 2 ½ inch square for the middle.  As you extend out, alternate light and dark and bright ending your strip of squares with a light.  This is optional, but if special sashing is used it helps the secondary design in the sashing really stand out. 

If you are just wanting to string piece???  Go with what you love, let ‘er rip tater chip! (whoops that was another class!) 😊  

 

Step 1:  Cut your muslin squares, and we’ll get our foundations set up. Left:  a blank foundation.  Take a pencil or other marking utensil and your ruler.  Draw a guideline diagonal from one corner to the other.  Turn the ruler to the other two corners and make 3 inch or so registration line across the middle of the first line.

Choose 7- 2 ½ inch blocks for your center strip:

Fold your center square in half each way forming quarters and press on the corner where the center of the block will lie.

Open the center block and line up as shown with the registration line.  Open and press lightly. 

Pick your next two blocks that will go on either side of the center block.  PRETTY SIDES TOGETHER PEEPS!    Do a simple ¼ inch seam across the top.   IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PRESS AFTER EACH SEAM!!!  Rumples can be a kill joy when piecing on a foundation.

 

On each corner there is just a ‘tiny’ tip to cover, go ahead and cover it with a square.  Looking a little snakey or wonky?  Don’t stress.  If you have trouble ‘eyeballing’ things just finger press the blocks in half as you go along.  Remember, there is a quarter of an inch seam coming up on each side of these blocks.  Once again PRESSING EACH SEAM IS ESSENTIAL!!!  

NOW FOR THE STRIPS: 

Remember to alternate lights and darks and bright prints. Strips can be any width from ¾ inch to 2 ½ inches in width.  Release your color sense and let creativity happen!

Carefully line up the strip right sides together over the row of blocks. (This is the place where the ¼ inch seam can be an equalizer)   Again with the “cat noses” on the corners.  Cover them just as you did at the end of the row of blocks.  Does #3 look wonky to you???  Yep… but NO WORRIES No Brainer Friends!  The block will be trimmed up in a jiffy! 

 The back of the block should be devoid of thread ends… snip those puppies OFF!  Back of the block should be as neat as the front. 😊 

I usually leave an 1/8 to a ¼ inch when cleaning up the edges of the blocks. 

Finished Block and Finished Block with a few scraps.  😊   I LOVE CRUMBS!

Thanks for playing along with us!  If you have questions, feel free to contact me on Rocky Ridge Quilters group on Facebook, via messenger, or email me at karenmarlenefulbright@gmail.com