Medallion Quilt Month 5

The block this month is the Broken Dishes Block. The Broken Dishes block is one of the oldest known traditional quilt blocks. I've wondered at the name. Doing a bit of research, I discovered that broken dishes were a traditional grave site decoration used by African American slaves.

Broken Dishes Block

This is a 12 1/2'' unfinished or 12'' finished block.

 All seams allowances are 1/4''

Cutting:

Dark fabric:  A  4-  2 1/2 '' x 2 1/2''
                      B   1- 4 1/2'' x 4 1/2''
Medium fabric: C   4- 3'' x 3''
                          D   2- 5 1/2'' x 5 1/2''
Background Fabric: E  4- 3'' x 3''
                                 F  4- 2 1/2'' x 4 1/2''
                                 G  2- 4 1/4'' x 4 1/4''

Step 1:

1. On the back of both piece E draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. See  1a.
2. Place the square on top of piece C. Sew a 1/4'' seam on both sides of the line. See 1b.
3. Cut on drawn line. See  1c.
4. Press HST's open to dark side.
5. Trim the HST's to 2 1/2'' x 2 1/2''
6. Make 8.

daigram 1

Step 2

1. Cut both G's in half diagonally. See diagram 2a.

2. Finger press a vertical and horizontal fold in piece B.

3. Place piece G right sides together on piece B matching point of G to crease line on B.

4. Sew using a 1/4'' seam.

5. Open the seam and finger press. Do not use your iron or you will loose the crease lines.

6. Repeat with the other 3 sides of B. This is piece BG.

7. Press and trim to 61/4'' x 6 1/4''. Line up 45 degree line of  ruler along the seam between G and B leaving a 1/4'' seam at points. See diagram 2c.

diagram 2

Step 3

1. Cut both D's in half diagonally. See diagram 3a..

2. Finger press a vertical and horizontal fold in piece BG from step 2.

3. Place piece D right sides together on piece B matching point of D to crease line on B. As per diagram 3b.

4. Sew using a 1/4'' seam.

5. Open the seam and finger press. Do not use your iron or you will loose the crease lines.

6. Repeat with the other 3 sides of B.

7 Press and trim to 8 1/2'' x 8 1/2''. 

diagram 3

Step 4

1. Sew units together to make rows. 

2. Sew rows together. 

3. Press in direction of arrows.

diagram 4

I would love to see any of the blocks you have made, you can post to Instagram using  #stitchinathomemedallion2017