April Quilt Block

Materials:

fabric selection - Use any desired fabrics. We selected 100-percent cottons in these prints:

- blue/white "swirl" print for sky background
- green/white flower print for foreground
- green/yellow/pink plaid for house
- pink/green/yellow plaid for chimney and steps
- white flower on pink background for door and dormer
- small tan circle print for flower boxes
- multi-floral pattern for windows
- tone on tone white print for fence posts and railing
- light brown "basket" print for wheelbarrow
- medium brown for wheelbarrow accent

translucent template plastic
Steam-A-Seam 2 double-sided fusible web
perle cotton embroidery floss in spring colors
small and medium size wooden buttons
rotary cutter and mat
craft scissors

Steps:

Creating Templates
You can make templates from various materials, including pieces of heavy card stock, cardboard, freezer paper or template plastics. Some of these templates will be reused in future blocks so it's recommended that you use a translucent template plastic due to the durability factor. Keep in mind the finished fabric shape will be the mirror image of the template pattern.

1. Print out the patterns (figures A and B). If you've saved the templates from previous blocks, you'll only need to make two new templates (the wheelbarrow and mini-window box) from figure B. You'll re-use the house templates seen in all previous blocks, the large window box from March, plus the steps and fence posts/rails from February.

2. Place a piece of template plastic over the printed patterns and trace the outline of each using a permanent marking pen (ultra fine Sharpie works great).

3. Cut out and label each template piece. Templates will be reused in other blocks so plan to store them flat for future use.

Background
Does the background piece look familiar? It's similar to January. The finished background consists of two colors of fabric and measures 12-1/2 inches square. It can be assembled using a fusible webbing technique or a machine-piecing technique. Decide on a method then follow the directions below. One helpful extra step is to make a template square measuring 12-1/2 inches then mark or cut it into two sections as shown in figure C to provide a cutting guide and indicate the look of the finished background piece.

Fusing Method
1. If using fusible webbing to create the background piece, cut the sky fabric piece to 7-1/2" x 12-1/2" x 5-3/4" and the bottom ground fabric to 5-1/2" x 12-1 /2" x 7-1/4".

2. Position fabric right sides up and place a 12-1/2" x 1/4" strip of fusible webbing (or desired fusible product) along the bottom portion of the sky fabric. Position the ground fabric 1/4 inch onto the sky fabric, making sure the fabric covers the fusible webbing. Use a pressing cloth to protect your iron from any webbing that might not be covered.

3. Trim the finished background piece to a 12-1/2-inch square block (figure D).

Machine-Piecing Method
1. To machine-piece the background, cut the sky fabric to 7-3/4" x 13-1/2" x 6 " and the bottom ground fabric to 5-3/4" x 13-1/2" x 7-1/2".

2. Place the sky and ground fabric pieces with right sides together, matching raw edges across the bottom. Due to the diagonal cut, the sides will be off slightly (figure E). Don't worry about this. Position the sky fabric on the bottom, then stitch the sky and ground fabrics together using a 1/4 -inch seam allowance. Press and trim away the excess fabric.

3. Trim the finished background piece to a 12-1/2-inch square block (figure F).

Applique
A quick word about fusible web--follow the manufacturer's instructions for whichever type you decide to use. There's a wide variety of fusibles available on the market and you may want to experiment to find the right product for you. For this project, we use a double-sided type because it allows us to reposition the pieces if desired. Double-sided fusible comes sandwiched between two pieces of paper. Here's how to use it with this pattern.

1. Cut the fusible into smaller, manageable pieces that will accommodate each template size, keeping the protective paper of the fusible intact.

2. Using a pencil, trace around each template onto one of the paper-covered sides of the fusible (figure G).

3. Peel away the opposite paper side of the fusible (the one without the tracing) and adhere it to the wrong side of the desired fabric.

4. Cutting along the traced lines, cut out both the fusible web and fabric for each pattern piece (figure H).

5. Next, position the pieces onto the background square. There's a lot of room to customize the block with this step. Plus, you don't have to fuse anything until you're sure you like the design. Here's how we did it:

• Position the house (A) fabric on the background square. We placed the bottom corner of ours approximately three inches up from the bottom of the block and one inch in from the left edge. Tuck the chimney fabric (small side down) so it stands out behind the house.
• Our objective was to place everything slightly off kilter in order to give the block a bit of a folk art feel. To accomplish this, position the windows (C and D ) and dormer (E) at a slight tilt (refer to the first picture for placement).
• Place a window box on each of the windows, overlapping the boxes slightly on the bottom portion of the windows.
• For the door and steps, begin with the bottom step, placing it an inch from the bottom right corner of the house and overlapping it by 1/4 inch. Center the top step 1/4-inch above the bottom step. Next, center the door on the top step, tucking it slightly behind the step (figure I).
• To create the fence and rails, cut four Post and Rail (J) fabric pieces and four Post and Rail (K) fabric pieces. Set one P&R (J) approximately 1/2 inch from the bottom and 3-1/4 inches from the left side of the block (layered on the house) and use the other as the top rail of the fence. Set one P&R (K) post 1-3/4 inches from the bottom and 6/8 inch from the left side of the block. Use the second P&R (K) as the bottom rail of the fence. Tuck the "rails" behind the "posts." Follow the same process and measurements for the fence on the right side of the block (figure J).

Optional Challenges
Depending on your skill level, here are additional ideas for finishing the block:

• Other spring ideas... how about a hopping rabbit or hidden eggs? An umbrella might be found on the steps for that unexpected springtime shower.
• Want a real challenge? Add a 1/4-inch to the template patterns and use a needle -turn method of applique.
• Instead of using black floss for the blanket-stitching, consider color coordinating the floss to the fabric color (i.e., the dormer and door would be stitch in pink; the fence posts and railings in white; etc.).
• Replace the flower box and wheelbarrow embroidery work with pre-made silk ribbon flowers.
• If time is not on your side, don't despair. This block can easily be finished on a sewing machine. Depending on your machine's capabilities, employ a zigzag, satin, buttonhole or blanket stitch to finish the raw edges of the applique.

Be creative and use your imagination to make the block your own. We look forward to creating another block with you next month.