May's Block!

Can you believe May is here! I've been a bit lax at posting on the blog lately because I have been up to my neck in preparing for International Quilt Market in Kansas City. So as you can imagine, it's pretty busy around here. So much to do and soo little time! Lynn and I are very excited to be going. This quilt will actually be on display in my booth. #1540. So if you are at Market, stop on by and say 'Hi'. I would love to see you. I will have all sorts of quilty goodness on display so follow along on my Instagram feed and Facebook page. Lynn and I will be posting all sorts of fun inspirational quilting pics. 

Now back to this month's block! It's not just one block this month, but two! A bee hive block and a scrappy flower block. Since it's my birthday month, (yes I celebrate all month), I thought we would celebrate with two awesome blocks! I love gardening so these two blocks are two of my favorites in the quilt. 

Hint: While cutting fabric, check what you have used so far and see if any of your scraps will work. This includes the background fabric. I am a very frugal fabric cutter and save every little scrap until the end.

For the Bee Hive Block you will need two different yellows. If you want a scrappier block, use more yellows.

Following the pattern, cut out all of your pieces. I find it helpful to lay it all out on my cutting mat next to my sewing machine. It makes it easy for me to grab and sew as I stitch along.

Starting with yellow rectangle E, with right sides together, align one marked 2” cream square with one corner edge of the rectangle as shown. Sew from corner to corner. 

Trim away excess and press.

 Repeat with remaining rectangle corners. 

I have all of the corners done on my bee hive and now it's time to sew the rest of the block following the monthly directions.

~ Bee Hive Block ~

I have all of my pieces cut out and ready to sew.

 With cream rectangle B, with right sides together, align one marked 2” C square with one corner edge of the rectangle as shown.

Trim away excess fabric. Press.

Repeat on the other side of the rectangle. This will make a flying geese style block. Make a total of 12. I made mine scrappy.

Here I have my block all laid out with the 6 1/2" cream block and the remaining pieces for the flower (star) blocks. I am making mine very scrappy using little bits of fabric I had left from cutting other parts of the quilt.

I have sewn the three flower (star) blocks. Now it's the final step in constructing the block. 

Now it's time to make the applique leaves and stems for the flowers. Trace the leaves and stems onto your heat n bond fusible web. I have two sets pictured here. Remember, I am making two quilts. This block is the same for both the embroidered and appliqued versions of the quilt.

Lay the stems in place, cutting away any excess before you iron it in place.

I overlap the main stem over top the two side stems.

Iron the stems and leaves in place...

Then stitch around the raw edges using a buttonhole stitch.

~ Scrappy Flowers Block ~

The monthly FREE pattern will be available on my website. I have a special 2019 BOM section on my website. Each month the FREE pattern will be posted. But as soon as the new section or block is out the old block pattern will no longer be a freebie. But it will still be available for a small fee on my website or in my Etsy shop. If you want to share you finished blocks, feel free to post them on Facebook Group (Quilt Doodle Designs Garden Sunshine BOM 2019) and tag me or post them on Instagram tag Quilt Doodle Designs. I love to see everyone's progress as we stitch along together. 

Let me show you how I made this month's block. First, following the directions cut out all of the block pieces... as a reminder... if someone asks for the PDF or where it is on the Facebook group, please do not post the PDF directly onto the site. I appreciate you referring them to my website or to the blog.

This month's blocks will takes a little time to put together. Hope you are having a great day, remember April's block is no longer FREE. It can be found in my ETSY shop and also on the Quilt Doodle Website for a small fee. To get this month's block, head on over to Quilt Doodle Designs... remember this block is only available this month as a FREE PDF download. 

Happy Quilting!

Cindy and Belvedere