Patchiqué Blocks 30 and 85

After a slight detour off the Patchiqué Trail we are back on course with another two blocks – one patched and one appliquéd.  A quick reminder that we are using Japanese Taupe Quilts by Susan Briscoe - a wonderful book in so many ways which you will know if you have been travelling the Patchiqué path with me.

First up is the patched block – block 30 entitled ‘Kasane itsutsu me’ (five layered squares).

Block 30 from Japanese Taupe Quilts

This was a lovely block to make and it went together easily once I got the layout correct.  Follow the construction diagram exactly to piece the block.  Do this and you will end up with another great addition to your Patchiqué collection.


Patchiqué Block 30- Patchsmith Style



Whilst Block 30 can’t be reversed, Block 85, ‘Hanakaku’ (flower square) can be reversed both horizontally and vertically. 

Block 85 from Japanese Taupe Quilts

I do not feel the photo in the book does this block justice due to the choice of fabrics.  But before we have a look at my English version of a clever Japanese block here are some hints.

Firstly make sure your initial background square is 9½” exactly.  Secondly, for the first time on this journey, there is a need to reverse an appliqué template from the book - piece 85b.  If you do as I have done and use the same fabric for the side petals the reversal is easy – trace one 85b onto the paper side of fusible webbing and then fold the webbing in half along the traced straight line of the template and trace onto the other side of the fusible webbing.  In effect you will have one large fan unit that you can fuse and cut before cutting in half to create your two petals (it sounds complicated but it isn’t – trust me!).


Patchiqué Block 85- Patchsmith Style

The block is so pretty with a touch of Patchsmith gingham (courtesy of a very dear friend in the USA).  My only concern is the thickness of the seams when it comes to stitching the blocks together as you have several layers along each side of this block.

There you have it – two more blocks to add to our collection.  Next fortnight it will be the turn of patched Block 21 and appliqué Block 80.

Sew until then ......