Vintage Roses

Materials:

rotary cutter
cutting mat
quilting ruler
template material
light box
pencil
straw needle
cotton coated thread
pins
embroidery needle
embroidery scissors
coordinating thread
6-3/4 yards by 60" of large flower printed fabric for the background
1/4 yard of several assorted fabrics in coordinating colors

Steps:

1. Create a template to make the square-within-a-square block (figure A). For the center square, measure a 2-inch square plus an extra 1/4-inch for the seam allowance on the template material. Cut the square out to use as the template.

2. For the small, half-square triangle, measure 1-1/2 inch square and fold in half diagonally. Add 1/4 inch for the seam allowance and cut out the template.

3. For the large, half-square triangle, measure a 2-inch square, fold in half diagonally, and add 1/4 inch for the seam allowance. Cut out the template.

4. Measure and cut 2-1/2 inch strips and place the template on the strip to cut out the pieces (figure B).

5. To assemble the blocks, start with the center square and attach the smaller half-square triangles first. Sew the pieces to the center in a clockwise fashion moving to the larger half-square triangles after the small triangles. Tip: When piecing blocks of different fabrics, choose thread colors such as medium brown, dull blue or gray so that the stitches will blend in with the fabrics.

6. Connect the blocks in rows of three across, alternating a plain 4-1/2 inch block from the background fabric (figure C).

7. Once the rows are complete, sew three rows together.

8. To finish the quilt, make 18 pieced blocks and 17 plain blocks.

9. After you complete the center of the quilt, add the appliqué border (figure D). To make the border, measure and sew a 1-inch strip of solid fabric for the inner quilt border. Also measure and cut the same 1-inch strip for the binding.

10. Draw the border design on sheets of paper taped together to equal the length of the border (figure E).

11. For mitered edges, draw a diagonal line at the ends to mark the corners of the border, see figure E.

12. Cut the background fabric 12 inches wide and the length of the border.

13. Place the paper design on the light box face down, and then, position the fabric face down on the pattern. Trace the design on the fabric with a pencil.

14. Once the design is traced, remove the paper and fabric from the light box. Place the appliqué fabric on the box face down (figure F), and position the background fabric over the fabric face down, as well.

15. Pin the fabrics together around the design to hold it securely in place (figure G).

16. Use a straw needle and the heavy thread to baste the edge of the pattern. Cut out the shape leaving about 1/4 inch for the seam allowance (figure H).

17. Clip around the edges of the seam allowance with embroidery scissors. Needle-turn appliqué the edges under.