2 Rectangle squares tutorial

This tutorial is for the 3 quilts with blocks made up of 2 rectangles.  I don't cut rectangles though.  I piece strips together.  Cut your strips any width you want.  I used 2.5" in one quilt, 3" in the next and this one is using 3.5".

After piecing 2 strips together, measure the width.  That is the size you will cut at.  I have had several questions about what size I cut them.  It has to be the same measurement as your sewn width or they won't be squares.

Place the bottom edge of the first strip along a line on your cutting mat.  Start about 10 lines up from the edge closest to you.  The left edge should be overlapping a line too.

Stack the strip sets one at a time on each of the lines below the first one (one strip set per line) so you have them staggered and no seams are on top of each other.

Trim the left edge along the line that it is overlapping. 

This is just a tiny trim to even up the edges.

Make as many cuts as you can (remember the cut size is the same size as the sewn width).  I got 2 out of my sets and then got one strip the same width as my cut strip size (bonus).

The bonus cut will make 4 patches for another quilt.

Now the fun begins.  This is one pattern you can use these blocks for.  To keep all of your pieces twisting in the same direction like a blade or pinwheel, always have the upper left piece in the same position.  I chose vertical with the darkest color on the right.  If you happen to make the upper left one in a horizontal position it won't work with this layout that I am showing.  You would need to "unsew" or you have 2 quilts started with blades twisting in opposite positions in each, LOL!

The next layout is a stairstep layout.  You will notice that the blocks are only in 2 positions and are repeated through the quilt.  I only focus on the light fabric, and it is in the top and left position all through the quilt.

If you tip your head one way (I did it for you with the camera) you get horizontal zig zags rows which would either get trimmed on the outer edges or you would need setting triangles to fill in the edges.  I did that here (scroll down to second quilt).

If you tip it in the opposite direction, you get vertical zig zag rows.

This is a simple quilt, basically a 2 strip rail fence block, but it would look great in almost any kind of fabric.  If you are using small prints, cut your strips narrow (2-2.5").  If you are using larger prints cut the strips wider (3-3.5").  I will use a 4" strip if I make it out of flannel fabrics.