Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Glorious Autumn Block Party

Hello Everyone!  I am so glad you are here!  My name is Megan and you can learn more about me on today's Quilting Gallery post and on my website here.  As part of the Quilting Gallery's Glorious Autumn Block Party, I will be showing you how to make my block, "Autumn Bliss."  You can download a PDF version of the instructions here or follow my picture/video tutorial here on this post!

Some things to mention before getting started:
  • Don't forget to check out the Quilter's Super deal on the Quilting Gallery, too!  You don't want to miss that!
  • Check out the Flickr group with even more pictures and inspiration from the Block Party!
  • Don't forget to check out the other 2 uber-talented designers this week, Mishka herself of the Quilting Gallery on Wednesday and Cara Quilts on Thursday who also hosts the awesome Talkin' Tuesdays on Twitter!  This is a "Don't Miss Week!"
  • Finally, keep checking the Glorious Autumn Block Party's headquarters to keep up-to-date on all the latest happenings!  I just can't thank Michelle enough for hosting and organizing such a great event!!  She has done an awesome job!
Now to the tutorial!! ...

You will need:
  • 12-1/2" square of green fabric
  • 4 scraps of brown fabric
  • A scrap of dark gold fabric
  • A scrap of light gold fabric
  • Applique materials including a fusible product, applique glue and coordinating thread



Step 1:  Cut out (36) 1-1/2" squares from a variety of the brown scraps of fabric.  Follow the pictures below for the order in which to piece the squares together.

All 36 squares at the beginning
Work in rows from left to right and sew 2 squares at a time.
What it looks like after you've sewn each 2 squares together.

Sew the pieces from above so you have 3 rows.
Sew the 3 rows together so you now have a 6 by 6 block of squares.  This will be used for the center of your sunflower.

Step 2: Using the circle template included in the pattern, draw a circle on the brown squares from Step 1 using a marking pen, pencil or chalk (I used chalk to draw mine) and cut the circle out.  This is your sunflower's center!  Set aside to use later.

The circle template laying over the brown squares.

Drawing the circle with a chalk "pen."

The finished sunflower center!

Step 3: Using a fusible product (I use Heat 'N Bond Lite - you can read my favorite applique method here) draw the flat petal pattern (see PDF directions at the top of this post) and cut out 10 dark gold, flat petals and adhere fusing to only the petals! Cut out petals and set aside. 

Petals drawn on my Heat 'N Bond
Step 4: Cut out 10 of the light gold petals (see diagrams in PDF pattern).  For these, simply trace the petal directly onto the fabric with a marking pen.  Then, to make the petals ruffled watch the video below.  (This is the first video I have ever made and I apologize for it being a bit blurry, but you can still learn the technique!)


Step 5: Find the center of the 12-1/2" green square by drawing a line 6-1/4" down the middle and then another line 6-1/4" perpendicularly with marking pen, pencil or chalk. It should look like a "+" sign.  Folding your circle template in quarters line the center of the circle with the center of the block.  See pictures below.
The "+" sign.
Folding the circle template in half twice and lining up the 2 centers.

Unfolding the circle to trace around it.

The finished, traced circle.
Step 6: Lay dark yellow, flat petals on the circle about 1/4" in with fusing facing down.  Once you have all 10 petals around the circle and are satisfied with how they look, press them down and applique with a blanket stitch using coordinating thread.  See pictures below.

Notice the petals set inside the circle.

Lay petals out before pressing down to make sure they all fit and you like their placement.

The petals with their blanket stitch.  Notice that I did not sew down the inside straight part, since this will be covered by the sunflower center.
Step 7:  Using applique glue secure ruffled petals down in between dark gold petals.  Then sew down using a blanket stitch in a coordinating color.  See pictures below.

Lay ruffled petals in between flat petals.
Make sure all your ruffled petals fit and secure using applique glue before proceeding to sew them down.
Using a blanket stitch with a coordinating thread color, sew petals down.  Again, you do not need to sew the "inside" of the petals as these will be covered with the sunflower's center.

Step 8: You're almost there.  Using applique glue again, secure the brown center and sew down using a blanket stitch and coordinating thread.  See pictures below.  Good job!  Your block is done!

Using applique glue and let dry before sewing down in the center of all the petals.
After you have sewn the center down using a blanket stitch and coordinating thread, your block is done! Congratulations!


To celebrate our block hop, we having a fantastic giveaway!  One lucky winner will receive a spool of Aurifil thread (love this thread!), a bundle of 19(!) fat quarters of Buggy Barn fabric and one of our new fall patterns - Rose's Palindrome!


There are 4 different chances to win (so if you do all 4 of these things, your name will be entered 4 times!):
  1. Leave a comment on this blog post stating your name, where you live and which of our new patterns is your favorite from our site (you can click here to see our shop).
  2. Follow us on Twitter!
  3. Friend us on Facebook!
  4. Sign up for our newsletter on our homepage.
Contest will end Tuesday, November 27 at 8pm EST.  Winner will be chosen at random and announced Wednesday, November 28.

Thanks again for visiting and be sure to keep checking back!

Megan

101 comments:

  1. Such a cute block, love it! My name is Vivian I live in North Carolina and I really like Vinny's Valentine. Love the hearts. Thanks.

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  2. LOVE the sunflower block!!! They are my favs!
    I live in Copperas Cove, TX. I like Vinny's valentine. The border design is just the neatest!

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  3. I love Flakey Flannel, so perfect for cold winter nights and so pretty too. I'm Emily, from Pennsylvania.

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    Replies
    1. Your block is fantastic. Thanks for a great tutorial. Im Lori from Illinois
      I like the patterns: Jolly Holly and Roses Palindorome

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  4. My name is Missy and I live in TX, I really like the flaky flannel, it's probably the only snow I'll see! LOL
    missysaprons@gmail.com

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  5. Cute, cute, cute! I love sunflowers and sunflower blocks. The gathered petals and the "woven" center make this super cute.

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  6. Great block - thanks for sharing!
    My name is Gill and I'm from England!
    My favourite pattern is 'Spin Me'

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  7. HI! MY NAME IS LINDA+I'M FROM MONTANA!
    SUCH A NEAT TUTORIAL!
    MY FAVORITE PATTERN IS 'SPIN ME'!
    THANKS FOR SHARING A NICE GIVEAWAY!

    msstitcher1948@yaho.com

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  8. SIGNED UP FOR YOUR NEWSLETTER!
    THANKS!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  9. 'Like' on FB!
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1711336606

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  10. Well, since I have a daughter named Rose, I would have to go with "Rose Palindrome" as my favorite! So fun to say! Love your block! I'm Emily, from Arlington, Texas, by the way. Thanks for the awesome giveaway opportunity!

    emily@thecaffeinatedquilter.com

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  11. Hi I am Patty. I live in western Iowa about 40 miles from Nebraska. My favorite pattern is Spin Me! I've been wanting to do one of those types of designs. I love your sunflower block. We planted some sunflowers this summer and ended up with red ones. I've never seen them red before, only yellow but they were so pretty.
    paweis at yahoo dot com

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  12. I friended you on Facebook!
    paweis at yahoo dot com

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  13. What a beautiful sunflower pattern thank you soooo much for sharing. Your instructions are very helpful. My Name is Elizabeth and I live in Washington State. I love your Flashy, Dazzle & Sparkle pattern.

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  14. I'm Billie in TX. Gorgeous Sunflower and an excellent tute. I sure like your Flaky Flannel pattern

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  15. Great block and I love your Vinny's valentine pattern!

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  16. I'm Cheryl, and I'm a misplaced Texan, living in Illinois. I love 'Spin Me'. What a cute pattern. Thanks for the chance.

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  17. great block for the fall.
    I live in North Carolina.
    Cute patterns on your site. My favorite is The tree farm. thanks for the giveaway.

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  18. Pretty block! Thanks for hosting the giveaway and sharing your pattern. :) I'm Cassandra, live in Seattle, and I like the Spin Me pattern. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  19. I'm Joyce from North Carolina. I like your Flashy, Dazzle & Sparkle pattern. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  20. I signed up for your newsletter. Thanks.

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  21. I'm Barb from Spokane, WA. The Tree Farm is my favorite! Thank you for the awesome sunflower pattern.

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  22. I would love to win the pattern Flashy, Dazzle & Sparkle. It looks like so much fun. My name is Bonnie and I live in Saskatchewan Canada. Thanks for the opportunity on a great draw
    bonnielarson58@gmail.com

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  23. I now follow you on facebook.

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  24. Just signed up to get your newsletter!

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  25. My name is Judy and I live in Oregon. I love your pattern Vinny's Valentine.

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  26. My name is Maureen and I live in Calgary. I like the Tree Farm table runner pattern.

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  27. I signed up for your newsletter. Thanks for the block pattern. I just love it.

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  28. I'm Sallie from TX and The Tree Farm is my favorite. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  29. I love your block! Sew nice to meet you...I'm Patricia from NH. My favorite pattern is "Spin Me". Thanks sew much for this chance to win :-)

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  30. I'm now stalking.....er, following you on FaceBook. LOL Thank you sew much for this second chance to win :-)

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  31. And I've signed up for your newsletter! Thank you sew much for this third chance to win :-)

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  32. I love the sunflower. I think the tree farm is my favorite pattern though!

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  33. My favourite pattern is Flakey Flannel. I live in Melbourne, Australia- so not much chance of snow here- it reminds me of England, where I originally come from

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  34. Hi! My name is Nita and I live in Whitehorse, Yukon. My favourite pattern is Spin Me. :)

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  35. Hello: My name is Jenelle (love my name) I live in central Kansas, pattern "Tree Farm", because we moved here from Oregon. Thanks

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  36. #. Facebook "liked", I don't know how to twitter. Or I would do that step also.

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  37. 4. Signed up for newsletter. Love your block.

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  38. Hi. I am Sissy in San Antonio..I love the Flaky Flannel, Spin Me and The Tree Farm patterns. Love this block!

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  39. I signed up for your newsletter on the homepage.

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  40. Favorite Pattern is Jolly Holly...but I like the Tree Farm runner too. LOOOOVE your Sunflower!!! Thank you for sharing how to do it! We have Brother & Family, that live in Kansas...how cool to make for them!

    Thanks for chance to win your Drawing! "_

    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

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  41. I also signed up for your Newsletter...

    Thanks for a second chance to win! :)
    (I don't do FB or Twitter)

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  42. Hi,my name is Anne-Marie and I am from Quebec, Canada. I love your sunflower block! My favorite pattern is Flaky Flannel. Thanks for this giveaway!

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  43. How fun! I like Spin Me, it would be a fantastic pattern to use a fabric collection in. Pinwheels are just plain neat anyway! :)

    Thank you for the generous giveaway.

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  44. Hello! I'm Mary from central Missouri. Flakey Flannels is my favorite. I've always loved things with snowflakes on them. What a wonderful giveaway!

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  45. Congratulations - you love what you do and are doing what you love! I am Judy from NH and love The Tree Farm. I signed up on your home page and 'liked' you on Facebook. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  46. I signed up for your newsletter.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I "liked" you on Facebook. I hope that's the same as friending!

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  48. Great patterns but I adore Flakey flannels. So sweet and warm.

    Great giveaway,

    thank you

    sandyb720 at gmail dot com

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  49. I follow on Twitter.

    Thank you

    sandyb720 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I follow on facebook.

    thank you

    sandyb720 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I signed up for your newsletter.

    Thank you

    sandyb720 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi, my name is Lisa and I live in Salt Rock, WV. I love "The Tree Farm" pattern.

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  53. I signed for you newsletter! Thank you for your giveaway! It would be wonderful to win!

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  54. Love your block! This is going on my "to-do"list for sure. My name is Jodi and I live near Sacramento, Ca. It's hard to pick just one pattern but I'll say Flakey Flannel, or The Tree Farm.

    Thank you for a great giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I'm already a follower of your's on FB.

    Thanks again for a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'm already a follower of you on twitter. (@usairdoll)

    Thank you for an awesome giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I signed up for your newsletter.

    Thanks again for a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Cute block! I'm from Malaysia and Spin Me is my favorite pattern!

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  59. Your block is really nice. Love the colors.My favorite pattern is Holly Jolly.

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  60. vinny's Valentine! How wonderful that looks! Love your work.

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  61. vinny's Valentine! How wonderful that looks! Love your work.

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  62. I'm now following you on Twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I signed up for your newsletter.

    ReplyDelete
  64. I liked you on FB and left a comment on your wall.

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  65. Hello ~ I'm VickiT and am from Northern IL.
    What a great block. I really like this one a lot. My Mom always grew those flowers in her garden each year. Thank you.

    My most favorite of you new patterns is "The Tree Farm". Great runner. I also really love "Spin Me" as well.

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  66. I have just now signed up for your newsletter.

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  67. Im a sucker for flakes! So flakey flannel is my favorite! My name is Chris and I line in Baden, PA

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  68. Hi, My name is Marty and I live in Oklahoma. I love "Flakey Flannel" pattern. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  69. I would say that I like The Tree Farm....got something for trees I think! Thanks for sharing.

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  70. My name is Debby and I live in Central New York. We had snow this morning! Just a dusting but it is starting. I love this sunflower and know just who to make it for. My favorite pattern is Spin Me.

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  71. Love the Autumn Bliss block. I am Donna from Wisconsin. I love pinwheels, so Spin Me is my favorite pattern

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  72. I signed up for your newsletter-.

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  73. Hi, I'm Rose from Indiana. I love sunflowers so of course Autumn Bliss is wonderful! I also like The Tree Farm--beautiful! Thanks "sew" much for sharing with us! Your work is fabulous!!

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  74. My name is Cathy, from Chilliwack, BC, Canada. My favorite pattern is Spin Me..love pinwheels.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Also signed up for your newsletter.
    cathyc1950@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. love the sunflower tutorial thanks

    love the Flakey Flannel pattern

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
    live in ND

    ReplyDelete
  77. signed up for newsletter

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  78. twitter follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  79. Great block.. and I love your "spin me" pattern especially
    Di

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  80. Hello, I'm Sandy from British Columbia. My favorite pattern is The Tree Farm.Also reminds me that this is almost the time to visit The Tree Farm.

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  81. Love your block! How unique. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  82. Hi,I'm Truus living in the Netherlands,and I do like your tutorial of the Sunflower.My favorite pattern is The Tree Farm.
    I signed in for the newsletter,but I don't have twitter or FB.
    have a nice day and thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Hi, great tutorial and block, thanks! I'm Kate living in Denver CO. Love the Tree Farm pattern. Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete

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