It's Month 8 with my good friends at Stitchin' Heaven doing their BOHO Heart Monthly Block of the Month program and that means another month of fun tutorials!!
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6
Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12
And since each month has Lots and Lots of Tutorials in them . . . Here is a list to jump right to the tutorial you need for this month 8:
Mini Framed Square Block Square in a Square Block Pinwheel Block
Small Sawtooth Star Block Churn Dash Block Simple Framed Square Block
Dresden Fan Block Owl Block Courthouse Steps Block
Flying Geese Block Half Square Triangles Block Intersection Block
Sewing Background Strips Sewing Section 2 Sewing Section 3
Sewing Section 4 Sewing Section 1-4 Together
So you have your Month 8 BOHO Heart Packet . . . Lets get started!!!
We'll start with our first block of Month 8, the . . .
From your Month #8, Mini Framed Square bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list.
Using the cut pieces and the Mini Framed Square Directions from Month 2 make your first block, the Mini Framed Square Block measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.
And now we can move onto another familiar block, the . . .
Square in a Square Block
Small Sawtooth Star Block
From your Month #8, Mini Framed Square bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list.
Using the cut squares and the Square in a Square Block Directions from Month 1 make your block, The Square in a Square Block measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.
And now we can move onto a fun new block, the . . .
Pinwheel Block
From your Month #8, Pinwheel bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list. I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will trim.
Using the cut squares and the Pinwheel Block Directions from Month 1 make your 2 blocks. The Pinwheel Blocks measuring 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" unfinished.
And now we can move onto another familiar block , the . . .
From your Month #8, Small Sawtooth Star bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.
Using the cut squares and the Sawtooth Star Block Directions from Month 1 make your block. Obviously, there are just a few alterations in the directions, they are made the same way, just smaller and you don't have to do a patchwork star center just use the center square you cut. The Small Sawtooth Star Block should be measuring 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" unfinished.
And now we can move onto another familiar block , the . . .
From your Month #8, Churn Dash bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list. I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will trim.
Using the cut pieces and the Churn Dash Block Directions from Month 1 make your block. The Churn Dash Block measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.
And now we can move onto yet another familiar unit, the . . .
From your Month #8, Simple Framed Square bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list.
Using the cut pieces and the Mini Framed Square Block Directions from Month 2 make your block. And again, it is made the same way, just on a larger scale. The Simple Framed Square Block should be measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.
And now we can move onto a new block made with a familiar unit, the . . .
From your Month #8, Dresden Fan bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.
Using the Dresden pieces and the Dresden Plate Directions from Month 5 make 6 Dresden Plates, 3 of each of your 2 green fabrics. Layout your plates as shown below.
Lay the second plate onto the first plate with right sides together. Be sure to line up your folded edges along the top. Sew a 1/4" seam along the side edge. Then continue in this fashion until you have sewn all 6 plates together in a row.
Now you want to press the seams. I like to press the seams open, but you can also press them to one side, just make sure to press them all in the same direction.
And now, we are going to add our Fan Dresden Plate into a block. Align the Fan in the Corner of the Block, with the two fan edges overhanging. Double check that the Quarter Circle Applique will overlap the edges of the Dresden Fan when placed in the Corner of the block. Trim the 2 edges of the Dresden Fan so it is aligned with the Purple Square.
Place the Quarter Circle on the corner of the block. Pin the Dresden Fan Plate and Quarter Circle Applique in place, I like to pin around the center of the plate so the pins won't get in the way when I secure stitch.
And all that is left is to secure stitch your applique to your block. I start with the quarter circle applique. I used a white thread so it would match with all of the white prints. And as always, you can hand stitch or machine stitch using your favorite stitch.
Then secure stitch around the Dresden Fan. When secure stitching around the Dresden Fan, you only need to stitch around the outside of the plate. you do not need to secure stitch down the side seams.
And now you have a beautiful Dresden Fan Block that should be measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.
And now we will continue with some more applique fun making the,
From your Month #8, Owl bag, cut the fabrics according to the page 2 supplemental cutting list. Also, cut out your Owl Body, Wings, Eye, Tummy, and Beak Templates. Because this is a layered applique block, I like to prepare the fabrics with Lite Heat N Bond before tracing the templates. This just makes them a little easier to work with, but if you don't like the bulk of Heat N Bond, just keep using the glue ;) Trace your templates on to the wrong side of your fabrics and then cut out all your applique pieces. And be sure when tracing the Owl Wing template, to trace one on the right side of the template and one on the wrong side of the template so you have two wings facing opposite directions.
If using Heat N Bond, remove the paper backing on your Appliques. Fold your Green Square in half twice and diagonally twice to give you a good center alignment.
Place your appliques on top of one another and the Lime Green Square as shown below. It doesn't have to be perfectly aligned, just so long as it gives the shape of an owl. If Layered Applique projects are new to you, you can see this Complex Layered Applique Tutorial to give you a few more hints ;)
And once again, you need to secure stitch your applique to your block, and be sure to secure stitch all the different applique pieces backstitching at the beginning and end of each. You will need to start and stop several times to stitch round all the pieces. I just used a white neutral thread, but you can totally use any color you like, or change threads for each applique piece.
And you have your eighth block finished and also are finished with Applique for this month. I just love this cute Owl Block measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.
And now one last Familiar block, the . . .
From your Month #8, Courthouse Steps bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list. Note - The Pink fabric for my block was missing from my bag, so I pulled something from my pink scrap bin. If yours is missing as well, you can use scraps or contact Stitchin' Heaven customer service and they will send you out the pink fabric.
Using the cut pieces and the Courthouse Steps Block Directions from Month 5, and taking care to watch the color placement, make your block. The Courthouse Steps Block should be measuring 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.
And now another new block with a familiar unit, the . . .
Flying Geese Block
From your Month #8, Flying Geese bag, cut the fabrics according to page 3 of the supplemental cutting list.
Using the cut pieces and the Flying Geese Block Directions from Month 4, make 4 Flying Geese Blocks that will now be Flying Geese Units. Layout the 4 Flying Geese Units as shown.
Place the right hand units onto the left hand units with right sides together. Align and pin if desired. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units, taking care to stitch directly along the bottom of the fabric V and through the center of the Thread X.
Press the seams open.
Place the Top Row onto the Bottom row with right sides together. Align and pin/nest the seams. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge, watching the Fabric V and Thread X again. Press the seam open.
And your Block is done and you have a Flying Geese Block that should measure 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.
From your Month #8, Half Square Triangles bag, cut the fabrics according to page 3 of the supplemental cutting list. I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will trim.
Using the cut squares and the Half Square Triangle Block Directions from Month 1, make 16 Half Square Triangle Units. Layout 4 Half Square Triangle Units in 4 Rows as shown.
Using the Half Square Triangles and the Half Square Triangle Block Directions from Month 2, make the block. This block is made in the same way, only instead of a 3 x 3 layout, it is a 4 x 4 layout.
And your Half Square Triangles Block should be measuring 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.
And that leaves us with one final new block, the . . . .
From your Month #8, Intersection bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.
Layout the 9 small squares as shown below.
Sew the squares into a 9 patch. If you need a little extra help with this, you can use the 9 patch part of the Shoo Fly Block Directions from Month 4, make the block. Set the 9 patch aside.
Now we are going to Strip Piece. Gather your long rectangle pieces. Lay them out as shown.
Place them middle row onto the top row with right sides together. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the long edge. When strip piecing, I like to use a smaller stitch length so my stitches don't unravel when the pieces are subcut. It's totally okay if your strips do not match perfectly at the ends. Then, place the bottom row onto the center row and stitch a 1/4" seam along the long edge.
Press your strip set inwards towards the darker center strip. Take care when pressing a strip set that you don't stretch the material. I like to press from the front and run my finger along the edge of the seam just in front of my iron. This keeps bubbles out of the seam and ensures no stretching.
Once you have pressed the strip set, lay it on your cutting mat so the top is aligned with a horizontal line on your mat. Using a vertical line on the mat as a guide, cut a straight edge. Measure in 4" from your straight edge and cut a Side Unit. Continue measuring in 4" and cutting sub-cutting side units until you have a total of 4 Side Units measuring 4 1/2" x 3 1/2". The remainder of the strip can be scrapped.
Now layout the 4 Side Units, 4 Multi-colored squares, and 1 9 Patch Units as shown.
Place the center column pieces onto the left hand pieces with right sides together. Align and pin if desired. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units.
Then, place the left hand column pieces onto the center pieces with right sides together. Align and pin if desired. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units.
Press the top and bottom row Inward towards the Blue squares. Press the center row open.
Place the Top Row onto the Center row with right sides together. Align and pin/nest the seams. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.
And now, place the bottom row onto the center row with right sides together. Align and pin/nest the seams. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge. Press the last two seams open.
And your last Block is done and you have a Intersection Block that should measure 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" unfinished.
And now with all your blocks done, we can move onto sewing them all together. To start through, we need to move to . . .
This month there are only a few set of Strip Sets to make, and for each one, you can choose to use the Strip Set or to cut a Gold Filler block from your Gold Filler Bag.
So here are the Strip Sets we need to sew together for all 3 sections we will be making.
From Fabric 35, 36, 37, and 38 sew a 2 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.
(or cut out a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" Gold Fabric Filler)
From Fabric 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 sew a 2 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.
(or cut out a 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" Gold Fabric Filler)
From Fabric 49 and 50 sew a 4 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.
(or cut out a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" Gold Fabric Filler)
From Fabric 45 and 46 sew a 4 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.
(or cut out a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" Gold Fabric Filler)
And with that done, we can start putting all the blocks together. let's get going on . . .
We will start sewing Blocks and Strip Sets together to make the Section.
Sew the Small Sawtooth Star Block and the 35/36/37/38 Strip Set together as shown.
Sew the 45/46 Strip Set and the Pinwheel Block together as shown.
Sew the Churn Dash Block and the Owl Block together as shown.
Press the Seams Open.
Sew the Sashed Sawtooth Unit and the Dresden Fan Block together as shown.
Sew the Sashed Pinwheel Unit and the Churn Owl Unit together as shown.
Press the Seams Open.
Sew the Sawtooth Fan Unit and the Intersection Block together as shown.
Press the Seam Open
Sawtooth Fan Intersection Unit and the Pinwheel Churn Owl Unit together as shown.
Press the Seam Open
And your Group 3 - Section 2 is complete. It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 16 1/2" high.
And now we can move on to . . .
Again, we will start sewing Blocks and Strip Sets together to make the Section.
Sew the 43/44/45/46/47/48 Strip Set and the Mini Framed Square Block together as shown.
Sew the 49/50 Strip Set and the Square in a Square Block together as shown.
Press the Seams Open.
Sew the Simple Framed Square Block and the Sashed Square Unit together as shown.
Press the Seams towards the Block.
Sew the Intersection Block and the Simple Framed Square Unit together as shown.
Press the Seam towards the Block.
And it's super easy. Just layout Section 1 from Month 7 and Sections 2, 3, and 4 from this month this month as shown below.
Finally, place Section 3/4 onto Section 1/2 with right sides together. Align and pin the edges. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge. Press the seam open.
And that is it for BOHO Heart Block of the Month, Month 8 :)
If you have any questions on this tutorial, please don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or leave a comment.
Hope you have so much fun making all of this months blocks, there are so many and they are all great to put together.
Looking forward to Next Month!!
