Read Between the Lines {Quilt Block Tutorial}

Some time ago I made this mini quilt for the Modern Mini Quilt challenge and I always thought it would be fun to have a go at a larger quilt with a block like this.  I recently stepped up to fill in a quilter position in my do. Good Stitches circle, Haven, and November is my first month as quilter.  I really want to make a really cool quilt, but since November is a busy month I don't want to cause a burden for my bee-mates by having something uber complicated.  Enter the "Between the Lines Block."

You can probably figure this block out without a tutorial, but I'll make it easy if you are interested in making one (or a quilt's worth).

Materials:
9 - 5" square blocks
6 - 14" x 1" strips of text fabric
cutting mat & rotary cutter (can be made without it, but this makes it much easier)

1.  Make a nine patch block using 5" square blocks, sewn with 1/4" seams.  Press everything nicely.  It should measure 14" square once you have them sewn together.

2. Next we will be cutting each of the nine blocks in half vertically.  Since the blocks are 4.5" finished, you want to measure 2.25" from the seam.  Start with the center row and slice down the middle, 2.25" from each seam.  The outer rows have an extra 1/4" on the outside since they haven't been sewn to anything yet, so measure 2.25" from the seam, not the outside edge.  Now sew 3 of the 14"x1" text strips where you made the cuts and put the block back together like so:

3. Now you just need to repeat step two, but this time make the cuts on the horizontal axis. 

If you make a block (or use any of the other tutorials on my blog) I would love to see it in the petit lyons flickr group!