Life in later years was good for Benjamin Franklin...he was wise and looked to for advice; he had helped found a new nation and in 1787, the leaders of Pennsylvania even convinced him to serve as its "president" (similar to governor) for three years! Although often bedridden Ben continued writing his Autobiography and enjoying life with his family, his grandsons and the busy household on Market Street...
To print a copy of Page 1, click here-->Download Gentleman's Fancy-Block 25 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 1
To print a copy of Page 2, click here-->Download Gentleman's Fancy-Block 25 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 2
To print a copy of Page 3, click here-->Download Gentleman's Fancy-Block 25 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 3
(We strongly advise downloading all three of these pages)
Gentleman's Fancy block tutorial
Begin the Gentleman's Fancy block by sewing together 4 Blue scrap 2 1/2-inch squares in a four-patch. Press the seams opposite. This is the center A unit.
For the Flying Geese B units, draw a digonal line through 8 Blue scrap squares...layer on top of a Beige scrap 2 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch rectangle then stitch on the drawn line.
After stitching, trim off the corner leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance; flip the corner up and press.
Repeat with the other corner...stitching on the drawn line. Trim off the corner, flip up, and press.
Make 4 Blue/Beige scrap Flying Geese B units that measure 2 1/2 by 4 1/2-inches.
The C Flying Geese units are made the same way! Use Red scrap 2 1/2-inch squares instead of Blue...Draw the diagonal lines, stitch on the line; trim off the corner, flip ...press
Repeat with the other corner...stitching, flipping, and pressing as before. This is the Flying Geese C unit...make 4 that measure 2 1/2 by 4 1/2-inches!
The D units are like those we have made before. Draw a diagonal line across the back of the Blue scrap 2 7/8-inch squares. Layer a prepared Blue scrap square on top of a Red scrap 2 7/8-inch square. Stitch 1/4-inch to each side of the drawn line; cut on the drawn line.
Press. You will make 8 Blue/Red D units that measure 2 1/2-inch square.
Layout the block in 5 rows using the 8 Blue scrap 2 1/2-inch squares and the diagram on Page 2.
Stitch the center row using D/B/A/B/D units first...
then the other rows.
Then stitch the rows together to complete the Gentleman's Fancy block! A quick press with a hot iron and some spray starch, if you like, and your block is done! See you next month with more instructions!
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(R).
