And For Your Second Block…A Card Trick

card-trick-block-2 Look closely at this traditional Card Trick block. Do you see the cards? Probably not. I was halfway into this block when I realized I didn’t like my fabric choices. Variations of this block and the placement of your colors can not only help the cards stand out more, but also the optical illusion they form in the middle. So I guess this is a little mini lesson on the importance of thinking out your block before jumping into cutting fabric! This block is slightly more difficult than the last. Take your time cutting your fabrics. Also, considering you are dealing with a lot more triangles, be mindful of the grain of your fabric. Pieces that are cut on the bias (the diagonal) can stretch. Be sure you are pressing, not ironing.

Enjoy!

Nikki, In Stitches

Large Floral Print:
Cut 2 squares 4 7/8″ x 4 7/8″
Cut 1 square 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″. Cut this square twice diagonally to make 4 triangles.
Small Floral Print:
Cut 2 squares 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″. Cut squares twice diagonally to make 4 triangles from each. (Only 6 will be used.)

Pink / Green Stripe:
Cut 1 square 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″. Cut square twice diagonally to make 4 small triangles. (Only 2 will be used.)

Green Tonal:
Cut 2 squares 4 7/8″ x 4 7/8″. Cut squares once diagonally to make 4 triangles total.
Pink Geometric Print:
Cut 2 squares 4 7/8″ x 4 7/8″

1. Draw a diagonal line on the back of each Large Floral 4 7/8″ square from corner to corner. With right sides together, place 1 Large Floral square on top of 1 Pink Geometric square. Stitch 1/4″ on each side of the drawn line. Cut each square into two triangles by cutting on the diagonal drawn line, to make 4 Triangle Units. Press to the Large Floral fabric.

2. With right sides together, sew 1 Large Floral triangle to 1 Small Floral triangle along a short side, to make Unit A. Press to the Large Floral fabric. Make 4 Unit A’s.

3. Sew each Unit A to a Green Tonal triangle, to make 4 Unit B’s. Press to the Floral fabrics.

4. Sew a Pink / Green striped triangle to a Small Floral triangle, to make a Unit C. Make 2 Unit C’s in total, pressing to the Small Floral fabric.

5. Sew the two Unit C’s together to make a square, Unit D.

6. card-trick-block-2 Sew a Triangle Unit to each side of Unit B. Press to the Triangle Units. Repeat this with the other two remaining Triangle Units.

7. Sew the remaining two Unit B’s to each side of Unit D. Press to Unit D.

8. Sew Rows 1 and 2 together, pressing towards Row 2. Sew Row 3 on to the bottom, pressing towards Row 2 again.

For other posts from Nikki, In Stitches related to the Relay Quilt, please see the following:

Let’s Start at the Very Beginning

Cheap Trick

Churn Dash – Your First Quilt Block

Third Times a Charm, or a Sawtooth Patchwork

Back to Blocks…4th: Gentleman’s Fancy?

Block Five: A Dove in the Window

Block Six: A Flower Pot…My Fave So Far

7th Block: Crow’s Foot…And You Can Actually See the Feet!

Block 8: Pinwheel and Squares…Don’t Be Afraid!