Vintage Block Quilt Along - Light and Shadow - #5

Here you will find block #5 in the Vintage Block Quilt Along!
This block is entitled Light and Shadow and is originally from the Godey's Lady Book printed in 1859.  The Kansas City Star reprinted the pattern in 1933.

This block is entirely paper pieced though you can also make templates if you wish.
 I have included instructions to help with fussy cutting if you decide to include it in your block.

Block #5
Light and Shadow
originally from The Godey's Lady Book circa 1859
by Charise Randell

This pattern is for a 12" finished / 12 1/2" unfinished block

Supplies:

Fabric:
8 dark triangles at least 1/4" bigger than pattern piece A1/B1
8 dark triangles at least 1/4" bigger than pattern piece A1/B1
8 dark kites at least 1/4" bigger than pattern piece A2/B2
8 dark kites at least 1/4" bigger than pattern piece A2/B2

Other Supplies:

Light weight copy paper or Vellum - my favorite is from Office Depot Here
Matching thread (I like 100% cotton thread)
C-thru ruler
Fabric marking pencil or pen

Notes

*Change your stitch length to 18-20 stitches per inch when paper piecing the 1/4 blocks together
*Make sure your test square on the pattern page measures 1”
*If you wish to use pattern templates instead of paper piecing, print out the pattern onto card stock and add 1/4" seam allowance to pieces A1 & A2.

Download the Pattern HERE

Print out the pattern

1) Print out 4 copies of the pattern onto light weight copy paper or vellum.
Cut each block in half between the A and B sections.

 Fussy cut the motifs - Optional

1) Place the pattern piece you wish to fussy cut face down or right side down on the fabric right side up.
Position the pattern section on the fabric exactly as you wish it to appear on the finished block.
 Mark 1/4" away from the line or seam edge. 
 ***Please Note, 1/4" seam allowance is added on the outside sections of each 1/4 block.

Pin in place.

2)
Fold back the pattern at the line between the blocks.  In this case between A1 & A2.
Mark at least 1/4" beyond the folded edge.
Cut out the fabric triangle.

Assemble the Blocks

1) Place one of your triangle fabric pieces on the wrong (unprinted side) of the pattern A1 or B1 making sure to cover the entire section. The fabric right side will be facing you. Make sure there is at least ¼” fabric around the perimeter of the section. Hold the paper arc up to the light to help positon the fabric.  Pin in place.

2) Place the adjacent fabric piece, A2 or B2 right sides together with A1 or B1 matching raw edges.
Pin in place.

3) Flip the pattern over so the printed side is facing you. Stitch on the first line between B1 and B2 or A1 and A2.

4) Finger press the seam open. Fold back the paper pattern on the next line (B2/B3 or A2/A3)and trim the second section to 1/4" beyond the line. This is your seam allowance.

5) Continue steps #2 - 4 until half the block is complete.

6) Repeat steps #1-5 for the other half of the block.

7) Pin the center points of each half block together. 
Change your stitch length to your normal length 10 - 12 stitches per inch.
Start stitching 1/2" from the center seam and stitch 1/2" beyond the center seam.
Unpin and check to make sure the center points match.  If not, unpick the seam and try again.  If they match, continue stitching the seam. Press the seam open.

8) Repeat steps #1-7 for the remaining 3 sections of the block.

Finish the Block
1) Stitch the two top blocks together matching seams.  Press seam open.
Repeat for the bottom two block.

2) Stitch the top two blocks to the bottom two blocks.  Press the seam open.
True up your block to 12 1/2".

Yay!!!!  You have completed Block #5 of the Vintage Block Quilt Along!

If you make this block, please add it to my Vintage Block Quilt Along Group on Flickr!