October Quilt Block
There's nothing scary about the block design for the month of October, with a harvest moon in the sky and a bountiful harvest in the yard. We've got something to crow about, so let's get started with this month's block.
Materials:
fabric selection - Use any desired fabrics. We selected 100-percent cottons in these prints:
- light to medium blue marble print for sky background
- gold print for foreground for house
- light tan on tan leaf print for chimney, door and hay bale
- pumpkin motif fabric for dormer
- orange leaf print for moon
- brown/orange/yellow leaf print for windows
- rust/brown/black/yellow speckle fabric for steps and scarecrow post
- red and white check for scarecrow pants and gourd
- beige/grey splatter print for scarecrow hat
- gold/green daisy print for scarecrow shirt
- light yellow check for scarecrow face
- small grey on black print for crow
- green and white check for gourd
- orange on orange print for gourd and pumpkins
wooden button
yellow, orange, black and white embroidery floss
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.
- Print out the template patterns (figures A and B). The new templates are in figure B. 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.
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).
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, April and July. 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 raw background piece.Fusing Method
- 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".
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.
Trim the finished background piece to a 12-1/2-inch square block (figure D).
Machine-Piecing Method
- 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".
- 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 E). Don't worry about this. Position the sky fabric on the bottom and then stitch the sky and ground fabrics together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press and trim away the excess fabric.
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 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
- Cut the fusible into smaller, manageable pieces that will accommodate each template size, keeping the protective paper of the fusible intact.
- Using a pencil, trace around each template onto one of the paper-covered sides of the fusible.
- 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.
- Cutting along the traced lines, cut out both the fusible web and fabric for each pattern piece.
- 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 G). Tuck the chimney fabric (small side down) so it stands out behind the house. Next, place the moon behind the chimney. Position the windows and dormer.
Cut off a third of one the steps to use as a scarecrow post, and set it aside with the scarecrow pieces. Use the remaining two-thirds as the top step. Position the bottom step at the base of the house with the top step resting on the bottom one. Tuck the door slightly behind the top step. Refer to picture for placement (figure H).
Place the Pumpkin A under the bottom step. Layer Pumpkin C on top of that, near the left bottom corner of the house. Layer the scarecrow post at the top of the Pumpkin C and Pumpkin B on top of that (figure I).
Begin building the scarecrow by layering the pants onto the scarecrow stake and tucking the bottom of the shirt in slightly behind the pants. Add the scarecrow face and hat. Perch the bird body on top of the hat (figure J).
Position the bird beak on top of the birds body as shown (figure K).
Position the crow's head on top of the beak (figure L).
Build the "bountiful harvest" at the right corner of the house by placing the hay bale at a slight angle then layering on Gourd C, Gourd B and Gourd A as shown (figure M).
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.
Finishing
- Cover the raw edges of the applique pieces with blanket-stitching (figure N). To do this, use two-strands of black embroidery floss outlining the house, windows, door, dormer, scarecrow, crow, hay bale, pumpkins and gourds.
- Chain stitch feet on the crow using yellow embroidery floss.
- Make "hay" hands and feet for the scarecrow by bundling four short pieces of orange floss, tying each bundle in the center, and clipping the ends to get the hay effect (figure O). Tack each bundle onto the block as the hands and feet of the scarecrow.
Optional Challenges
Depending on your skill level, here are additional ideas for finishing the block:
- 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 would be stitched in orange and door would be stitched in beige).
- 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—use your imagination to make the block your own. We look forward to creating another block with you next month.
Resources fabricGina's Bernina Sewing Center
Website:
www.ginasbernina.com
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