J-10

Appliqueing 16 little melons took way longer than expected.
And I'm not happy with the center ones so I'm redoing them as we speak.

Anyhow...

Out of background fabric, cut
two strips 2 3/4" x 1 5/8"
two strips 5" x 1 5/8"

Out of main block fabric, cut
one square 2 3/4" x 2 3/4"

Sew the smaller background fabric strips to two sides of the square.

Attach the longer strips to the top and bottom.

Mark the positions of the melons on the block using a disappearing or washable marker.

Applique away!

I had to scan the block because it's still dark outside.  I really hate those center melons.

I-11

Out of main block fabric, cut 4 squares 2 3/4" x 2 3/4".

Piece these four squares together into a four-patch as below. Press all seams open.

Out of background fabric, cut 4 squares 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" and piece them into a four-patch as well.

Print or trace the block diagram onto the dull side of freezer paper and cut out. Cut out the kites and center square.
Iron the freezer paper block template to the right side of the main fabric nine patch, lining up the seam lines.
Cut out the shapes, leaving a seam allowance for turning under.

Lay the background fabric four-patch right side up on the table. Place the main fabric block section right side up on top of it. Line up all the seam lines.
Baste through all layers to secure them. Do not baste so close to the freezer paper edge that you won't be able to turn under the seam allowances.
Clip all the inside corners.

Turning the seam allowances under, reverse applique the four kites and the center square.

Remove the freezer paper and press.
Trim away the excess background fabric from the back of the block.

Progress Update

176 blocks

Robin is up to date too!

If you have a progress chart you'd like to share, let me know.

LS-4

I'm trying to finish all the rows evenly, choosing blocks from the "shortest" rows.

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, number and cut out the top sections as in the photo.
You have to mirror this diagram.

Foundation piece each block section and trim seam allowances to 1/4".  Note that the center triangle in the bottom section has been pieced without the cutout.

Set aside the bottom pieced section. Sew the smaller sections together as below.

Sew the three resulting sections together to form the top part of the block.

Print or trace the block diagram onto the dull side of freezer paper. Cut out the section corresponding to the bottom pieced section and iron it into position on the right side of the section.  Cut out the curved section, leaving a seam allowance.  Clip along the curved edge.

Out of background fabric, cut a rectangle 6" x 8" and place it right side up on the table.
Lay the block section right side up close to the top of the rectangle, centering it.
Baste through all layers.  Don't baste too close to the curved edge.  You want to be able to turn the seam allowances under.

Turning under the seam allowances along the bottom edge (straight and curved), applique the block section to the background fabric rectangle. Remove the freezer paper and press.

Cut the remaining block section out of the freezer paper and iron into position as below.
Cut out the center shape and bottom curves, leaving a seam allowance for turning under.  Clip the curves.

Out of main block fabric, cut a rectangle 6" x 8" and lay it right side up on the table.
Place the block right side up on top of it, lining up the top fabric edges.
Baste through all layers along the freezer paper edges.

Turning under the seam allowances, applique the center shape and bottom curves.  Remove the freezer paper and press.

Trim the block section to size.  Cut away any excess fabric from the back to reduce bulk.

Sew the appliqued bottom section to the top block section.

J-11

The Olympics are on! Expect lots of applique.

Cut a 6"x 6" square out of background fabric.
Using a disappearing or washable marker, mark the positions of all the melons on the right side of the fabric.

Using your preferred applique method, applique the melons into position.
I like to use "freezer paper inside" for melons.
Trim the block to 5" x 5".
Voila!

L-9

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, number, and cut out as below.
(Ignore the little unpieced triangles. We'll rotary cut them.)

Following the numbers, foundation piece each numbered section and trim the seam allowances to 1/4".
Out of background fabric, cut 2 squares 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" and cut each in half on the diagonal.

Sew together the three center sections.

Attach the four side sections.

Finally sew on the four background fabric triangles.

BR-12

The bottom row has been neglected slightly.

I decided to amend the diagram slightly to allow me to piece the bottom section.  If you'd like you're, of course, welcome to applique it.

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, number and cut out as below.
Important!  You have to mirror this diagram.

Foundation piece the numbered sections and cut the unnumbered sections out of background fabric. All seam allowances should be cut to 1/4".
You'll notice that the narrow top section is not in the photo.  I thought I could "cheat" my way through it but I couldn't.  So cut that out too.

Sew together the three center sections as below.

Attach the non-pieced triangle.

Attach the bottom section.
Finally attach the narrow top section.

G-6

I've been dreading this one for a while.
My advice: Put away your perfectionistic tendencies right now. Go have a look at Jane's block. It's all but perfect.

Ready?

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, cut out and number as in the photo.
Note that the little "frame" around the mini star is not here. We'll add that in a later step.

Foundation piece all the numbered sections and trim their seam allowances to 1/4".
Cut the two unnumbered triangles out of main block fabric. Remember to add 1/4" seam allowances there as well.

Construct the small star by sewing the sections together.

Out of background fabric, cut four rectangles 1.5" x 3".
Sew these to the center star log-cabin style.
The center section will not end up looking exactly like the block diagram, but this is the easier way. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think making it look like the diagram would require some set in seams.

Using a light table or window, mark the seam lines of the center section on the fabric and cut out, adding a 1/4" seam allowance.

Sew the two main fabric triangles to the center section.

Attach the top section.

Lastly, add the remaining two sections.
Not bad, I think.

Oh, did I mention that I made two of these today?

I-6

Out of main block fabric, cut 4 squares 2.5" x 2.5"

Assemble them into a four-patch as in the photo.

Print or trace the block diagram onto the dull side of freezer paper and cut out the center shape.
Iron the freezer paper shape onto the right side of the nine-patch, lining up the seam lines.
Cut out, leaving a scant 1/4" seam allowance.

Out of background fabric, cut a square 6" x 6".
Baste the main fabric shape onto the center of the background fabric square. (I forgot to take the photo until I had started the applique.)

Applique, turning the seam allowance under and clipping the corners where needed.  Remove the freezer paper and press.

Using your favorite applique method, applique the main fabric melons into position.  I like "freezer paper inside" for melons.
Trim the block to 5" x 5" and press.