The Swallows block offers a variety of options in fabric selection. An important factor is to maintain high contrast between the smaller diamond "swallows" and the background.
Mark the intersections of the 1/4" sewing lines (seam allowance) on each of the pieces if you are machine piecing or mark the entire sewing line if you are hand piecing.
Press your seams consistently in one direction, clockwise or counterclockwise. It helps to lay your block out while you sew to keep track, and also to keep your triangles straight if you have cut them differently to follow grain lines.
For all seams (except those on the outside edge of the block) DO NOT sew into the seam allowances. Start and stop your seams at the intersection marks you made. Go forward a stitch, then backtack, and forward again.
Step-by-step Instructions:
- Construct each swallow unit by sewing eight sets of three small diamonds together.
- To each unit sew on the small triangles of background fabric and then set in the remaining triangles. You now have eight pieced diamonds.
- Sew the pieced diamonds together in pairs, then sew two pairs together.
- Now sew the two halves together. You can sew right through the center seam allowance.
- Set in the large squares and triangles, starting your seam from the inside of the block towards the outside.
