Reflections 12" Block Tutorial

Hi everyone, and welcome to my blog. I wanted to share this tutorial for a 12 1/2 " unfinished block for my ECMQG block lottery. It's a pretty easy and fun block. This block will help with color value which is defined as the relative lightness or darkness of a color within the same color family. I picked a dark pink and light pink. Please feel free to choose any of the colors in the rainbow as long as there is a contrast in the two and in the same color family. Some quilt shops have a kona chart. This may help you see the range of colors. I just used some of the colors from our  Kona swap. I also wanted to dive into sewing with solids, and this block is very versatile. Hope you enjoy. 

Photo disclaimer: 

Sorry in advance, I haven't invested in EQ7, and these were taken with my camera phone. :)

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Cuts:

A fat eighth was enough for the colors. The greys take minimal fabric. The entire block will be sewn with a scant quarter inch seam. 

Dark color: Cut 1 long strip 2 1/2" x 12" Cut 1 large piece 3 3/4" x 11"

Light color:  Cut 1 long strip 2 1/2" x 12" Cut 1 large piece 3 3/4" x 11"

Kona Ash: Cut 1 strip  1 1/2" length of fabric Then, cut 2 strips 1 1/2 x 5 3/4 Cut one long strip 1 1/2" x 13"

Kona Charcoal:  Cut 1 strip  1 1/2" length of fabric Then, cut 2 strips 1 1/2" x 5 3/4"

 Cut 2 long strip 1 1/2" x 13"

Take your light and dark color strips 2 1/2" x 12"  and sew them together. Iron them open. I like to iron to the dark side. Some people iron seams open. Now, lay them out on the mat and cut into 3  4" sections.

Now, lay them out like this, with the one in the middle being opposite the outside pieces and sew. 

The picture above is me nesting the seams.  I butt the seams together and pin to keep them lined up correctly. 

Lay out the sewn middle and place the dark color large piece on the side where the middle piece has two darks at the top and bottom.  Put the light where the light has two lights on the middle piece.  Sew each large piece to the middle strip on each side. 

Now, we are going to take the 2 short ash and charcoal kona pieces 1 1/2" x 5 3/4 and sew each set together.  Now, these will be sewn to the top and bottom. Sew these on first,  matching dark to dark and light to light. (See picture above) Then, sew the dark to dark and light to light on the sides. 

Your block should be 13".  Now, you are going to place your 12.5 square ruler (if you have one) on the 6 1/4 line and trim the top and bottom. Rotate and trim the side. The outside grey fabric edge should be one inch wide where you are going to trim as you can see in the picture above.  

If you are using your mat. Line the middle of your block up at the 6 1/4 mark. Trim with ruler at the 12.5. mark. and continue for the other side, top and bottom. 

*Inspiration for this block came from The Charming Needle