Patchsmith Sampler Block 8 - Field Rose

Block 8 - Field Rose

This week welcomes an intermediate block - The Field Rose. But don’t be put off – it uses quick corners which we covered with Block 3 (Watermelon) and I have a great tip for matching the points on those quick corners.

Yellow Field Rose

It is mid Spring here in England and the field roses are not yet out in the country borders. But that doesn’t stop us growing our own.

Creating the center unit of block 8 is exactly the same as creating the core of the Watermelon block except we make quick corners on all four corners of the center A square.

Quick corners make quick work of the middle unit

Once this is done we move onto the petals – of which you will need to make eight petals. Once you have created the petals at step 5 of the block pattern you will find it helpful to press the seams on four of the petal units upwards....

Press the corner seams on four petal units up towards the corners

and the seams on the remaining four petal units downwards..... 

and press the remaining four petal unit seams down towards the petals

You can see the different when they are placed side by side.....

Make four of each

This helps with matching the petal points as you can now nest your corners (butt one seam up against another). Press the joining seam open and your petal unit should look like this at the back ....

Press the joining seam open to reduce bulk.  

and you should find you have perfect points on the front.  

You may need to trim your double petal units everso slightly

(If they do not match exactly don’t worry – it will not notice on the finished quilt. However, if you are creating this block as a focus block for a project you might want to practise a little so cut a few extra C and G pieces.)

Then it is just a case of joining your units together. 

Follow the pattern to create a floral delight.

And remember – field roses come in all colours so experiment with different colour combinations.

An Autumnal Field Rose

Next week we continue with quick corner units when we play with Block 9 – Bullseye.  You can find all the blocks made so far HERE.  And there is plenty of time to join in with the sew-along.  All you need are some fabric scraps and The Patchsmith's Sampler Blocks pattern book.

Available from Amazon

Until then I look forward to seeing your blocks on Instagram (#block8fieldrose) or in the Flickr Group.    

Patchsmith Sampler Block 3 - Watermelon Block

Block 3 - Watermelon

Week 3 of the Patchsmith’s Sampler sew-along introduces quick corner triangles to create a juicy Watermelon Block.

A quick corner triangle is a simple way of adding a contrasting triangle to a corner of fabric,  To make a quick corner you first need to mark a diagonal line onto the WRONG SIDE of a square of fabric. 

I use a Frixion pen to draw lines onto fabric. It disappears when ironed. 

Next place the marked square, right sides together, onto the relevant corner of a rectangle or square according to the pattern. The marked square should be facing up. 

Place the marked squares right sides together onto the rectangle

Stitch along the marked line. Then, using your quilters ruler, trim ¼” away from the stitched line (Be sure to trim ¼” on the outer edge of the stitching as shown.)  

Stitch along the marked line before trimming 1/4" from the stitching

Press the triangle open.  The finished patched rectangle/square should measure the same as the original rectangle or square before you applied the quick corners (you may need to trim it slightly).

Press the corner triangles open to create quick corner triangles

The secret to getting a quick corner triangle right is in the marking and stitching of the diagonal line. Take your time with the marking – make sure the diagonal line goes from corner to corner and stitch along the line.  

The fun thing with quick corner triangles is you can make quick corner triangles on top of a quick corner triangle to create fun patterns. We do this on the bottom two corners of the Watermelon Block.

Layering quick corner triangles on top of each other

It is also the method used when making Block 23 – Stained Glass Cross. 

Block 23 - Stained Glass Cross

If you are new to quick corner triangles the Watermelon Block is a great practise block. Do not worry if your corners are not even – watermelon flesh or rind is never perfectly oval. Just have fun learning this new patchworking technique.

Union Jack Blocks and Runner pattern using Quick Corner Triangles 

Before I go, here is a little appliqueing tip for those watermelon pips.  Once you have fused the pips onto the wrong side of your fabric, and before you have cut them out, slightly peel the top edge of the fusible webbing paper back. 

Peel back top edge of fusible webbing paper
prior to cutting out the pips

Finger press the paper back down and cut the pips out.  Then use the peeled top edge to remove the backing paper from each pip.

Peeling the paper off each pip is easy as you have
the top edge already started

Of course, you may prefer to use buttons instead of applique for the pips .......

If using buttons do not add them until all quilting is completed.

Next week we will be looking at seam pressing with Block 4.  Until then I would love for you to post your Watermelon Blocks over on Instagram (#block3watermelonblock) or in the Flickr Group.  Until then ......