The Aloha Spirit in Stitches: A Guide to Making the Hawaii State Quilt Block

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Step back in time with us to the early 1900s, a period when the art of quilting flourished as a beloved pastime across the United States. In those days, quilts were more than just practical bedcovers; they were crafted with love and creativity, often representing the rich heritage and unique characteristics of each state. One particular project embarked upon by “Hearth and Home” magazine captured the hearts of quilters from every corner of the nation. The magazine invited talented quilters to submit their interpretations of a quilt block that best symbolized their respective states. The end result? A stunning collection of quilt blocks that celebrated the diverse beauty and spirit of America.

This remarkable design is composed of four identical quarters, and I drew inspiration from the vibrant colors of Maui’s Island Flower, Lokelani, infusing the quilt with the allure of the tropical paradise.

, The Aloha Spirit in Stitches: A Guide to Making the Hawaii State Quilt Block

What makes this block truly fascinating is the versatility it offers. By simply changing the direction of the quarters, you can create an entirely different quilt with a distinct pattern. I’ll guide you through the process of cutting the intricate pieces for the quarter block and then demonstrate how they seamlessly come together. For those seeking a more visual aid, I’ve prepared a video tutorial that covers the subcutting of some of the more peculiar pieces within the block.

Join me on this creative journey as we pay homage to the cherished tradition of quilting and uncover the secrets of the captivating Hawaii State Quilt Block. Together, we’ll explore the artistry, symbolism, and timeless beauty that make quilting a cherished craft enjoyed by generations past and present.

Today is the Hawaii State Quilt Block tutorial on its special day, July 5, 2023, in celebration of National Hawaii State Day. Throughout the year, we will strive to release the state blocks on their respective national days, offering you an opportunity to explore the rich quilt block heritage of each state. So, stay tuned for an exciting and educational quilting adventure that pays homage to the diverse beauty of our great nation!

Go grab the cutting directions and templates for this block below and let’s get started! The pattern includes rotary cutting instructions and templates if you wish to print the pattern.

Step 1: Cutting and Subcutting the Pieces for the Hawaii State Quilt Block

Welcome to the first step of our Hawaii State Quilt Block tutorial! In this stage, we will focus on cutting and subcutting the fabric pieces needed to bring this exquisite block to life. By following the rotary cutting pattern instructions, you’ll be able to achieve precise measurements and execute the necessary cuts with confidence.

To access the detailed rotary cutting instructions for the Hawaii State Quilt Block, we invite you to sign up for the password to our Free Resource Library. Inside the library, you’ll find an array of valuable quilting resources, including patterns, templates, and tutorials that will enhance your quilting journey.

Once you have obtained the rotary cutting instructions and successfully cut your fabric pieces, return here to learn the subcutting techniques for the A, C, E, G, J, and K pieces. Subcutting these pieces is essential to ensure accuracy and efficiency during the block assembly process. With our guidance, you’ll master the art of subcutting and be one step closer to completing your Hawaii State Quilt Block.

Let’s begin the subcutting process for the A and G pieces of the Hawaii State Quilt Block. These pieces are mirror images of each other, meaning the subcutting steps will be essentially the same, but on different sides of the rectangles. Follow the instructions below to achieve the desired triangular shape for each piece. For visual reference and to ensure accuracy, diagrams illustrating the cutting instructions have been provided to accompany this tutorial.

A Piece:

Take your A piece and locate the right top corner.
Measure 3 1/2 inches from that corner and make a mark.
From the marked point, cut diagonally to each corner of the rectangle. This will create the triangular shape needed for the A piece. Make 4 A pieces.

G Piece:

Take your G piece and locate the top left corner.
Measure 3 1/2 inches from that corner and make a mark.
From the marked point, cut diagonally to each corner of the rectangle. This will give you the triangular shape required for the G piece. Make 4 G pieces.

For visual reference and to ensure accuracy, diagrams illustrating the cutting instructions have been provided to accompany this tutorial.

Now, let’s move on to subcutting the C and E pieces for the Hawaii State Quilt Block. We’ll begin with the C piece and carefully follow the instructions below. For a better understanding of the marks, cuts, and the final shape of the C piece, visual diagrams have been provided to accompany these instructions.

C Piece:

Orient your C piece so that the side measuring 1 3/4 inches is on the right and left, while the side measuring 1 3/8 inches is on the top and bottom.
Make a mark 3/8 inch in from the top left corner of the C piece.
Next, make a mark 5/8 inch down from the top right corner of the C piece.
Use these marks as your guide for the first cut, starting from the mark on the top left and ending at the mark on the top right.
Now, mark 1/4 inch up from the bottom left corner of the C piece and make another mark 1/4 inch over from the bottom right corner.
Use these marks as your guide for the second cut, starting from the mark on the bottom left and ending at the mark on the bottom right. This cut will complete the subcutting process for the C piece.
Make 4 C pieces.

Remember, the E piece is a mirror image of the C piece, so you can follow the same subcutting instructions while reversing the orientation. Pay attention to the measurements and marks to ensure accuracy in achieving the desired shapes for both the C and E pieces.

In the final subcutting step, we will focus on the J and K pieces of the Hawaii State Quilt Block. Although they are mirror images of each other, it’s important to distinguish between the J and K pieces to ensure accuracy. Follow the instructions below for subcutting these pieces. To aid you in visualizing the cutting process, cutting diagrams have been provided as a visual aid.

J Piece:
- Orient your J piece so that the long sides are on the right and left, while the short sides are on the top and bottom.
- Make a mark that is 5/8 inch from the top left corner of the J piece.
- Next, mark 1/4 inch up from both the bottom left and bottom right corners of the J piece.
- The cutting lines will be from the top 5/8 inch mark to each of the 1/4 inch marks, forming a triangular shape.
- Once you have cut the triangle, make a mark 5/8 inch from the point on the long side of the triangle.
K Piece:
- Repeat the same process as above for the K piece, but remember that it is a mirror image of the J piece. So, reverse the orientation and ensure you cut the triangle accordingly.

Step 2: Assembling the Outer Pieces of the Hawaii State Quilt Block

Now that we have all the pieces cut to size, we can begin putting together the Hawaii State Quilt Block. In this step, we will focus on assembling the outer pieces of the block. Let’s get started!

Gather the Pieces:

Take the piles of four sets of each piece and lay them out in the shape of the block. Ensure that you have four sets of each piece.

Joining the C/B and E/F Pieces:

Take one set of C/B pieces and one set of E/F pieces.
Place the C/B piece and the E/F piece right sides together, aligning them as indicated in the provided diagram.
Sew the pieces together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, following the placement guide in the diagram.
After sewing, iron the seam towards the B and F pieces to create a crisp and flat seam. Repeat this process for all four sets of C/B and E/F pieces.

In this step, we will focus on putting together the A/J and G/K pieces . Let’s continue with the following instructions with a visual diagram to help aid in the construction.

Gather the Pieces:
- Retrieve the piles of four sets of each piece—A/J and G/K—and ensure you have four sets of each.
Aligning and Sewing the Pieces:
- Take one set of A/J pieces and one set of G/K pieces.
- Align the 5/8″ mark on the J and K pieces with the point of the A and G pieces. This alignment will ensure that the bottom and right sides of the block remain straight once the seam is sewn.
- Place the A/J piece and the G/K piece right sides together, ensuring the alignment mentioned above.
- Sew the pieces together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- After sewing, iron the seam towards the A and G pieces to achieve a neat and pressed seam. Repeat this process for all four sets of A/J and G/K pieces.

Step 4: Building the Center Center of the Hawaii State Quilt Block

In this step, we will construct the center center of the Hawaii State Quilt Block. To create this section, we will need four sets of each H, I, and D pieces. Follow the instructions below:

Gather the Pieces:
- Make sure you have four sets of H, I, and D pieces.
Joining the H and I Pieces:
- Take one H piece and one I piece.
- Locate the center point on the bottom of the triangular H piece.
- Find the center point on the long edge of the I piece.
- Match the centers of the H and I pieces, aligning them precisely.
- Sew along this edge using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- After sewing, iron the seam towards the H piece.
- At this point, the I piece will still be longer and rectangular.
- Using a quilt ruler, align one edge of the ruler with the side of the H piece and cut the I piece at the same angle as the H piece.
- Repeat this cutting process for the other side of the I piece.
- Repeat these steps for all four sets of H and I pieces.
Joining the I and D Pieces:
- Take one I piece (now trimmed to match the angle of the H piece) and one D piece.
- Locate the center point on the long edge of the I piece.
- Find the center point on the long edge of the D piece.
- Match the centers of the I and D pieces, aligning them precisely.
- Sew along this edge using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- After sewing, iron the seam towards the D piece.
- Repeat these steps for all four sets of I and D pieces.

Step 5: Finishing the Quarter Block of the Hawaii State Quilt

We have reached the final step in completing the Hawaii State Quilt Block. In this step, we will assemble the sides and the center to finish the quarter block. Let’s proceed with the following instructions:

Lay Out the Quarter Block:
- Lay out your quarter block with all the pieces in their appropriate spots. Ensure that you have enough pieces to create four quarter blocks.
Adding the Side Sections:
- Take one side section and the center block.
- Match the seams between the side section and the center block, aligning them accurately.
- As you line your pieces up, you may notice a small tail from the C/E piece. This is normal.
- Sew the side section to the center block, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
- After sewing, iron the seam towards the side section.
- Repeat this process for the other side section, ensuring that you match the seams and iron towards the side section.
- Once completed, you will have finished assembling one quarter block.
Completing the Quarter Blocks:
- Repeat the above steps for the remaining three sets of side sections and center blocks.
- Make sure to match the seams and iron towards the side sections for each quarter block.

By following these steps, you will have successfully completed all four quarter blocks of the Hawaii State Quilt.

Step 6: Completing the Hawaii State Quilt Block

We have reached the final step in creating the Hawaii State Quilt Block. In this step, we will bring together the four quarters to complete the block. You can have some fun with the placement of the quarter blocks, showcasing different variations of the quilt pattern. Let’s proceed with the following instructions:

Lay Out the Quarters:

Arrange the four quarters so that all the H pieces are pointed towards the center of the block. This will create a simple 4-patch quilt block.

Sewing the Rows:

Start by sewing two rows together, matching the seams between the blocks. Sew the seam and iron each row in the opposite direction, creating a nested seam in the middle.
Proceed to put the two rows together, matching the seams.
Sew the two rows together, creating the final block.
After sewing, iron the seam in one direction to complete the block.

Congratulations! You have successfully created the Hawaii State Quilt Block. It’s time to share your progress with the quilting community and inspire others with your work.

Use the hashtag #HawaiiQuiltBlockCC to showcase your block and discover what others are creating with this design. We encourage you to connect with fellow quilters and explore their interpretations of the Hawaii State Quilt Block.

To stay informed about our upcoming quilt blocks and tutorials, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and join our newsletter. By doing so, you will receive updates on new releases, valuable quilting resources, and further guidance in your quilting journey.

Thank you for joining us on this exciting quilting adventure. We are thrilled to see your completed Hawaii State Quilt Block and witness the creativity and artistry that you bring to it. Happy quilting!

Enjoy the different variations on this whole quilt when you turn the quarter blocks!

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