I hope you are enjoying these blocks!  Remember, trimming each unit before continuing is essential to accurate piecing!

For the Eight Hands Around block you will need to cut the following:

Neutral

Four 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles

Two 4″ squares

Four 2″ x 3 1/2″ rectangles

Four 2″ squares

One 3 1/2″ square

Two 1 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ rectangles

Two 1 1/2″ x 14 1/2″ rectangles

Color 1

Eight 2″ squares

Color 2

Eight 3 1/2″ squares

Two 4″ squares

Again I will show pictures of constructing the first block.  The second block will be the same with the colors reversed.

Begin by making four half square triangle units using the 4″ squares (two neutral, two color 2)

Press and trim the units to 3 1/2″

Using the 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles and the eight 3 1/2″ squares cut from color 2 make four flying geese units.  (You can find the instructions on Block 2 — Summer Winds)

Press and trim to 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ making sure the tip of the triangle is 1/4″ away from the edge.

Make four more flying geese units using the four 2″ x 3 1/2″ neutral rectangles and the 2″ squares from color 2.

Press and trim these to 2″ x 3 1/2″ making sure the tip of the triangle is 1/4″ away from the edge.

Using the 3 1/2″ neutral square, the four 2″ neutral squares and the four smaller flying geese units arrange the pieces to make the block shown below.

Arrange the remaining units as shown to piece the block.

Press and trim the block to 12 1/2″ square.

Add the 1 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ and the 1 1/2″ x 14 1/2″ strips to the sides of the block and you will be finished!