During the later years of Ben's life, good living and good eating caught up with him...he suffered terribly from gout and had to rest his ankles and legs. Often he would be carried from the business that kept him busy. 'Madame Gout' was also a source of inspiration and folly...to which old Ben was quick to write!
To print a copy of Page 1, click here-->Download Footstool-Block 26 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 1
To print a copy of Page 2, click here-->Download Footstool-Block 26 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 2
To print a copy of Page 3, click here-->Download Footstool-Block 26 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 3
(We strongly advise downloading all three of these pages)
Footstool block tutorial
Begin the Footstool block by drawing a diagonal line through the Beige scrap 3-inch squares. Layer a Beige scrap square on top of a Red Scrap 3-inch square. Sew 1/4-inch to each side of the drawn line.
Cut on the drawn line and press the seams to the Red scrap.
Next, layer these sewn pieces together with colors opposite so that the seams nest. The Red scraps will be paired with the Beige as shown. Drawn a diagonal line across the back and stitch 1/4-inch to each side of the drawn line...
Cut on the drawn line an press...it does not matter to which side you press. Make 4 A units that measure 2 1/4-inch square.
The B units are made just like the first step of the A units! Draw a digaonal line through the back of all 6 Beige scrap 2 5/8-inch squares. Then layer these on top of the Blue scrap 2 5/8-inch Blue scrap squares...then sew 1/4-inch to each side of the drawn line...
cut on the drawn line and press to the Blue scrap. You will need to make 12 B units that measure 2 1/4-inch square.
Follow the diagram on Page 2 to lay out the block using the A units, B units, and Beige C squares. Pay close attention to the direction of the A and B units!
Sew each row together taking care to keep everything in place!
Once the rows are sewn together and you have the center...the block is smaller than the usual 12-inch square...
Sew the 2 1/2-inch border strip to the top and bottom of the block center...
and to both sides!
Give your block a final press, with a spritz of spray starch, if you like, and your Footstool block is finished! See you next month with the next step in the project!
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 further questions, or need further assistance, please contact Erik HOMEMADE®.
