Seriously..I think it needs stitches.: Groundhog Day Quilt Block Tutorial

Happy Groundhog Day! I haven't made a National Days quilt block in a few days.. but I had to include a groundhog in my scrappy National Days quilt! Looking at him, you'd think he would be pretty simple to draw. But wow, no. He went through many hideous mammal-ish stages and much googling before landing here.↡ (If he looks like a beaver, it's because they're related.)

I'm still not even sure he looks 100% like a groundhog. haha! So what's the deal with groundhogs anyway? Turns out they're large rodents (woodchucks of tongue-twister fame). They're herbivores and they have their own day because a long time ago, in the mid-1880s, in Punxsatawney PA (thus the famous groundhog Punxsatawney Phil), a newspaper editor sold the local Groundhog Club on the idea. I guess there was a club for hunting groundhogs. Supposedly, if the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter, and if he doesn't, it will be an early spring. According to the news I read this morning, it will be an early spring. The groundhog has spoken.

Well, this guy's not seeing his shadow, either, so maybe it really will be an early spring... 🤷 I had no idea that Groundhog Day went all the way back to the 1880s. I'm using up scraps AND learning things. haha!

Here's how Quilty Phil goes together. Remember to always use scant quarter inch seams.

Fabric A (face):
(3) 1" sq. (>)
(2) 1 1/2" sq. (*)
(2) 1 1/2 x 2 1/2" (**)
(1) 1 1/2 x 3 1/2" (***)
(2) 1 1/2 x 7 1/2"
(2) 2 x 4 1/2"
(1) 3 1/2 x 4 1/2"

Fabric B (ears):
(4) 1 1/2" sq. (*)

Fabric C (nose/eyes):
(2) 1 1/2" sq. (*)
(1) 3 x 3 1/2"

Fabric D (background):
(6) 1 1/2" sq. (*)
(1) 1 1/2 x 4 1/2" (****)

Fabric E (teeth):
(2) 1 x 1 1/4" (~)

Double Upper Corners

1. Place a square at the left end or left upper corner of a rectangle or larger square, right sides together.
2. Stitch from right upper to left lower corner.
3. Clip, flip & press.
4. Place a square at the right end or right upper corner of a rectangle or larger square, right sides together.
5. Stitch from left upper corner to right lower corner.
6. Clip, flip & press.

~Using above method, (2) 1 1/2" sq. of Fabric B & 1 1/2 x 4 1/2" rect. of Fabric D-long edge at the top, make one unit.

~Repeat using (2) 1 1/2" sq. of Fabric A & 3 x 3 1/2" rect. of Fabric C-long edge at the top.

~Repeat using (2) 1 1/2" sq. of Fabric D & 1 1/2 x 7 1/2" rect. of Fabric A-long edge at the top. Repeat for total of two of these units.

~Assemble block as shown below.

You will have an 8 1/2" (8" finished) groundhog!

Here's how my scrappy guy turned out. I had to dig hard for these scraps. He's very flowery and perhaps a little jaundice. 🤣

I'll be back tomorrow with another National Days quilt block. I'll be linking this block tutorial over on the National Days page with all of the other blocks/tutorials so far, *HERE*. They're starting to pile up, though I'm still not even close to the magic number of 144 that I need for a king size scrap quilt. If you make any, please tag me if you post any pics on IG, @kellifanninquilts, or come share them in the sew along group on my FB page, *HERE*, I'd love to see them!

Be back soon!

Happy Groundhog Day & Happy Stitching! And if you're watching the Super Bowl, have fun!🏈

xoxo

1 comments...:

Lori Smanski said...

Kelli, this is adorable. Thank you for sharing this pattern and the information. Cool. I had no idea either that it went back so far. Awww your ground hog doesnt look jaundice. He just has not been in the sun for the last few months. That would make anyone look pale. LOL Thank you.

February 3, 2020 at 6:09 AM