Whistle Stop Tour featuring Steam Engine fabric line

Welcome to Day 6 of Whistle Stop Tour featuring the Island Batik fabric line of Steam Engine for Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design.

This stop has Blockbuster #18 A Popped V.  This is a 6" Finished block, however, you can also go to Deb Tucker's website Blockbuster downloads to see the other 3 size variations for this block.

For this Whistle Stop Tour Block you will need your V Block, Corner Pop and Sidekick & Hi/Low Technique Sheet.

All units are trimmed to 2 1/2" cut size.  All photos show for right handed cutting and trimming.  The left handed instructions are with the tool instructions.

Click Download for instructions on  A Popped V

Gather and sort the cut strips and squares for the different units.:

The first units to make are the Popped V Blocks. Start with your strips and cut the center triangles and the side triangles using the V Block.  Lay out the pieces all right sides up and stitch together following the V Block instructions. 

 If you would like more detailed pictures, check out Marie's post on Day 2 from Ribbon Star Studio.  The V Block is introduced on that day's Whistle Stop with 54-40 or Fight, Blockbuster #08.

Layout  right sides up and stitch

Trim first two side for 2 1/2" cut size

Rotate 180 degrees and trim final 2 sides to 2 1/2" cut size.

Make 4

Now, the unit is taken up a notch! It gets 2 "popped" corners!

Gather the 8 half square triangles to add the "popped" corners.

Following directions of the Corner Pop, cut away at the 1" line on lower left corner.  MAKE sure your V Block unit is oriented in the correct direction before you cut away! The pointed tip is at the top. See picture below to make sure you are pointed in the right direction.

Next, position a replacement triangle, eyeball center and stitch with triangle on the bottom.

Press toward the triangle

Time to trim, using the Corner Pop, align the stitched seam with the 1" line on the trim down section of the tool.  Trim away the excess of the triangle.  Also notice that the dotted lines are at the 2 1/2" cut line on left and bottom sides of the unit.

Repeat the process for the other corner.  Again, make sure you are cutting away the correct corner adjacent to the one already replaced.  Cut away at the 1" line.

Repeat the stitching of the replacement triangle on the bottom.

Press toward the triangle.

Trim away the excess of added triangle, aligning the 1" seam line and 2 1/2" dotted cut lines on the Corner Pop tool.

Make 4 and set aside.

Time for the Sidekick Right Units.  Follow directions on the Sidekick & Hi/Low Technique Sheet.  Again, the units are trimmed to 2 1/2" cut size.  

To make these units, make sure ALL fabric is FACE DOWN (WRONG SIDE UP)

First is the base section using the dotted line (fold line for center triangles).

Cut 4

Use the V Block to make these cuts

Next, are the side triangles. Again, make sure wrong side up and use the solid line (cut line for side triangles)

Cut 4

Gather and place right sides up

Stitch together, making sure you have the 1/4" ear showing.  See picture below.

Press toward the side triangle.

Using the V Block,  align the seam line with the right slant of the V Block.  Trim first 2 sides.

Rotate  180 degrees and line up trimmed edges with the 2 1/2" cut line and trim the final 2 sides. 

You can now lay out your units and see that you have only one more unit to complete!

Gather the square and 4 half square triangles to make the Center "Popped Square" using the Corner Pop.

The starting square is 2 1/2" cut size.  The cut away is 3/4" on the Corner Pop.

This is going to sound really tedious, but the best way for this square to remain square and all the trims to line up best; I have found if you cut away one corner at a time.  Add the replacement triangle, press toward the triangle, trim off the excess of triangle by aligning the 3/4"" seam line and the 2 1/2" cut edge of the Corner Pop.  And Repeat the process on the opposite corner.  Repeat, one corner at a time.

I know-- lots of steps just for one unit!

All your units are now complete.  Lay out the block.

Stitch the units into rows.

Back side showing the pressing directions.

Stitch the rows together.  Back side shows the pressing directions.

WooHoo!  Your Whistle Stop block is now complete and you are ready for the next stop on the tour.

Depending on who you went to first, Tammy Silvers of Tamarinis is the other Whistle Stop for today, and Tina Dillard of Quilting Affection Design and Bonny Peters of Cat Den Mountain Quilts will be your Whistle Stops for tomorrow.

Enjoy!