QAF Block of the Month
December 2008
Winter Rosebuds
11" (unfinished), 10 1/2"
(finished)
Our December Block
of the Month this year features something a little different. It's the
Rosebud block, but I have re-drawn it to simplify construction. I have
long wanted to do this block, so finally decided it's time. However, I
do want to draw your attention to the fact that it is a 10 1/2" finished
block instead of 10" like all the other blocks in 2008. I apologize to
those of you who may be putting together a sampler quilt with this year's
blocks, but this block just defies my efforts to make it that size. So,
10 1/2" it is.
Those of you who
have Kona black cotton can use that, but you can use any other solid good
quality black. And then, to go with that, pick 2 shades of the same color
for the Roses. Use a darker shade for the center part and a lighter shade
of the same color for the points. You may use any color roses come in,
and you may use TOT or Batiks, or one
of each.
You
can make
up
to 3
in
the
same
fabric
combo,
then switch to another color/combo if you want to enter more than that.
It really is an easy block, and I have been generous with the cutting sizes.
To Assemble block:
Make Half-Square Triangles (HST):
Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of each flower fabric,
both the smaller lighter ones and the larger darker ones. Place each of them
RST with a same-size black square. Stitch 1/4" on each side of the diagonal
drawn line. Cut each apart and press seam to the black fabric.
Trim each of these HST patches to their appropriate size. The smaller ones
(8 of them) should measure 2 1/4" square, and the larger ones should measure
4" square. These are their unfinished sizes.
Now, following the picture, lay the larger ones, and line up the little
ones two by two, paying attention to which direction the seamlines lay. Stitch
them together two by two. Press to one side and put back next to their bigger
HST and stitch the seam. You are actually making 4 segments all the same.
Then stitch the rectangle to the appropriate side of each and press to the
black. At this point, please square up your segments. They should measure
5 3/4" square. Lay them back out as per the picture above, and stitch them
together two by two, press each set in opposite directions, then stitch the
last seam. Square up the whole block to 11" (unfinished). You are done!
Rosebuds for Winter, what could be more welcome? Happy Christmas!
