The Rose Window Block Tutorial

Rose Window Block - 12.5"x12.5"

 Ever since I created the Gothic Window block, I felt like it was missing something. I also wanted it just a little bit bigger. So when The Modern Quilt Guild announced the QuiltCon Block Challenge, I was all in.

Fabric especially for the QuiltCon Block Challenge by Che'FAB

To make this block easier to work on I'm going to break it down into units. The block is made up of :

6 Flying Geese units
     - 2 sewn together for the center
     - 4 one for each side

1 of the side flying geese

4 Corner Flying Geese units

2 of the corner flying geese units

Fabric needed:
For the center of the block you will need
(4) 3 1/2" squares for the background color
(2) 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles for the edge the shows around the flying geese
(1) 3 1/2" square for the inner part of the flying geese (that will be sewn together to form the very center of the block)

For the flying geese on each side of the block
(8) 3 1/2" squares for the background color
(4) 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles for the edge the shows around the flying geese
(2) 4" squares for the inner part of the flying geese - cut diagonally in half  (note: I have enlarged this piece to make it easier to cover the inner part of the flying geese)

For the corner units
(4) 4" squares for the background color - cut diagonally in half.
(4) 3 1/2" squares for the edge that shows around the flying geese
(4) 3 1/2" squares for the inner part of the flying geese. These will be cut down later.

Constructing the flying geese for the center and sides of the block

Use (2) of the 3 1/2" background squares to "sandwich" the 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangle.  The top of the folded edge should be 1/4"  from the top of the squares, as seen below.

Sew up along the side of this unit.

Open the "sandwich"

Fold open to form the flying geese, press.

At this point, if you are constructing the center unit sew two geese together.

Press the seam open, to help reduce some of the bulk.

For the side geese, you need to stay stitch across the bottom to hold the inner and outer pieces.

Stitch barely 1/8" from the edge, you don't want this to show after construction of the block.

For the center unit, you don't need to stitch, just lay the 3 1/2" inner square in the center.

Now, fold the edge fabric around the inner fabric, glue and press.

Elmer's washable glue stick. It works so much better than pins.

Try to get the glue to to edge, without getting it on the background fabric.

Press down the edges

Top stitch the edge down. To keep the stitching even, line up a part of your presser foot with the edge of the fold. I lined the edge with the edge of the plastic part of my presser foot.

Constructing the corners

Start with the background half square triangles (HST, 4" squares cut on the diagonal) and the 3 1/2" square for the edge that shows around the flying geese.

Fold the square in half, keeping it 1/4" from the top, sandwich in between the HSTs

Sew the square back together

Open the "sandwich"

Fold open and press

This corner unit will need to be trimmed to 3 1/2" x 3 1/2". Trim across the bottom edges.

All trimmed

Cut your inner fabric by measuring up from the corners 1 1/2" and down from the top 1"

Stay stitch

Fold, glue, press and top stitch. Note: be careful to keep the edge fabric bottom edges within the 1/4" seam allowance or it will show after you construct the block.

Sew the units together into 3 sections. Then sew the three sections together!

Voila'  - The Rose Window block!

I hope you like this new variation of the Gothic Window block! I'm linking up with Melissa for TNT Thursday at Happy Quilting.



Color Me Quilty!

Pat

P.S. Don't forget to join me and link up for Quilty Embellishment Day on the 15th (Next Tuesday). I have a great guest blogger - Jenny Pedigo from Sew Kind of Wonderful!





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