Crazy-Patch Posies
Turn those small cherished scraps into beautiful flowers perfect for any wall.
MATERIALS
• Assorted pink, light blue, turquoise, orange, purple, dark blue, lavender and red print scraps—5 scraps per color
• Assorted yellow print scraps
• 18 (2" x 43/4") green print scraps
• 9 (51/2" x 10") assorted print green scraps
• 7/8 yard black-with-white dots
• 11/8 yards white-with-black newspaper print
• 9 (91/2" x 111/2") assorted-color backing rectangles
• 9 (91/2" x 111/2") batting rectangles
• 9 (5") batting squares
• Thread
• 1/3 yard very lightweight
20"-wide interfacing
• Even-feed foot or walking foot
• Basic sewing tools and supplies
PROJECT NOTE
This project uses the quilt-as-yougo method in which each block is sandwiched and quilted before joining together. If you prefer to finish your quilt in a more traditional method, cut the backing and batting to size in one piece each.
CUTTING
Prepare templates using the patterns given. Cut as per patterns and instructions. From each 5½" x 10" green print scrap:
• Cut 1 (11/2" x 71/2") bias stem strip.
• Cut 1 (2" x 43/4") rectangle.
From black-with-white dots:
• Cut 4 (11/8" by fabric width) strips. Subcut strips into 2 (11/8" x 283/4")
C strips and 6 (11/8" x 111/2") B strips.
• Cut 4 (13/4" by fabric width) strips. Subcut strips into 2 (13/4" x 283/4") F strips and 6 (13/4" x 111/2") E strips.
• Cut 4 (21/4" by fabric width)
binding strips. From white-with-black newspaper print:
• Cut 3 (111/2" by fabric width) strips. Subcut strips into 9 (91/2" x 111/2")
A rectangles.
COMPLETING THE FLOWER UNITS
1. Select five same-color print scraps. Cut one 21/4" x 31/2" rectangle from each scrap. Cut one backing circle from one scrap using prepared template.
2. Place a D piece in the center of a batting square right side up as shown in Figure 1.
3. Place a scrap rectangle right sides together on top of D with straight edges matching as shown in Figure 2.
4. Sew along the straight edge using a 1/4" seam allowance as shown in Figure 3.
5. Flip the rectangle to the right side and press as shown in Figure 4.
6. Using the same method, add a second print rectangle to an adjacent side of the D piece as shown in Figure 5.
7. Repeat steps 3–5 until D has a rectangle stitched to each side to complete a D unit. Note: The fabrics should cover all but the corners of the batting square.
8. Place the same-color backing circle right sides together with the D unit, centering the circle on D and stitch all around as shown in Figure 6.
9. Trim the excess to 1/8" beyond the stitching line and clip curves as shown in Figure 7.
10. Cut a slash through the backing circle only and turn the stitched unit right side out through the slashed opening; press edges flat; whipstitch the cut edges of the slash together as shown in Figure 8 to complete one flower unit.
11. Repeat steps 1–10 to complete a total of nine flower units.
COMPLETING THE LEAF UNITS
1. Pair two different 2" x 43/4" green rectangles right sides together; stitch along one long edge and press seam open as shown in Figure 9.
2. Using prepared template, trace the leaf shape onto a piece of interfacing and pin to the right side of the seamed green unit with the marked side up, matching the centerline of the leaf to the seam as shown in Figure 10.
3. Stitch all around on the marked line; cut out 1/8" from the seam and clip curve.
4. Cut a slash through the interfacing only and turn the leaf right side out through the opening. Press edges flat to complete one leaf motif.
5. Repeat steps 1–4 to complete a total of nine leaf motifs.
PREPARING THE STEMS
1. Fold each 11/2" x 71/2" bias strip in half along length with wrong sides together; do not press.
2. Sew a scant 1/4" seam along the long raw-edge side; trim seam to 1/8". Press seam open, rotating the stem so the seam runs down the center as shown in Figure 11.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to prepare nine stems.
COMPLETING THE BLOCKS
Each block in the sample quilt has the appliqué motifs in different positions. Refer to the Assembly Diagram for suggested placement.
1. Select one each A rectangle, flower unit, leaf motif and matching stem.
2. Place the stem on the A rectangle with seam side down and one end at one edge of A as shown in Figure 12; pin to hold in place.
3. Place the flower unit on top of the inside end of the stem so the flower overlaps the stem at least 1/4"; pin to hold in place.
4. Place the leaf motif under the edge of the flower unit or on the stem, as desired; pin to hold in place.
5. Hand- or machine-stitch around the edges of the stem, flower unit and leaf motif to complete the appliqué.
6. Place a backing rectangle on a work surface right side down. Place a batting rectangle on the backing and then place the appliquéd block right side up on top. Baste or pin to hold layers together.
7. Quilt the block by outlining the appliqués and echo-stitching to the edge or as desired. Quilt vein lines in the leaf and add definition to the flower.
8. Trim block to 91/2" x 111/2", if necessary, to complete one Crazy-Patch Posy block.
9. Repeat steps 1–8 to complete a total of nine Crazy-Patch Posy blocks.
COMPLETING THE QUILT
Refer to the Assembly Diagram throughout as needed.
1. Arrange the blocks in three rows of three blocks each.
2. Attach an even-feed or walking foot to your machine.
3. Fold and press each of the E strips in half along length with wrong sides together.
4. Referring to Figure 13, with raw edges even, pin an E strip on the backing side of the left block in the top row along the edge that will be adjacent to the center block in the same row.
5. Place a B strip along the same edge as E on the front side of the block with right sides together. Pin through all layers to hold as shown in Figure 14.
6. Stitch through all layers using a 1/4" seam allowance, again referring to Figure 14. Finger-press B strips to the right side.
7. To attach B to the front of the center block, pin the left edge of the center block right sides together with the raw edge of the B strip, keeping the E strip free on the back side; stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance as shown in Figure 15. Finger-press the center block to the right side with seam allowance toward the B strip.
8. Turn the blocks over so that the backing side is up and finger-press E over the stitching line on the back of the center block. Hand-stitch the folded edge to the backing using a slip stitch as shown in Figure 16.
9. Repeat steps 4–8 to add the third block in the row to the opposite side of the center block to complete the first row.
10. Repeat steps 4–9 to finish the remaining rows.
11. Join the rows with the C and F strips in the same manner with C strips on the top of the quilt and folded F strips on the back side, aligning B strips from row to row to create straight vertical lines.
12. Bind edges referring to Quilting Basics on page 110 to finish. QW