Piazza Quilt Block Swap Challenge

Our Piazza PMQ is here and we are so excited! In keeping with our tradition, we have a fun challenge for all of our detectives. This season, we are doing an Old Italian Block Swap. This is a fun way to connect with more of the Cotton Cuts family!

Here’s how it will work:

With your Piazza Clue 1, we will send you 1 block (8.5” x 8.5”) from your specific color way. Not everyone will be getting the same fabric, it will be randomized, but will definitely be from your colorway. Then, you’ll combine it with a coordinating fabric from your stash and make two Old Italian blocks that finish at a 6.5” square. (Tutorial will be at the bottom of this blog post).

We will randomly pair you with one other person doing the same colorway, and they will swap one of their made blocks with you. You will ideally send your partner the block before you receive Clue 2. The deadline to signup will be August 12.

You will end up with two coordinating blocks to do as you wish. You can put them on the back of your finished quilt, or make more blocks for a larger project! If you choose the latter, you can purchase more 8.5” squares in your colorway We’ll send your additional squares as a “Boost My Delivery” (with free shipping!) in your Clue #2!

Introducing - The Old Italian Block

The “Old Italian” quilt block has gone by many names over the years. Some early examples of this design can be seen in handsewn quilts from the 1880’s, hanging in history museums across the UK and the US. This block was given a second life when Anita Grossman Solomon published a quick method for making the block in her book entitled, Rotary Cutter Revolution in 2010. The block is prominently featured here, on the cover. We were so inspired to bring this design to all of our Cotton Cuts detectives to see what could be done with new fabrics and colorways!

Old Italian Quilt Block Tutorial (adapted from Bits of Merth)

To get started, collect your fabric.  You will need two 8-1/2 inch squares (we provided our detectives with one block from their colorway. Feel free to find a coordinate from your stash!)

1. Lay both fabrics, stacked together, RIGHT SIDE UP on your cutting mat.

2. Center the top and bottom corners on the diagonal with a vertical line on the mat.  

3. Using the center line as a reference, cut a scant one inch from either side of the line to give a 2 inch cut strip in the center of the block.

4. Switch the bottom 2” strip to the top.  Take your pieces to the sewing machine. 

5. Lay the triangle right sides together with the center.  BE VERY CAREFUL sewing bias edges!!!!  Pin and sew slowly! Also please note that the ends of the triangles will not extend past the ends of the center piece as would happen if pieces were cut with templates. There will be trimming in a future step.

6. When you have sewn both triangles to the center section, press CAREFULLY toward the darker fabric.  Do not use steam as this may distort the bias edges.

7.  Stack the blocks on the cutting mat RIGHT SIDES UP as before.

8.  Line up the opposite corners with the vertical line on the mat this time.

9.  Cut a scant 2 inch strip from the center as before.

10.  Swap the bottom strip to the top- and there is the finished block you will get!

11.  With right sides together, make sure the first set of seams match.  Pin if you feel the need.  The seams will nest in together.

12. Press carefully to the darker fabric as before. 

 DON’T trim your blocks. Let your swapper do that. :)

Cotton Cuts will be pairing up detectives based upon their colorways and will be sending you your partner’s mailing address by August 15th. The goal is to have mailed your block before Clue #2 ships on August 26th.

If you need images, blog is super helpful.

Want to see what you can do with this block? We have a Pinterest board (here) to start your creative juices!

We cannoli imagine what you’ll create!