Pagodas Quilt

Materials:

Fabric A: four 4-1/2-inch squares (figure A)

Fabric B and C: two 6" x 40+" strips of each (figure B)

Border: four 4-1/2-inch strips (figure C)

Steps:
(for one block)

1. Trim B and C to an identical length.

2. Layer B and C right sides up (figure D).

3. With a sharp blade in the rotary cutter, cut a gentle curve through the length of the layered strips (figure E).

4. Stitch together B and C (twice), offsetting the beginning of the stitching line (figure F), press seam allowance to darker with an up-and-down motion.

5. Trim pieced B/C strips to 4-1/2 inches wide. Handle gently: the edges are no longer on the straight of grain (figure G).

6. Cut each pieced B/C Strip into one 4-1/2-inch, two 8-1/2-inch and one 12-1/2  inch segments, saving the remainders for the border (figure H).

7. Piece the cut segments to the 4-1/2-inch center squares, beginning with the 4-1/2-inch segment and working counter clockwise around the block. Press the seam allowances away from the center square (figure I). Press gently, the edges of the block are easily distorted. Block is 12 1/2 inches square (figure J).

8. Repeat to make two more blocks (figure K). Stitch four blocks together. Quilt is 24-1/2 inches square.

9. Use remainders of pieced B/C strips as part of the border. Try them in different positions, then stitch the remainders to the border fabric and cut to necessary lengths (figure L).