Patchiqué Blocks 12 and 90

Patchique Flickr Group

This week has seen a lot of sewing on the Patchiqué trail.  Looking at the blocks you might think the patched block, Block 12 was a lot of work – but you’d be wrong.

Block 12 from Japanese Taupe Quilts

Block 12, ‘Atsuita koshi’ (translated as “Noh robe check”) is made up of 61 pieces but I found a quick and easy way to make this block.  Firstly I cut 20” x 1½” strips from each of my two chosen fabrics and stitched them together along the 20” length.  I then sliced these strips into 1½” sections as shown. 

From here it was a simple case of stitching the pairs together. 

Patchiqué Block 12- Patchsmith Style

For the darker grid borders I used a scant ¼” seam and I’m glad I did.  My block measures a perfect 9½”.    

So if it wasn’t the patchwork block that was a lot of sewing that can only mean one thing – it was Block 90 ‘Yayuki’ ("snow arrow").  This block looks quite simple but it involves a lot of pieces. 

Block 90 from Japanese Taupe Quilts

All those leaves – thirty six of them!    In fact there were too many and I left off the twelve smallest leaves.  I like the way the largest of the leaves are set at right angles to the stem.  However, the other leaves have to point upwards or they will not fit.

If I were to make this block again I would fuse  and stitch the stems and leaves into position before adding the heart flowers.  This would save having to start and stop for each pair of leaves - something I found very tiresome. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.  

Patchiqué Block 12- Patchsmith Style

I would also recommend you pick one colour thread that will suit all your leaves and stem – this will save you having to change the bobbin for each section.   

Even though this block was a lot of stitching, I absolutely love it - it reminds me of a folk art panel. 

So there you have it, another day on the Patchiqué journey.  Be sure to come back in a fortnight when I shall be tackling Blocks 30 and Block 85.