Have you ever used the stack-n-whack method for constructing quilt blocks? I have used it a few times for some improv and offset blocks, but today I’m going to demonstrate it with some standard blocks.

Stack n Whack is a GREAT method for precut fabrics, like 10″ or 5″ squares. But, since I don’t often buy stackers, I made my own little bundle of fabrics. For my quilt here, I knew I wanted a 8″ finished block, and I was using Fat quarters, so I cut all my squares to 9″.

The point of stack-n-whack is to pair two fabrics to eventually make two opposite blocks- I’m using a solid fabric and a low volume print, so each block will have one of each but in opposite placement.

When cutting, place the two fabrics right side up directly on top of each other before making any cuts. I’ve moved my fabric to the side a bit in the photo so you can see I have two in the stack.

Make your side cuts- mine here are the same size, but as long as you have both fabrics together, you can make any size cut.

Then, move the side cuts aside, and rotate the remaining fabric to cut the top and bottom. Again, I used uniform cuts, but as long as they are being cut together, it can be any size.

Then, arrange the blocks with their coordinating fabric- switch those center pieces around so you have perfectly opposite blocks.

Now you can get sewing- just sew those top and bottom pieces together, and press towards the darker fabric. Then, center the side pieces to the block, and sew the side pieces- their will be a little overhang, but that’s exactly what you want.

Then, square up your blocks! I particularly like how this method forces you to reexamine the block sizes- you can square up the blocks more accurately this way. If each block is a little shy of the measurement you needed, you can just square each equally a little shy, and none of the seam allowances will be off in your final assembly steps.

I don’t really love matching up seam allowances when I sew the blocks into rows, so I rotate every other block. In my case, each low volume block was rotated. That way, the block seams themselves never have to be matched to another block’s seam! Since I knew this would be my final plan, I made sure to cut the directional low volume prints so they’d be right side up in this final layout.

About a decade ago, I made a baby quilt for a nephew using this method, and did some offset center blocks (can you believe this is my 11-year-old? I *almost* miss baby diaper bums and baby socks all over the house) This method also works with diagonal cuts, but you should start with blocks about 2″ bigger than your finished size (depends on how sheer the angle you want to cut), since the math gets more complicated and you’ll need to trim a little more. Any way you stack n whack it, as long as the two fabrics are aligned, you can end up with your opposite blocks no matter what dimensions you are cutting the sides and top/bottoms.

This block I made up as a demonstration shows that you don’t even have to keep a square center! You can get real wonky with this method, and it all works! So whatever your style is, this method is great for all. I hope you try it out!