Isabella's Garden: September 2003 Quilt Block

Fence Row

We're making the ninth section of this 12-month quilt project—the "Fence" row.

Isabella's Garden is really coming together with the last pieced row—the Fence row with applique vine, flowers and leaves.

Welcome back to the ninth month of Isabella's Garden! Sometimes a row and sometimes a bordered block, this 12-month project is tackling one section at a time. This month, we're making the Fence row.

Fabrics:

sky background
ground background
fence and rail
flower
flower center
leaf
stems
gate handles

Steps:

Fence Row
1. Cut:
(1) 4-1/2" x 13" strip from sky background fabric
(1) 2-1/2" x 13" strip from fence rail fabric
(1) 2-1/2" x 13" strip from grass background fabric
(16) 2-1/2" squares from sky background fabric
(8) 4-1/2" x 8-1/2" rectangles from fence post fabric

Figure A

2. Stitch the three 13-inch sky, rail and grass strips together with the rail fabric in the middle. From this strip unit, cut eight, 1-1/2-inch units (figure A). These comprise the rail strip units that run between the fence posts.

Figure B

3. To make the fence post units, mark a diagonal stitching line on the 2-1/2-inch sky squares. With right sides together, position a 2-1/2" sky square on the top left corner of a fence unit so the drawn diagonal falls from the upper inner corner to the outer lower corner (figure B). Stitch on the drawn diagonal.

Figure C

Figure D

Trim, leaving a 1/4" seam and press the sky piece open with seams toward the fence unit. Repeat on the right side of the fence unit to create a picket/fence post (figure C).

4. Lay out the completed rail and picket units as illustrated (figure D), starting with a rail unit then alternating a picket. Position the fourth and fifth picket together without a rail strip in between. Stitch the units together, pressing seams in the same direction.

Vine
1. Cut two, 1" x 12-1/2" bias strips. Tip: Cut diagonally across the fabric grain for bias.

2. Fold a strip right side out so the long cut edges meet then stitch with an approximate 1/8-inch seam. Trim close to the seam. Roll the seam to the middle of the strip and press flat. Repeat for the second strip. A bias bar is helpful in pressing but not necessary. The finished width of the bias vines is approximately 1/4 inch.

3. Position and pin the strips with the seam facing down along the fence row, bending the strips to render a vine look. Stitch in place.

Applique
1. Make a gate handle template by cutting a 2" x 1" rectangle from template plastic. Draw a flower and leaf template, too. The featured quilt used the same large flower and leaf used in the Isabella block (month 5) and the Basket block (month 7).

2. Cut following applique pieces from fabric using the templates:
- six large flowers
- 10 large leaves
- two gate handles

Figure E

3. Use fusible webbing to applique pieces to the pieced background as illustrated (figure E).

4. Blanket-stitch the raw edges with coordinated-color embroidery floss.

Crafts

Isabella's Garden: September 2003 Quilt Block

Fence Row

Tools

MOST POPULAR

Crafts

Isabella's Garden: September 2003 Quilt Block

Fence Row

Tools

MOST POPULAR

Home and Garden Ideas from our sponsors