Originally part of my 2020 Sparkling Sampler Mystery Quilt Along, this tutorial shows you how to make the poorly named Contrary wife quilt block. For the mystery quilt, we made two blocks, so the information listed in this article is for 2 of them. Adjust accordingly, depending on how many blocks you want to make.

This month brings us the Contrary Wife for the October mystery quilt along block. I’ll be honest here, I do not like the name of this one, but it is a traditional block that is easy to put together, and I thought it fit in well with the other blocks we are making.

It combines 2 units, a square and a half square triangle, both which we have done many times throughout this quilt along.

It’s hard to believe that there is only one more block to go after this one. It’s also hard to believe that it’s almost time to start my 2021 mystery quilt. But more on that in another post…

You will need 3 fabrics for this pattern and we will be making 2 blocks this month.

So grab a cup of coffee and let’s sew!

*Download the Free PDF Pattern for the October Mystery Quilt Along Block Here*

Fabric Requirements

We will be using three fabrics this month and will need the following:

• Fabric A – Fat Eighth
• B – 7″ square
• C – 5″ square

The fabrics I used for this were all from Moda and include Kelly Green on White from the Essential Dots collection. The red fabric is called Pinwheels and is from the Best Friends Forever Collection by Stacy Iest Hsu. The yellow fabric is called Daisy Check and is from the Sweet Harmony Collection from American Jane Fabrics.

The block in the video tutorial is made up of various fabrics from my stash.

Items that May Help With This Block

Video Tutorial

Cutting (For both blocks)

Fabric

• A – Eight 2 ½ inch by 2 ½ inch squares and four 3 ¼ inch by 3 ¼ inch squares
• B – Four 3 ¼ inch by 3 ¼ inch squares
• C – Two 2 ½ inch by 2 ½ inch squares

Block Assembly (for one block)

Outside Center Squares

The first thing we need to do is make the half square triangles. For this you will need the 3 ¼ inch squares, 2 from the fabric A and 2 from fabric B.

First, draw a diagonal line on the back (wrong) side of the 3 ¼ inch squares of fabric A. This will be your sewing guide.

Next, line up a 3 ¼ inch square of fabric B on top of fabric A with front (right) sides facing each other.

Using a scant ¼ inch seam allowance, sew along both sides of the line drawn earlier.

Cut down the center, along the line that was drawn earlier. You will have two blocks that now need to be pressed open.

Trim the blocks down so they measure 2 ½ inches by 2 ½ inches. Repeat so you have four half square triangles in total for one block.

Block Assembly

Lay out the squares as shown.

Sew squares together in row 1, then repeat with rows 2 and 3.

Sew the rows together.

Repeat to make the other block. The blocks should measure 6 ½ inches by 6 ½ inches.

And there you have it, the October mystery quilt along block.

See you next month!

November’s Clue: One more block to go!

Feel free to join in the quilt along. You can find all of the details here.

In addition, I have this FB group for people who are participating. It’s a fun place to see what other people are doing for their blocks.

Check out what fun blocks we’ve done so far!

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September

Show off your progress on social media! Make sure to use the hashtag #createwithclaudiaqal if you post any pictures!

*This mystery quilt along is for entertainment purposes only. Therefore, there are no prizes or giveaways.* Best efforts have been made to ensure that the instructions are correct, however sometime errors occur. If you have any questions, please contact us at claudia{at}createwithclaudia{dot}com*