Sun Ray’s Delight Quilt Block Tutorial
Sampler Sew Along Block 4
Today’s block is a hybrid of two traditional 8 pointed star blocks both of which are called different names according to different internet sources. As I stated previously I’m using Barbara Brackman’s book Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt patterns to identify the blocks I’m sharing in The Quilt Block Library. From what I can decipher today’s block is a hybrid of Sun Ray’s Quilt, and Doris' Delight (aka Road to Paradise) so I’ve dubbed this one Sun Ray’s Delight.
Sun Ray’s Delight is pretty easy to make. The finished size of the block is 12” because that’s what we’re working with in the sew along. If you want to make a different size block you can do so very easily by changing the size of the pieces within the block. Making custom size blocks is explained in this post. In the following instructions I will refer to the colors as the ones I chose (olive green, sage green, and stripes) so as you plan your block, swap them for your personal colors. For the natural dyers the olive green recipe is here, and the sage green recipe can be found in my book Farm & Folk Quilt Alchemy on page 78 [formula 19: Sagebrush].
Sun Ray’s Delight is a 9 patch block meaning it’s made up of 9 patchwork pieces:
4 corner squares
4 Triangle in a Square blocks
1 Diamond in the Square block
Finished Block Size 12”
1/4” seam allowance
Cut List
For the Corner Squares:
Cut 4 olive green squares: 4 1/2”
For the Triangle in a Square Blocks:
cut 1 olive green strip: 4 1/2” wide by at least 13” long
cut 1 stripe strip: 4 1/2” wide by at least 14” long
For the Diamond in the Square Block:
cut 1 olive green square: 3 3/8”
cut 2 sage green squares: 3”
Make the Triangle in a Square Blocks
Gather the strips you cut for the Triangle in a Square blocks and head over to my Triangle in a Square tutorial which will walk you through creating a template. This may sound intimidating but I assure you it’s simple. The template set takes about 10 minutes to make, then you’ll be on your way to making this fun block. The Triangle in a Square tutorial was written specifically for today’s block so follow it exactly (you don’t need to change any measurements).
*You will need to make 4 Triangle in a Square blocks so use your templates to cut 4 center triangles and 4 pairs of side triangles from the strips.
1 of 4 of my Triangle in a Square blocks.
Make the Diamond in the Square Block
Gather the squares you cut to make the Diamond in the Square block and head over to my Diamond in the Square tutorial to make one block. When you get to the part of the tutorial where you trim the block trim it to 4 1/2”.
Assemble the Block
Lay the 9 patchwork pieces out on your work surface as shown below.
Sew the pieces into three horizontal rows as shown below. Press the seams open or to the side if you prefer.
Sew the rows together using pins to match the seams and press the seams open or to the side if you prefer.
I loved this block so much that I made another!
And then I went back and made a double for the previous 3 sew along blocks! I totally can’t decide whether I want an olive green background or a white background so I’m making both and I love them both!
Of course I could combine them too! I’ll figure it out as I go!
Four complete sew along blocks (or eight in my case)! I’m looking forward to sharing next week’s block. If you have any questions please ask below in the comment section for all to reference. Be sure to tag your sew along blocks with #folksamplersewalong on Instagram. It’s been really fun and inspiring to see the beautiful work you’ve been sharing there. Thanks so much for joining this adventure, I’m so glad you’re here!
