Merry Mayhem presents: Case #116

Seven Bags for Seven Sisters

©2000 Merry May 

Big things can be made into small packages as you wind your way through this unusual 28” x 34” project

 PART 4: 

And now, on to Bag #5! 

Pull out your 3 7/8" squares of Fabrics A and D. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of both of your Fabric A squares. Layer them right sides together with your Fabric D squares and sew 1/4" seam on each side of the diagonal lines. Cut apart on the lines to make FOUR half-square triangle units. Press seam allowances toward Fabric D. Return these units to Bag #5.

Next you'll need to find your 3 1/4" squares of Fabrics B and D. Following the same procedure as above, make them into TWO more half-square triangle units. (Keep going, though, because we're not finished with them yet!)

On the wrong side of ONE of these half-square triangle units, draw a diagonal line which crosses the seam. Then layer this unit right sides together with your other half-square triangle unit so the Fabric B of one unit is directly over Fabric D on the other unit. (Keep your new diagonal line facing up.) Try to "butt" your seams together so there are no gaps between them. Pin. Sew 1/4" seam on each side of the (new) diagonal line. Cut apart on the line to make TWO quarter-square triangle units. Press; return the units to Bag #5.

Go back to Bag #5 and pull out your two large rectangle pieces of Fabrics B and D. You'll use these to make FORTY 2" (finished size) half-square triangle units. If you happen to have a quick method up your sleeve to accomplish this task, go ahead and use it! If you don't, then you'll need to follow the directions below.

Draw a 2 7/8" grid on the wrong side of Fabric B. The grid will need to be 10 squares across (selvage to selvage) by 2 rows (parallel to the selvage), with about a 1/2" margin around the perimeter of the grid as shown in the diagram at right. Next, draw diagonal lines in one direction only on the grid. 

Sew 1/4" seams on each side of each diagonal line only, as shown at right. Then cut along all of the lines you drew to separate your half-square triangle units. Press seam allowances toward Fabric D and for heaven's sake, please trim off those "dog ears" (the little points that stick out after the units have been pressed)! 

Next, make 2 strips of your half-square triangle units that look like this: 

Make 2 strips that look like this: 

Make 2 strips that look like this: 

... And 2 strips that look like this: 

Combine the above strips of half-square triangles to make TWO new segments that look like this:

Go back to Bag #5 and pull out the two quarter-square triangle units which you made earlier. Combine them with your remaining strips of half-square triangles to make TWO new segments which look like this:

That's it for this time. You can now go on to part #5!

This series is contributed by Schoolhouse Enterprises, exclusive manufacturers of Gridded Geese and Other Fun Stuff! Gridded Geese is a fast, accurate way to mass-produce Flying Geese units up to 24 at once (no kidding!)

For a free catalog which includes a sample of Gridded Geese, e-mail your snail mail address to: inspectr@cluesew.com Or, call 609-628-2256. Major credit cards are accepted.

Visit Schoolhouse Enterprises' Home Page for more information about their products.