Block 21 - BOM Patchwork Barn

[Lana S.]

Question - Block 19 is the basket block. I did not have any problems with the basket handle.
However, the body of the basket presented problems for me due to the directional pattern
of the background (light fabric with "stripes" going North and South). I have tried making
the HST using the dark squares with the light (directional fabric) as instructed. I cut them
once on the diagonal and then cut again on the other diagonal. When I do this, the directional
stripe fabric (the light fabric) never comes out correctly having the "stripes" running north
and south. I have to remove stitches and somehow re-arrange my cut fabric so that the
stripes are going the correct direction. I even had to cut new pieces and insert them.
What am I doing WRONG?! I have the blocks finished, but I sure wish I knew what I was
doing wrong in placing the 4-1/4" squares (light and dark) together and sewing the diagonal
seam, cutting on the marked line and then cutting in the opposite diagonal directions. Never
comes out the correct way for me. HELP!

[Lana S.]

Sorry...I started my question with block 19. I meant block 21. Thanks for any help.

[Barbara B.]

Lanajoyce, I understand your question. This sweet little basket has been a bit of challenge. I just now cut striped fabric to test the directions and you are correct--those stripes do not all run North/South as you would like with a strong directional print. The only thing I can suggest is to cut the squares in half on the diagonal, but do not sew them into a HST. Cut again so you get ONE triangle going North/South, and repeat with another directional square--this will create triangles you won't use but allows you to get the stripes in the correct orientation. Once you are happy with the directions the triangles are going, sew them together. The unused triangles are leftovers.
I don't know of any other way you could cut the striped fabric to get them all going North/South. If you were willing to have one block go East/West, that would work but you would have to cut the A rectangle going East/West too.
I hope this puts your mind at ease. You are not doing anything wrong.

[Lana S.]

Thanks so much, Barbara! I feel better knowing that I'm actually doing this
HST procedure the correct way. I so appreciate all of your help and tips
with this BOM.