This post is going to show you how to make the North Carolina State Quilt block with free templates and cutting directions.
Welcome to the 22nd block in our Any Way You Want It – A 50 State Quilt Block Journey. We are introducing the North Carolina State quilt block! To see our other State blocks (click here – State Quilt Block Journey)
In 1912 Hearth and Home solicited quilters to submit a quilt block that they thought represented their State, and they then published them and I am recreating these blocks for us to make!
The North Carolina State Quilt block is beautiful and is our another paper piece block! This paper piece is the most economical way to make this block, I am also providing templates if you don’t want to paper piece. My color inspiration is from the North Carolina State Flower – the Carolina Lily.
Below I will show you how to put this block together and I have created a video tutorial for this block also. The video will show you how I assemble the different sections of the block and then put them all together to become the single 12 1/2″ square block.
How to make the North Carolina State Quilt block with free templates, foundation paper pieces and cutting directions
Go grab the cutting templates or foundation paper pieces for this block below and let’s get started! I prefer to paper piece, so this post will mostly be about paper pieceing.
Supplies
3 fat quarters of your choice, preferably a dark, medium and light color.. I am part of the Fat Quarter Shop Hoffman Batik of the Month club and my batik’s accumulate so that is how I got my fabrics for my blocks. I chose the colors of the State Flower – Carolina Lily that has an orange, yellow and red in it.
The following items are good things to have when getting ready to paper piece
- Newspaper Print paper – this can be printed on and is very light and rips away very easily
- Add-A-Quarter Ruler – has a ledge to but up against the sewing line so that the fabric can be cut with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Comes in several sizes.
- Universal Presser foot – for sewing the fabrics when paper piecing.
- 1/4″ presser foot – for adding the sections together and other fabrics that need to be sewn that aren’t paper pieced.
- Set your stitch length low so that the stitches are very close together to perforate the paper. This will make it easier to pull the paper off in the end.
- Thread – Aurifil 50 wt. or Superior So Fine threads are great because they are strong, but light so there isn’t a lot of bulk in the seams.
- An envelope or piece of junk mail that is stiff enough to fold the paper over at the seam lines.
Step 1 – Let’s start Paper Piecing the First Two Pieces
For this particular block I have chosen to cut the fabrics as I go.
Go ahead an cut your A section and B Section apart and set the B Section aside.
At this point cut a piece of fabric to cover the A1 piece, making sure that there is at least 1/4″ seam allowance coverage all the away around the piece, including the seam allowance. Next cut a piece to cover the A2 piece, including any seam allowances.
Keep in mind that we will put the pieces against the wrong side of the paper, and sew on the right side of the paper. Place the A1 fabric over the A1 piece making sure there is 1/4″ seam allowance between the A1 and A2 pieces. Set the A2 piece right sides together against the A1 piece.
Sew along the line on the right side of the paper between A1 and A2 making sure to stop at the point and backstitch.
Iron the seam towards A2. In paper piecing we will always iron towards the piece we are putting on.
Step 2 – Let’s Paper Piece the Rest of Section A
At this point, the way we will put on Piece A3, and this procedure will translate to all the rest of the pieces in the A section.
Turn your foundation paper piece so the right side is up. Grab your card stock or junk mail and line it up with the line between A2 and A3. Fold the paper over the card stock on that line. This will reveal the extra fabric.
Use the Add-A-Quarter Ruler and but up the ledge against the paper seam and this will leave a 1/4″ of fabric seam allowance. Trim along the ruler.
Cut the fabric that will fit the A3 piece, line it up with the seam allowance between A2 and A3, turn it over and sew along the line between A2 and A3 backstitching at the beginning and end.
Iron towards the A3 piece.
Repeat the Step 2 procedure for all the pieces in Section A
Step 3 – Section B
For Section B – follow Step 2 for the first two pieces and Step 3 for the 3r and 4th pieces.
Step 4 – Trim your Sections and Sew Together
Now that we have finished the sections, trim along the OUTSIDE Line (Seam allowance line). Also, cut the notches on the corners of the B Section.
Once trimmed, put A and B together so they form a square. Line up the end notches on the B Section with the sides of the A section and keep your edges together.
Sew along the sewing line, backstitching at the beginning and end. Iron towards the B Section.
Repeat Step 2 – 4 for the other three parts of this block!
Step 5 – Assemble the Block
Once all four quarters of the block are finished, I would suggest leaving the paper on, but you could take the paper off at this time.
Lay out your 4 pieces in a four patch in the order that creates the North Carolina State Block.
Sew each row, matching seams, points and edges. Sew along the sewing line or with a 1/4″ seam. Iron each row in different directions so that the center seams will nest.
Put the two rows together starting with the center seams, nesting the seams, and then working out matching seams and points.
Sew the two rows together on the sewing line or with a 1/4″ seam.
At this point, the seam can be iron opened or to one side.
Your North Carolina State Quilt Bock is complete!
All the is left to do is pull the paper off the back and your block is ready to go!
Congratulations! Your North Carolina State Block is now complete! Share your newly created block with your friends on Social Media! Use the #NorthCarolinaStateQuiltBlockCC and see what other people are making!
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