Jacob's Ladder - Part 2, Quilt #1 2014

Earlier this week I posted about the quilt I was working on that included blocks of the Grandmother's Fan and Jacob's Ladder.  You can find that post by clicking here.  The pattern comes from Leisure Arts, Encyclopedia of Classic Quilt Patterns.  Even though it was printed in 2001, they have some steps that were made easier with modern techniques and I used the modern techniques.

I finished up the 16 - 12" blocks (12-1/2" unfinished) I needed of the Jacob's Ladder this weekend and played with the layout of them in case I ever decided to do a full quilt of just this block. 

Half-Square Triangles

First I cut strips 4-7/8", stacking both the colors I was using (purple print and white on white), cutting through all layers.  I then cut those in 4-7/8" squares.  This is where I varied from the pattern.  They called for cutting these blocks in half diagonally.  I used the more modern technique for making half-square triangles (HST).

 I have this nifty little 1/2" ruler with a center line which I can line up with the corners of the block.  Then I mark both sides.  I used a cutting board that turns so I don't have to reposition my ruler to mark both sides.  I know that there is also a technique of marking the strip above & sewing before cutting the squares, but this is the way I went this time.

 Then it's a simple assembly line, sewing on the marked lines.

 Cut between the sewn lines and you have half square triangles.

 I needed a finished block of 4-1/2".  Using this method there really wasn't much squaring up to do.

Jacob's Ladder

The Jacob's Ladder block is basically a 9-Patch.  3 rolls of 1-4 Patch and 2 HST.  Assembly method again and I got all my blocks sewn together in an afternoon.

 Here are some sample ways to lay out Jacob's Ladder.

 I think this one is my favorite (below).