FLOWER CHILD
Play with print petals to create an eye-catching appliqué design with dainty florals and fresh, feminine colours
YOU WILL NEED
■ Fabric A (background) 4yds
■ Fabric B: ¾yds
■ Fabric C: ½yd
■ Fabric D: ½yd
■ Fabric E: ½yd
■ Fabric F: 5/8yd (includes binding)
■ Fabric G: one (1) fat quarter
■ Fabric H: ½yd
■ 20in wide fusible web: 5½yds
■ Backing fabric: 4yds
■ Batting: 72in square
■ One (1) copy of the Orange Peel template
FINISHED SIZE
■ 66in square
NOTES
■ Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted.
■ Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed.
■ WST = wrong sides together.
■ WOF = width of fabric.
■ For templates see page 79.
FABRICS USED
All print fabrics are from the Flower Child collection by Maureen Cracknell for Art Gallery Fabrics.
■ Fabric A: Lush Canopy in Cloud
■ Fabric B: Sprinkled Petals in Moon
■ Fabric C: Flicker and Fade in Blue
■ Fabric D: Flowery Chant in Wild
■ Fabric E: Flowery Chant in Gentle
■ Fabric F: Pixie Dust in Glow Coordinating solids are from the Pure Elements collection by Art Gallery Fabrics.
■ Fabric G: Very Berry
■ Fabric H: Ocean Waves
■ Backing fabric is Shocking Pink from the Floral Elements collection, also by Art Gallery Fabrics.
CUTTING OUT
1 From Fabric A cut: ■ One hundred and twenty one (121) 6½in squares.
2 From Fabric F cut: Seven (7) 2½in x WOF strips for the binding. Save the remaining fabric for the next step.
SELECT A LIGHT, LOW-VOLUME BACKGROUND PRINT TO LET YOUR APPLIQUÉ PIECES POP
3 Trace the Orange Peel template onto the paper side of the fusible web and cut out roughly (with about 1/8in extra around the edge). Fuse the template shapes to the wrong side of the corresponding fabric, and then cut out the Orange Peel appliqué shape neatly. Repeat as required (placing the templates as close together as you can, to conserve fabric) to make the following Orange Peel appliqué shapes:
■ Fabric B: thirty three (33)
■ Fabric C: twenty (20)
■ Fabric D: sixteen (16)
■ Fabric E: twenty two (22)
■ Fabric F: four (4)
■ Fabric G: twelve (12)
■ Fabric H: fourteen (14)
PREPARING THE APPLIQUÉ BLOCKS
4 Peel off the paper backing of one of the Orange Peel appliqué shapes. Arrange diagonally on top of a Fabric A 6 in square, leaving roughly in in either corner, as shown (Fig 1). Once correctly positioned, press in place with an iron to temporarily secure to the fabric.
5 Prepare all of the Orange Peel blocks as in step 4, then stitch around the each of the shapes with a small zigzag stitch in matching thread.
ASSEMBLING THE QUILT TOP
6 Arrange the blocks as shown in the Layout Diagram, with eleven rows of eleven blocks each. Sew the blocks together into rows and then sew the rows together to complete the quilt top.
QUILTING AND FINISHING
7 Cut the backing fabric in half across the width. Remove the selvedges and sew the two pieces together using a 1/2 in seam. Press the seam open.
8 Press the quilt top and backing well. Make a quilt sandwich by placing the backing fabric right side down, the batting on top, then place the quilt top centrally and right side up. Baste the layers together using your preferred method.
9 Quilt as desired. This quilt uses a free-motion loop design, with a light thread that blends into the background and stands out on the petals. Trim off the excess batting and backing fabric and square up the quilt.
10 Sew the binding strips together end-to-end using diagonal seams. Press the seams open. Fold in half lengthways, WST, and press.
11 Sew the binding to the right side of the quilt, creating a neat mitre at each corner. Fold the binding over to the back of the quilt and hand stitch in place to finish.