Hi Friends!!!  Aaahh!  It’s November and this blog has been seriously crickets!  I’m late in getting this posted but trying to give myself some grace.  Between my trip to quilt market, extra busy family stuff….AND an exciting not-so-little announcement…

I HAVE A FABRIC COLLECTION COMING OUT IN JANUARY!

AAAHHHH!  I am thrilled beyond words.  It’s with Windham Fabrics, who I adore, and I absolutely can’t wait to show it to you!  I’m crazy busy behind the scenes working to get ready for the release!  Stay tuned on Instagram for some sneak peeks!

SO…SUGAR BLOCK!  This month’s new block is inspired by the traditional Dresden.  Oh how I love playing with these classic blocks!  I have really loved that aspect of this year’s club…getting back to my roots and playing with the really classic, historic blocks.  Just feeds my soul.

 

Don’t get me wrong- I love the fun to be had with modern blocks and quilts, but this one TOTALLY taps into my lifelong love affair with all things vintage….scrappy, folksy, whimsical, sweet, farmy…I’ll never lose that part of me.  And I don’t know exactly how or when it was infused in my soul growing up, but I just can’t resist a gingham and eyelet, vintage picnic baskets, pretty little florals, and dresdens!

So the Hello Sunshine quilt is totally this for me!  It’s super scrap friendly and it makes an absolutely precious baby gift (or stitch together four of the crib size for a gorgeous bed quilt!).

Well, here’s the block pattern!  Hope you enjoy stitching it up, and don’t forget to post a pic on Instagram and tag #sugarblockclub and also me, @stitcherydickory.   I get so tickled when I see all of the different beautiful versions you all are making!

HELLO SUNSHINE BLOCK

Finished Size:  12” square

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS:

-3/8 yard of white

-1/4 yard of orange plaid

-variety of scraps

• From White:
  • Cut (1) 12 ½’’ square
• From Orange Plaid:
  • Cut (1) 5 1/4’’ square
  • Cut (1) 3 ¼’’ square
• From Scraps:
  • Cut (6) patches using this Blade Template 

CONSTRUCTION

1. Draw a diagonal pencil line from corner to opposite corner on the wrong side of the plaid squares.

2. Align the 5 ¼’’ plaid square on a corner of the 12 1/2″ white square, right sides together, so that the drawn line crosses the corner.  Stitch on the drawn line, then trim to ¼’’ outside the seam to create a seam allowance.  Press corner open (Figure 1).

 

3. Repeat Step 2 with the 3 ¼’’ plaid square on the opposite corner of the white square.

4.  Fold blade patches in half, lengthwise and with right sides together, then stitch ¼’’ seam along the wider (top) end of each blade. Turn blades right sides out and use a knitting needle or dull scissors tip to poke out the top point of each blade. Join the blades along the raw edges using ¼’’ seams then press the seams open.  View this tutorial for a great visual of this step.

5. Align blade section on the 12 ½’’ white square so that the smaller plaid corner is inside the arch and the raw edges align (if any bits of the blade unit end up hanging off the white square edges, that’s ok- this can be quickly trimmed off at the end).  Pin.

Machine zig-zag stitch along the inside raw edge curve of the blade, securing it to the background                   square.  Repeat for the top edge of the petals, or for a cleaner look, hand stitch with a blind stitch.                 For a video demonstration of this hand applique stitch, check out this free class and go to Lesson 6.

Square up block to 12 1/2″ as needed.

 

And that’s it!  Super simple, folksy and fun!  If you haven’t made a dresden-style block before, give it a try!  They’re easier than they look- it’s a great beginner technique.

Happy weekend everyone!  Enjoy!!

XOXO