zakkaArt

#handsewpatchwork Block 17: Flower's Dream

So here's the bonus block for our #handsewpatchwork sew-a-long! It's called Flower's Dream and it's a really pretty block.

Initially I was quite hesitant to include this block because it looks difficult to sew! I was afraid there will be a lot of unpicking and frustrations. But it turned out otherwise. It is so easy to sew. Very very easy!

There are four square parts to this block and each part is exactly the same. So you just need to repeat sewing the same way four times. That's all! And all are end-to-end sewing. Just curves and no Y-seams!

For fabric selection, I was rather unsure of my choices because the block looked a little messy to me. But when I posted to my IG, everyone was so encouraging. It makes me feel so much better. Now I think this block is pretty awesome.

Download Template 17 Flowers Dream

There are only three paper templates you need to cut out. Use this method here to trace and cut your fabric templates. Definitely saves your effort and time! Then arrange the template pieces to have a clear picture of how to patchwork.

First, choose one of the square parts to start sewing. Sew the petal curves first. Pin from centre outwards. I use a pin to help me find the centre and mark it with a water soluble fabric marker.

You can pin all the way and sew from end-to-end. Otherwise, pin half of the curve and sew. Then unpin and pin the other half before finish sewing. Press seam towards petal.

Next sew the two small squares from end-to-end too. Press seams away from the squares.

**note: I tried pressing the seams towards the squares and it didn't work well after finishing the block.

Now you are ready to join these two together!

Always pin from the centre first using the same method as above. I usually pin the important points first (centre, meeting point, end) before rearranging the rest. This way I can make sure my points meet.

Start sewing from the centre outwards from end-to-end. Always remember to backstitch at the beginning, meeting points and last stitch.

Unpin and pin the other half and sew the same way from end-to-end. Press the seams towards the petal and away from the squares. If you are confident, you can pin and sew all the way from end-to-end.

There you go! One part is ready! Now repeat for the other three square parts.

When the four parts are completed, lay them out and join them. Press the seams in opposite directions. Sew from end-to-end.

Here's how the back should look like. Mine did not look the same but it's still okay. However, I think it's better to follow the book so I'm not posting my picture to avoid confusion!

What a pretty and easy block isn't it? Now are you ready for the last block before we start joining the blocks together? xxx

With all my hearts patchwork zipper pouch pattern

This is a zipper pouch I made last week out of frustration for handsewing all week long. I thought it looks kawaii (cute). Great for stationery and small sewing stuff. And just in time for Valentine's day too!

It has six hearts in all different colors. Like a rainbow. All my favourite reproduction fabrics. And the white background fabric (by Suzuko Koseiki) just arrived that day and it looked perfect together with the colourful fabrics.

It did not take long to sew this pouch. Just one morning and it was completely just the way I imagined. I was very happy!

This is my first time writing a pattern. For the past few days I have been trying very hard to draw with touchdraw app and photoshop. But all was futile. Sigh. So I gave up pulling my hair out sitting in front of the computer, whipped out my pen and a piece of blank paper and started drawing. And hey, I did it.

Well, it's may not a perfect piece of work but I still hope everyone can understand the pattern and sew this pouch for your loved ones.

Before you start sewing, remember this is a pattern and not a tutorial. You need to have basic bag making experience or at least, zipper sewing experience. If you don't, you may wish to read this zipper pouch tutorial post I did years back to learn about how to sew a zipper pouch.

This pouch is machine-sewn. All seam allowance is 1/4". Pattern features making of three patchwork hearts for the front of the pouch only. The back of pouch is plain with quilting details. If you wish to make six hearts (three for front and three for back like me), double quantity for all cutting but omit cutting 4.25"x9" rectangle from background fabric.

You can choose to use one fabric design per color. I used three different fabrics for each color and alternate my cutting. It's patchwork so you can use all different fabrics!

Download "With all my hearts patchwork zipper pouch pattern" here.

Have fun!xxx

#handsewpatchwork Block 16: Pot

The long holiday season is finally over and I'm back trying to catch up with this sew-a-long! Is everyone still handsewing with me or thinking if you should start hand sewing for this new year? Well, there's no better time to continue or start right now!^_^

This block is the 16th. If you have all 16 blocks unused for any other sewing, you can start piecing them together to make a 4x4 blocks mini quilt for the wall. I have yet to work out my dimensions but I'll post soon once I figure the numbers out. There will be two bonus blocks 17 and 18 for people like me who has used two of my previous blocks to make a zipper pouch and single-block wall quilt. So don't worry.

For this block, I chose to make a pot because it feels like it should be part of the quilt for hanging in the house! The pot is really easy to sew. The only tricky part is appliquéing the handle.

Download template block 16 Pot here..

Cut out both paper and fabric templates. Be sure to take note that you have to flip the paper templates which are not symmetrical before tracing on fabric. Trace the rectangle number 8 first before cutting out the handle. Leave a narrower seam allowance of 0.5cm for the handle.

Arrange the fabric templates in groups. All sewing are from end-to-end for this block. Sew them in groups before joining them.

For the handle, use needle-turn technique for both sides. I always make creases along the traced line on the template that needs to be appliquéd. Then pin the template in place and use your fingers to fold the seams in while you sew. Read more about needle-turn technique here.

Lastly, sew the spout and handle to the pot body before joining all the groups together.

Here you go, pretty pot for your tea!xxx

^^For cross referencing if you have the book, this patchwork block is at page 173.

~please subscribe to this blog if you are following this sew-a-long. I may not post new blocks on the same day every week.~

#handsewpatchwork Block 15: Peter's Paintbox

Hello there! I hope everyone is enjoying the cool and merry season. Sorry there was a long break to this #handsewpatchwork sew-a-long. After we came back from a short holiday in Taiwan, my kids took turns to fall sick. Two weeks of sleepless nights is no fun at all! While I stayed up to take temperature, sponge and feed my kids, I worked on this block under the dim lights.

I just wished to get it done so I did not bother to take pictures of the sewing steps. So rather, for this block, I'll post the page taken from the book. The pictures are pretty easy to understand even though the instructions are in Japanese.

This Peter's Paintbox block is not difficult to sew. No appliqué, Y-seams or curves. Just sewing from end to end. A few more templates to cut so be mindful during cutting and arranging!

Download Template 15 Peters Paint Box. (Click on picture to enlarge it for clearer image).

**note: for templates 1 and 2, remember to flip before tracing on fabric.*

^^For cross referencing if you have the book, this patchwork block is at page 165.

~please subscribe to this blog if you are following this sew-a-long. I may not post new blocks on the same day every week.~

Key Ring Pouch Tutorial

I have forgotten when I started making key ring pouches. When I first saw a picture of it in a Japanese magazine, I scampered to search online for the circular key ring. It fascinated me because I wanted to try hand sewing something new. So I grabbed a recycled paper and drew my own template (I folded an A4 paper into quarters then drew a side of it then cut it out) with the image in my mind. And I just handsew for fun.

Well, I really loved how every pouch turned out. They are really pretty and functional.

Thanks to many mails asking for a tutorial on this pouch. I have intended to write a tutorial on this a long while back but couldn't find any inspiration to pen it. Because I don't know how to use photoshop or any other program to draw the template. And I didn't have a printer that could scan. I felt so sorry. But a kind friend said recently that she will wait for me to write something about it and suddenly I was motivated. So that day I rummaged through my cupboard and found the crumpled template and started tracing on a fresh sheet of paper ready to be scanned with my new printer.

I hope the template is clear enough to be seen and understood.

It's not a difficult pouch to handsew. But if you are not keen to handsew, you can use the machine. Either way is ok. For this tutorial, I machine sew the first part of the binding.

EDIT: You can get the key ring here.

So here is the Download ZakkaArt Key Ring Pouch. Download and print it at A4 printer settings.

Cut out the template. If you are planning to reuse it a couple of times, it would be good to glue it on a cardboard like what I did.

*There are many ways to handsew this pouch. What i'm writing here is purely my own method. You are free to use whatever way that makes you feel comfortable.*

**The most important thing to note when making this pouch is to learn to hide all the knots. To hide a knot, return the needle to the same hole where you just tie the knot. Then give it a little tug so the knot disappears under the fabric. Then snip the thread close to the fabric.**

Find a fabric (I usually use cheater fabric because it saves time and effort) or a ready-completed patchwork.

If you are using ready-completed-patchwork, you should have done the quilting part with batting sandwiched between the patchwork and lining fabric. So just trace and cut out the shape.

If you are using cheater fabric, trace the template and cut out the shape. Then, place the fabric template on top of batting/fleece (I used a thin batting this time and not entirely pleased with it. I would suggest you use medium thickness) and a lining fabric as the bottom layer. Pin in place and either hand or machine quilt. Then do a little stitching close to the edges to better secure it. Trim the template shape.

OR

You can choose not to trace and cut out the fabric template first but to hand/machine quilt the three layers (fabric, batting, fabric) then cut out the shape. It's entirely your choice. Whichever way works just fine.

Next, cut a 2" width bias binding. I prefer using bias binding because there are curves to deal with for the pouch. If it's for quilts, I always use straight binding. And I also always use single fold binding to save on the fabrics.

Hand or machine sew the binding, taking care of the points. I do a little folding of binding at the points to make sewing easier.

This is how I sew the ends of the binding. It's the laziest way ever!

Now fix the zipper. You can place the zipper anywhere along the pouch as you preferred. I like to sew it on the right because I'm right handed. First, fold the pouch into half and mark the centre. Then, position the zipper teeth along the edges of the pouch and pin in place, leaving a space wide enough for the key ring hoop to go through. For the zipper ends, just tilt a little downwards so they don't show when you stitch up the edges later.

Read here on how to handsew zippers.

Handsew the other side of zipper as well.

***There are two ways to incorporate the key ring hoop. The most direct way is to position it properly with wrong sides of the pouch facing, then handsew the edges of the binding. However, you will see the stitches on the outside edges of the pouch. I prefer to hide my stitches so I sew the binding edges from the inside. And I like to put my hoop first so I can sew very close to the hoop for a better finishing. You can leave a space (width of hoop) then position the hoop after sewing the the edges of binding. Below is my personal method for making this pouch.***

When you are done with the zipper, turn the pouch inside out. Unhook the key ring and position it in place: the hook opening facing the front (right sides) of the pouch. Remember to keep the zipper unzipped. Use tiny stitches to sew together the edges of the pouch. Remember to keep the zipper unzipped.

Now all you need is to flip over the pouch!

Ta-daa! A very useful pouch for your keys and zipper compartment for your coins or small things like lippy or sweets or cards (if it fits the zipper length).

Hope everyone enjoyed the tutorial!xxx

Huggy Basket

A few more pictures of this huggy basket other than those I showed on IG...

I thought I was crazy to decide to sew this entirely (from patchwork to quilting to binding) by hand given only three days to complete it. But when I finished the last stitch, I was so overwhelmed with satisfaction. It's not a perfect piece of sewing. But I really love it a lot. Every stitch was filled with gratitude and appreciation for the loving and caring teacher who deserved this heart-felt present.

She dropped me a message that night, saying she was very touched because it's the first time she received a handsewn present.

It made my day so much brighter that my fingers didn't feel sore anymore.xxx

#handsewpatchwork Block 14: House

"Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."
~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I have been wanting to make a mini quilt with houses for so long but I never did. Now I'm regretting that I haven't done it earlier! The house patchwork is so easy so simple so pretty to handsew.

After using so many colours for the previous blocks, I decided to just use brown this time for a brick house.

Let's get started!

**Note: The instructions are very short for this block because they are so straightforward. Just sewing from end-to-end! And pressing the seams towards the dark fabrics.

Download Template 14 House

++Remember that the slanted templates are mirror images! So you have to flip your templates when drawing onto the fabric.

Arrange the templates and if it's ok, leave them in place so it's easier to visualise. Group them in groups of A, B and C.

Start sewing from group A. Sew the chimneys and background fabrics.

Next sew group B, the roof.

Then sew group C. For this group, we sew the door first. Then sew the window.

Now sew the three groups together!

That's it! You have a beautiful house!xxx

^^For cross referencing if you have the book, this patchwork block is at page 133.

~please subscribe to this blog if you are following this sew-a-long. I may not post new blocks on the same day every week.~

#handsewpatchwork Block 13: Rose of Sharing

There are many things I love and dislike about this block.

Love because:
- it gives me so much satisfaction after completing it.
- the beautiful joyful colours.
- the eyelet lace I chose (because there's no other low volume fabric suitable enough)
- old technique (appliqué) I'm picking up again.
- it trains my patience to another higher level.

Dislike because:
- I wasted a whole afternoon just unpicking and appliquéing again and again. I'm a perfectionist.

Maybe just one dislike. So means I love this block actually.

I think you will love it too. It's just so pretty.

Download Template 13 Rose of Sharing

THere's only one template to cut out and it's the petal. Choose eight beautiful fabrics for the petals. I used the template method to save time and hassle. However, I trimmed my seam allowance to 0.7cm to accommodate the curves for appliquéing later.

Important: See the two pencil marks on the paper template? They are points where the curves meet. You need to transfer them onto the fabric too because that will be where to stop sewing. It's end-to-point (tip-to-curve) sewing for all petals for this block.

Arrange the petals to your liking in groups of two. There will be four groups. Sew two petals together in each group from end-to-point. Press seams in the same direction.

Join the two upper groups together then followed by the lower ones from end-to-point. Press seams in the same direction too.

Sew the upper and lower groups together by pin matching the centre first. Sew from point-to-point. Remember to backstitch at the centre.

Choose a background fabric. Use one of your blocks as a template. The background fabric must be slightly bigger for trimming/squaring up later.

You may print another paper template and cut out the shape of the rose. Place on top of the background fabric and trace. I used half of the leftover template to trace so I didn't have to print again.

Find the centre and pin the rose in place. Now you are ready to appliqué.

I have mentioned before there are many ways to appliqué. You can use freezer paper or starch technique or whichever way you are most comfortable with. I always use the traditional appliqué method because it works well for me.

This is how I appliqué. My fingers are great help. I use my pointer finger to turn in the seams while I sew. You may give a few snips at the seam allowances like what I did for easy folding.

Here's your completed patchwork rose appliqué.

When you are done with the appliqué, turn over the block and carefully trim away the centre of the background fabric. This is to reduce bulk of the block. Leave 1/4" or 0.7cm seam allowance. Be careful not to cut your patchwork rose!

Lastly, take one of the blocks as guide and trim away/square up the sides.

That's it! Rose of sharing is ready for you to share and admire.xxx

^^For cross referencing if you have the book, this patchwork block is at page 37.

~please subscribe to this blog if you are following this sew-a-long. I may not post new blocks on the same day every week.~

The Oakshott Autumn Blog Hop

Because we live in Singapore, it's a pity we do not get any chance to experience four seasons. We get summer all year long. But if you ask me about my favourite season, I will say it's autumn without batting an eyelid. The cool weather and the beautiful colours of the leaves. All in my memory of our wonderful autumn honeymoon to Japan years ago.

Just perfect.

So, I was really thrilled to receive this gorgeous fat-eighth bundle from Michael from Oakshott. Look at the autumn colours! They are SO pretty. I had a hard time convincing myself to pull out the ribbon to work on fabrics.

As you know, I have never worked with solid cottons, let alone shot cottons. When I first saw the Oakshott fabrics, I was surprised by the excellent quality and vibrant colours. Perfect for making quilts or bags. It was love at first sight.

For this project, I knew at once I wanted to make something functional. Something we can use during autumn. Over here, autumn season is when kids finish their examinations and begin their school holidays from mid November. And it's also the time when I'll bring them to the the park and library very often.

And so, I thought of making an autumn tote for books and outdoor plays.

This tote gave me a great sense of satisfaction after completion. Because my kids love it! It's really roomy and not heavy for easy lugging around. There are pockets as extra compartments. And also a swirl hook at the side for hanging of keys or pacifiers or other stuff that needs easy accessibility. I like to hang my car keys.

To match the tote, I made a zipper pouch too.

The pouch can be used for small daily necessities like kids' cutlery, medication or others. Or it can be a stationery case for pens and pencils. I used a pretty zipper with scallop edgings for the pouch that requires hand sewing so that the edgings are not hidden.

The tote and pouch are not difficult to make. They just need basic machine/hand sewing knowledge. In this post, I will show the easiest way to make a tote and pouch that needs no brain wrecking tossing or flipping around.

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The Oakshott Autumn Tote

Finished size: 19.5"x14"

What you need:
- a fat-eighth autumn oakshott bundle. You can get it here.
- 3/4 yard of lining fabric. Mine is Imperial Brown.
- thin layer of fusible batting/fleece. I used non-fusible batting and it works too. You can also use fusible or non-fusible interfacing.
- a pair of bag handles.
- coordinating colour thread.
- swirl hook (optional)

1. First divide your bundle into six groups: Orange, Yellow, Brown, Light Green, Dark Green and Maroon. There will be three colorways in each group. So you will be using 18 fabrics out of the 21 in the bundle.

2. Cut as follows for log cabin patchwork (includes 1/4" seam allowance):
- Yellow
(24) 1.5"x1.5" squares
- Orange & Brown each
(7) 1.5"x1.5" squares
(14) 1.5"x3.5" rectangles
(7) 1.5"x5.25"rectangles
- Dark Green
(5) 1.5"x1.5" squares
(10) 1.5"x3.5" rectangles
(5) 1.5"x5.25"rectangles
- Light Green
(4) 1.5"x1.5" squares
(8) 1.5"x3.5" rectangles
(4) 1.5"x5.25"rectangles
- Maroon
(24) 1.5"x1.5" squares
(48) 1.5"x3.5" rectangles
(24) 1.5"x5.25"rectangles

3. Once you have all your pieces cut, assemble each log cabin block with like this:

There will be 24 blocks in all. 12 blocks for each side of the tote.

4. Then arrange the blocks according to your liking and join them together row by row. There will be four rows for each panel. Press seams in alternate directions in each row. Sew the rows together. Now you have two exterior panels.

5. Place the panels on the batting/interfacing, trim and machine quilt. then trim/square up the sides.

6. Now place the quilted panels on the lining (interior) fabric. Pin and cut out the same size as the panel.

7. Cut one more lining fabric same size as the panel to make the big compartment pockets. Fold the lining fabric into half and sew across about 1" from the folded edge. Then align it on one of the interior fabrics and pin in place. Mark the centre of the pocket and sew to separate into two pockets. Sew along the edges to secure the compartment pockets.

8. Next use your 6.5" omnigrid (if you have) and cut 6.5"x13" rectangle for the small pocket. Fold into half and stitch along the edges, leaving a 2-3" opening. Snip the corners. Turn the fabric inside out. Iron flat and sew across about 1/2" from the top folded edge.

9. Pin the small pocket onto the other lining fabric panel, aligning the centre, and top stitch the pocket in place.

10. This step is optional. It's addition of a swirl hook. Cut 2"x3" lining fabric. Fold lengthwise half to find the centre. Then open up and fold in the edges to meet the centre and fold again. Top stitch to secure. Put a swirl hook and measure 4" down from the top edge of the lining fabric panel with the small pocket. Triple stitch in place.

11. Now you are ready to join the exterior panels and the interior panels separately. With right sides facing, sew along the edges of the panels, leaving the top edge untouched.

TIP: I always round the corners of my bags and pouches because I do not like them jutting out. To do it, I use a thread spool to help me trace the corners, machine sew on the line and trim.

12. Turn the exterior panels inside out. Then carefully place the interior panels into the opening and pin around the edges to match before top stitching to secure.

13. Binding time is next. Cut 2"xWOF (width of fabric) of the lining fabric. Machine sew the binding around the top edges to hide the raw seams. You can handsew the binding too.

14. Lastly, sew the handles! Align the handles as in the picture. Triple stitch in place.

That's it! You have an autumn tote ready to go!

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The Oakshott Autumn Zipper Pouch

Finished size: 7.5"x4"

What you need:
- a fat-eighth autumn oakshott bundle.
- 1/8 yard of lining fabric.
- thin layer of fusible or non-fusible batting/fleece.
- 6" zipper (I measured the teeth)
- coordinating colour thread.
- D-ring (optional)

Cutting (patchwork):
- Yellow
(4) 1.5"x1.5"
- Dark Green/Light Green/Brown/Orange each
(1) 1.5"x1.5"
(2) 1.5"x3.5"
- Maroon
(4) 1.5"x1.5"
(8) 1.5"x3.5"

The steps of making this pouch is similar to the sewing of the tote. Please refer above for pictures.

1. Create four log cabins. Join two log cabins together for each side of the pouch.

2. Cut another (4) 1"x3.5" fabric of you choice. Take two pieces and join to the sides of the patchworks to extend to match the zipper length. Fold seams outwards.

3. Cut another (2) 1.5"x?" same fabric of your choice. Sew one piece to the bottom of the each panel to make the pouch a little bigger. Fold seam outwards.

4. Place the panels on the batting/fleece and machine quilt in place. Trim to square up the edges.

5. On the lining fabric, place the quilted exterior panels and cut the same size.

6. This step is optional. It's addition of the D-ring. Cut 2"x3" lining fabric. Fold lengthwise half to find the centre. Then open up and fold in the edges to meet the centre and fold again. Top stitch to secure. Put the D-ring, fold tab in half and measure 1" down from the top edge of one of the exterior panels. Triple stitch in place.

7. Now join the exterior and interior panels separately, with right sides together. Leave the top edge untouched. I use the thread spool again to help to round the corners.

8. Turn the exterior panels inside out. Carefully place the interior panels into the opening and pin to secure. Top stitch around the top edges.

9. Cut a 1.5"xWOF for the binding. Machine sew the binding along the top edges to hide the raw seams.

For this pouch, I chose to handsew the zipper because of the pretty zipper edgings. I can't bear to hide them under the binding! There are many many ways to sew a zipper but I use this method because I don't wish to sew bindings for the pouch interior too.

10. Pin the zipper in place, with the zipper teeth in line with the top edges of the pouch. Handsew. Sewing the other side of the zipper can be a little tricky. But all you need is to turn the pouch around to help yourself sew a little easier.

11. Lastly, handsew to close the opening at the corners of zipper.

There you go! The zipper pouch is completed!

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Even I'm the last one for this amazing blog hop, you are very much welcomed to visit the earlier blogs because these talented bloggers make so wonderful sewings with the autumn bundle too!

21 October Sonia Spence http://www.fabricandflowersuk.blogspot.co.uk
22 October Rossie Hutchinson http://www.r0ssie.blogspot.com
24 October Mary Menzer http://www.fairlymerry.blogspot.com
28 October Alison Dutton http://www.allison-sews.blogspot.com
29 October Nicholas Ball http://www.quiltsfromtheattic.wordpress.com
30 October Kati Spencer http://www.fromthebluechair.com
31 October Wynn Tan http://www.zakkaArt.typepad.com

And a big thank you to Lynne from lilyquilts for organising this blog hop! Hope everyone enjoyed reading all the posts!xxx

#handsewpatchwork Block 12: Card Trick

How I love this week's block! It's not tricky at all for sewing (no curves or appliqué, only end-to-end stitches) and I had fun piecing them like a tangram or jigsaw!

Download Template 12 Card Trick

Cut the templates out. It's very easy. For each coloured fabric, cut two big triangles and two small triangles. For background fabric, cut four big triangles and four small triangles.

And here's the fun part! Rearrange the templates according to diagram and if it's ok to leave them untouched, please do so as not to confuse yourself during sewing.

There are three groups (upper, middle and lower) and three parts in each group to sew. I chose the middle group to start sewing. Sew the four coloured triangles first. When joining, make sure the seams are in opposite direction to reduce bulk at the centre.

Then sew the two parts at the sides. Join the two small triangles first followed by the big triangle. Press seam towards darker fabric.

Now sew the parts in upper and lower group in the same way.

When all parts are ready, sew the together in their groups.

Lastly, sew the three groups together!

This is how I pressed the seams.

And here you go! an easy but interesting card trick patchwork block!

^^For cross referencing if you have the book, this patchwork block is at page 37.

~please subscribe to this blog if you are following this sew-a-long. I may not post new blocks on the same day every week.~

#handsewpatchwork Block 11: Alice's Patchwork

I think this week's block is my new love with my favourite fabrics. It's so bright and cheerful!

There are only a few pictures for this block because the steps are repetitive. It's an easy block with only curves to handle. The rest are just sewing from end-to-end.

Refer to here for sewing of curves and here to curve template drawing method. *Remember to half your seam allowance at curves (mine is 0.5cm).*

Download Template 11 Alices Patchwork

Cut out your fabrics and arrange them to your liking. There are four groups to sew. Choose one of the four groups to start.

First sew number 1 to number 2 from end to end. Fold seam towards darker fabric. Next sew number 3. Fold seam towards darker fabric too.

Now sew the curves to each of the three quadrant circle. Always remember to find the centre and start pinning from the centre. I use a pin to help me.

It will be helpful for you to snip a few cuts at the seam allowance for easier sewing.

You are ready to join your first group together. Sew the right and left patches. Fold seams in opposite direction. Then pin from centre, making sure the points are aligned and sew the upper and lower patches together.

So now you are done with one group! Do the same steps above for the other three groups.

Here! Four pretty groups waiting to be sewn together! Same steps, join the right and left groups. Fold seams in opposite direction. Then pin from centre, making sure the points are aligned and sew the upper and lower groups together. You will be sewing through layers of fabrics but do not worry.

This is how the back should look like. I forgot to take a picture of mine!

And ta-daa! Your pretty block 11 is completed! Looks like four Pac-man gobbling up something isn't it? (that's what some of you commented in IG!) Well, I think they look like four tulips blooming so beautifully!xxx

^^For cross referencing if you have the book, this patchwork block is at page 14.^^

~please subscribe to this blog if you are following this sew-a-long. I may not post new blocks on the same day every week.~