Underground Railroad Block 4

So sorry for the delay in posting this block.  I had an issue with my blog in posting.  It has now been solved.  The 4th block will follow this posting.

Carol

Underground Railroad Block 4

Carpenter's Wheel

The Carpenter's Wheel Quilt was a secondary code pattern.  To a slave, the master carpenter in their lives was Jesus.  As they worked in the fields, they sang this well-known spiritual about a chariot that was to carry them home.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Comin' for to carry me home.

If you get a dere befo I do,

Tell all my friends I'm comin too.

Plantation owners thought they were singing about joining Jesus in Heaven, but the song held hidden messages.  Future run-always recognized this as a directive to plan their escape.  They were to follow the Carpenter's Wheel to the west-northwest. Imagine the beauty of the sun setting behind the Appalachian mountains to the west on their journey to Ohio and freedom.

Underground Railroad Block 4

 This is the one from the book.

 This is my block. I will be referring to the colors in my block instead of the one from the book.

You will need 4 fabrics for this block.

From your background fabric: 

8  2" squares 

4  2" x 3 1/2" 

4  3 1/2" squares

2  4 3/4" squares

Fabric #1(lighter blue fabric)

8  2 7/8" squares

4  2" x 3 1/2"

8  2" squares

4  2" squares

Fabric #2(the bright orange in the star)

1  2 1/2" x 5"

4  2" squares

Fabric #3(dark blue in the star)

1  2 1/2" x 5"

4  2" squares

The star center:

Use the 2 1/2" x 5" pieces from fabrics 2 & 3.

With right sides together draw a line down the center and then diagonally as shown in the picture.  Stitch on either side of the diagonal lines.  Cut on the center line and then on the diagonal lines.  You will have 4 squares, press toward the blue fabric and square to 2".

Layout squares to make a pinwheel as pictured. Sew you blocks together. After your last seam, press it open for a flatter center.

The star points:

You will need :

3 1/2" squares from your background fabric.

2" squares from light blue fabric

2" squares from bright orange fabric

2" squares from dark blue fabric

On your 3 1/2" square place a 2" light blue-fabric #1 and a bright orange- fabric#2 squares opposite each other and draw a line diagonally through each square.  Sew on the line and trim to a 1/4" seam.  Press toward seam.

Then repeat with the 2" square from dark blue-fabric #3 and light blue-fabric #1.  Draw diagonal line on the squares and sew on the diagonal lines, trim to 1/4" seam and press toward seams. As picture above. Now make a total of 4 of these squares.

The wheel rims:

You will need:

2" squares from the background fabric.

2" x 3 1/2" rectangles from light blue -fabric #1.

Make 4 of the above squares.  Sew 2" background and a 2" light blue square together and then sew the 2" x 3 1/2" light blue rectangle to the side of them. Press toward blue fabric.

You will need:

4 3/4" squares from background fabric.

2 7/8" squares from light blue fabric #1.

Place 2 of the 2 7/8" squares on the 4 3/4" square diagonally, draw a line diagonally and then sew a 1/4" on either side of the line.  

Cut on line and press toward seam.

Place a 2 7/8" square as picture above and draw a line diagonally.  Stitch a 1/4" seam on either side of the line.

Cut on line and press toward seam. Square unit at 2" x 3 1/2". Begin squaring up at the point to insure you have your 1/4" seam from point. Repeat with other unit and with other squares to have 8 flying geese when finished.

Lay your blocks out to make your block using the picture above.  Sew pieces together and press your block.

This is alittle more difficult block, if you have any questions please send me a message.

Enjoy......

Carol