Farmer's Wife - Week 35

We have more creatively pieced blocks for week 35 of our Farmer's Wife Quilt-along.  The blocks this week are:

• Block 48 - Homeward Bound
• Block 50 - Honey's Choice
• Block 51 - Hovering Birds

Block 48 - Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound is a 9-patch block.  Five of the sub-blocks are cut 2 1/2 inches square; 4 green and one white.  The corner blocks each have two 1 inch squares and one 1x2 inch rectangle.  To make all four blocks you'll need the following pieces:

• Four 1 1/2 inch squares from blue fabric
• Four 1 1/2 inch squares from white fabric
• Four 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch rectangles from white fabric

First sew the blue square to the white square, then add the rectangle to this new unit; 4 times. You should now have all nine sub-blocks to assemble into the final block.

Farmer's Wife - Block 48 - Homeward Bound

Block 50 - Honey's Choice

This block has four pinwheels separated by sashing strips.  I have adjusted the sizes from what is drafted in the image here because I thought the block would have a little better balance if the sashing was a little smaller than the HSTs. An added bonus is that we don't have the odd sizes of a true 5x5 grid!

To make the strips, you'll need to cut four rectangles (green) 1 1/2 x 3 inches and one center square (white) 1 1/2 inches.

Each pinwheel is made from four HSTs finished to 1 1/4 inches.  To make two identical HSTs using our favorite tutorial,  start with a white and a blue square cut 2 1/4 inches.  Since the tutorial makes two, do this two times.  Trim the HSTs to 1 3/4 before assembly.

Make four pinwheel blocks.  The original Farmer's Wife called for one pinwheel to be different from the others.

Assemble the blocks and sashing similar to a 9-patch block to finish it off.

Farmer's Wife - Block 50 - Honey's Choice

Block 51 - Hovering Birds

Hovering Birds looks challenging, but it's not difficult at all.  Start by making/cutting these parts:

• Unit A: Cut four 2x2 inch squares for the center diagonal (green) squares.
• Unit B: Make six 1 1/2 inch finished HSTs (blue/white); start with 3 white and 3 blue squares cut 2 3/8 inches.  Use the tutorial referenced above to make two at a time. Trim them to 2 inches square.
• Unit C: Cut four white triangles from two 2 3/8 inch squares cut in half diagonally.
• Unit D: Cut two large green triangles from a 3 7/8 inch square cut in half diagonally.

Next assemble rows of the above units as described below, making sure the HSTs and triangles are oriented properly.  You will be making each horizontal row of the block, excluding unit D, the large green triangles, which are added later.

• Row 1 (Top): A, B, C
• Row 2: B, A, B, C
• Row 3:  C, B, A, B
• Row 4: C, B, A

Once the rows are assembled, sew the rows together, ensuring that the units line up properly.  You will have an odd shaped block until you add the large green rectangles on each corner to square it off.

Farmer's Wife - Block 51 - Hovering Birds

See instructions for Week 34 Farmer's Wife Quilt-Along.