BLOCK OF THE MONTH
Hand stitch four versions of the lovely leafy Tredje block from Yasmeen K Branton's Blomma Block of the Month series
NOTES
■ Seam allowances are in, unless
otherwise noted.
■ Appliqué templates do not
include seam allowance.
■ Disregard step 1 if you precut all
your background squares.
FABRICS USED
■ All fabrics are Kona Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman in Snow, Dusty Peach, Lupine, Hibiscus, Nautical, Cadet, Dresden Blue, Seafoam and Sage.
■ Visit www.gathered.how/ lovequiltingmag for alternative Moda Bella Solids and Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Elements.
CUTTING OUT – BLOCK 1
1
From the dark blue fabric cut: ■ One (1) 13in square for the background.
2
Cut out each of the large leaf templates, and trace around them on the fabric using a chalk marker on the right side of the fabric. Cut out the inner smaller leaf pieces, and trace around each of these in the same way. Refer to the Block 1 Layout Diagram for the colours. Make sure to leave space between pieces in order to add a seam allowance around each one.
3
Cut out each piece, adding a scant in seam allowance all the way around each piece.
CUTTING OUT – BLOCKS 2–4
4
Repeat steps 1–3, referring to the Block Layout diagrams.
PIECING THE BLOCK
5
Finger press the long straight seam allowance of the left side large leaf (Fig A). Line up on top of the right side large leaf and pin in place. Stitch the two pieces together along the centre (Fig B).
6
Mark the vertical centre of the background square. Yasmeen used a Hera marker, and then went over the marks with basting stitches, making it easier to see. Also mark 1 / in from both the top and bottom of the block.
7
Centre the large leaf on top of the background square, aligning
the point and base of the leaf with the top and bottom marks. Turn under the seam allowance at the top and bottom and pin in place (Figs C–D).
8
Baste the leaf onto the background, then appliqué in place using a matching thread. Ensure you change colours for each side of the leaf, so your stitches don’t show.
9
Mark ¼in from either side of the centre of the large leaf. Yasmeen used a removable fabric marker.
10
Arrange the small leaves on one side of the larger leaf. Start with the largest one at the bottom. Finger press the seam allowance under along the inner edge, and align with your centre marks. The straight edge at the top of the leaf should be 2½in from the bottom edge of the block (Fig E). Baste in place, then appliqué.
11
Continue adding the leaves, measuring from the top edge of the last leaf. The next leaf should be 2in above the bottom one (Fig F), then 1½in (Fig G) and 1 / in (Fig H).
12
Repeat steps 10–11 to add the small leaves to the other side.
13
Remove any remaining basting stitches from the background fabric. Lightly starch and press the block. Carefully centre the block and trim to 12½in square to finish.