Isosceles Triangle Sandwiched Between Two Long Triangles (Half Rectangles) Spells Spring in These Blocks!

Every Spring brings a new generation of insects and flowers, and this spring is no different.

To welcome warmer weather and our new crop of butterflies and blooms, we are bringing you three traditional quilt block patterns. They are:

• Bird of Paradise (also known as Garden Walk from Eleanor Burns Egg Money Book)
• Butterfly Block
• Lily of the Field

Click on the image of each of the quilt blocks for a FREE pattern. Or, click here to get all three patterns in one pack.

In all of these patterns, the isosceles triangles in a block or patch are created by sewing long, skinny triangles to the sides of the isosceles triangle. The long triangles are (mathematically speaking) scalene triangles. But more importantly, they really are the result of a rectangle cut diagonally in half.

The long sides of all of the triangles are bias edges, so care should be taken not to stretch them out of shape.

As you lay them out to sew, they look like they won't come together at all. But, have faith; you'll see in the pictures below that they come out looking great.

These are as easy to sew as half-square triangles, which are used in the corners of the Butterfly Block.

Here are the patterns for Bird of Paradise (Garden Walk from Eleanor Burns Egg Money Book), Butterfly Block and Lily of the Field Quilt Block.

How to Sew an Isosceles Triangle in a Square Patch

Step 1

The first step is to cut the triangles according to the pattern.

When sewn together, this triangle patch will be square and will be the same as the center patch in the top row of the Bird of Paradise and the Butterfly Block.

(Note that the center patch in the top row of the Bird of Paradise Block is upside-down from this block.)

Step 2

Fold the long triangle over onto the isosceles triangle. Line up the diagonal edges of the triangles, and match the tips of the triangles.

You may want to pin these together so they stay lined up.

Step 3

Using a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch the triangles together.

Remember you are sewing bias edges, so be careful to guide the pieces through without stretching them.

If the pieces get stretched, they will cause the quilt block to be uneven and misshapen.

Step 4

Open the long triangle you just sewed, and finger press it flat.

Now is the time to decide which way your seam allowance should be pressed. You may be able to see that I have chosen to press it toward the darker (magenta) fabric.

Step 5

Line up the second long triangle on the opposite side of the isosceles triangle, so it is ready to sew.

This is always a good point to check and see that you are sewing the patches together correctly.

Once you know you are sewing it correctly, fold the long triangle over on top of the isosceles triangle, ready to sew.

As you sew these together, remember that you are stitching bias edges, and take care not to stretch the fabric.

Step 6

Once your final seam is sewn along the long edge of both triangles, open the second long triangle and see that your patch is complete!

It's interesting to note that since the seam allowances are facing toward the magenta, it causes the blue fabric to be recessed in the patch - almost as if it were in the background.

If I wanted to make a mountain that was standing out in the quilt, I would have pressed the seam allowances toward the blue fabric.

This effect can be enhanced by quilting stitches, especially if you are stitching in the ditch.

Happy Quilting!

Penny is a quilter of more than 24 years who seeks to interest new quilters and provide them with the resources necessary to create beautiful quilts.

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©2007, Penny Halgren

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