Slightly Swooning... Making a 12" Swoon Block

A couple of weeks ago, BD#1 called and asked me if I would be willing to make her a Swoon Quilt if she provided the fabric and pattern.  Hmmm..  Was this a test of my love?  Of my willingness to do anything for my eldest daughter?  [I'm wondering now because I think she's decided to make the quilt herself.  Honestly I'm slightly disappointed - I was kind of looking forward to it.] 

And frankly, I readily agreed to her proposal.  I've been wanting to make a Swoon quilt ever since I first saw them months ago.  I've seen the blocks and they are amazing.  I've seen the quilts, and they are exciting and fresh.

What I hadn't seen was the pattern.  So in a fit of excitement, I promised to make Swoon blocks for my 3x6 Bee partners this round.  Then, I looked at the pattern....  These are huge blocks -- 24-1/2 inches square!  Not exactly the dimensions needed for the 3x6 Bee.


If you're not familiar with the 3x6 Bee, there are 7 members in a "hive" and everyone has 3 months to make the same 12-1/2" block in different colors for the other 6 members of the bee.  Somehow the Swoon in its original dimensions just won't fill the bill here.

There is a great Swoon Along on Flickr with lots of hints and tips and lots of helpful quilters (more than 1000) who are Swooning at every turn and helping each other create gorgeous Swoon quilts.

There are even blocks in different dimensions - a 16" block, and an 18" block and I think I saw a 36" block.  But no 12" blocks. That meant the math was up to me.  Hmmmm...  I had to put on my thinking cap for this one.

So here are the measurements I came up with to create a 12-1/2" Swoon block.  Amazingly enough, my block actually measures 12-1/2".  {Miracles never cease!}

I'm posting the pic again so you can follow along with the colors.  (I kept getting the colors mixed up when I was cutting, so I hope this helps.) 

EDIT:  I'm making the block again and I'm still getting the colors mixed up.  I think what is confusing me is that the center square is COLOR 2.  My mind thinks that it should be color 1.  If you try this and find something wrong, please let me know.  I think I've fixed it now, but if not, I'm sorry.

Per block, you will need:

(8) 3-1/2" x 2" rectangles color 1 (blue)
(8) 2-1/2" squares color1
(1) 3-1/2" square color 2 (yellow)
(12) 2" squares color 2
(6) 2-1/2" squares color 2*
(12) 2" squares background  (white)
(6) 2-1/2" squares background (white)*
(8) 3-1/2" x 2" rectangles background (white)

*NOTE:  Camille's original directions call for  7/8" seam allowance added for the HSTs made in the sew-on-the-diagonal-and-cut-apart method.  This doesn't work for me.  I add a full inch and trim if needed rather than take a chance on making HSTs that are too small.  If you're good with the 7/8" seam allowance, by all means, cut these at 2-3/8".

So there's my contribution to those who just want to Swoon slightly.

Enjoy!