Hack Slash - A free block for you!

When I was working on my quilt block font this week, I didn't use a quilt block book. I sold my favorite, Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia, out of economic necessity last year.  [I believe it is now available in an affordable PDF format for those looking. I've yet to replace mine, but will eventually.] The upshot of working without a reference book is that it inspired me to digitally doodle and make up blocks along the way. One block that stood out to me was was quickly dubbed Hack Slash.

Out of sheer coincidence, it ended up on the slash key (/) of the font. It features a Sawtooth Star design with a giant cut through a framed center. I instantly fell in love with the block and decided that I absolutely needed to see it made up as a neutral star set in brights.  [The upshot is your going to get a free PDF for the 9in foundation pieced version of this block... so keep reading!]

Frankly, I love this block. I'd guess that it's been done before by one of the early quilt block designers as it is a simple Sawtooth Star variant. Perhaps with slightly different proportions?  Perhaps colored in a different way? Regardless, the the framed and slashed center speaks to me.  Although I'm working well in advance, I know that I'm going request this block in coppers, pinks and greys for the must.stash quilt bee.

I'm pretty amped up about how it might turn out.  I just need to patiently wait until October:

For all your patience with that long-winded introduction, I'm happy to let you know that I have a 9" finished foundation pieced template available for you for free download at:

http://www.badskirt.com/directions/HackSlash.pdf

This block pattern assumes that you have a basic understanding of foundation piecing, but it is exceptionally easy.  I would class it as a beginner level. At some point, before October, I'll release traditional piecing templates too in case my quilt bee gals aren't wooed by foundation piecing for this block.

What are you waiting for? Go get that download!


----a few notes to help with the pattern----

Printing tips:
- never print directly from a browser as that can throw the scale off. save the file, then print.
- print the center page once and the pages with outer edges twice.
- always check that the scale is set to 100%.
- once printed, measure the dashed boxes and compare to the measurements on each page.

Piecing tips:
- this pattern uses very basic foundation piecing, no special steps are required.
- after joining the sides and center, press seams inwards. This will allow you to nest the seams for the top and bottom.

Fabric and layout ideas:
- this block also would look good with the colors and neutrals inverted. try inverting just the outer edges as well.
- scrappy! scrappy is always fun.
- the diagonal strip in the center would be perfect for text or signatures
- a slice of text would also look nice in along the framed edge in the center
- you can rotate the outer edges by 180 degrees to create another block design which has a center-slashed on-point square and squares in each corner

I'm really excited about this block. I hope you are too!  If you end up making Hack Slash blocks, don't forget to tag me on Flickr, Facebook or Instagram so I can see what you're been up to.


happy crafting.
amy, badskirt