Corn and Beans--Sampler Block

I don't know how far along everyone is on their sampler, but I just finished making the Corn and Beans Block, shown at left. In this blog update, I'm going to demo an easy way to make the large center blocks.

The center blocks look like a big half-square triangle with an inset small half-square triangle. This combination is known as a "Magic Triangle" or "Mary's Triangle" in many quilt patterns. I call it Magic Triangle because it lends itself to many different layouts.

To make the Magic Triangle, start with two half-square triangles that are 2.5" square, and a strip that is 2.5" by 3.5". Sew them in the arrangement shown. Please note that the half square triangle needs to be positioned as shown so that it will be in the right place and orientation in the Magic Triangle.

The pieced block should look like this at this point and should measure 4.5" x 5.5"

Flip the block over and clip the vertical seam about halfway betwen the two half square triangles. The red arrow shows where I clipped it. Press the seams in opposite directions so that the half-square triangles lay flat and the corner intersection of seams is visible on both half-square triangles.

Using the 45 degree mark on your ruler, line up the edge of the ruler so that it intersects the corner of the half-square triangle AND the bottom right hand corner of the block. Red arrows point to where the line should go through. This is your sewing line.

Repeat the marking on the other half square triangle. Place the marked block on top of a solid color piece that is 4.5 x 5.5. Sew on the marked lines, being sure that the seam exactly intersects the corner of the half square triangle and the lower right hand corner of the block.

Cut the block apart between the seams. For illustration only, I made the blue piece of fabric larger so that you could see it beneath the pieced block. In your block, the pieced block and the solid-color fabric should be the same size.

Open up the block and press open. Voila! Magic Triangle. If you look at the pattern, you'll notice that the block requires 4 Magic Triangles, two with a colored (blue) triangle and two with a white triangle. To make the white Magic Triangle, repeat the steps of sewing the strips and marking them, but piece it to a piece of white fabric.

The rest of the Corn and Beans block is made of half square triangles and flying geese. Arrange the block as shown.