Hand Made Karma: Farmer's Wife

Week 27 of our Farmer's Wife Quilt-along includes 2 1/2 blocks. They are:

Block 37 - Flower Pot
Block 57 - Morning
Block 100 - Weathervane

So, what does that mean, 2 1/2 blocks? Two of these blocks, 57 and 100, are essentially the same block, so that makes it a little easier! But, there is a variation I mention below that you may wish to do.

Block 37 - Flower Pot

This block is a little complicated due to all of the little pieces that come together at odd angles, so the template provided here is mostly just for individual pieces, but there are a couple of FPP templates included, if you choose that method.

Farmer's Wife - Block 37 - Flower Pot

"Twin" blocks

Now on to the "twin" blocks, Morning (57) and Weathervane (100). The main difference between these two blocks, as I've seen in the original Farmer's Wife block, is the color placement, specifically the center square.

In Morning, the center square is intended to be the same fabric as the adjacent squares, forming a pointed cross in the center of the block. In fact, some examples I've seen have a single strip of fabric used across all three blocks, which is an alternative I'll demonstrate below.

In Weathervane, the center square is intended to be from a contrasting fabric.

General piecing instructions for both blocks are as follows.

The four corner blocks are 4-patch blocks, each comprised of two squares (one white and one blue) and two HSTs (white/blue). The squares are cut 1 1/2 inches. The HSTs are made starting with 1 7/8 inch squares and trimmed to 1 1/2 inches before assembly.
The center square is cut 2 1/2 inches.
The four side blocks are made using the foundation paper piecing template provided.

See alternative instructions below for block 57, Morning, if you wish to use a single strip of fabric for the center square and two side squares.

Block 57 - Morning

Farmer's Wife - Block 57 - Morning

Note: I'm aware that the coloring above doesn't show the center square the same as the adjacent blocks.

Alternative piecing method: Start with a 6 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch strip of fabric (green) and four 1 1/2 inch squares from the background fabric (white).

Place one of the squares even with one corner of the strip, right sides together, and mark a diagonal line as shown.

Sew along this line and trim off the excess fabric leaving 1/4 inch allowance. Iron open. Repeat this on all four corners.

You can use the same method for the two side blocks, starting with a 2 1/2 inch green square and two 1 1/2 inch white squares. Or, you can use the FPP template provided.