The Vintage Flower Sampler Quilt - Farmer's Daughter and Apples
Happy Monday! We are beginning the last 4 weeks of The Vintage Flower Sampler Sew Along. Can you believe it? This week we are working on the patchwork block, Farmer's Daughter and the applique block, Apples.
Farmer's Daughter -
For the Farmer's Daughter, I traced and cut templates from Reynolds Freezer Paper and pressed them to my fabric before cutting.
Once all my pieces were cut, I arranged them on my mat. I also made sure my machine needle was set to allow for a consistent scant 1/4 inch.
Sew all the B/C templates together, making sure you mark and leave a quarter inch open where the "arrow" unit meets the A square.
The Y-seam makes another appearance this week. Where the "arrows" meet the A square and where the background is inserted, you will find Y- seams. The secret is to mark the 1/4" where all those seams converge and never stitch beyond that 1/4" mark. Rather stitch right to the 1/4" mark and backstitch.
I found it easier to add the background piece to the top and bottom units first. I added the background to the center A square, and then created the Y-seam with the "arrow" unit on both sides of the center A square. Don't forget to mark the area where the A square meets the "arrows". This open seam is indicated by the small circle on the diagram in the book.
Give your Farmer's Daughter a good press following the pressing directions in the book. Then give yourself a pat on the back! You tackled a whole bunch of Y-seams in that block!
Apples -
I completed the Apples Block long before the Sew Along. At that time, I had not explored the starch method of applique. I used needle-turn applique for this block. But I did use the starch method for my Apple Patchwork Pouch.
These are pretty easy fruits to create and stitch using your favorite applique method. I can't wait to see all the Apples on Instagram this week!
As always, be sure to post your blocks and your progress on Instagram with the hashtag #thevintageflowersamplerquiltsal
I want to close this week's Blog Post on a personal note. Shawn and I love our sweet little shop and being generous in any way possible, including with our FREE tutorials, like the Norah Quilt. Unfortunately, our generosity was abused. But everyone knows a Norah quilt when they see it! We have over 1000 posts on the #norahquilt and #norahquiltsal hashtag! Thank you EVERYONE!!! The Norah Sew Along has been an annual event since 2019. With the help of my friend, Jenni, I created and published the unique center diagram for our blog post tutorial. Anyone who has been following us for the last 5 years knows the center combined with the color blocking shouts, Norah Quilt!
This week was difficult. There are so many emotions and personal connections with the Norah Quilt. It was made for my good friend's baby daughter, Norah. And my friend is more than just a friend. Her husband helped Shawn and I immensely. When our mother was ill, he gave me the words to say to emergency department workers to get the help we needed. When nobody else would listen, he took the time to listen and help. Our mother was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, Norah's mom and dad were there every step of the way. It was an overwhelming time.
So, to have our generosity abused was a gut punch. It's always a good and magnanimous thing to give credit for inspiration or for a pattern you are following. It doesn't diminish your work, just the opposite. It enhances your integrity as a quilter.
We will continue to offer inspiration and free tutorials, because our goal is to always keep it on the Sunny Side.
