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Card Trick - Pieced Block of the Month

posted: 1/4/2005

by Ila McCallum

Printable Page

Category: Pieced

Level: Intermediate

Series: 9 Patch Sampler

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Description:
The Card Trick block is a 9-patch block with three rows of three squares each. The center square has four quarter- square triangles. The corner squares are made from two half square triangles. The center side squares are comprised of two quarter-square triangles and one half-square triangle. This block uses the background fabric and 4 contrasting fabrics.

Finished Size: 12" x 12"

Fabric Requirements For Block:

If you are making the entire Block of the Month series, just cut the patches as shown below from the fabrics for the series. The fabric requirements for the series is in the Introduction to the Block of the Month.

If you are making a sample block or just one block, use these fabric measurements and then cut the patches as shown below. The measurements are generous.

NOTE: If you are using a one way fabric, such as the background fabric in the block with the light blue and mottled orange patches below, you may need a little more fabric.

TIP: Mark which fabrics you are planning to use for each portion of the quilt. For example, it is easy to forget that a certain fabric is planned for the sashing. However, be open to changing your mind. You may find that a different fabric makes an outstanding sashing and the one you had planned to use just does not work.

Fabric A: (4 half square triangles made from 2 squares) 4" X 8" Background fabric
NOTE: For this quilt, the background fabric is shown as the mottled green and yellow in the picture of the finished quilt above. This fabric will be used in every block in the Block of the Month series and the wide border.
Fabric B: (4 quarter square triangles made from 1 square) 6" X 6” Background fabric
Fabric C: (2 half square triangles made from 1 square) 6” X 6” Contrast fabric 1
Fabric D: (2 quarter square triangles made from 1 square) 6” X 6” Contrast fabric 1
Fabric E: (2 half square triangles made from 1 square) 6” X 6” Contrast fabric 2
Fabric F: (2 quarter square triangles made from 1 square) 6” X 6” Contrast fabric 2
Fabric G: (2 half square trianges made from 1 square) 6” X 6” Contrast fabric 3
Fabric H: (2 quarter square triangles made from 1 square) 6” X 6” Contrast fabric 3
Fabric I: (2 half square trianges made from 1 square) 6” X 6” Contrast fabric 4
Fabric J: (2 quarter square triangles made from 1 square) 6” X 6” Contrast fabric 4

Cutting Instructions

Piece	Shape	#	Fabric	Instructions
A		4	Background	Cut 2 4 7/8" x 4 7/8 squares TIP: Be careful to cut accurately. If you are using a quilter’s ruler and rotary cutter, look at the marks on the ruler from above when placing the ruler on the fabric. Be sure the 4 ˝" mark is on the edge of the fabric before you cut. Hold the ruler firmly with your hand but out of the way of the rotary cutter! We don't want any cut fingers. TIP: There are 12 half square triangles in this block. You may want to cut the squares that will be cut in half to create half square triangles a bit bigger (5”X 5”) so that you can square the patches to 4 ˝” after they are sewn.
B		4	Background	Cut one 5 1/4” x 5 1/4” square; cut it in half diagonally and then in half diagonally again TIP: There are 12 quarter square triangles in this block. You may want to cut the squares from which the quarter square triangles will be cut a bit bigger (5 ľ” x 5 ľ”) so that you can square the patches to 4 ˝” after they are sewn.
C		2	Contrast 1	Cut one 4 ˝” x 4 ˝” square; Cut it in half diagonally
D		2	Contrast 1	Cut one 5 1/4” x 5 1/4” square; cut it in half diagonally and then in half diagonally again. Use 2 of the triangles.
E		2	Contrast 2	Cut one 4 ˝” x 4 ˝” square; Cut it in half diagonally
F		2	Contrast 2	Cut one 5 1/4” x 5 1/4” square; cut it in half diagonally and then in half diagonally again. Use 2 of the triangles.
G		2	Contrast 3	Cut one 4 ˝” x 4 ˝” square; Cut it in half diagonally
H		2	Contrast 3	Cut one 5 1/4” x 5 1/4” square; cut it in half diagonally and then in half diagonally again. Use 2 of the triangles.
I		2	Contrast 4	Cut one 4 ˝” x 4 ˝” square; Cut it in half diagonally
J		2	Contrast 4	Cut one 5 1/4” x 5 1/4” square; cut it in half diagonally and then in half diagonally again. Use 2 of the triangles.

Assembly (1/4" seam allowance throughout):

Instruction	Diagram
Step 1: Cut all pieces and lay them out in the same positions as in the finished block. Use the diagram above to help you lay out the pieces.
Step 2: Corner patches: Sew the half square triangles together. Be sure to use accurate scant Ľ” seams. These seams are on the bias and are easily stretched. Be very careful not to stretch the seams. Square the patches to 4 ˝” x 4 ˝”. Lay them back into the block exactly as shown on the diagram. Press the seams towards the contrast fabrics.
Step 3: Patches in the centers of the sides: These patches are made up of 2 quarter square triangles and 1 half square triangle. Sew the two quarter square triangles together and press the seam toward the background fabric. Sew the half square triangle to the two quarter square triangles. Press the seam toward the background fabric. Place the sewn patches back into their places in the block.
Step 4: Center patch: Sew two quarter square triangles together and press the seam toward the darker fabric. Sew the two quarter square triangles together and press the seam in the opposite direction from the seam you just pressed. Sew the two larger triangles together.
Step 5: Sew the three patches in Row 1 together.
Step 6: Sew the three patches in Row 2 together.
Step 7: Sew the three patches in Row 3 together.
Step 8: Press the seams in the direction of the arrows in the drawing.
Step 9: Sew Row 1 to Row 2. Match the seams very carefully and pin on both sides of the matched seam. This will hold the seamlines from shifting and keep the fabric in the seam allowances from folding. Remember not to sew over the pins but rather remove them as you come to them.
Step 10: Sew Row 3 to Row 2.
Step11: Press the seams. The direction you press them is not as important here as it was above because this will be sown to a sashing or border piece.
NOTE: Your block will measure 12 ˝" x 12 ˝". When all of the seams are sewn around the block in the finished quilt, the block will measure 12" x 12". It is important that your block measures 12 ˝" x 12 ˝" so that all of the blocks will fit correctly, when you put the entire quilt together. If your block does not measure the correct size, you can "block" it just as you would block a sweater. Draw the correct size on a piece of paper and pin the edges of the block so that it is on the line. Spray the fabric with water or a light spray starch and press it dry. Be very careful not to stretch the fabric by moving the iron back and forth. Instead, press the fabric by pressing and lifting the iron.