Make an Oriental Lantern Block
Use 1/4" seam allowances for all seams.
Make a Lantern Block
Refer to the drawing above to help visualize the lantern block.
- Sew the two 6-1/2" long contrasting bars to the long, bottom edges of two oriental print rectangles. Press seam allowances towards the print, then sew the two completed units together and press.
- Add the remaining oriental fabric rectangle to the bottom of the unit, adjacent to the contrasting bar. Press the seam towards the print to complete the lantern body.
- Sew a black 1-1/2" x 10-1/2" bar to each long side of the lantern body.
- Make the lantern top and bottom units by sewing a 2-1/2" x 3" black bar to each end of a 3" x 4-1/2" contrasting bar, matching the 3" edges. The resulting unit should measure 3" x 8-1/2".
- Slice the unit in half lengthwise to create two units, each measuring 1-1/2" x 8-1/2". Sew one unit to the top of the lantern body and the other to its bottom. Press seams towards the lantern.
If you're assembling many blocks, chain piecing techniques will speed up the assembly process.
