QM Patterns: Christmas in Bloom

 Instructions

Directions are for both the wall quilt and the sofa quilt. Information that differs for the sofa size is given in [ ].

Detailed quiltmaking instructions, including set-in patches, are in Basic Lessons.

Step 1 Choosing and Preparing Fabrics

Batik or mottled hand-dyed fabrics are perfect for creating flower petals because of the color variation in the fabric. We selected three pinks and placed them in assorted combinations for the flower blossoms.

We recommend starching your fabrics before cutting the patches; this will eliminate stretching the bias edges during assembly.

Follow the Rule

When setting in patches by machine, remember the basic hand-piecing rule: Sew only on the seam lines and never into the seam allowance.

Step 2 Making the Blocks and Rows

See the Rotary Cutting Diagram for patches A, C, D, G and F. Patches E, B and Br are shown here.

Prepare the straight-grain strip for applique to finish 1/4" wide. Cut this strip into 5 [18] 2 1/4" lengths.

Fold 4 [12] tan print A's and 1 [6] teal print A['s] in half along the long edge and crease. Center a strip along the crease and applique in place. Applique the remaining strips on these A's.

Following the piecing diagram, join the A--E's, setting in the C and D patches to make the Y and Z blocks. Press as shown.

Refer to the assembly diagram for the size you are making; then sew the blocks and the F and G patches together to make each diagonal row.

Join the rows. Add the remaining 2 G patches to opposite corners.