After a day at the seashore, sometimes you need to just get out of the sun and spend some time under a nice, cool umbrella. That's what I was imagining when I designed this block. It starts with the umbrella in the center, then a beach blanket, the sand, and finally the ocean. Maybe I should have called this block "My Own Private Island", since we seem to be surrounded by the ocean! I hope that you find a little escape while constructing this block.

I'm using Ombre Confetti Metallics for most of this block and I love how it makes the "umbrella", "sand", and "ocean" sparkle!

This post is part of our summer quilt-along series. Find the rest of the posts by clicking {here}.

Note: For center pinwheel (Fabrics A and B): This cutting method is a two-at-a-time half square triangle method. Feel free to use your favorite method of constructing four HSTs that finish at 3" (3.5" unfinished).

Fabric A (red): (2) 3 7/8" squares (optional: cut to 4" square and then trim your HSTs after construction)

Fabric B (white): (2) 3 7/8" squares (optional: cut to 4" square and then trim your HSTs after construction)

Fabric C (light blue):  7.25" square, cut twice on the diagonal, yielding 4 triangles

Fabric D (tan): 9.75" square, cut twice on the diagonal, yielding 4 triangles

Fabric E (navy): (4) 4" squares

Construct the Center Unit (Umbrella):

1. Draw a diagonal line, corner to corner on the wrong side of the white squares.
2. Place the red and white square rights sides together.
3. Sew a 1/4" seam on both sides of the drawn line.
4. Cut on the drawn line.
5. Press HST units open, toward the dark fabric. Trim off dog ears.
6. Trim to 3.5" square, if needed.

7. Layout HSTs as shown above and sew together. Unit should measure 6.5" square.

Add the Beach Blanket Round

1. Fold each light blue triangle in half along the long edge and finger press to mark the center.
2. Align the center of the light blue triangle with the center of the pinwheel block and sew together.
3. Repeat on opposite side of pinwheel block.
4. Press open.

5. Repeat steps 2-4 on the other sides of pinwheel block.
6. Trim. Unit should measure 9" square.

Add the Sand Round

1. Fold each tan triangle in half along the long edge and finger press to mark the center.
2. Align the center of the tan triangle, with the center of the block and sew together.
3. Repeat on opposite side of block.
4. Press open.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 on the sides of the block.
6. Trim. Unit should measure 12.5" square.

Add the Ocean Round

1. Draw a diagonal line corner to corner on the wrong side of the four 4" navy blocks.
2. Place a square in the corner of the block as shown and sew right on the drawn line.
3. Trim 1/4" from sewn line.
4. Press open.
5. Repeat on remaining three corners.

This block finishes at 12" x 12" (12.5" x 12.5" unfinished).

Thanks for joining me at the seashore! I'm looking forward to seeing your In the Shade blocks. Feel free to tag me on Instagram and tag your block #intheshadeblock.

Kristin Esser

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