When the weather is like it has been you need something to brighten up your days. What better way to say it than with flowers? Well, here’s a very pretty floral block to do just that.
BLOCK 7: Flower
Finished Size 12″ (Unfinished 12-1/2″)
I have chosen a Flower block for this month and I’m going to show you how I made mine. This quilt block is a nine-patch block that has been made using the ‘stitch and flip’ method for accuracy. It’s not too difficult but you have to watch your points!
CUTTING
You will need three contrasting fabrics for this block. I chose a nice bright fabric to go between the centre and outer petals. Choose whatever you like from your stash and enjoy the process.
A. Four 2″ x 5″ rectangles (White)
B. Four 2″ x 3-1/2″ rectangles (White)
C. Sixteen 2″ x 2″ squares (White)
D. Four 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ squares (Large Flower)
E. Four 3-1/2″ x 5″ rectangle (Large Flower)
F. One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ square (Teal)
G. Twelve 2″ x 2″ squares (Yellow)
In this block the background fabric is A, B & C.
BLOCK ASSEMBLY:
- All seams are 1/4″ and I use a stitch length of 1.8.
- As a rule, you would press your fabric seams towards the dark side (darker fabric). I finger press my seams before pressing with an iron. This allows you to change the seams’ direction if needed without stretching your fabrics.
- In bulky areas press your seams open as this will help reduce thickness.
We are going to begin by making the centre ‘square in a square’ unit of our block using the ‘stitch and flip’ method. We have used this method before, but here’s a refresher.
Take your 3-1/2″ square Teal fabric (F) and four of your yellow 2″ squares (G). Then draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the yellow squares.
Take one yellow square and place it right sides together (RST) in the top left-hand corner of your teal fabric square (F). Align your edges and sew on top of the diagonal line, then trim away the excess fabric leaving a 1/4″ seam.
Next open out your fabric and finger press your seam towards the yellow fabric, being careful not to stretch your fabric, then fix with an iron.
Then repeat this process with your second yellow square, trimming away the excess fabric and finger pressing open before fixing with the iron. Finger pressing really does help stop the stretch. Now repeat the process on the opposite corners of the unit.
Now using the same ‘stitch and flip’ method we are going to make the flower petals. Take one 3-1/2″ x 5″ Large Flower rectangle (E), two 2″ white squares (C) and two 2″ yellow squares (G). Draw diagonal lines on the wrong side of your white and yellow fabrics.
Put your yellow square with RST on top of your rectangle (E), align your edges and sew on top of the diagonal line. Trim away the excess fabric leaving a 1/4″ seam. Then open out your fabric and finger press your seam towards the yellow fabric, finally fixing with an iron. Then repeat this process with your second yellow square, trimming away the excess fabric and finger pressing your seam before fixing with the iron. Now repeat with your two white fabrics on the opposite corners of the unit.
Now make three more.
To make the corner units take one 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ fabric square (D) and two 2″ fabric squares (C). Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the white fabrics. Place RST and sew on top of your diagonal line, then trim, finger press towards the white fabric and fix with your iron. Now repeat for the opposite corner.
Now lay out your top left-hand unit (see above). Using your rectangles (A & B) place the shorter rectangle (B) on the left side and sew together. Now finger press your seam to the light side. Then take the long rectangle (fabric A) and sew together with the other two pieces as shown above, finger pressing your seam to the light side. Your units should measure 5″ square. Now set your seams with an iron.
Make three more of these units, giving you a total of four corner units.
Please note these units are directional so take care when sewing them together or you’ll be reaching for your quick-unpick.
Now lay out all your units to make the Flower Block. This will help you sew everything together correctly.
Keeping your fabrics in order, sew them together one row at a time. Take care to match your points as you go. Using a pin 1/4″ in from the seam edges may help you align your points more accurately. Press your seams open as you go.
Finally, join your rows together matching your points as you go and again pressing your seams open.
If you have sewn your block together accurately it should measure 12-1/2″ square but if you need to trim it make sure you leave 1/4″ seam allowance on all your points.
Amazing!… you have finished your seventh block.