Quilt Block of the Month - July 2018
Author: Elanda Tonil, July 2018
Happy July! The year is half done, which means our quilts are half done as well. Once you finish this block, you will be closer to the end than the beginning!
This month’s block is one I have been wanting to make for a few years, I just haven’t actually done it until now. It’s called a Bento Box. I love the clean lines with alternating lights and darks. It is just visually very appealing to me.
For this block you will need two darker fabrics and one light. I would recommend that you choose two darks of similar values, how light or dark they are. I went with two mediums, but you can choose whatever appeals to you. Since you’re using fabrics of similar values, you will want to be sure the colors and or the patterns are fairly significantly different. I chose an orange with a subtle color shift and a pink with a more definite pattern to it. They both have a shiny gold pattern on them which help tie them together.
- Materials
Wehn cutting your strips, make sure the measured lengths do not include the length you’ll be cutting off when you remove the selvage.
Light Fabric: cut 1 strip that is 2.5” wide and at least 14” long.
Dark Fabric A (orange in my block): cut 1 strip that is 2.5” wide and at least 27” long.
Dark Fabric B (pink in my block): cut 1 strip that is 2.5” wide and at least 41” long.
- Step 1
When cutting your strips, start on the edges with the selvage. This will leave you with the longest strip of extra fabric at the end.
Cut your strips into the following rectangles.
Light
(4) 2.5” x 2.5”
(4) 2.5” x 4.5”
(2) 2.5” x 6.5”
Dark Fabric A (orange in my block)
(2) 2.5” x 2.5”
(2) 2.5” x 4.5”
Dark Fabric B (pink in my block)
(2) 2.5” x 2.5”
(2) 2.5” x 4.5”
(2) 2.5” x 6.5”
- Step 2
Lay out your pieces to prepare your block. Make sure you like the way it looks and that your pieces are all the correct size.
- Step 3
We will begin sewing in the center and then work our way out.
In each quarter of the block, notice that there are two pieces of each size, except the largest, of which there is only one.
We will start with the 2.5” square pieces. Within each quarter, lay the square on the right on top of the one on the left, printed sides together. Pin the right edges and sew.
Press towards the dark on these new rectangles.
- Step 4
Place these back in their places within the block and verify that they look correct.
Within each quarter again, you will see that there are two parallel 2.5” x 4.5” rectangles.
These are the two you will sew together next. Place the lower one on top of the upper one.
Pin the bottom edge on each of these, making sure your seam will lie flat when you sew it, then sew it.
- Step 5
On the pieces with your Dark Fabric A (orange in my block) and white, you will press this seam away from the solid dark piece.
On the pieces with your Dark Fabric B (pink in my block) and white, you will press this seam toward the solid white piece.
- Step 6
In the top left and bottom left quarters, take the squares you’ve made on the right and flip them to the left so they are on top of the remaining 2.5” x 4.5” rectangles with the right edges lining up.
In the top right and bottom right quarters, take the remaining 2.5” x 4.5” rectangles, on the right, and flip them to the left so they are on top of the squares you’ve made with the right edges lining up.
Pin along the right edges and sew.
- Step 7
In the top quarters, lay your new 4.5” x 6.5” rectangles on top of the 2.5” x 6.5” rectangles with the bottom edges lining up.
In the bottom quarters, lay the 2.5” x 6.5” rectangles on top of your new 4.5” x 6.5” rectangles with the bottom edges lining up.
Pin along the bottom edges and sew.
- Step 8
In the quarters with your Dark Fabric A (orange in my block), press away from the solid white piece.
In the quarters with your Dark Fabric B (pink in my block), press toward the solid dark piece.
Lay the right quarters on top of their left counterparts, lining up the right edges.
Make sure to nest your seams when you pin the right edges and then sew along the same edge.
- Step 9
Fan your seams and press.
Lay the right half of your block on top of the left.
Nest your seams. Pin along the right edge and sew.
Fan your seams and press.
And with that, you have a completed Bento Box block!
How did it go? If you have any questions or you ran into any difficulties, send them my way. I’m always happy to help.
