A Side project using a bloc loc ruler – how to use it for 3.5″ squares

Article continues below these Amazon Goodies

I have wanted to work with the bloc loc ruler to do square in a square. When Moda’s new ‘Treat Size’ precut came out I knew that was the unit I wanted to work with! The Treat is size is 3.5″ square, I love this ‘little bit bigger’ size square to work with. 

The goal is to use the 3.5″ square as the base and not trim it down and use the 3″ x 6″ bloc-loc flying geese ruler

This posted a design issue as the resulting block is not a regular patchwork size when done. So the charts don’t give that as a starting size.

Not to worry, I did the match and tested it for you! Read on… 

If you have never watched the video from the Bloc-Loc company, I put it here for you. I am using the flying geese ruler to do the square in a square trimming.

Start at 2:56 for the Square in a Square part of the video 

I’ve also got photo step outs below so you can see how EASY and FUN this is!

There are a few tricks, and they make ALL The difference in the world. 

CUTTING SIZES 

• CENTER – 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ square (I used Moda Treats)
• Squares for the Triangle –  3 1/4″ x 3 1/4″  square – You need 2 for each block
• Cut the  3 1/4″ x 3 1/4″  square in half on the diagonal

STEP 1

• Crease the center square
• Position 2 triangles on one edge, with the point lined up on the crease
• Trim the sides. This makes is SUPER easy for piecing!  SERIOUSLY brilliant
• The other 2 triangles are uses ‘as is’ 

STEP 2

• THIS is the part this is important and easy to do wrong. You will sew the trimmed triangles to the sides where there is NO crease. They don’t need a line for accuracy because you trimmed them
• Sew the 2 trimmed triangles on opposite sides
• FINGER PRESS open. If you take it to the ironing board, be careful to NOT press away your crease. you need it. 
• Line up the remaining untrimmed triangles with the point ON the crease.. MORE brilliance! This makes everything SO PERFECT!
• Press your block so it’s flat and be sure you don’t have a crease at any seam or your final block will come out wrong. 

The Bloc-loc rulers have this groove, that makes them easy to slide up to the seams in a block

so Let’s do it!

STEP 3

• Slide the ruler snug into the seam
• Trim – A rotating mat is helpful here!
• Trim ALL 4 sides. This is important. I think people get messed up if doing a lot at the same time and forget to rotate or trim all 4 sides. 
• Once all 4 are trimmed, this is your final size block
• Using a 3 1/2″ square center, your block is now 4 3/4″ x 4 3/4″

BONUS TIP!

What happens if you mess up and sew the trimmed sides lined up with the crease! Not to worry!

• Carefully fold the unit right sides together
• crease
• sew!

I wanted some blocks with a different color on 2 sides.

• Sew a light & dark trimmed triangle to opposite sides
• Sew a light & dark untrimmed triangle to the remaining sides.
• scroll down to see how it looks! 

Make a bunch!

• A Moda Treat has 42 squares 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
• I am using 2 packages to start.

I’m making stars!! Look how fun! You could even do the center block with ALL dark for a change. 

The top right is an arrangement I thing is cute for a table runner or make 3 rows wide & longer for an accent runner at the foot of your bed!

Details

• Single block is 4 3/4″ x 4 3/4″
• 42 squares in a Treat, 2 Treats will be 84 square. Enough to make 9 stars
• One Star block is 12 3/4″ x 12 3/4″
• the 3 x 3 setting is 37 1/2″ x 37 1/2″

All the Goodies Mentioned + a few more

• Coney Island Treats, and Coney Island all the fabric. 2 packages of Treats will make 9 Star Blocks
• All Moda Treats
• Bloc-Loc 3″ x 6″ Flying Geese unit  
• All the Bloc-Loc rulers
• Moda Bella Solids .. I used 132 Breeze, if you want more ‘blue’ use 169. And 294 Persimmon