Desert Flower Block
I received my long awaited FQ bundle of Mara Penny’s Desert Song and instantly I pictured a floral block that reflected the spiky plants of the desert.
Today I will share with you how to make this easy block. The best thing about this block is that no corner triangles were necessary to create the petals.
How to make the block
Finished Block size 14″ x 14″
Unfinished block size 14 1/2″ x 14 1/2″
Cutting
Two FQ’s will make 2 blocks.
Step 1 – Take two fat quarters (18″ x 22″) and cut from each:
1 – 16 1/4″ x 16 1/4″ square
4 – 1 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ strips
Make 8 half square triangles
Step 2 – On the back of the lightest FQ, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. Repeat to make an ‘X’. Place the 2, 16 1/4″ x 16 1/4″ squares right sides together. Stitch a 1/4″ seam on both sides of the drawn lines.
Cut through the
Step 3 – Arrange the HST’s into piles of 4 each. Note the position of each HST. Block 1 on the left, Block 2 on the right.
Step 4 – Carefully cut each of the 4 similar HST’s into 2 1/2″ segments (Block 1). Repeat for the remaining 4 (Block 2)
Step 5 – Slightly separate the segments.
Step 6 – Exchange the 2 middle segments between block 1 and block 2.
Step 7 – Using a 1/4″ seam, sew segments together. Press seams open. Make 4 block 1 units and 4 block 2 units.
Step 8 – The blocks will measure 6 1/2″ x 7 1/2″. To make the blocks square, sew a 1 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ strip to each block.
Step 9 – Sew the four blocks units together to make block 1.
Step 10 – Repeat for block 2. Remember to rotate the block units so that Block 2 is a reverse of block 1.
Voila! An easy block to use ups your FQ stash.
The block makes an impact without any extras but for my quilt, I added pink corner triangles to add an extra layer of design. Using the corner square triangle technique, I cut a 2″ x 2″ square for the outer corner and a
2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ for the opposite corner for each block unit.
This is how the unfinished block should look.
Enjoy making these easy blocks. I would love to see photos on FB or IG using #desertflowerblock #quiltjane
13 Comments
Katherine McBride
wow REALLY PRETTY BUT A LOT OF WORK HOWEVER WORTH DOING
Elaine
Very interesting, Jane! Will definitely try it.
LAVERNE
Love this. It is on my to do list
Barbara Newman
Very nice I like it a lot .Cheers Barbara
Marsha
That is awesome! Thank you so much 🙂
Susan K
I love this!
Marilyn Larkin
Thank-you Jane such a pretty block I am itching to try it out.
Lynn Jarzombeck
Wow, a simple block and it looks so complex and wonderful. Beautiful quilt. Got to make one too. Thanks for sharing!
manicmumdays
Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing ?
Janette Bibby
Jane,
Thank you for sharing your pattern with us. I’m using Rifle and Company’s ‘Wildwood’ collection.
It’s going together so easily and quickly.
Just a heads up- there’s a typo in the diagram. The side strips should read, “1 1/2 x 7 1/2”.
(It reads as “1 1/2 x 7 x 1 1/2”.) Small thing.
Thanks again for a fun, easy, good-looking pattern.
Cheers!
Janette
quiltjane
Thanks for pointing out the typo. I would love to see your quilt.
Debbie Mueller
I love this block, & your quilt is beautiful. I was wondering how some of the centers of the blocks are diamond shaped ( which is what I expected), and some look round like circles? Thanks
quiltjane
Hi Debbie, I added an appliqué circle to alternative blocks to change it up.