The #QuiltBlockMania is a BOM with the participation of several quilt pattern designers. Each month you will get a color scheme and several 12" x 12" free block patterns from different designers. The same color scheme, size and theme will allow you to easily assemble the various blocks into a quilt.
Color Scheme
I love how the 3 shades of turquoise, the 2 shades of mango and vanilla complement each other. It is the perfect color scheme for a Summer quilt.
My Block: Up In The Air
Technique: raw edge appliqué
Materials:
Two 10" x 12" Lite Steam-a-Seam fusible interface sheets
White solid fabric: 10" x 13" rectangle
Background fabric: 14" x 14" square
Fabrics scraps for the ballon
If you have light-box and/or mini iron those will be handy, but you can make the block without these gadgets too
Steps to follow
Download the layout guide and fusible templates below
Print the Layout Guide on a regular paper
Print the templates directly on the interface (trim the sheet back to 8.5" x 11" and place it in your printer without any other paper in the tray)
Cut the printed interface apart between the lines
Fuse the individual pieces to the wrong side of the various balloon fabrics as the numbers indicate - choose either color for the basket and the piece above
Trim the pieces around the printed line
Center the layout guide on the 10" x 13" white fabric rectangle
The printed side of the paper is facing the wrong side of the fabric
Tape the layout guide to the fabric then tape the fabric to a well-lit window (or use a light-box)
If you are using other than Steam-a-Seam interface, leave it on your ironing mat. The layout should show through the white fabric
You can also use black rectangle for a stained glass effect, but you will need to place that on the window or use a light-box to see the Layout Guide
Remove the paper from the back of the individual pieces one at a time
Position the pieces on the white background using the layout guide
The Steam-a-Seam interface will stick to the background but they can be easily repositioned if needed
Place all the pieces on the background
Carefully remove the whole piece from the window and place it on your ironing board
Fuse the pieces to the background (if you have a mini iron you can partially fuse the pieces to the background right on the window)
Sew the pieces to the background with small blanket or zig-zag stitches using white thread
I recommend to test the stitches in advance so you can fine tune the length and density
Cut the balloon and the basket around leaving an approximately 1/2" white frame all around the balloon and basket
Trace them around on the other interface sheet and make an approximately 1/2"-3/4" wide fusible frame (cut out the center, so the there will be no double interface under the balloon)
Fuse the frame to the wrong side wrong side of the balloon and basket (image on the right
Cut the white frame back evenly around the balloon and the basket. The frame should approximately be as wide as the gap between the individual pieces
Prepare the two white ropes with fusible on the back
Center the pieces on the 14" x 14" background
Hide the end of the ropes under the other two pieces
Fuse all pieces to the background
Stitch them around with small blanket or zig-zag stitches
If you like this method you can make a whole quilt using the same block
Alternate the background colors (6)
Print 6 balloons for 6 blocks, iron one balloon on each fabric, then cut the pieces apart
Make your own design
Join the blocks with white sashing strips
You can also enlarge the layout guide and template sheets with the same percentage and make different balloon sizes
Add a border of your choice
Post your blocks on Instagram and use hashtag: #QuiltBlockMania
The quilts below were made with the same (or similar) method
