QAF Block of the Month

September 2004

Apple

6 1/2" unfinished (6" finished)

September's block might just help get you in the mood for Fall, and for school days, as in an apple for the teacher.

I am showing you the block in a table runner this time, though you could use this pattern to make placemats, by adding strips as in Courthouse steps, or use the blocks in a wall quilt. Whatever you like. But first, make some apples for our BOM and we could have several winners this time, since you only need 5 or 6 for a nice little table runner.

Fabrics: You will need one apple red TOT print or solid for each block, one tan or brown for the stem and one medium to dark green for the background and frame. These can all be TOT, solids or small prints that 'read' the color called for. Just make sure the red stands out from your background well, though the background can also be dark.

 

Cut for each block:

Red: (1) 5" x 5 1/2" rectangle

Tan: (1) pc. 1" x 1 1/2"

Green:

(4) pc. 1 1/2" square

(2) pc. 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

(2) pc. 1 1/4" x 6 1/2"

To Assemble Block:

Place one of the 1 1/2" squares RST to the 'apple' fabric at each corner. Sew diagonally from edge to edge. Trim 1/4" outside the seam and press the resulting triangle out to the edge. Once you have sewn all 4 of these squares onto the 'apple' and trimmed and pressed, you will still have a 5" x 5 1/2" rectangle. Measure to make certain and set aside.

Next, sew the tan piece between the two green 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" pieces and press to the tan. (This will 'pad' your stem a little bit, too.) Sew this piece to the top edge of the 'apple' that you set aside before. Press seam up. This piece will now measure 5" x 6 1/2".

Finally, add the 6 1/2" strips to each side of the apple and press to the strip. Square your block up to 6 1/2" and you are finished and ready to enter your block in the BOM lottery. You may make up to 3 alike this month. Make lots! You may just be a lucky winner!