Block Buster Sunday #3 Card Trick Block Tutorial

Hi, Welcome to another block tutorial.

This week's tutorial is for the card trick block.
I know a lot of people love this block and when I returned to quilting a few years ago, it was one that I definitely wanted to try. I would rate this as an intermediate level block. It's construction is relatively straight forward, but you do need to concentrate on fabric placement and when you are trimming the components. It's not a block to make after a couple of glasses of wine!!

The tutorial shows you how to make the block with four different fabrics for the "cards" because this, to me, is the iconic block, but there is considerable fabric wastage with this. You would be better to make 2 identical blocks and that way you avoid the wastage.
Please note that when I took the photos for the tutorial I cut my larger squares at 5 1/2", not the 5 1/4" that I think is the better size, and is the size given in the cutting instructions. It makes the trimming easier. Some of the photos therefore show more fabric needing trimming than is actually the case.

I have given cutting instructions for three sizes of block 6" finished, 9" finished and 12" finished

For a 6" finished block you need to cut:
4    3 1/4" coloured squares (one each of your chosen fabrics)
4    3" coloured squares (one each of the same fabrics as above)
1    3 1/4" background squares
4    3" background squares

For a 9" finished block you need to cut:
4    4 1/4" coloured squares (one each of your chosen fabrics)
4    4" coloured squares (one each of the same fabrics as above)
1    4 1/4" background squares
4    4" background squares

For a 12" finished block you need to cut:
4    5 1/4" coloured squares (one each of your chosen fabrics)
4    5" coloured squares (one each of the same fabrics as above)
1    5 1/4" background squares
4    5" background squares

Pair each of the smaller coloured squares with a smaller background square. Draw a pencil line along the diagonal.

 Accurately match the squares and sew 1/4" seam line either side of the pencil line. You can chain piece these. Cut along the pencil line and press open to create 8 HSTs (half square triangles)

Discard one of each colour (or save for the second block) and trim to 2 1/2", 3 1/2" or 4 1/2" depending on the size block you are making.

Take the 4 larger coloured squares and cut each into 1 HST and 2 QSTs (quarter square triangles)

Cut the remaining large background square into 4 QSTs

Sew one of each coloured QST to a background QST, ensuring that the right angles are together at the base and that the coloured piece is on the right hand side.

Trim the overhangs. Lay out all your pieces as shown.

Sew the 4 QSTs in the centre of the layout, first into 2 HSTs 

then join to make  a single QST block. Trim to 2 1/2", 3 1/2" or 4 1/2" depending on the size block you are making.

Sew the remaining HSTs to their adjacent pieces.

Trim to 2 1/2", 3 1/2" or 4 1/2" depending on the size block you are making.

This is where concentration is needed. You need the diagonal seam lined up with the 45 degree line on the ruler and the 4.5" mark (or the correct measurement for your block size) on the edge of the ruler level with the QST seam line.

You will now have 9 equal size components of your block, and hopefully it's plain sailing from now on!!

Join the pieces in each row.

Then sew the rows together to complete the block.

You're done !! It's pretty spectacular, isn't it!
Now, it' time for that glass of wine!!

Because it's such a dramatic block, I think this needs to shine, rather than be one of many in an overall design. Below is a quick mock up of a suggested layout using the block.
I've created an off centre column of card trick blocks with narrow sashings of the individual colours, leaving a lot of negative space where I could continue the modern look with straight line quilting, or possibly diamonds?
I like creating and posting the mock ups. It gives me an good resource to go back and look at if I ever need inspiration for a quilt.

The 2 colour version is simpler to construct and more economical with fabric.

You will need:

For a 6" finished block 

2    3" squares of colour A

1    3 1/4" square of colour A

2    3" squares of colour B

1    3 1/4" square of colour B

2    3" squares of background 

1    3 1/4" square of background

For a 9" finished block 

2    4" squares of colour A

1    4 1/4" square of colour A

2    4" squares of colour B

1    4 1/4" square of colour B

2    4" squares of background 

1    4 1/4" square of background

For a 12" finished block 

2    5" squares of colour A

1    5 1/4" square of colour A

2    5" squares of colour B

1    5 1/4" square of colour B

2    5" squares of background 

1    5 1/4" square of background

Pair up one of the smaller colour A squares with a same size background square and do the same for one smaller colour B square.

Draw a diagonal pencil line on each and create 4 HST squares as before. Trim to 2 1/2", 3 1/2" or 4 1/2" square depending on the size of block you are making.

Cut the 2 remaining smaller squares in half diagonally.

Cut the 3 larger squares into quarters diagonally.

Lay out out the pieces as shown below and complete your block as described for the four colour version.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and may someday have a go at making card trick blocks.
The Block Buster Sunday tutorials do seem to be growing in detail, but I am enjoying exploring the blocks and the layouts that can be achieved with them.
It probably means, though, that they appear fortnightly or every few weeks, if they are this detailed. That way I may actually get some quilting done, rather than just talking about it!!