Garden Sampler: Month 2 - Fennel Block

 It is time to pull out your block of the month kits again. I used to really dislike Block of the Month projects. I usually like projects where I can get it all done, it doesn't take too much time, I can sit down and see the whole project finished fairly quick. 

As I've been working on my last two block of the months I've learned to really like them. It is fun to pull out a totally different project once a month, have some continuation through the year, and slowly watch the blocks grow into something amazing and unique. And it is nice to just make one block which may challenge your skills, and only have to do one block so it is not so daunting. Have you ever participated in a Block of the Month program? What did you think? If you haven't and are interested look into the ones we have running through our shop here. 

This month for the Garden Sampler we are making the Fennel Block.

As I read through the pattern for this block, I noticed I needed to make 4 flying geese that were all the same, for this I immediately reached for my Creative Grids Ultimate Flying Geese Trim Tool and saw that the size I needed to make was included in my ruler. I made the necessary adjustments to my cutting, which is why the pile with the B Alphabettie looks funny with the 2 different sized squares. 

I then used the heart method to make my 4 flying geese. This method is really fast, and really fun. It is a quick, easy way to make 4 perfect flying geese. By using this method I know they will come out to the right size, and that I will have 1/4in seam, so I will not lose the point on my geese. 

For the petals I again used my Folded Corner Clipper for the stitch and flip blocks. you guys are gonna start to realize that I grab this ruler for just about everything. 

After this the assembly is fairly simple, it is all just strips and squares once the components are made.

I love how this block turned out. I am so happy with the yellow background that I chose, it is so happy and cheerful.  

Fennel Block

Are you sewing along? How is it going? 

MIdnight Clear BOM Block 3

 It is time for block 3 of the Midnight Clear BOM. These blocks were a lot of fun again. I realized as I was making these two blocks that I often change a pattern a fair amount to make it how I would like to do it. 

The Pieces

In this block we need to make Quarter Square Triangles, Flying Geese, and Four Patch blocks. 

For Quarter Square Triangles I do not like to cut my squares into triangles before sewing, so I cut 4.5" squares and marked the diagonal. I paired the white squares with green squares, and the rest of the green squares with the black squares. I then sewed on either side of my line, and cut on the marked line. Press these, and mark the diagonal of the green and white half square triangles. Pair a green and black with a green and white and sew on either side of the line. Cut these on the line. I used my 4-in-1 Half Square Triangle trim tool to square my blocks to 3in Finished. Then press.

 

For these Flying Geese I used my Ultimate Flying Geese Tool again. These flying geese finish at 1 1/2in by 3in, so I will need to cut these size squares. I cut two 4 3/4in squares of my black and eight 2 3/4in of my background for the flying geese. Then continued to make them the same way as I did the last time.

The Four Patch blocks I made as the pattern said. 

The Components. 

After this we get to piece our blocks.