AQS Block by Block Basics: Clay's Choice sponsored by AccuQuilt

By American Quilter's Society
Apr 8, 2025

Welcome to the AQS Block by Block Basics Series sponsored by AccuQuilt! Each month we'll spend three weeks playing with one block. Week one, we'll kick things off with hand piecing from templates like the quilters of yesterday. For week two, we'll use the AccuQuilt Cutting System and machine-piece the blocks with a focus on precision piecing. Finally, in week three, we'll focus on making the block fabulous with a variety of embellishment techniques.

Be sure to join our AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook Group to sew along with other quilters, ask questions, and share your progress.

If you missed the first blocks in the series, check them out by clicking its name: Sixteen Patch, Uneven Nine-Patch, and Jewel Box.

Clay’s Choice Block

12" x 12" finished block size

Week One: Template cutting and hand piecing

Week Two: AccuQuilt cutting and precision machine piecing

Week Three: Embellishment fun

Each month, we'll complete two blocks, one hand pieced and one machine pieced. You can finish one or both of the blocks to make mini quilts or use them in projects. We'll have lots of creative ideas along the way for using your 12" blocks. We'll also offer finishing instructions if you prefer to save all the blocks for a quilt.

Week One

Template Options

Follow the steps from our first month (click here to visit the first tutorial) to make the three templates needed for this month's Clay’s Choice block.

You need the following templates:

(1) 3" x 3" square (you can use the same one from month one, two, and three)

(1) 3" x 3" square, cut in half diagonally once for a Half Square Triangle

(1) 3” x 6” diamond - See instructions below

Start with a 3” x 6” rectangle, then mark the center 3” point of the long side of the rectangle on the left and the right as a reference for the diagonal diamond lines. Use a ruler to mark the 45-degree angle from the 3” mark on the left up to the right corner. Create a parallel angle mark from the left bottom corner to the 3” mark on the right side of the rectangle as shown above.

Remember, these are finished sizes and don't include the seam allowances. Be sure to label your templates so it's easy to find the right size when you need it!

Select your fabric, and start tracing. If last month was your first time hand piecing, you'll have a pretty good idea of how much seam allowance you want.

If this is your first try, here's some important info you shouldn't miss:

Seam allowances are different for hand piecing. They don't serve as a guide for accuracy rather they exist so the fabric doesn't fray too much while you sew. If you're new to hand piecing, give yourself some extra room. You can always trim them down later. DO NOT CUT ON THE DRAWN LINE - it's tempting, but don't do it.

Step one: Select the fabrics for the block. Traditionally, this block features matching diamonds, a coordinating center pinwheel, accent corner squares, and a light background fabric. You can do anything you want anytime with your block, that’s the best part. You will need the following amount of each piece:

(4) 3” squares - Corners

(4) 3” squares - Background

(4) 3” half square triangles - Background

(4) 3” half square triangles - Center Pinwheel

(4) 3” x 6” diamonds - Diamonds

Step two: Trace the template on the backside of the fabric leaving enough room between the patches for the seam allowances (a 1/4" or so for each patch is preferred for the seam allowance, but it's not a rule for hand piecing - you'll learn what you like best).

Step three: Cut out the patches leaving enough fabric outside the drawn line for a seam allowance.

Hand Piecing

As the number of seams grew from the blocks we’ve made so far, it became essential to spend time folding open the fabric and pinching the seam into place between my fingers. This is a method known as finger pressing. It became a tactile reward at the end of each seam to feel each stitch settle into its place in the fabric by the heat of my hand. I must confess, pressing with an iron is a step in quiltmaking which I work through efficiently, not something I think of as an indulgence. The closeness I felt to the quilt block I created thanks to the finger pressing process has changed my mind and heart about this step. - Emily

Previously, we covered the Quilter's Knot, the Tailor's Lock Stitch, and the End Knot. If you missed it, you can catch up here.

Hand piecing Clay’s Choice uses all the same techniques as you used for the previous blocks.

Piecing the Block

Lay out a pinwheel half square triangle (HST), a diamond, a background HST for the diamond unit. Next to it, lay out a background square and a corner square. These two units make up a quarter of the block.

Begin by piecing the background square and corner square together. Remember, begin and end each seam at the corner, not sewing into the seam allowance. Finger press towards the corner square.

Then sew the half square triangles to the diamond one at a time. Finger press towards the diamond.

Lay the units back out. The pinwheel HST should be next to the background square of the other unit, and the diamond next to the corner square of the other unit. Sew the units together, making sure to sew through the seam where the seams meet in the center.

Below is a refresher on how to pass through the seam when sewing this patch.

Passing Through the Seam

Step one: When you come to a seam, take a back stitch on the marked line, right up to the seam.

Step two: Pass the needle through the seam on the same side you are stitching from, above the seam's stitches. If you pass the needle below the seam's stitches your stitch will show on the front of your block.

Step three: Once on the other side of the seam, take a stitch forward and then backstitch over this stitch to continue.

Repeat three more times to create 4 corner units.

Join two corner units together in rows. Make 2 rows.

Sew the rows together to complete the block. We have special tips for piecing the center of this block below!

Sew the center first, a few inches to either side of where the pinwheel and diamonds come together in the center seam.

Make sure to pass through the seams without creating a visible stitch at the center of the block.

Take your time here and open your block to check the stitches after reaching the other side of the center seam.

It is easy enough to go back a stitch or two and either tighten something up or retry altogether now.

Once satisfied with the center, go ahead and finish sewing up the rest of the seam.

Finger pressing the center flat by fanning it out is very fun because the seams are all free to be arranged.

Finger pressing towards the diamond helps maintain the center swirl.

Next week, we’ll explore a scrappier Half Square Triangles-only version of Clay’s Choice that absolutely twinkles!

Week Two

Welcome to week two of the AQS Block by Block Basics Series sponsored by AccuQuilt! For week two, we'll use the AccuQuilt Cutting GO! to die cut the fabric, and then we’ll machine piece the blocks with a focus on precision piecing.

Be sure to join our AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook Group to sew along with other quilters, ask questions, and share your progress.

Download the free 12" Clay’s Choice block pattern from AccuQuilt here.

Cutting with the AccuQuilt GO!

This variation of Clay’s Choice uses half square triangles instead of a diamond shape, which opens it up for scrappy fun! Cutting pieces on the AccuQuilt system, it was fun and easy to pull together different scrappy looks, mixing and matching triangles. -Emily

Supplies for Cutting with the AccuQuilt GO!

Download the free Clay’s Choice pattern from AccuQuilt here.

Small scissors to cut threads, if needed

Dies Used:

GO! Square-3½” (3” Finished) (55006)

GO! Half Square Triangle-3” Finished HST (55009 or 55456)

Fabric:

At least three different fabrics, but you could use as many as you like. A background, main color, and accent color are traditional.

If you need a refresh on the cutting process using the AccuQuilt Cutting System, visit our tutorial here.

To make a block, cut out:

(4) Background for 3” finished squares

(4) Main color for 3” finished squares (corners)

(4) Background for 3” finished HST

(4) Main color for 3” finished HST

(8) Accent color for 3” finished HST

Scrappy Variations

Playing with placement of fabrics and values is fun and easy with the AccuQuilt GO! Cutting system. The pieces can be arranged over and over before sewing. Below are a few layouts for inspiration. Play and enjoy for yourself!

Matching fabrics for the “diamond” shape creates emphasis on that shape and calms down a scrappy block.

This variation swaps the background square and corner square placement in values. This background variation would pair well with a block that has the traditional corners to create a secondary design as shown below.

And finally, the variation I’ll be making!

Here I’ve matched the lighter blue fabrics with darker blue fabrics. I like the balance of the blue diamonds being scrappy and orderly.

Machine Piecing

Machine piecing is rich with a variety of techniques and tricks for assembly. If you have any trouble figuring it out or have questions, visit the AQS Quilting Project Parade Group on Facebook. We'll be happy to show you how.

Machine Piecing Supplies

Download the free Clay’s Choice pattern from AccuQuilt here.

Sewing machine

Thread

Scissors

Fabric

Half Square Triangles

The AccuQuilt cutting system trims the corners and makes sewing this unit easy.

To begin, layer two patches, right sides together. Sew from point to point. A ¼” quilter’s sewing foot is perfect for this step.

Make the following combinations of HST units:

(4) Background/Accent Color HST

(4) Main Color/Accent Color HST

Press all the HST units towards the accent color fabric.

Block Assembly

Lay the block back out now that the HST units are assembled.

Sew the units and patches of the first row together.

Repeat for the remaining rows.

Press rows in opposite directions.

Sew the rows together and press as desired to complete Clay’s Choice.

Be sure to stop by the AQS Quilting Project Parade Group on Facebook to show off your finished blocks.

Week Three

Welcome to week three of making the Clay’s Choice block as part of the AQS Block by Block Basics Series sponsored by AccuQuilt! For week three, we'll be adding extra embellishment to our blocks. This month, we're focusing on decorative buttons and beads. We’ll cover basic techniques and creative exploration.

In the months ahead, we'll explore many techniques including some for various finishing options. Have fun combining and building upon each month's embellishment techniques as it goes. Let's start with crochet!

Be sure to join our AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook Group to sew along with other quilters, ask questions, and share your progress.

Beautiful Buttons

Adding buttons to blocks for decoration is a fun detail and can add a lot of vintage charm. Since I was a teenager, I’ve enjoyed collecting used buttons. There’s something very satisfying and equally ‘scrappy’ about a batch of second-hand buttons. My scrappy blue and yellow Clay’s Choice block invited that playful connection to the past. - Emily Cross, Ozark Modern Crafting

Designing with Buttons

When to add buttons to a block is important to consider before starting. They are easy to attach before quilting, but make the block more challenging to quilt. Consider what is needed for your project. In this tutorial, we will be adding the buttons before quilting the block.

In making this scrappy block, I intentionally chose a solid yellow for the “background” fabric so I could use buttons to create a 3-dimensional experience of printed fabric. I started by assembling a lot of blue buttons and auditioning them. But it was a little lacking.

So I added some yellow buttons and got the sunshine twinkle feeling I was looking for. This feeling is tapped through the repetition of the buttons in a variety of styles and colors coming together to create a pleasing visual rhythm which moves the eye around to look at the block and buttons.

When experimenting with buttons on your block, try drawing inspiration from the principles of design to guide your button placement.

BALANCE
EMPHASIS
MOVEMENT
PATTERN & REPETITION
RHYTHM
PROPORTION
VARIETY
UNITY

Button Basics

Adding buttons to a quilt for decorative purposes is more about the aesthetic and avoiding bulk than utility. We will show simple steps for decorative attachments, but we don’t recommend these methods for garments.

To begin, thread the needle and double the thread over so that the two tails are even. Tie a quilter’s knot to secure. Pictured is WonderFil Spaghetti thread for a beautiful weight that would show. Consider that the stitches are part of the decoration when adding buttons.

We’re going to cover how to attach three types of buttons simply and decoratively.

Shank Buttons

A single-hole button, the shank is lifted off of the material. This shape of button is often used on garments with thick materials. They are a heavy-duty option, but often feature beautiful decorations because they feature solid fronts.

To sew a shank button to a quilt block, bring the needle up to the front of the fabric. Thread the button onto the needle while taking the first stitch. The stitch should be as long as the shaft of the button is wide. Pull the thread to a tightness that the shank sits atop the fabric without puckering. Move the needle to the back of the block and tie off.

2-Hole Buttons

Bring the needle up to the front of the fabric through the first hole of the button. Bring the needle down through the second hole and to the back of the fabric, then tie off.

I love how the clean look of this on a 4-hole button, as well!

4-Hole Buttons

The fun of a 4-hole button is how many decorative variations are possible. An X-shape is common in garments, but one can make squares, arrows, flowers and more.

Following the same process as the 2-hole button, bring the needle up to the front of the fabric through the first hole of the button. Bring the needle down through the second hole and to the back of the fabric. Repeat for the third and fourth holes, then tie off.

Bejeweled Beading

There are few things I enjoy looking at as much as intricate beadwork. I find works of art like “Kitchen” by Liza Lou so inspiring with its millions of glass beads. As a girl, playtime often involved creating jewelry and decor with something way less delicate: pony beads. Friendship bracelets, hair-dos, and homemade kaleidoscopes were all playgrounds for pony beads. When planning this block, I wanted to tap into that childhood creativity. Simple beading stitches enabled multiple effects for a wide range of expressions that kept drawing me in. -Emily

Working with some transparent pony beads, I knew my thread would show at times, so I chose something that would add to the design: WonderFil Perle Cotton.

I poured beads onto the block to explore the design options.

I knew my bead density wouldn’t be this high because the quilting is coming after the beading. But this visual auditioning also helped me edit the concept for the beadwork from this…

To this:

I really recommend adding pony beads to something low stakes and having some fun if you’ve never tried beading before. Trust yourself and enjoy whatever design process that comes to you! Below are some basic stitches to get started.

Beading Basics

Multiple Beads in a Line

Attaching beads a few at a time in a line is a great way to fill in spaces, create lines, and quickly add beads to a project.

To begin, bring the needle from the back of the project to the front. Thread a few beads onto the needle and take a stitch as long as the needles are wide when held together. Then bring the needle up between two beads and take a stitch over the thread between them to secure. Repeat between each bead. To add more beads, thread the needle through the last bead of the previous line, then add the beads and repeat the previous steps.

For more organic lines, a single-bead technique works great. To begin, bring the needle to the front and thread a bead onto it. Take a stitch the length of the bead width. Bring the needle up again at the start of the stitch and thread the needle through the secured bead and add the next bead. Repeat the same process to secure each bead. This creates a backstitch on the back of the work.