Wildflower Block Tutorial
Hi there, friends!
I am *thrilled* to surprise you with a FREE BLOCK TUTORIAL today and SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOP that I was a maker for the “Velvet” by Amy Sinibaldi for Art Gallery Fabrics Lookbook!
How I wish I could accurately express what an honor it is to work with such an exquisite collection by a beloved designer as well as have the opportunity to submit an original project proposal to AGF.
While I allow my racing pulse to return to baseline, I would love to share with you how to make your very own Wildflower block. Isn’t she dreamy?
I designed this block with skill builder piecing in mind as it incorporates Half Square Triangles, Square in a Square units, diagonal seams, and Flying Geese. At 18.5 inches, it’s sizable design is the perfect block to showcase your favorite new fabric collection (read: Velvet!) with a pillow, wall hanging or mini quilt. You can work away bolt ends, leftover fat quarters, scraps or even pick up precut squares to use. Let’s get started gathering our fabrics and supplies.
WILDFLOWER BLOCK
*Makes one 18.5 x 18.5 block. All seams are stitched with 1/4″ seam allowance. Press all seams open for a flat, smooth block.
**Read twice, measure thrice, because cursing isn’t nice.
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS AND CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS
FINISHING FABRICS
Wall Hanging/Mini Quilt Backing – (1) 22″ x 22″ square to allow for quilting
Pillow Backing – Size as desired for preferred method(s) of pillow construction (envelope, hidden zipper, etc.)
Binding – (2) 2.25″ x Width of Fabric
SUPPLIES
Ruler
Rotary blade
Pencil or Hera Marker
Diagonal Seam Tape (if desired)
Iron/ Ironing board/Pressing mat
Your trusty sewing machine and thread
Zipper (if desired for pillow construction)
BLOCK CONSTRUCTION
Place aside (4) 2.75″ x 5″, (4) 2.75″ x 2.75″ Background and (1) 5″ x 5″ Color 1 Square. We’ll use these pieces to construct our rows at the end. Next, follow the subsequent directions to make:
- (8) Half Square Triangle Units
- (4) No Waste Flying Geese Units
- (4) Square in a Square Units
- (4) Petal Units
8 AT A TIME HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES
1. On the wrong side of a 7.25″ x 7.25″ Background square, draw lines as indicated in Figure 1 with your choice of a hera marker or pencil (Or skip this step and use diagonal seam tape!).
2. Right sides facing together, place a Background square on top of a 7.25″ x 7.25″ Color 5 square. Pin or clip together for improved accuracy.
3. Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch on either side of drawn diagonal lines. See Figure 2.
3. Make horizontal, vertical and diagonal cuts as indicated by the white lines above in Figure 3.
4. Press each HST unit open. Trim each to measure 2.75″ x 2.75″.
NO WASTE FLYING GEESE
Figure 4
1. On the wrong side of (4) 3 1/8″ x 3 1/8″ Color 6 squares, draw diagonal lines as indicated above in Figure 4 .
Figure 5
2. With right sides facing together, align two Color 6 squares on top of a 5.75″ x 5.75″ Background square as indicated above in Figure 5. Pin in place for improved accuracy.
Figure 6
3. Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, stitch on either side of drawn line. See Figure 6.
Figure 7
4. Make diagonal cut on drawn line. See Figure 7. Press seam allowances open.
Figure 8
5. Right sides facing together, place 3 1/8″ x 3 1/8″ Color 6 square on remaining corner of Background square as shown in Figure 8. Stitch on either side of drawn line using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Repeat for remaining unit.
Figure 9
6. Make diagonal cuts on drawn lines as shown above in Figure 9. Press open all seams. Trim units to measure 2.75″ x 5″.
SQUARE IN A SQUARE
1. See Figure 10. On wrong side of fabric, draw diagonal lines on (8) 2.75″ x 2.75″ Color 2 squares and (8) 2.75″ x 2.75″ Color 6 squares (To skip this step, use diagonal seam tape!).
Figure 11
2. Right sides together, place one 2.75″ x 2.75″ Color 2 square on the top right corner of a 5″ x 5″ Color 3 square. Pin or clip in place. Right sides together, place one 2.75″ x 2.75″ Color 6 Square in the bottom left corner of the Color 3 square. Pin in place. Stitch directly on drawn lines. See Figure 11.
3. Trim each seam leaving 1/4″ allowance. Press both seams open.
Figure 12
4. Right sides together, place one 2.75″ x 2.75″ Color 6 square in the top left corner of unit. Pin in place. Right sides together, place one 2.75″ x 2.75″ Color 2 square on bottom right corner. Stitch directly on drawn lines. See Figure 12.
5. Trim each seam leaving 1/4″ allowance. Press both seams open.
6. Repeat SQUARE IN A SQUARE steps 1-5 to make remaining 3 units for a total of 4.
PETAL UNITS
Figure 13
1. On wrong side of (8) 2.75″ x 2.75″ Color 5 squares, draw a diagonal line as shown above in Figure 13 (You guessed it, skip this step and use diagonal seam tape!).
Figure 14
2. Right sides together, place one 2.75″ x 2.75″ Color 5 square on the top right corner of a 5″ x 5″ Color 4 square. Pin in place. Place one 2.75″ x 2.75″ Color 5 square on the bottom left corner. Sew directly on both drawn lines. See Figure 14 for reference.
3. Trim each seam leaving 1/4″ allowance. Press both seams open.
4. Repeat PETAL UNITS steps 2-3 for remaining 3 units for a total of 4.
Way to sew! You’ve made all of the required units! Now it’s time to piece your block.
BLOCK PIECING
Piecing Chart
If you are using directional fabrics, see above PIECING CHART. Place fabrics as desired and construct block, row by row. If using non-directional, see below directions for a bit of piecing magic and quick construction.
Figure 15
1. Construct (2) rows as shown above in Figure 15 utilizing (2) 2.75″ x 5″ Background pieces, two HST units, and one FG unit. Press all seams open.
Figure 16
2. Ready for some magic? Rotate one complete row 180 degrees so that it mirrors the other as shown in Figure 16. This row becomes the last row of your block.
Figure 17
3. Construct (2) rows as shown above in Figure 17 utilizing (2) 2.75″ x 2.75″ Background squares, (2) HST units, (2) PETAL units, and (1) SQUARE IN A SQUARE unit. Press seams open.
Figure 18
4. Repeat magic step! Rotate one row 180 degrees so that it mirrors the other as shown in Figure 18. This row becomes the second to last row in your block.
Figure 19
5. For your middle row, join remaining units as shown in Figure 19 utilizing (2) FG units, (2) SQUARE IN A SQUARE units, and (1) 5″ x 5″ Color 1 square. Press seams open.
Figure 20
6. Join all rows as shown in Figure 20. Press seams open.
CONGRATULATIONS! Your block is complete! Now to decide how to finish. What will you choose? Pillow? Wall hanging? I think I’ll make a colorful wall hanging for my sewing room to celebrate Spring!
I cannot wait to see your makes! Be sure to use hashtags #wildflowerblock and #jordanandjoypatterns so that I may see your Wildflowers in action.
Wishing you all of the fun!
With Joy,
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