Make a Card Trick Quilt Block from Charm Squares

Today we are going to make a Card Trick quilt block from charm squares.

NANNYNOTE: If you are following along with me using Charm Squares be warned – today we are going to break the rules! Ooh – ahh! So read the instructions carefully. WE ARE GOING TO BREAK THE 1/4″ RULE – we are going to do our seams only 1/8″

If you are not using Charm Squares you might like to cut 5.5″ squares and be a ‘goodie two shoes’.

WHAT YOU NEED:

LIGHT: 4 x 5″ squares (Spot)

DARK: 5 x 5″ squares (zebra)

OTHER: 5 x 5″ squares (black)

LET’S SEW!

Take a LIGHT / OTHER and a LIGHT / DARK and make HSTs using a 1/8″ seam. Place to the side till later.

2. Repeat step 1 – DONT TRIM

We will now add an OTHER to each of the LIGHT/DARK HSTs from 2

3. Fold the OTHER along the diagonal (I have stitched mine so you can see)

4. Place the OTHER RST (Right Side Together) with the LIGHT/DARK making sure that the diagonals make an X

5. Stitch either side of the diagonal using our narrow seam

6. Cut and press.

7. We will now repeat that process adding a DARK square to each of the LIGHT/OTHER HSTs

8. Sew, cut and press

9. Take the remaining DARK and OTHER Squares and make HSTs using our narrow seam – DONT TRIM

10. Turn these RST so that the OTHER covers the DARK with the diagonals on top of each other

11. Place a pin Through the seam of the top square and check that it is going through the seam underneath as well.

and bring it back through the seam – the pin will lie along the seam.

12. Sew narrow seams either side of the diagonal, cut and press.

13. Admire your perfect Hourglass squares!

14. Time to trim!

Trim the HSTs from 1 to 4.5″
Trim the squares from 5 and 6 to 4.5″ just like when we trim HSTs. Just make sure that the 2.25″ mark is sitting on the join,

Trim the hourglass by

Placing the 45 degree line on your rule (mine is taped) along the seam until the 2.25″ mark is on the centre – trim the right hand side and top

Turn and place the 4.5″ marks along the left hand side and along the bottom. Check the position of the 45 degree line and check the 2.25″ mark is centred. Trim the right hand side and top.

14. Organise your squares – if you have a directional fabric like my DARK (zebra) make sure you choose the right combination. You will have spare squares but dont panic, just put them aside and continue.