PIECING THE BLOCK
1 Cut the template apart into sections A, B, C and D, cutting along the dashed lines. Shorten the stitch length on your sewing machine to 1.5. This will make it easier to tear off the paper at the end. Cut the fabric pieces for each section as you sew the templates.
2 On the reverse side of Template A, place a tiny dot of temporary glue in the middle of section A1 and place your corresponding fabric on top, right side up. Ensure the entire section is covered plus at least ¼in extra all the way around (Fig A). A good way to check this is to hold your template up to the light.
3 Turn your template back over and fold along the solid line between sections A1 and A2, using a ruler. Trim the edge of the fabric to ¼in beyond the folded paper, being careful not to cut the paper (Fig B).
4 Unfold the template and place your fabric for A2 RST against the edge of A1. Make sure that when sewn, the fabric will cover the whole of A2 plus ¼in seam allowance the whole way around (Fig C). Pin into place.
5 With the printed side of the template facing up, sew along the line between sections A1 and A2, starting and ending 2–3 stitches beyond the printed line (Fig D). Press the fabric open (Fig E).
6 Repeat step 3 to trim the fabric ¼in beyond the line between sections A2 and A3 (Fig F). Add the A3 fabric following steps 4–5. Continue piecing the rest of the template section A in the same way, adding the remaining fabric sections in numerical order.
7 Piece template sections B, C and D following steps 2–6. Once all sections are complete, trim ¼in outside the paper around each section (Fig G).
8 Align the template sections A and B along the diagonal raw edges and sew together (Fig H). Press seams open. Repeat to join section C and D together. Then join section AB to section CD. Remove the paper templates, tearing along the seam lines and trim to 8in x 5¾in.
9 From your background fabric cut two (2)
8in x 1½in strips and add to the top and bottom of your block. Cut two (2)
7¾in x 1½in strips and add to each side of the block to finish.