Block 16: honeycomb smocking – Textured 4-patch quilt

Close up

Block type: 4-patch

Block size: 10 1/2 inches

Colour scheme: reds, greens and neutrals

Texture/fabric manipulation: Canadian smocking

Cut:

• one 10 1/2 in x 8 in cream rectangle
• one 4 1/2 in red square
• one 4 1/2 in pale green square
• two 3 in red squares
• two 3 in pale green squares
• two 5 1/2 in x 3 in pale green rectangles

Making the honeycomb smocking

On the right side of the fabric, draw a grid at 1/2 in intervals using a water soluble pen.

Stitch the smocking using the diagram below. Stitch 1 and 2 points together. Then move the thread to the next 1, on the wrong side of the fabric, and double stitch on 1 again to anchor the thread. Keep reading for details on this process.’

As the smocking is done on the right side, use stranded cotton of the same colour of the fabric.

Double stitch on the first dot. Then pick up the next dot and pull both dots together.

Double stitch.

Put the thread through to the back of the fabric.

Then put the needle through the next dot.

Now anchor the thread first by double stitching on the dot. And then stitch to the next dot and pull together. Do that till the end of the row.

On the next row alternate the dots (refer to the diagram above).

Stitch about 8 rows in this way and then stretch on a mat and wet or steam.

When dry remove from the mat.

Trim to 6 inches.

Cut all the required pieces that make the block (refer to cutting instructions above).

Cut the 4 1/2 squares in diagonal.

Arrange pieces as per picture.

Trace a diagonal on the back of the honeycomb piece.

Stitch at 1/4 in from the diagonal on each side to stop the smocking coming apart when the square is cut.

Cut through the diagonal.

Arrange all pieces and piece together.

The block is done.

Textured 4-patch quilt tutorial

This quilt has 16 x 10 1/2 in blocks.

Each block is a 4-patch block in greens and reds. The fabric manipulation is made in a cream fabric.

See all Textured 4-patch quilt tutorials.

See also my first Textured quilt sampler tutorial.

Share your pictures

Are you making this quilt? Share your pictures on Flickr’s TeresaDownUnder group.