"Poppy Fields" Quilt

By Jean Van Bockel
2000, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 51 1/2" x 51 1/2"

Blazing with bold shades of red and pink, the poppies burst into bloom in early spring. Just one of the array of beautiful flowers that share the spotlight at Larkspur Farm, poppies inspired the vivid colors in this stunning quilt.

Materials:

(All yardage is based on 42"-wide fabric unless otherwise stated.)

1/4 yd. each of 8 pink to dark red prints for poppies
1/8 yd. black print for poppy centers
3/8 yd. light print for poppy block corners
3/4 yd. floral print for setting triangles
5/8 yd. green for sashing
1/6 yd. purple print for sashing squares
1/4 yd. green for inner border
1/4 yd. purple for middle border
2/3 yd. striped fabric for outer border
3-1/4 yds. for backing
3/8 yd. for binding
57" x 57" piece of batting
optional: fabric scraps & black embroidery floss for bumblebee

Cutting:

Cut all strips across the fabric width. All measurements include 1/4" seam allowances.

From each of the eight pink to dark red fabrics, cut:
1 strip, 4-7/8" wide; crosscut into 7 squares, each 4-7/8" x 4-7/8"; cut once diagonally for 14 triangles from each strip (112 total)

From the black print, cut 2 strips, each 1-1/2" wide; crosscut into 52 squares, each 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"

From the light print, cut 4 strips, each 2-1/2" wide; crosscut into 52 squares, each 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"

From the floral print, cut:
- 2 squares, each 15" x 15"; cut twice diagonally for a total of 8 side-setting triangles
- 2 squares, each 8-5/8" x 8-5/8"; cut once diagonally for a total of 4 corner-setting triangles

From the green sashing fabric, cut 9 strips, each 2" wide; crosscut into 36 strips, each 2" x 8-1/2"

From the purple print, cut 2 strips, each 2" wide; crosscut into 24 squares, each 2" x 2", for sashing squares

From the green inner border fabric, cut 6 strips, each 1" wide

From the purple middle border fabric, cut 6 strips, each 1-1/4" wide

From the striped outer border fabric, cut 6 strips, each 3-1/2" wide

From the binding fabric, cut enough 2-1/2" wide bias strips to make a 214" piece.

1. Choose eight 4-7/8" pink to dark red triangles at random and sew into pairs along the diagonal edges. Press the seam toward one triangle in each pair (figure A).

2. On the wrong side of four light 2-1/2" squares, lightly draw a diagonal pencil line from corner to corner. Repeat on the wrong side of four black 1-1/2" squares, using a white or yellow marking pencil.

3. Position a marked light square, right side down, on the upper left corner of each of the pieced squares from step 1. Stitch on the line and cut away the corner 1/4" from the stitching. Press the seam toward the light triangle. (figure B) Add a black square to the lower right corner in the same manner. Make four (figure C).

4. Sew the units from step 3 together in pairs and press the seam allowances in opposite directions. Sew the units together to complete one poppy block.

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to make a total of 13 poppy blocks (figure D).

1. Sew a 2" x 8-1/2" green sashing strip to one side of eight poppy blocks (unit A). Sew two green sashing strips to opposite sides of the remaining five blocks (unit B). Press the seams toward the sashing (figure E).

2. Arrange the sashed blocks in diagonal rows, following the layout. Join the rows and press the seams toward the sashing in each row (figure F).

3. Sew the remaining 2" x 8-1/2" green sashing strips and 2" purple sashing squares together to make the sashing units shown. Press the seams toward the sashing (figure G).

4. Sew the sashing units to the poppy block rows and press the seams toward the sashing. Add the large floral side setting triangles to the row ends and press the seams toward the setting triangles. Sew the rows together and press the seams toward the sashing (figure H).

5. Add the four floral corner setting triangles and press the seams toward the triangles.

Optional Applique

1. For hand applique (see Needle-Turn Applique on pages 117-118 of the book), trace pattern shapes for bumblebee. Cut shape from the desired fabrics, adding a 1/16" seam allowance around the entire shape. (If you prefer, substitute the Fusible Applique method on pages 118-119.)

2. Position the bumblebee on one of the poppies and hand appliqué or fuse it in place. Use a stem stitch with one strand of black embroidery floss for the narrow leg sections and the antennae. Use a satin stitch for the wider leg sections. (figure I)

Adding the Borders

1. Sew the green inner border strips together to make four inner border strips, each 54" long. Repeat with the purple middle border strips and the striped outer border strips.

2. Sew the inner, middle, and outer border strips together in four sets.

3. Sew the borders to the quilt top, following the directions for Mitered Borders on pages 120-121 of the book.

Refer to the General Directions beginning on page 117 of the book, for specific directions in each of the following finishing steps.

1. Layer the quilt top with batting and backing; baste.

2. Machine or hand quilt as desired.

3. Trim the batting and backing even with the quilt-top edges.

4. Sew the 2-1/2" wide bias binding strips together into one long strip and bind the quilt.