Shadow Block ~ Charm Pack Tutorial

I've acquired many charm packs and have a stack of 5" blocks cut from scraps.  The problem for me was whatever will I do with them?  Not that they aren't pretty sitting in a perfect little stack, I was bound and determined not to let them sit any longer.

I decided a shadow block (or illusion block) was the answer!  These blocks are simple, quick and the effect after piecing them together is gorgeous!

SHADOW BLOCK
5 1/4" Finished

For each block, you will need the following:

1 - Charm Square or 5" Block
1 - 1 1/4" x 5" Gray Strip
1 - 1 1/4" x 4 1/4" Gray Strip
2 - 1 1/4" Squares White

Place (1) white square on the end of each of the gray strips.  Using a 1/4" seam, sew and press towards the gray fabric.

On the bottom of the 5" square, place the short 'shadow' (5") piece with the white on the left side.  Sew and press seam towards the 5" square.

Next, place the last strip along the right side of the block with the white at the top.  Sew. Press towards the 5" square.

And there you have it!  The block will be 5 1/4" when finished (5 3/4" unfinished).

When you are making multiples of this block, strip cutting and piecing is the way to go! They go together quickly and the results are wonderful!  

 This is the quilt I made using 40 Charm Squares.  You can read about it here: 

Charm Pack ~ Cool Waters Quilt

After all my blocks were pieced, I added 1 1/4" white sashing between the rows.  First vertical and then horizontal. 

LINKING:

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