With fame and fortune from Poor Richard, Ben set out on improving his beloved Philadelphia for the better of everyone. The streets were in bad shape, there was garbage strewn everywhere, and at night were too poorly lit to navigate. With his usual wit and wisdom, Ben convinced the good public of Philadelphia to pay for street repair, hire a team to collect garbage and to sweep the streets...he himself inventing a cleaner lamp for the streetlights! In 1736, Ben organized the Union Fire Company...the first volunteer fire department in the colonies!
To print a copy of Page 1, click here-->Download City Streets Block-Block 13 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 1
To print a copy of Page 2, click here-->Download City Streets Block-Block 13 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 2
To print a copy of Page 3, click here-->Download City Streets Block-Block 13 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 3
(We strongly advise downloading all three of these pages)
City Streets block tutorial
Start the City Streets block by sewing the Red scrap 1 1/8 by 2 1/2-inch rectangles to the Beige scrap 1 7/8 by 2 1/2-inch rectangles; press the seams towards the Beige scrap.
Next start making the corner units by sewing a Blue scrap 1 1/8 by 1 7/8-inch rectangle to the Beige scrap 1 7/8-inch squares. Press these to the Blue scrap.
Lay out the entire block using both the sewn units and the remaining 1 1/8 by 2 1/2-inch Blue scrap rectangle (F) pieces. Notice that there are 2 LEFT facing corner units and 2 RIGHT facing corner units! Following the instructions on Page 2, finish sewing together the corner units.
Here is the block laid out with the Blue F pieces sewn in place and the rows ready to be sewn. Since the pieces are small, consider cutting more than you need and have fun moving them throughout your blocks creating as many combinations as you like!
Now sew each of the three rows together, Nine-Patch style. Notice how the 1 1/8-inch pieces fit nicely together! This is where careful pieceing and pressing is important**!
Sew the three rows together and your first City Street block is ready!
Repeat to make 4 City Street blocks for your quilt, pressing each with a bit of spray starch, if you like! See you next month for block 14 (yes! there are more blocks)!
**Nothing beats a neat and tidy pressed quilt block! When the seams are pressed opposite they nest quite well!
If you are missing a page, or need further copies of any of the instructions posted to date, click on the Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt button under DON'T MISS A STEP to find what you need. If you have a question, or need further assistance, please contact Erik HOMEMADE®.