Q3 Summer Block: Modified Potato Chip Block

It is time to announce our next block drive and we are sewing scrappy!

Start Date: July 1st, 2026

Final Deadline: September 30th, 2026

There are going to be lots of variation in color placement so there will be lots of photos to reference.

But before I start with the instructions, I want to share this photo from Phyllis. Her machine had to go in to be repaired, so she sewed last quarter’s batik blocks on her 1904 Standard Treadle machine. I love it - how fun is that!

This quarter, we are going to make a variation of the Potato Chip Block. The true Potato Chip Block is a 12.5" square.

We decided to do a truncated version that is only 8.5" square.

This block is super easy. We will be using the color wheel and making our blocks using complimentary colors. You need six 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles in one color and one 4.5" square in its complimentary color.

Lay them out in the above configuration. Then sew the top two pieces, the center three pieces and then the bottom two pieces together.

You can press however you desire.

Now simply sew together the rows to complete the block.

Your block should now measure 8.5" square.

The colors for your blocks can be yellow with a purple center or purple with a yellow center.

Another color option is green with a red center or red with a green center.

And finally, you can make blocks that are blue with an orange center or orange with a blue center. You can make however many blocks you desire in the above combinations. You do not need to make matching pairs.

Notice the orange block has a slightly different center. If you do not have bigger scraps for the centers, you can swap the larger square for two 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles. Just be sure the seams are configured like the sample.

I am not sure yet how we are going to assemble these blocks. Once they start arriving, I am sure inspiration will strike!

This block drive will continue until the end of August.

If you have any questions or need an address for where you can send your blocks, just email me at cynthiabddesigns@gmail.com or manyhandsandmanyhearts@gmail.com.

Thanks so much for your support!