E-11

Applique.
I didn't want to applique 8 little melons so I came up with a different way. I think it worked pretty well.

Cut a 6" square out of background fabric.

Print or trace the block diagram onto the dull side of freezer paper. Cut out as below and iron to the right side of the background fabric square. Cut out the inner section as in the photo. Clip the sharp inside corners.

Cut a 5" x 5" square out of main block fabric. Place it right side up on the table. Center the background fabric section right side up on top of it. Baste securely through all layers.

Turning the seam allowance under, reverse applique the center shape.
Remove the freezer paper and press. Cut away the excess fabric from the back of the block.

Reuse the freezer paper you just used or trace a new block diagram onto the dull side of freezer paper. Cut out the center circle and corner quarter circles.
Out of main block fabric, cut a 6" x 6" square.
Iron the freezer paper onto the right side of the fabric square and cut out as below.
Clip all the curves every 1/4" or so.

Place this block section right side up on top of the first section you made, carefully centering it.
Baste securely through all layers.

Turning the seam allowances under, reverse applique the circle and corners.

Trim the block to 5" x 5", remove the freezer paper and press.

LS-12

This one took a little longer than I expected.

I studied Jane's block closely and I'm pretty sure her center bottom block section is one solid main fabric triangle. I'm not sure why the diagram was drawn up with all those little pieces but, because this is the way it is in the book, this is the way I made it.

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

Foundation piece all the numbered sections and trim their seam allowances to 1/4".

Cut a piece of background fabric large enough to cover the top block section plus seam allowances. Using a light table or window, mark the lines of the top block section onto the fabric using a disappearing or washable marker.
Applique the two kites. I tried the back basting technique for this one and definitely liked it for the smaller shape.
Cut the section out 1/4" beyond the marked seam lines.

Sew together the first two sections as below.

Complete the entire diagonal section.

Following the block diagram, complete the block.

G-4

All in one piece!
Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, number as below, and cut out.

Foundation piece following the numbers. Trim the seam allowance to 1/4".

Voila!

D-8

As quick and easy as this looks, it was a major pain and I'm not really happy with it. I think it's a redo.

All applique.

Cut a 6" square out of background fabric and mark the positions of the shapes on it.
Applique the shapes on. It helps to applique opposing shapes first.
I did all the melons and then added in the kites.
Trim the block to 5" x 5".

F-7

My fall cleaning seems to be taking over my life over right now, so I apologize for the tardiness of this block. It's becoming a habit, but there are still two blocks a week. I hope you don't mind.

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, number, and cut out as in the photo.

Foundation piece all the numbered sections. Trim the seam allowances to 1/4".
Out of main block fabric cut:
1 strip 5" x 1"
2 strips 4.5" x 1"

Sew the two center block sections together.

Attach the top and bottom section.

Referring to the block diagram sew on the border strips log cabin style.

D-9

Print or trace the block diagram onto foundation paper, number, and cut out as below.

Foundation piece all the numbered sections and trim the seam allowances to 1/4".

Sew the three center sections together as in the photo.

Attach the two triangular side sections.
Out of background fabric, cut:
1 rectangle 3/4" x 4.5"
2 rectangles 3/4" x 4.75"
1 rectangle 3/4" x 5"

Referring to the block diagram, sew these rectangles to the block sides log cabin style.
Note the sequence of the rectangles and the direction of the center background fabric section.

RS-6

If you've been following this blog for a while, you know that I have a serious aversion to set in seams.
Well, yesterday I met my nemesis. There was no avoiding them. This would have been a lot of applique...

Trace or print the block diagram onto foundation paper, number, and cut out as below.
If you're printing, remember to change the block size to 5"x8"!
(Do not foundation piece number 7 (the diamond) in the bottom right section. It won't work. Cut the diamond out separately. I only realized this when I started piecing.)

Foundation piece all the sections and trim the seam allowances to 1/4". It is important to be accurate on this when sewing inset seams. I marked some of my seam allowances with a disappearing marker and then cut on the line.

Complete the center section of the block by sewing the three pieced sections together.
TIP: One secret of set in seams is not to sew into the seam allowance when piecing the individual sections. When foundation piecing this is hard to do, so I just used my seam ripper to undo where I'd sewn into the seam allowances.
I'm planning a tutorial on set in seams and will update this post when I do, but in the mean time, the instructions for block B-9 may help a little.

Sew the top block section to the center section.

Cut the center bottom diamond out of background fabric and sew it in between the two bottom sections. Attach it to the one section first and then the second.

Sew the two block sections together.