Civil War Quilt – Block 39 – Hovering Hawks

This is block #39 in the Civil War block-of-the-week series offered by Barbara Brackman.  It is called Hovering Hawks.  Go to Barbara’s blog to get the pattern and to see the story and pictures related to this block.

http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/2011/09/39-hovering-hawks.html

This is a fairly easy block with an interesting pattern.  For new quilters, this is how I assembled the block:

• Cut the A squares per Barbara’s directions.
• Cut the B pieces as directed but do not cut diagonally.  This is how I make my half-square triangles:
• Place 2 squares right-sides-together according to how you are going to use your fabric in the block.  For my block, I placed together 1 polka-dot blue and 1 gold flower; 2 polka-dot blue and 2 light blue; 2 pink stripe and 2 music pattern blue.  There should be 5 sets.
• On the lighter pieces of each set, draw a diagonal line.

• Sew ¼ inch from the drawn lines on each side.

• Cut on the diagonal line and press toward the darker fabric.  Trim tails – piece should measure 2-½ x 2-½ inches.   You should have 10 half-square triangles.

• Lay out the pieces on a mat in the proper order.

• Separate into four 4-patch blocks and stitch each of the four patches together.  Press seams so that they will interlock when joined later.

• 4-patch blocks should measure 4-½ x 4-½ inches.

• Join the top two sections, pressing seam to the right.
• Join the bottom two sections, pressing seam to the left.
• Join the two rows.
• Press and trim – piece should measure 8-½ x 8-½ inches.

See the previous blocks in this series in my category list on the right hand side of the page – Quilting – Civil War Quilt.