Day 7: Flower Favorites Blog Hop

Hello! We're back with Day 7, the final day 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 Wendy from Ivory Spring is here, sharing a windowpane block she made using the Gramercy collection by Kitty Yoshida. Great news if you find yourself adding this block to your "gotta make it" list--Wendy has also designed a quilt that uses this block, Midori's Place, and you can download the entire pdf from our website! 

Here's Wendy:

Hello Benartex Fans!  It's me again - Wendy from Ivory Spring!  I hope you are well, and have enjoyed the Flower Favorites Blog Hop!  And I am sure you have noticed that Benartex DOES have some really gorgeous flower-themed fabric lines!  My flower-themed fabric line of choice for today's tutorial is Gramercy.

I love the contemporary interpretation of the floral imagery, and teamed with that yellow background (3505-33), my heart goes a tad afluttering!

So, I used 3505-33 and white solid in my "window pane" block.  The white solid is used to give 3505-33 a clear contrast.  And we will start with constructing the block center.  Here you see all the pieces cut -- 9 (2" x 2") white solid squares; 6 (1" x 2") and 2 (1" x 6") floral rectangles.  First, you would sew 3 (2" x 2") white solid squares and 2 (1" x 2") floral rectangles to make a row.  Make a total of 3 rows.

Sew the rows and 2 (1" x 6") floral rectangles together to complete block center.

To add the framing piece, you will need to cut 2 (3 3/4" x 6") and 2 (3 3/4" x 12 1/2") floral rectangles.

Sew 2 (3 3/4" x 6") floral rectangle to the opposite sides of block center.

Sew 2 (3 3/4" x 12 1/2") floral rectangle to the remaining opposite sides of block center to complete block.

Technical Notes:

1.  When dealing with small pieces, I always try to starch-press my fabrics prior to cutting.

2.  Through the process of constructing the block center, I ONLY finger press.  I would use the iron to set the block center only after the block center is constructed.

3.  In making the window panes, I finger pressed the seam allowance AWAY from the white patches.  

4.  I also made sure the sashing pieces matched up from row to row in the block center to ensure that I don't end up with a wonky window pane block center. 

This window pane block is easy to construct.  

I have used the block in Midori's Place, a free to use pattern available for download here.

I hope you have enjoyed today's tutorial, and are enjoying the May Flowers brought by the April Showers!

For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Gramercy, 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 your favorite print in the Gramercy collection. Giveaway is open through Friday, May 9 at 11:59 PM EST. 

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

Day 5: Benartex Blog Design Team featuring Venezia

Day 6: Cinco de Mayo!