Leaping into March today with a fresh new Sugar Block and quilt! Yay!!! Plus, I have an exciting first today…ah! It’s my very first YouTube video tutorial! I hope you’ll find it helpful!
That’s right! We’re going Orange Peel style. I just adore these petal shapes, and I have a tendency to work them into my patchwork every chance I get. Rooted in the 1930s, they’re undeniably vintage and whimsical-feeling, so no matter what other curved shapes I play with, I always come back to petals for a sure bet in the cuteness factor.
From left to right: Orange Peel by Vanessa Christenson available in Simply Color: Orange, There’s Only One You available in For Keeps, Apple Blossom available here, Orange Zest by AccuQuilt, Tuileries available here
I’ve written several patterns that feature these shapes, and am so delighted to be adding a new one today. Orange Blossom features this month’s block and is now available in my shop!
If you’re thinking about making this pattern, consider Sugar Block Club Premium Membership as those members are getting all 12 of this year’s quilt patterns, plus the other benefits, for just $19.95…that’s about $1.70 per pattern! A great deal even if you don’t intend to make them all.
Also- remember- premium members qualify for an exclusive giveaway each month! This month’s giveaway is a gorgeous bundle of Denyse Schmidt’s brand-spanking new line, Eastham, courtesy of FreeSpirit Fabrics. I’m making my Orange Blossom quilt out of it, and I just adore these prints!!! I won’t be drawing the winner until next week, so if you upgrade today, you’ll be entered in the drawing.
SO…Let’s get stitching up our new block!!
Here’s what you’ll need to cut:
You’ll find the printable templates for the petal shapes HERE.
1. After cutting the first step is to make the center flower block. Fold an 8 ½’’ white square into quarters and press to mark the center points of all four sides. Align four small petals (Template B) so that the points touch in the center, as well as on the pressed center lines (Figure 1). Fuse into place with an iron then machine stitch around the perimeter using the finishing stitch of your choice, such as a zig-zag or blanket stitch. In the same way, align, fuse, and stitch around the larger petals (Template A), aligning on the diagonal planes (Figure 2).
Figure 1-3 (left to right)
**Tip: Each four-petal configuration can be stitched in one single seam, continuing from one petal to the next, as shown in Figure 3.
And here’s where the fun comes in! You can feel free to bypass these petal alignment & stitching instructions if you like, and just watch me demonstrate it here!
2. Next up- the half square triangles. The eight HST units in beige and white are constructed in pairs. Use a ruler and pencil to draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the 3’’ white squares. Align each white square with a 3’’ beige square, right sides together, with the drawn line facing up. Pin. Stitch ¼’’ seam on each side of the drawn line (Figure 4). Cut unit in half on the drawn line. Press units open with the seam facing toward the darker fabric. Trim units to 2 ½’’ X 2 ½’’ square.
Figure 4
3. Now to make the flying geese! Create four flying geese units using the beige rectangles and 2 ½’’ plaid squares and following the step sequence in Figure 5.
Figure 5
Draw a diagonal pencil line on the wrong side of the plaid squares, then align a square at one end of a rectangle, pin, and stitch on the drawn line. Trim ¼’’ outside the line to create a seam allowance, then press the piece open.
Repeat this process on the other side of the rectangle with a second plaid square, taking care that the drawn lines are perpendicular to one another. Trim the seam allowance, then press open.
4. Now time to stitch the block together! Lay out all of the patches and stitch the block together in three rows, following Figure 6. Press seams toward the petal unit and away from the geese center points.
Square up the block to 12 ½’’ X 12 ½’’.
Figure 6
And there you have it! One more Sugar Block ready to add to your growing stack of pretties! I hope you’ve enjoyed the patterns and video tutorial! Mr. Dock and I had so much fun filming that…I know we’re going to be adding more, so subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay in the loop on any new videos that may go up!
And don’t forget to post your blocks and quilts on Instagram using #sugarblockclub (if you’re into that sorta thing… I love Instagram!)
Happy quilting!
XOXO
