This Saturday block is going to depend a lot on paying close attention to layout.  Because of this, I made a pdf file for you to download so you can print it if needed and keep it close by.  The downloadable file will be linked at the bottom of this post.

So, let’s get started.

What you need

For this spiral block you will want three different fabrics.  I would definitely suggest choosing three that have a lot of contrast.  I would say choose a light fabric, medium fabric, and a dark fabric.

Here is the fabric I am using.

Cutting

From your dark fabric you will need to cut 12 – 3″ squares.  You will then cut the squares into two triangles by cutting them in half from corner to corner.  You will have 24 triangles, however, please note that you will only be using 23 of the triangles.

From you dark fabric you also need to cut 1 – 4″ square. You will then cut the squares into 4 triangles by cutting it into quarters.  To cut into quarters you will want to cut the square from corner to corner in both directions.  You will have 4 triangles, however, please note that you will only be using two of these triangles.

Note: Keep your triangles organized.  They are very similar in size so you don’t want to mix them up.

From your medium fabric you will need to cut 11 – 3″ squares.  You will then cut the squares into two triangles by cutting them in half from corner to corner.  You will have 22 triangles.

From your medium fabric you also need to cut 1 – 4″ square. You will then cut the squares into 4 triangles by cutting it into quarters.  Cut the square from corner to corner in both directions to create your 4 triangles.  You will have 4 triangles, however, please note that you will only be using two of these triangles.

From your light fabric you will need to cut 12 – 3″ squares.  You will then cut the squares into two triangles by cutting them in half from corner to corner.  You will have 24 triangles.

From your light fabric you also need to cut 1 – 4″ square. You will then cut the squares into 4 triangles by cutting it into quarters. Cut the square from corner to corner in both directions to create the 4 triangles. you will have 4 triangles, however, please note that you will only be using two of these triangles.

Organize and sew – making your first squares

To begin, layout the triangles that will be used for the three different squares that use 3 triangles to make up the square.  These are the only squares you will need to trim after sewing.

Note the image below paying attention to light, medium and dark fabrics.

First sew together the two contrasting triangles shown in the image below.

To keep the triangles organized you may want to pin before you move to the sewing machine.  I pin right along on the seam I will be sewing so I don’t forget which side I need to sew.

After sewing press the seams.

Now you will pin the single triangle on top of the double triangles to  complete the square.  Line up the triangles as pictured below.  You will have a lot of extra seam that you will trim after sewing.

Note: you are sewing along the single triangle.

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Press your seams.

You are only sewing one of each of these square.

Organize and sew – half square triangles.

Begin by sewing 10 half square triangles using your medium and dark fabric triangles.

You will sew 11 half square triangles using your medium and light fabric triangles

You will sew 12 half square triangles using your light and dark fabric triangles.

Press all seams.

Organize and sew

Here is the fun part! Organize all of your squares so that you ensure you sew everything together correctly.

I love this part because then you finally see your design!

I personally think it is faster to chain sew when I can.  So, I pin the first two columns of squares together.  Then I pin the middle two columns of squares together.  Finally I pin the last two columns of squares together.

Then going in order I chain piece all the squares I pinned together, and press the seams.

If chain piecing isn’t something you like to do, then just pin your squares together and sew any way you prefer.

Organize your block again.

You will need to complete this step a few times.  It is an important step so that you don’t accidentally sew the wrong squares together! No one likes having to rip seams!

After chain piecing and pressing seams, here is my layout.

Keeping with my column pattern I pinned some more blocks together.  This time, I made sure I could nest seams and then pinned the seams.

Here is what my pinning looked like.

Sew and press seams.

Organize and sew…. again!

After sewing and pressing here is my layout so far.

I now have nine blocks.  I am going to continue nesting my seams and pinning to bring my columns together.

I will sew these and pin the seams.

Then I will nest seams and pin the final block in the column on to sew.

After sewing press the seams.

Organize and final sewing

Here we are going to sew our three columns together to complete the block.

First lay the columns out in order.

I pressed the seam of my first and last column up and the middle column down so I could nest the seams.

I pinned my first and middle column together along the seams and sewed them together. Press the seams.

The final step is here!

Add the final column!

Pin the seams, sew, and press the seams!

Finished

If you are planning to make this block into a quilt you will want to square them all up before sewing!

I created a mock layout with an idea for a quilt top layout if you would like to turn this block into a quilt.

The layout has a fun geometric pattern.  For the even rows I turned the swirl upside down so that diamonds form at the corners.  I also see hearts going sideways! Do you see them?

As promised.  Here is a PDF with the cuts, first blocks, and layout.

Click link below for the download.

I hope you have fun making this block!

Be sure to subscribe to my blog so you get each block this week!

Bye for now!