Welcome to Week 1 of the Flower Market Sew-A-Long, where we will be making Flower 1. This is a great way to complete this quilt top. We will be showing you step by step photos. There is also a video at the end of this tutorial with more Flower 1 instructions.
The quilt measures 62″ x 74″. You will need a Fat Quarter bundle of Daisy Mae, 4 1/4 yards of white Country Confetti, 3/4 yards of binding and the Flower Market Pattern. All of these are available through your favorite quilt shop. You can also see everything you will need on our website here.
Follow along with the pattern by making sure to cut out all the fabric pieces from page 1 and page 2. Notice the flower is divided into 4 sections. Flower Top. Flower Middle. Flower Bottom. Leaf 1.
Note to self: I like to starch all my fabric before cutting. I do not starch again. I only starch what I need to cut. For example, if I need a 3″ strip, I will cut the strip and then starch. The starch is already in the fabric now, so when I iron a second time the fabric will press so neat and tidy. You will be thrilled with how your block turns out. Your measurements will be more precise. It takes a little extra time but you will be grateful in the end and your long arm quilter will be your best friend.
Page 4 begins the assembly instructions for the Flower 1. You can either draw a pencil line from corner to corner on the wrong side of the fabric or press corner to corner. I like to press my lines on the background squares. I think it is quicker. I only press one piece of fabric at a time so as to make sure my pressing line is precise. Either method you choose will create a straight diagonal line.
Using the stitch and flip technique, you can place your background squares in each corner. Sew on the pressed line. Trim 1/4″ away. Flip fabric to right side and press.
Note to self: Make sure you are sewing your diagonal lines correctly. Check your pattern diagram and recheck after sewing before cutting.
This next part is the bottom of the flower and also the top of the stem. Make sure your center triangle piece is the same color as the stem. You will need the templates from the pattern for this one. You can either cut the templates from your pattern or you can make a copy and then cut them out. Be sure to cut them exactly.
In the diagram on the left, is the finished templates when sewn together. On the right is the template once it is squared to 2″ x 2″. Make sure you leave 1/4″ at the top and the points at the bottom come to a point.
Note to self: make sure you are cutting 3 templates B and 3 templates C. These templates are opposite. You cannot layer fabric with wrong sides together. You need to stack the fabric so that all the right sides are facing up. The template is placed on the right side. Then you can cut the 3 templates needed.
Sew all the pieces together to make this bottom section of the flower.
Sew the background squares to opposite sides. Press your seams to the outside.
This is what the top, middle and bottom sections of the flower look like once they are all sewn together.
Now to sew Leaf 1. Use the stitch and flip technique again. Place your background squares in each corner.
Note to self: make sure you are putting the 1 1/2″ squares and the 2″ squares in the correct corners and in the correct direction. You will be making 1 leaf in one direction and 1 leaf in the opposite direction. Press all seams to the dark side. Be sure to square up your leaves to 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″.
Once you have your 2 leaves made, you can start putting all the pieces together to complete Leaf 1.
Sew one side of the leaf section to the stem. Press seam towards the stem and then sew the other leaf section to the opposite side. Press seam towards the stem. Have you noticed how nice it is when you pre starch your fabric. Everything looks so crisp!
Sew both the flower section and the leaf section together to complete this Flower 1.
Enjoy this video with more instructions on how to assemble Flower 1.
You will need to make 3 of this Flower 1. As you can see this block is much easier when broken down into smaller pieces. It is a fun block to make because the pieces are a nice size… not so tiny. Your unfinished block size should measure 8 1/2″ x 16 1/2″.
Enjoy your homework this week… making 3 Flower 1 Blocks. We can’t wait to see all your blocks. Please tag us @poppiecotton and use the hash tags #flowermarketsewalong #poppiecotton #poppiecottonfabric
Please join us every Wednesday!
April 15, April 22, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27 and June 3, 2020!
Enjoy every stitch!
Happy Sewing!
Jina and Lori xoxo