Sew Simple Shapes Series - Week One - Block One Tutorial!!

Well hello there! 

These four blocks are part of a new 

Sew Simple Shapes Series

 of tutorials that will be here on my blog.

For the first project in the series...

I'm going to be using all of my 

Sew Simple Shapes 

to make one quilt!

All of the blocks will be

 12" x 12" finished.

I thought it would be 

really fun to show you that

 my shapes are not only for making 

"just that one quilt"

 that they were designed for...

but can and should be used 

for many other projects...

and in different ways that

 you may never have thought of!

The two blocks on the bottom 

and the one on the top right 

are made using my new set 

available next month called

 Autumn Love.

Currently...

 there are 5 different sets

 and so I will be

 starting the tutorials using 

the sets that are available now

 and when Autumn Love gets here

 I'll do those tutorials as well.

Today's block is the one

 on the top left 

and I made it using 

some of the shapes

 in my BLOOM set:)

Are you ready for this new adventure?!

Let's sew!

 Grab your BLOOM set...

And your package of 

Sew-In Interfacing.

Trace around your shapes 

directly onto the interfacing.

Here are the shapes that 

we will need for this block

 and how many to trace: 

A-1 trace 5

  A-2 trace 1

  A-12  trace 4

 A-16 trace 12

I like to use a mechanical pencil

 for a nice thin line.

Dig into your quilty stash...

it doesn't take much for applique! 

These are the colors that 

I will be using for my quilt.

I have 4-5  different prints 

in each color...

 plus a solid to match each.

I'm using the same fabric for all of the stems in the blocks.

This gingham is from my Cozy Christmas collection and I cut a bunch of strips 5/8" wide and ran them 

through a 1/4" bias tape maker.

I have always kept my prepared stems

 wrapped around vintage spools.

This one happens to be an empty spool

 that my small Vintage Trim came on and I used it all:)

Decide which color and prints

 that you want for each shape.

Place the traced shape on your fabric 

with both right side up and

 sew directly onto your traced line.

I do not backstitch but instead I 

"over sew" 

a little where I start and stop

 to secure my stitches.

After sewing I cut about 1/4" or

 a little less around my shape.

I cut a small X in the 

interfacing ONLY 

and turn it right side out.

All the shapes are sewn...

And the "X's" are cut for turning.

I use the pointy end of this 

POINT to POINT TURNER

to shape each piece and 

then give them each a 

quick PRESS (not iron) 

on the fabric side.

I decided that I am going to 

use the same green solid

 (Riley Green Confetti Cotton) 

for all of the leaves or

 at least somewhere in each block.

You may have noticed that I like to

 add some stitching around 

my applique shapes when 

they are done with solid fabric.

I love the look and the added texture 

that the stitches create.

I use all six strands 

of my Aurifloss for the stitching.

I pre-mark my stitches 

with a mechanical pencil:)

One down and 3 more to go!

I do my stitching onto each 

individual piece before its appliquéd...

And hide the knots on the 

back in the interfacing.

Now let's talk about the 

background for the blocks.

I'm using my Bee Backgrounds...

And for each block 

I will use 2 prints 

and cut TWO 8" squares

 from each one.

On two of the blocks 

I draw a line on the back 

1/4" on each side from

 of diagonal center like this.

Then I place it with right sides together

 on the opposite print fabric

 and sew directly onto the lines.

Repeat for the other two squares 

and cut them apart in the center.

Press the seams open so that 

your block will lie flat.

You now have 4 half square triangles!

Sew them into a pinwheel like this.

I do trim the inner corners before sewing...

But I just leave the outer corners

 because they will be cut off 

when I trim the excess off of 

the block after applique.

I like to have my background fabric

 larger than needed during 

the applique process to allow for 

a little shrinkage and 

fraying of edges etc.

I also press these seams open.

I like to piece my backgrounds when I applique for several reasons.

I think it adds a lot of movement and interest to the block

 but because the seam lines are

 going in the center both 

diagonally and across both ways...

it makes laying out each block a breeze!

Now your background is ready.

Time to add the shapes and 

prepare for applique!

I cut 4 pieces of 3" long stems 

from my spool.

I use both glue and pins for this step.

I use glue by Sue Daley and it's my favorite...

I call it "Sue Glue" for short:)

I also use my 

Pretty Pins 

they all come in this cute 

mason jar shaped container. 

I use the "applique" ones for this step.

I like to dump them into a pin bowl 

for easy grabbing:)

I also use my 

1 1/2" x 6 1/2" 

Cute Cuts Ruler 

when laying out my pieces....

and of course...a design board!

You will need the large size

 for these blocks:)

First I place and then pin

 the center circles with one pin straight down into the design board.

I make sure that it's right in the center because that's important for this next step!

The seams on the pieced background along with my 12 1/2" Trim it Ruler make it easy peasy.

I measured 2 1/2" from the edge 

of the center circle and placed my flower center circle and 

pinned it into place like this. 

I made sure that the circle is centered across the seam line underneath.

Then I measured 3" in from the corner

 of my background and placed 

the center petal like this.

Just pinned it...no glue yet!

To place the side petals I measured

 1 3/4" from the edge like this

 and pinned into place.

Now you can lift up those pieces

 on each side...

keeping the pin in... 

and place a few dots of glue underneath.

 You can take the pins out after it's glued.

This is how I glue baste my stems...

and then the raw edges are 

tucked underneath the 

circles on both ends.

I placed my green leaves centered 

right on the seam line 

and just touching the center circle.

The same measurements are used for each quarter of the block so you can work your way around...

first pinning and then 

glue basting each piece.

You can leave your pins in 

for a few minutes until the

 glue completely dries...

or you can do what I do and lay 

my 12 1/2" trim it ruler on top 

and then a couple books on that

 to keep it nice and flat 

until the glue dries.

"Sue Glue" keeps your pieces in place

 while you applique...

whether by machine or by hand...

that's your choice!

However...

it is reposition-able if needed 

without ruining your shapes and

 also water soluble even though 

I don't wash it out.

Most of the time I like to hand applique

 my shapes but I have

 machine appliquéd too.

Either way I always use 

matching thread 

to each applique piece.

When I hand applique I just use the same stitch as 

traditional needle turn applique 

but my edges are already turned

 making it 

super relaxing and easy:)

When I machine applique...

 I just use a tiny zig-zag stitch 

and even though I change the 

thread on top to match the applique ...

I just use white in the bobbin:)

After applique use the 

12 1/2" Trim It Ruler 

to trim it down to that size.

Use all of the lines on the ruler 

and match them up to the seam lines

 and your block will be

 perfectly centered...

YaY!!

I always save this step until 

the very end when ALL of my blocks

 are appliquéd and I'm ready to 

sew them into the quilt.

Block Number One!!

I love this block...

it reminds me of cute little 

forget me not blossoms.

I will be making 2 more blocks using the BLOOM set of Sew Simple Shapes and I will have those tutorials up next Monday!

I'm planning on making for sure 16 different blocks for this 12" Sampler Quilt...

and maybe even 20:)

I'll be doing 2-3 blocks a week until finished.

The setting will be VERY SIMPLE so that

 each different applique block 

really shines!

I hope you will sew along with me

 while I play with the 

Sew Simple Shapes!

xx

Lori