Friday, May 2, 2014

Day 5: Flower Favorites Blog Hop

Hello! We're back with Day 5 of our Flower Favorites blog hop. We're featuring blocks made with flower fabrics and/or blocks that are themselves flower-themed. We're excited to share these tutorials with you, and hope they'll inspire 
your next quilt, wall hanging, or table runner! 


Today our Benartex Blog Design Team is working with Venezia, a Contempo line by Michele D'Amore. Shades of blue and beige with a watercolor feel...these prints are gorgeous! 
The block we're sharing uses two different techniques--paper piecing and applique. If you're not an expert at either technique--no worries--don't click away--this will be fun! Not only will we help you out, we've also included a couple easy fixes that will cover (literally!) any imperfections. 
Let's get started!

Here are the four Venezia fabrics we used.

You'll need to download this paper piecing template and this applique template. While regular printer paper will work just fine for the paper piecing template, special foundation paper makes things even easier. You'll want to print out 2 copies of the paper piecing template. One copy of the applique template, printed on regular printer paper, will be just fine. 

You'll Need:

  • 1/2 yard beige print
  • 1 fat quarter wavy blue print
  • 1 fat quarter stripe
  • 1 fat quarter blue floral
  • Fusible web
  • Foundation paper

Cutting:
(Note: the pieces marked with an * are for paper piecing. These are cut generously to allow for problems. If you are an experienced paper piecer, you may prefer to cut smaller pieces.
From the beige print:
Two 6" x 7" pieces* and four 5" x 7" pieces*
Two 2" x 9-1/2" strips and two 2" x 12-1/2" strips
From the wavy blue print:
Four 4" x 9" pieces (oriented so wavy stripes run the short way)*

Here's a photo of the template you'll be working with (except the pdf has numbers on it). We'll walk you through the a short tutorial paper piecing, but if you're new to this technique, you may want to supplement our instructions with a more comprehensive online tutorial or video. You'll sew on the the side you see here--with the lines printed on it, but your fabric will be on the opposite side, with wrong sides touching the back of the foundation paper. 

1. Layer the 6" x 7" beige piece face down and position the paper on top, with printed side facing up. Make sure the paper covers all of the space for the large middle triangle, plus 1/4" past the edge lines, including the dotted seam allowance. Lay the 4" x 9" wavy blue piece on top, right sides together, holding the paper and fabrics up to a window to make sure that the blue overlaps the #1/#2 line. Flip over so the paper side is facing up and stitch on the line between 1 and 2. 

2. Fold the paper back on the line and trim excess fabric 1/4" past the paper fold to remove beige excess by the seam.

Press open. If you like, fold paper on #2/#3 line and trim excess blue fabric--this will make it easier to place the next beige piece. 


Here's what your piece will look like after the first seam and trimming:

3. Add a 4" x 6" beige piece to #3. Each time, before you sew, check that your piece will cover the entire area plus 1/4" past the lines for a seam allowance, and most importantly, the line you'll be stitching on. Here's the beige piece stitched in place:

And pressed open:

4. Add pieces 4 and 5 in the same manner, trimming as you go. Here's a half block before trimming:

And after trimming on the dotted line:

5. Make a second half block. Remove the paper from the back and sew the 2 half blocks together. Don't worry if your points don't meet exactly and/or if there's a lot of bulk at the center of the block--we'll take care of both of these issues shortly!

6. Sew 2" x 9-1/2" beige strips to the sides of the block. Sew 2" x 12-1/2" beige strips to the top and bottom. 

Now it's time to applique! 
(Note: If you prefer needle turn applique, simply add a 1/4" seam allowance to the templates and do your thing!)
7. Trace the wedge shape onto the paper side of fusible web four times. Cut out each shape loosely around the drawn lines and position on the blue stripe fabric. Note how the stripes run horizontal in each wedge. Fuse in place and cut out on drawn lines.

Your wedges should look something like this:

8. Trace the hexagon shape onto fusible web. Cut out the center of the hexagon, leaving roughly 1/2" inside the drawn line (like a donut, but a hexagon shaped donut). Fuse onto the blue floral fabric. Note: We purposely centered a flower on ours.

Cut out on the drawn line. 

9. Remove papers from the back of applique shapes and position on the block. Refer to the close-up photos and instructions below as you adjust placement, and then fuse in place. 

10. Fold the block in quarters and finger press outer edges to find centers. Align the wedges so the point rests on the finger pressed line and the two side points rest on the seam line as shown. The tips of the wedges may overlap in the center of the block--don't worry--we'll take care of those!

11. After the wedges have been fused in place, position and fuse the hexagon in the center.

12. Flip the block over, gently pull the block back away from the center of the hexagon, and use a small, sharp scissors to cut away the bulk in the center where the paper pieced points meet. Be very careful not to cut through your hexagon applique on the front. (But if you do, you can always make another!) This will allow your block to lay flat without the bulk from the fabric points coming together. 

And there's your block! Use a zig zag or other decorative stitch to secure the appliques in place.

Just for fun, we've mocked up some designs showing what you can do with our flower block. Enjoy!

Table runners with two different border treatments:

A square table topper or wall hanging:


A lap quilt:


For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Venezia, leave a comment letting us know that you follow our blog (you can sign up via email or a blog reader in the right hand sidebar). For a second chance, follow us on Facebook and let us know that you do. Also, let us know what your favorite two color combination is. Giveaway is open through Wednesday, May 7 at 11:59 PM EST. 
Be sure to visit Sew in Love with Fabric each day this week for another inspiring 
flower block tutorial.

Don't miss the other tutorials featured in our Flower Favorites Blog Hop!
Day 1: Debby Kratovil from Debby Kratovil Quilts featuring Fossil Ferns and Palm Springs
Day 2: Erica from Kitchen Table Quilting featuring Palm Springs
Day 3: Benartex Blog Design Team featuring Palazzo
Day 4: Jackie Robinson from Animas Quilts featuring He Still Loves Me
Love It? Share It! Facebook Twitter Google Pinterest Email

105 comments:

  1. I have never done paper peiceing, but I do love to applique. Your tutorial made it look very easy. And I love the block.
    Thanks for the giveaway. I follow your blog through GFC and my favorite combo is pinks and greens.

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  2. I follow you on FaceBook. Thanks!
    notwendy gmail (kelly wilson on fb)

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  3. Love purple and green. Follow via bloglovin

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  4. Red and aqua is a great combination. I follow via email.

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  5. I like Benartex on Facebook, too.

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  6. I follow you with Bloglovin. I love red and white quilts.

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  7. I am following your blog via Bloglovin' - thanks for the tutorial... although I have done some simple paper piecing with success, I really would like to do more intricate work now.

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  8. I follow on FB. My favorite colours (at the moment) are in the blue aqua range.

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  9. I follow your blog by email and GFC. I've enjoyed the flower projects this week! One of my favorite color combos is aqua and lime. Bright and cheerful!

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  10. I follow your blog via bloglovin'
    Thanks! notwendy gmail

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  11. I subscribe to the blog via email. I love blues, so today's post is right up my alley!

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  12. I follow your blog through email. Favorite is blues and browns and also blues and purples.

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  13. yes I read your blog via my email account and I enjoy finding out what's going on

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  14. that is a really nice block can wait to make it. love how you put it in center
    kathy

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  15. I love how the blades alernate shor and longer into the border. Great use of those lovely fabrics. I follow with GFC.

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  16. Orange and aqua are always a favorite. Gray or cream (not beige) works so well with both. Thanks! notwendy gmail

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  17. That is a beautiful block. I follow via GFC.

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  18. I follow the blog with email and GFC. I like red and aqua together.

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  19. I follow here through email. Two colors? Blue and white, black and white, oh so many. Can't wear beige or ecru, so they aren't particular favorites.

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  20. Fabulous - my favourite block this week!
    I love navy and green
    I follow via email

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  21. HAPPY TO FOLLOW YOU ON BLOG LOVIN'

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  22. I liked your facebook page

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  23. FOLLOW ON FB TOO!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  24. i follow via email. i love this fabric. i have always wanted to make a blue quilt and this fabric would be perfect for that! thank you so much for a great and generous giveaway. babscorbitt@gmail.com

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  25. i liked on facebook. it is so great to see a fabric company doing a giveaway. more should follow your example. your giveaways are very generous. babscorbitt@gmail.com

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  26. I follow by email at louster388atyahoodotcom

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  27. I follow your blog by email. I like purple and turquoise together. valerie.boudier@ntlworld.com

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  28. My favorite 2 color combination is green and pink

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  29. Great block, and I love these fabrics. I follow via bloglovin and email.

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  30. I follow Benartex on Facebook, too. I love lots of color combos. Red/white, blue/white, purple/pink, and others.

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  31. Love this fabric. Follow on bloglovin.

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  32. I'm a happy follower! Guess I'd like red and yellow...that is my pick for today, it will probably change tomorrow! Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  33. I follow by email. My favorite combination is blue and cream. Thanks!

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  34. Another great block and wonderful idea. Thanks so much.
    I follow via e-mail.

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  35. I follow your blog by email. Nice block.

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  36. I follow your blog via bloglovin.

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  37. I follow your blog via email. My favorite color combination is any shade of blue and green.

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  38. I'm an email follower. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  39. Beautiful block. i follow you on bloglovin'.
    jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com

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  40. Lovely block! I like purple and lime green.

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  41. Liked on FB
    jhunsberger (at) gmail (dot) com

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  42. Favorite combo: red and black.

    Followed on bloglovin

    jhunsberger (at) gmail (dot) com

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  43. I love blue and purple, I follow on gfc.

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  44. I love pink, and I follow on bloglovin. sarah@forrussia.org

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  45. I get your blog through email, am a Facebook follower and get the preview packs. This is a great pattern and would make snowflakes as well as sunflowers. Can't wait to try it!

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  46. Oh and my favorite color combination is purples and fuscias

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  47. I follow your blog through Bloglovin,

    My favorite two colors together are pink and gray

    Sandy A

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  48. I follow you via e-mail. :)
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  49. I also like you on FB. I am really loving yellow and gray right now. :)
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  50. I like you on FB. My favourite two colour combo is aqua and orange.

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  51. Thanks for the tutorial! The Venezia fabric is lovely. I follow Sew in Love with Fabric via Bloglovin.

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  52. I like you on Facebook! My favorite color combination is green and purple. Thanks for chance to win this lovely fabric!

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  53. My favorite two color combinations have always been are purple and blue, BUT over the past 4-5 months or so, I've been starting to really love purple and lime green together.

    I am already a follower of your blog via email and also on Bloglovin'

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  54. I'm also a follower of your Facebook page as well.

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  55. My favorite is Blue and White or green. Love this as a runner, very nice. Yes I follow on BL.

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  56. I am a follower of your blog via email and bloglovin'

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  57. Of course I follow your blog! Follow with email and Bloglovin'

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  58. Right now my favorite color combo is watermelon red and rind green. Think summer!!!

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  59. I follow both. Thanks for the chance.

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  60. I follow via bloglovin…my favorite 2 color combination is blue and white…I have several quilts in that color way.

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  61. I follow on bloglovin' and right now I am digging a deep blue with grey.

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  62. I also already "Like" you on FB.

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  63. I follow on bloglovin and one of my favorite color combos is red and aqua.

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  64. I follow you via BlogLovin'.

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  65. And I also like you on Facebook.

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  66. Thank you for the chance to win a FQ bundle of Venezia. I can't say that there are really any colors I dislike, but one of my favorite combinations is deep red and cream.

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  67. I follow you on Facebook and Bloglovin. My favorite color combination right now is the royal blue family with the bright yellow family. Thank you for the opportunity to win these gorgeous fabrics.

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  68. I follow you via email. My favorite color combo is chocolate brown and Kelly green!

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  69. I am also a Facebook follower!

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  70. I follow already, thru Email & Bloglovin :)

    Love your Block..Projects too! Have not tried paper piecing yet.

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  71. Just found your blog and I love it! Your flower quilt is so gorgeous - I'm loving those blues so much! I have signed up for your email blog updates.

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  72. Following with bloglovin'.
    24Tangent "at" gmail "dot" com

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  73. Orange/yellow and purple.
    24Tangent "at" gmail "dot" com

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  74. I follow you on FaceBook. Thanks!

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  75. I love done paper peiceing pattern. Your tutorial is great and I love the block.
    Thanks for the giveaway. I follow your blog via GFC and email and my favorite combo is purple and greensor aqua and red.

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  76. I follow via email. I really like this block and the fact that it can be paper pieced. I would say either lue and white or blue and green would be my favorite two-color combo.

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  77. I follow your blog by email, and I love paper pieced blocks.

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  78. My favorite color combos is navy and yellow.

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  79. Beautiful, beautiful fabric. I especially like the background with its hexagons and the wavy blue. A super tutorial. I follow via email.

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  80. Just starting my paper piecing quilting journey. I follow on Bloglovin.

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  81. Right now my two favorite colors are orange and teal.

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  82. I follow your blog with blog lovin.'

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  83. I follow you on Facebook. My favorite two color combo is apricot and aqua!

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  84. What a pretty block!! I love navy and orange together and I follow w/ Bloglovn.

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