If you
get the sense that you have seen block 18 before you would be right – it is
very similar to block 17.
The only
difference is the centre square ......
So it
was a pleasure to make this block 'again' and, like block 17, it was an easy and relaxing make.
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| Patchiqué Block 18 - Patchsmith Style |
When I
first got this book the patchwork blocks looked tricky and complicated. But I have found them to be relatively straightforward. In fact, I have enjoyed making the patchwork blocks more than the appliqué
blocks.
Talking
of which, appliqué block 109 ‘Asa no han’ (morning flower) presented a challenge for my
quick-fuse appliqué method. This block
is constructed in a similar way to a Dresden circle. Each petal is made of two fabrics. (I cut my rectangles slightly larger than the
book stated as 4” x 2”. Once stitched together the patched block measured 4” x 3½”). That
part was easy enough. But then came the
slight adjustment.
The author, Susan Briscoe, has used needle-turn applique whereas I prefer the quick-fuse method. So a slight adjustment was needed.
I
traced the dotted line on the template onto the paper side of my fusible webbing. I also marked the centre line and the dots on
the tracing. When I cut out the
tracings, instead of leaving ¼” around the whole tracing I only left ¼” around
the top of the petal (the rounded section).
I cut accurately along the traced lines on the bottom and sides, up to the marked dots (as shown below).
I fused the tracings onto the back of the patched petal blocks, matching
up the line with the centre seam.
Next I cut out the petals accurately along
the top curved section and the bottom but I left ¼” seam allowance on both
sides of each petal.
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| Patchiqué Block 109 - Patchsmith Style |
From
there is was relatively easy to construct the flower. I stitched the sides together as instructed
in the book. Once the whole flower was
stitched together I removed the fusible webbing paper from the petals (trimming
the side seams as necessary) and I positioned the finished flower on the
background square. Finally I fused and
stitched the flower in place before adding a fussy-cut center circle.
It
sounds a lot of work but, in my opinion, it isn’t as fiddly as turning 1/8” on
those curved petals.
So
there you have it – another two blocks done – only twelve blocks to go. Next fortnight it will be the turn of patchwork
block 2 and appliqué block 106 (a Dresden circle).
Sew until then .....
