July Quilt Block

Simply Quilts host Alex Anderson joins in the design fun with this month's Yankee Doodle Dandy block that's just perfect for July. Thanks Alex! With high-flying flags, fireworks and a playful puppy--who could resist this fun-filled block?

Materials:

fabric selection - Use any desired fabrics. Alex selected 100-percent cottons in these prints:
- tumbling flag print for sky background
- green print for foreground
- red/pink plaid for house
- yellow/gold star print for chimney and porch
- blue dots outlined in white circles on black background for dormer
- white fabric with red print dots for door
- cherry pattern for windows
- black stars on white dot print for name plate post
- black fabric with printed name for name plate post
- white dots on red background for watermelon center
- light green print on dark green background for watermelon rind
- yellow diamonds and blue dots on red background for large firecracker
- yellow stars with red dots on navy background for small firecracker
- red scratch on deep yellow background for firecracker flames
- white dot concentric circles on black background for puppy
- tan and brown plaid for flagpole
- silver swirl on royal blue background for flagpole star
- white dots on blue background for flag stars
- red and white stripe fabric for flag
translucent template plastic
Steam-A-Seam 2 double-sided fusible web
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 template patterns (figures A, B and C). The new templates are in figures B and C. You'll re-use the house templates seen in all previous blocks so there's no need to re-print or re-cut figure A if you've kept those.

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 and April. 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 D to provide a cutting guide and indicate the look of the raw 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 E).

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, right sides together, matching raw edges across the bottom. Due to the diagonal cut, the sides will be off slightly (figure F). 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 G).

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 of fusible because it allows us to reposition the pieces if desired. Double-sided fusible comes sandwiched between two pieces of paper. There are a couple of ways to use it with this pattern.

Outline Method
This method is more time consuming in the beginning, but will eliminate stiffness in the applique, which makes for easier needlework later on. The secret? Start by transferring the template patterns onto fabric, then cutting them out. Next, use a 1/4- or 1/2-inch, double-sided fusible tape to outline the back side of the template fabric pieces, leaving the protective cover on the tape until you're ready to fuse (see step 5 in the Full Fuse Method).

Full Fuse Method
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.

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.

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 fabric on the background square (figure H). Tuck the chimney fabric (small side down) so it stands out behind the house.

• Place the porch in front of the house. Position the puppy on the porch so his head and extended front paw overlap onto the door. Place the watermelon center and rind together just above the puppy's tail (figure I).
• Place the nameplate post at the bottom, right-hand side corner of the porch. Position the nameplate at the top of the post (figure J). Note that Alex's name is printed on the nameplate but you might opt to embroider yours onto the fabric. This is a great opportunity to personalize the block.

• Place the small firecracker at the bottom left-hand side corner of the house. Position the flame on top of it. Place the large firecracker and flame to the left of the small one (figure K).
• Position the flagpole beside the house so it's situated between the two firecracker flames. Position the striped part of the flag at the top of the pole and the blue flag fabric in the left-hand corner of the striped fabric. Place the flagpole star at the top of the post, slightly overlapping the top left corner of the blue flag fabric (figure L).
• Once you're pleased with the design, follow the manufacturer's directions to press the pieces into place. Avoid fusing any pieces in the 1/4-inch perimeter of the block to allow for the addition of sashing.