ELIQG 2012 Block of The Month Challenge
As a challenge for 2012 we thought we would move from paper pieced houses to floral applique.
Click here for General Guidelines repeated on this page
This year we were inspired by the Rose of Sharon Block Challenge done by The Electric Quilt Company recently. (There’s even a book they published with many of the sample blocks in it!) The Rose of Sharon pattern is made up of three basic shapes; a circle, a flower and a petal, layered with different colored fabrics for best effect.
Click here for January Rose of Sharon Pattern
Click here for Rose of Sharon January 12 inch
Click here for February Rose of Sharon pattern
Click here for Rose of Sharon February 12 inch
The challenge: to make the applique smaller than usual (8-3/4”) and fit it into a unique setting block comprised of many “Y” seams in colors of your choice. No challenge is easy, but this is why it is called BOM Challenge.
To get the free download of over 780 blocks for EQ, go to:
http://www.electricquilt.com/Users/Downloads/RoseofSharon.asp
Click here for March Rose of Sharon pattern
Click here for Rose of Sharon March 12 inch
Rose of Sharon Block Guidelines:
If you are inserting your Rose of Sharon into the center of the setting blocks,
make sure to cut the center block at least 1″ larger than you need to allow for shrinkage due to the applique process. A 9-1/2” to 10” square will give you room to trim down to 8-3/4”.
Setting Blocks:
The outside pieces are assembled with Y-seams. Pay attention to color choices so that the diamonds stay consistent on all four sides. Outside border design optional. To trim the applique to fit, placed the paper template for the center square over the top to make sure it is balanced on all 4 sides and then trim.
Hint: Use the Fons and Porter Triangle trimmers to make sure that the pieces that go on point stay true on center. This really helps. Also, mark all those diamonds, every one, with the 1/4″ seam to sew perfect Y-Seams. It takes about 2 hours to piece the outer block.
Click here for Setting Block Directions
Options:
For those of us who like appliqué and are inspired by this pattern, feel free to:
o Follow along with the smaller sized applique we will be handing out at the meeting,
o Enlarge the pattern to fit in a larger square – such as a 12” block using a copier,
o Download the blocks to EQ and print the patterns to whatever size you need. If you don’t have EQ, it’s time to make friends!
o Sash your blocks any way you wish
Finishing:
Do hand or machine applique, embellish, use fancy machine stitches, sash your blocks in whatever style you wish, be creative! Think beyond your usual colors! And please DO share your efforts at show and tell or during the BOM report at our general meetings. This is not the turn-in type of BOM. This is a follow-along-and-keep type of BOM since applique is such an individual time-lengthy process.
