The Black Beauty block is not a traditional block. Kay Meale based the design on the "Fifty Four Forty or Fight" block to introduce the use of templates into her students repertoire. She added a touch of magic by changing the corner units to chevron log cabin from the usual four patch. This block looks complex but it's not really that difficult.
Level: Advanced beginner
Size: 12 1/2" unfinished
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS
Colour One 16" x 10", Colour Two 21" x 5", Colour Three 8" x 8" and Colour Four 5" x 13"
TOOLS
To make this block you will need the usual tools - rotary cutter, mat, acrylic ruler and sewing machine. You will also require material to use for making templates. There are various types of plastic available for this purpose. With so many seams to sew we recommend an awl (it can make a huge difference when stitching small pieces). It's also important to press seams as you go. This task can be made easier with a finger presser.
TEMPLATES
To make your templates for the side blocks download the template pattern and print it out. You will place your choosen template material over the pattern and trace. It's fine to use your karisma pencil on the template plastic but don't use your good scissors (or your rotary cutter) to cut it out. Don't worry about adding a 1/4" seam allowance as it has been accounted for in the pattern. Do mark the template so you know which is the right side up.
CUTTING PATCHES
| From the 16" x 10" Colour One cut the following: Four triangles using Template A. Start by laying the triangle template on your fabric and trace around it. Then flip, lining it up with the line you just drew and trace again. When you have four triangles marked, cut out using a rotary cutter and ruler. Four 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangles (#7) Four 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles (#6) |
From the 21" x 5" Colour Two cut the following: Four triangles using Template B Four triangles using Template C Lay Template B on top of the fabric and trace around. Next position Template C adjacent as in diagram and trace. Continue on until you have four of each triangles marked. Cut out using a rotary cutter and ruler. |
From 8" x 8" Colour Three cut the following: Four 1 1/2" squares (#2) Four 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles (#3) One 4 1/2" square (centre unit) |
From 5" x 13" Colour Four cut the following: Four 1 1/2" squares (#1) Four 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles (#4) Four 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangles (#5) |
PIECING
| Make four side units, using one each: Colour 1 triangle A Place a Color Two side triangle atop the Color One triangle, right sides together with slant edges aligned. Sew and press the seam allowance towards the large triangle. Repeat with the other triangle on the opposite side. This unit should be 4 1/2" unfinished |
Make four corner units using one each of pieces #1 to #7. Begin with #1 and build your square following the order in the diagram. The corner unit should be 4 1/2" unfinished.
ASSEMBLE & SEW THE BLOCK
| Lay out all your patches following the illustration with the 4-1/2" square as the block's center. Sew three horizontal rows. Sew the rows together, and the Black Beauty block is done. |
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