Hi friends! I’m excited to be the first stop on the Bloggers’ Bar Hop Quiltalong!  Why Bar Hop you ask? Bar is often used to describe rectangles in quilt patterns, and we were all asked to use at least one “bar” or rectangle in our blocks.  Fun, right? Here’s my block made with the fabrics generously supplied by Clothworks from their European Taupe VIII collection by Kinkame. My only addition is the blue crossweave by Moda, to frame out the center group of bars.

To make your own block you will need:

6 rectangles : 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ from a variety of fabrics

4 squares : 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ from a variety of fabrics

4 rectangles : 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ from solid blue

2 squares : 3″ x 3 ” from a variety of fabrics

2 squares : 3″ x 3″ from solid blue

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To begin mark on the wrong side of two 3″ squares,

match the marked squares with solid squares, and sew 1/4″ away from the line, on both sides, to make half square triangle units.

Cut on the marked line with your rotary tool, press the seam allowances to the darker fabric, and trim to 2 1/2″ square.

Set your hst units aside to make the block center.

Rows 1 & 3 : sew two  2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles together side by side.

Rows 2 & 4 : sew two 2 1/2″ squares to either side of a 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangle.

Press seam allowances in one direction, then sew the rows together.

Next add blue rectangles to the sides, press the seam allowances out.

Sew hst units on either side of the remaining blue rectangles, referencing the finished block for placement, press the seam allowances toward the rectangle.

Finally, sew the top and bottom units in place, nesting the seams, and press the seam allowances out.

Trim your block to 12 1/2″ if necessary, and get ready for the next block!  Here’s the block in pdf form if you desire to print it out.

Here’s a look at who’s designing blocks:

October 1 Amy Ellis

October 2 Lynn Harris   

October 3   Heather Jones    

October 4   Jackie Kunkel    

October 5 Ashley Jones

October 6  Emily Cier 

October 7 Scott Hansen

October 8 Jan Peoples

October 9 April Rosenthal

October 10 Amy Lobsiger

October 11  Cara Quilts

October 12   Konda Luckau

October 13  Alethea Ballard

October 14 Charlie Scott

Thanks for stopping by, and happy quilting ~ Amy