Saturday Stitches – An 8″ Connector Block

A favorite block size is 8 inches. However, the chain connector block seems to work better as a 9 patch block and that is not easily divisible as an 8 inch block. I was watching a Lori Holt video (I love her quilts even though I’ve never made one of them) and she was making an 8″ chain connector block. And of course, I set out to make that block with my AccuQuilt dies. These are the measurements for that block.

8 inch finished chain connector block

As always, I have a stack of star blocks that will work perfectly with some chain connector blocks. These are floating stars – all scrappy – made with a custom die that I had made by Custom Shape Pros through the AccuQuilt website.

This is how I made the connectors.

For each block:

Die# to CutSize to cut
2″ strip cutter2 each2″ x 8-1/2″ dark strips
2″ x 8-1/2″ light strips
2-1/2″ strip cutter42-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ light rectangles
2-1/2″ strip cutter12-1/2″ dark square

Sew the light and dark strips together, press to the dark strip, and then subcut with the 2″ strip cutter into pairs to make the corner four patch units.

Sew the light and dark strips together, press to the dark strip, and then subcut with the 2″ strip cutter into pairs to make the corner four patch units. Layer as many as will fit onto 2″ strip die
These are the 8-1/2″ strips that have been cut into subunits for 4-patch corner units
Arrange light/dark subunits to be stitched into 4-patch units
Arrange the four patch units, light rectangles, and dark center square to make a 9 patch block.

And this is the mockup from EQ8 of the connector blocks and the floating stars.

8 Replies to “Saturday Stitches – An 8″ Connector Block”

    1. Hi Doris – this makes such an easy chain connector. 9-patch blocks are not my favorite – I’ve gotten so used to the 4 x 4 blocks from AccuQuilt, but these are perfect to use without sashing.

  1. I love how you can take ideas from others and convert to Accuquilt. The best part is your willingness to share your knowledge! Many thanks!

    1. Hi Deborah, I don’t know how I would quilt without the die cutting system. It makes things go so much faster and there’s so much to do and so little time. LOL.

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