Monday, June 20, 2011

Flowering Snowball....

I have received many requests for the templates to the Flowering Snowball block....sooo after many incredibly frustrating hours of trying to figure out how to get them onto my page....I think I have it figured out....sort of.....


I really enjoyed myself last night playing with this block...there are so many possibilities!  So I will first post a quick tutorial and then a few variations....

Flowering Snowball

You will need to copy the templates to quilter's template plastic or cardboard. You can  increase or decrease the size of the templates on your printer.  My finished block size was 12 inches....***Please note...You will need to fiddle with the template to get the size block you wish to piece.  This was not intended to be the actual block size just a template to change as you wish.  Just be sure that your center square is the same size square as the center edge of the petals.   


This is the center square....you will need to cut one of these per block....


I will call this the petal....you will need 4 of these per block....


Then the outside of the block....you will need 4 of these per block....


First I joined two outside sections to a center square....press seams toward the center square....


Then we get to have fun with curves!  But these are gentle curves...so don't be frightened!
I added two petals to an outside section.....begin by pinning the ends of the curve to the ends of the outside section.  It is easier to work curves if you have the concave piece on top.  Once the ends are pinned, I pin in between easing in the fullness {similar to adding a sleeve - but not nearly as scary }  Press the seams toward the petals.  You will need two of these units per block....


Now you are ready to add the petal units to the center and outside sections....this is a longer curve.  I pin the center section first so those seams meet nicely....then pin the ends and then the fullness in between.


Now you have one block!

I just wanted to share with you some of the ways you can change the look of this block....in some of the photos I have just placed pieces on top of pieces without sewing just to demonstrate the look....


If you set them on point - this is the look you get - obviously I have only finished 2 1/2 blocks...but you get the idea....I actually like this very much!


This is still on point - but I think you can see where I am going - making the petals stand out....very pretty too!


Here we are adding the blocks horizontally...with this big center section sort of reminds me of a wedding ring....lovely!


Then what if you wanted the large center section all white?


Or if you want the connecting outside sections in white....sort of reminds me of some kind of science experiment....hmmmm......

I have a different block waiting for me to try out...I can't wait to see what it looks like...
but to the grocery first...
Hope you are having a great Monday!
mary   

37 comments:

  1. this is a great design. i love how it comes together!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a pretty design and some great variations. I like those kind of blocks as you can make it your own.

    Thanks for the tutorial - I bet it took quite a while to produce it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks so much for the tutorial and template. I loved this when I saw it on your blog. I've marked it to give it a try later.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love this block- it's definitely going on my 'to-do' list! Your colour choice really makes the blocks sing too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! That block is stunning! :o) I love the fabrics you are using with it!
    Have a great week.
    Sincerely, Trish

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love this! Thanks so much for sharing. Thanks for sharing all the color variations too.

    I just started a Skill Builder Sampler at my blog. In January, we will be working on curves. If it is ok with you I would like to reference and use this tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks so much for this tutorial & pattern Mary!! I love the fabric combinations too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love this block! I can see it now, in all kinds of fabrics. I don't even mind curved seams.... Thanks for working out the pattern for us and the tutorial!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is incredible Mary! Thank you so much for this pattern - so generous of your time!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This block is sooo cool!!! Thanks for the awesome tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great tutorial!! You can bet these will be popping up all over blogland. It's such a great block!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks so much for doing this tutorial. I really appreciate the work you put into it, and the alternative placing of the blocks is fantastic. Something I plan to do.

    ReplyDelete
  14. How kind of you to share this lovely block with us...and the science experiments as well! I am sure going to give this a try. Thanks a bunch, Mary.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thankyou Mary for sharing this, such a great block, cant wait to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  16. thanks for the tutorial is a beautiful challenge

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a lovely pattern!
    Thank for the tutorial and thanks for sharing!!

    Willow

    ReplyDelete
  18. wonderful blocks, great colours and a fab tutorial too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fantastic block - thanks for sharing the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a neat block! Who would have though it had so many possibilities and it was so generous of you to share it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love this block...might have to have a play with it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ha Ha! I just realized that I left a comment when my husband was signed in! It is really me who wants to share your block. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great tutorial Mary! I wish I could have helped you with getting the files/templates uploaded. And I agree, I bet you are going to see many of these blocks popping up now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. WOW Mary, you are a talented wonder. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful pattern with us. You are my favorite Blogger...

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wonderful! I am new to your blog, and love this block! I really love how you combined the Moda fabric with the DQ Quilts fabric ... I don't that I would have thought to combine those two, but they look really great together. Would love it if you took a peak at my corner of the internet too!

    Hugs, Sara :)
    http://www.thesplitstitch.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is wonderful Mary! The block is beautiful and the tutorial is amazing! Your blogging has really taken off.. I'm truly in awe of you!!!
    Lots of love,
    April

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love this soooo much! Mary, do you have a flickr group for this block? How about a quilt-along?! I'm in! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I've been wanting to try a curved block - and I think I've found it.

    Thanks for posting this!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love curves and thsi block is stunning. Thanks for the tute showing how you made the blocks and showing placement options.
    Is there a trick to getting the templates to print? I can't figure it out!

    ReplyDelete
  30. A quilt along sounds wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love how you shared all the variations. It's a fun block to play with. Not sure I'll have the time to play along but will enjoy seeing what everyone does.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you for sharing this tutorial! I'm not sure I can follow along this time, but I've definitely marked this pattern on my to-do list - beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Beautiful block. Thank you for sharing your creativity, I will definitely look forward to trying my hand at this when my mind is working.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Mary, I'm finally getting to participate in your quilt-along. (A little late to the party)! I'm making a mini quilt, so just 4 blocks of this. I ended up purchasing my templates, since I was a little nervous about cutting everything just right. They've worked great so far. Now that everything is cut, I'm ready to sew. My template didn't come with any instructions, so I'm very thankful for your tutorial! I'm not that experienced with curves. You've got great tips here.

    I love the variations you can make with this quilt design. Thanks for pointing some out. This is a super fun block. Thanks for introducing me to it! xo!

    ReplyDelete