bdieges designs©1999-2012

Cupboard Block

The following technique makes four Cupboard Blocks of one size and one large Cupboard Block,
that are used for the background for the first five months of the 2012 Appliqued Blocks of the Month.
Use the same three print and/or batik fabrics in a light, medium and slightly darker medium.

The BACK of the block is light medium, the BOTTOM strip is light and the SIDE strip is slightly darker than the back.

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Back:  One light medium fabric for the Background, somewhere between the other two fabrics.
Bottom:  One light for the bottom of the blocks. There needs to be contrast, but subtle. Do not make the back and side fabrics so dark that the applique will not stand out from them.

Sides:  A medium dark fabric, darker than the bottom and back fabric.

Yardage required for twelve 2012 Applique Blocks, these are generous amounts:
    2-1/2 yards light for the BACK.
    1 yard medium for the BOTTOM.
    1 yard medium dark for the SIDES.

The sashing and border fabric will be chosen later.

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Piecing the First Five Cupboard Blocks

The cutting instructions make FOUR 8-1/2"x10-1/2" blocks and ONE 16"x18-1/2" block. These sizes DO NOT allow for trimming after appliqueing.

1.

To make FOUR blocks:
From the BACK fabric, across the Width Of Fabric (WOF) cut:
      ONE 7" strip.

From this strip cut:
      FOUR 7"x9-1/2" rectangles.
2.

For FOUR blocks:
From the BOTTOM fabric, across the WOF, cut:
      TWO 2-1/2" strips.

From these strips cut:
      FOUR 2-1/2"x12" rectangles.

3.

For FOUR blocks:
From the SIDE fabric, across the WOF, cut:
      ONE 2" strip.

From these strips cut:
      FOUR 2"x10" rectangles.
4. On the bottom right corner of the BACK rectangle, on the wrong side, make a mark at the corner, 1/4" from both edges.
5.

The blocks have semi mitered corners. The reason I say semi, the angles are not a true 45° angle.

Align, right sides together, a 2-1/2" BOTTOM rectangle with the edge opposite the mark on the BACK rectangle. Sew from the aligned edge and stop at the 1/4" mark. Backstitch. Do not press seam allowances yet.

Repeat for the FOUR blocks.
6.

Fold the excess flap of the BOTTOM strip out of the way, so the mark is clear. Now align the 2" SIDE rectangle with the top of the BACK. Sew to the mark or where the first seam stops. Stop, backstitch.

Repeat for the FOUR blocks.
7.

Turn the unit right side up. Fold the excess flap of the SIDE rectangle on top of the BOTTOM rectangle to match the Corner Template #1-4. Applique the angle. You could attempt to do this on the machine, but it may not come out right, so the folding and appliqueing is more accurate. Trim flaps to about a 1/4" seam allowance, from the sewn angle.

Click here for the Corner Templates PDF.

Repeat for the FOUR blocks.
8.

The fifth block is taller than wide, because it spans the height of two of the smaller blocks. Cut:

ONE 14-1/2"x17" rectangle for the BACK.

For the BOTTOM, cut: ONE 2-1/2"x18" rectangle.

For the SIDE, cut: ONE 2-1/2"x20" rectangle.

Follow marking and sewing steps 4-7 to attach the BOTTOM and SIDE rectangles. Fold the SIDE to match the Corner Template #5 and applique.

The PDF file requires Adobe Reader, a free application available here.

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