Color Wheel Block - Pattern and Tutorial

By popular demand ~ foundation paper piecing instructions for the Color Wheel Block.

Click on any image for a larger view.

To complete the Color Wheel Block you will need the Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern and Templates which are available for purchase as a single PDF file from my Pattern Store ($US4.00) here:

COLOR WHEEL BLOCK - FOUNDATION PAPER PIECING PATTERN

   You will be sent an email with a secure link to download

 this pattern (pdf file) immediately. 

What follows is a foundation paper piecing tutorial and photos of all steps required to successfully complete one Color Wheel Block.

PREPARATION

The Color Wheel Block  Pattern (pdf file) includes:

1 Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern

2 Templates 

Make a copy of the block foundation and templates by printing the pdf file directly from your computer. Cut out the foundation paper piecing arc as well as both the templates. You will only need one set of paper templates but will need to make more copies of the foundation pattern. Four foundation patterns are required for one Color Wheel Block. 64 foundation patterns are required to make 16 Color Wheel Blocks.  Print only page 1 of the pattern for multiple copies of the foundation pattern.

Print the pdf pattern actual size - do not scale to fit.  

The larger background template is printed across two pages. Cut out and tape the two pieces together on the marked line.

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS:

For each quarter Wheel Block you will need:

1 x background fabric (for templates) measuring 9 inches x 9 inches.

6 fabric pieces each measuring 5 inches x 2.5 inches (for the foundation pattern).

STEP BY STEP PAPER PIECING:

Note: whereas you do need to be accurate when cutting out the templates,
you can free hand rotary cut the foundation pattern just outside the printed lines.
The foundation pieced section will be trimmed accurately when completed.

Step 1  Take your foundation pattern and the first two fabric pieces. Place fabric directly on top of each other, right sides together (if using printed fabric) and with the outer piece on the bottom.

Step 2  With the printed side of the foundation pattern facing up place the two fabric pieces (the green fabric is directly under the pink fabric) under the foundation paper and align with the first printed sewing line on the foundation so that the fabric extends just a 1/4 inch into the first section. Pin if required.

Stitch from edge to edge - you can for this pattern stitch into the seam allowances. Reduce the length of your stitches; this will make removal of the foundation papers a breeze and will help to keep your seams in tact after the paper has been removed.

Step 3   Press using a warm, dry iron.

Step 4  With the printed side of the foundation paper facing up, place a sturdy card (postcard, stock card etc) on the next printed line:

Fold the paper (on the line) over the edge of the card thereby exposing the excess fabric:

Step 5  Trim any fabric in excess of the 1/4 inch seam allowance. I have used an Add a Quarter Quilter's Ruler which has a specially designed 1/4 inch lip that conveniently aligns with the edge of the paper. Any ruler will however suffice.

 Using a ruler and adding a quarter inch seam allowance - trim excess fabric. 

Step 6  Take your next piece of fabric and place (right side down if using printed fabric) on the previous fabric piece. Align edges. Pin if required.

Step 7  Turn over the foundation pattern and sew on the next printed line - again from edge to edge.

Step 8  Turn over and press, place card on the next printed line, fold the paper over the edge of the card to expose excess fabric, using a ruler to add  quarter inch seam allowance and trim excess fabric. You are now ready to take your next fabric and repeat from Step 6.

Step 9 Continue this process until the foundation is complete.

Trim excess fabric and excess foundation paper. I use my rotary cutter and 

free-hand trace around the outer edge of the pattern (on the line). Use scissors if preferred.

Step 10  Carefully remove foundation papers.

BLOCK CONSTRUCTION:

You are now ready to piece your block (use a 1/4 inch seam allowance). Using the templates provided cut a inner quarter circle and the outer background fabric and sew pieces together:

For help with sewing curves please see tutorial: Sewing Curves without Pins.

Block measures 8.5 inches x 8.5 inches (incl. seam allowances).

Seams are pressed towards the background fabric. This does mean that when sewing four blocks together into a Wheel Block that the seams won't nest. It is however a trade-off between nesting seams and bulky seams that are otherwise turned under which may affect the look of your curved seams.

Construct a Wheel Block from four individual blocks - see photo directly below. First sew together two blocks in the top row (continue to use a 1/4" seam allowance and press seam as indicated), then sew the two blocks in the bottom row (again press seam as indicated). Then sew the two rows together and press seam up. Press seams the same for all blocks.

When you lay out your 16 finished Wheel Blocks alternate by placing one block up and the next block upside down (that is, alternate the direction of the very least seam - up, down, up, down).

Press seams as indicted by arrows.

Included also as part of the Color Wheel Block Pattern (pdf file) is a black/white line drawing for 16 blocks which will allow you to color in and experiment with colors and color placement.

ANY QUESTIONS?  Please leave a comment and I will answer by reply comment - thereby helping anyone else who may have a similar question.

Happy Sewing!
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Red Pepper Quilts Pattern Store
Kona Color Wheel Block Quilt - Work in Progress
Kona Color Wheel Block Quilt - A Finished Quilt
Scrappy Color Wheel Block Quilt - Work in Progress
Scrappy Color Wheel Block Quilt - A Finished Quilt
Sewing Curves without Pins - A Tutorial

Scrappy Color Wheel Block Quilt - A Variation
(more photos here)

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