My Happy Place – the Seams to be Sew Row-a-long

Butterfly Quilt Block

I am delighted to present My Happy Place row in the Seams to Be Sew Row Along Blog Hop.  It is my garden!  It might be dormant this winter but those three-dimensional flowers will bob and smile until the new season begins.

I hope you have been reading the tutorials this past month because this row is going to use most of them!  If you need help, go back to the first tutorial and just keep reading. I do have a video, but I did it in 2008 so it doesn’t specifically reference this pattern. But you might find it helpful.

This row finishes 12″ x 30″.  It is made in three sections, each section having a three-dimensional element.  Read through the directions before you begin, and practice on scrap fabric if you don’t understand something.  Like any new technique, you probably won’t do it perfectly the first time.  A 1/4″ seam allowance is assumed.

Cutting Directions for the My Happy Place Row

Three-Dimensional Element: the Bow Tie

3D Bow Tie

When I started the tutorials, I started with the three-dimensional bow tie above because it really is the easiest to understand.  Can you see how the knot in the center of the block above is actually a dimensional element?  It’s a square block, folded and inserted into the seam of a four-patch.

3D-bow-tie-handout

A three-dimensional square-in-a-square is made using the same method as a three-dimensional bow tie with the exception of the size of the center square, which is much larger.  You will use this in the Long Tall Sally block below. I demonstrated this technique in a video in 2008, so it might help to watch it first at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvXUvKIzYZY&t=51s

The size of the center square (the one squished in the middle) is cut to the same size as the unfinished size of the final block.  In other words, if you are using 1-1/2″ squares for your four-patch,  your unfinished block would measure 2-1/2″ square so your square-that-will-be-squished should be cut 2-1/2″.

Square in a Square Graphic

When you sew your four-patch together, the center square will NOT reach to the end of the block.  It stops 1/4″ from the edge, giving you a perfect seam allowance.

Did you notice that when you made your square-in-a-square block, the edges of the center square were on the bias?   Roll them in toward the center to create a curved effect.  The Big Flower, which is the first block we are making, uses this technique in the center of the block.  I also used it in the Pumpkin Spice Latte Mystery.

Faux Cathedral Window Graphic

So, let’s get started!

The Big Flower

Big Flower Block with 3D Center

The big flower is actually made of four blocks with a three-dimensional element in the center.

Assemble:
(24) lt blue 2″ x 2″ squares
(16) lt blue 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ squares
(4) pink 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ squares
(4) pink 2″ x 2″ squares
(4) purple 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ squares
(4) purple 2″ x 2″ squares
(8) green 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ squares
(1) dark blue 3-1/2″ square

I’m sure you noticed the Half Square Triangle blocks in these squares.  Here is the method I use to make them, but if you prefer another method, use that one!

The Traditional Method of Making Half Square Triangle Quilt Blocks (HSTs)

Place a 2-1/2″ dark square right sides together with a 2-1/2″ light square.   Draw a diagonal line on the back of the top square. Sew 1/4″ on both sides of that diagonal line. Cut on the line and press the seam allowance to the dark.   Square up the block to 2″.  Don’t skip this step!

Using this method, create:

(8) pink and blue HSTs
(8) purple and blue HSTs
(16) green and blue HSTs

How to Piece a Flower Quilt Block

Use these HST blocks and the squares you cut previously to make (4) rows of each row as shown. Press as directed by the arrows.  This will help you keep your seams facing opposite directions when you sew the rows together. Create four blocks as shown above.  Press and square up to 6-1/2″ if necessary.

I am a fan of the Quilt in a Day Fussy Cut Ruler Set. As you can see below, it fits perfectly on the block, and there are lines marking both diagonals as well as the seam allowance.

Quilt in a Day 6-1/2" Fussy Cut Ruler

If you have a Rotating Mat, you will be quite pleased with yourself.  It makes squaring up a block much easier when you can just rotate the mat instead of picking up the block, turning and repositioning it.

Using a Rotating Mat to Square Up a Quilt Block

To create the three-dimensional effect of the center, you need to pretend that the four blocks you just made are the four squares used to make a bow tie block.

How to Make a Dimensional Flower Block

Lay the blocks out with all the purple squares in the middle so you can properly position the 3-1/2″ dark blue square.  Sew the four blocks into a pair of pants…

How to Make a Dimensional Flower Block

then open them up and sew the center seam, just like you did with the bow tie block.  Take your time and use pins to keep everything straight.   If you get a wedgie…

How to Make a Dimensional Flower Block

pick it out and reposition it, just like you would do in real life:-))

Roll the bias edges into the center to create the curve and hand sew them in place to keep the dimensional element.

How to Make a Dimensional Flower Block

The Butterflies

This is NOT a three-dimensional element. The bigger block is made from smaller pieced blocks.

How to Make a Butterfly Quilt Block

Assemble:

(24) lt blue squares, 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″
(16) 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ squares: (4) pink, (2) red, (4) yellow, (4) dark blue and (2) purple

How to Make a Butterfly Quilt Block

Draw a diagonal line in pencil on the back of the small colored squares. Place a colored square right sides together in one corner of a light blue square so that the pencil line connects the two sides as shown to the left.  Stitch using a scant 1/4″ or a 3/16″ seam.  Make (16.)

This fabric fold makes the butterfly

Flip the small square over the seam and press to the corner.  The edges should match.  Trim the excess on the underside.

In the picture below, I am using the edge of the Fussy Cut Ruler to cut off the excess, leaving a 1/4″ seam.  That tiny center line makes it easy to position the ruler properly.

Quilt Tutorial: Trimming the Butterfly Block

Using those blocks and the remaining (8) light blue 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ squares, create the butterfly design shown above.  Remember to press the seams of the odd rows to the right and the seams of the even rows to the left.  This will help you keep your seams facing opposite directions when you sew the rows together.  Press the seam rows down toward the bottom of the block.

Quilt Tutorial: Trimming the Butterfly Block

The 3D Pinwheel Flowers

 Assemble:

(6) yellow 3″ x 3″ squares
(6) green 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ squares
(6) lt blue 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ squares

Using the same method of making HST blocks as above, make (12) dk blue and yellow Half Square Triangle blocks.

Three Dimensional Pinwheel Blocks

Press them in half along the seam.

Three Dimensional Pinwheel Blocks
Three Dimensional Pinwheel Blocks

Fold back one corner …and place them on top of either a lt blue or a green 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ square, aligning the raw edges.   Stay stitch the edges.

Three Dimensional Pinwheel Blocks

Create four pinwheel blocks.  Press the top seams to the right and the bottom seams to the left.  Press the block seams down to the bottom of the block.  Be gentle, you don’t want to squish the three-dimensional elements.

Sew this row to the bottom of the butterfly row.

Three Dimensional Pinwheel Blocks

The Long Tall Sally Flower

Long Tall Sally Quilt Block

Assemble:

(4) lt blue rectangles 2-1/2″ x 1-1/2″
(10) lt blue squares 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″
(1) yellow square 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″
(4) dk blue squares 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″
(2) green squares 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″
(12)  red squares 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″
(4) pink squares 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″

Long Tall Sally Quilt Block

Using the (4) lt blue 1-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ rectangles, (4) lt blue 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ squares and  (4) dk blue 1-1/2″ squares, create (4) blocks like this one.  Press to the dark. These are the 2-1/2″  square corners of the flower.

Long Tall Sally Quilt Block

The flower part of the Long Tall Sally block is created from square-in-a-square blocks as shown in the directions on Page 3.  Using the (1) 2-1/2″ yellow square and (4) of the
1-1/2″ red squares, make (1) block with the yellow in the center as shown.

Long Tall Sally Quilt Block

Using (3) 2-1/2″ pink squares, (6) 1-1/2″ red squares and (6) 1-1/2″ light blue squares, make (3) blocks with the pink in the center as shown.

Notice that when you make the “pair of pants”,  one leg will be blue squares and the other will be red squares.

Long Tall Sally Quilt Block

Using (1) 2-1/2″ pink square, (2) 1-1/2″ red squares and (2) 1-1/2″ green squares, make (1) block with the pink in the center as shown.

Notice that when you make the “pair of pants”,  one leg will be green squares and the other will be red squares.

Long Tall Sally Quilt Block

You now have the pieces to put the head of the flower together as shown. Sew the rows first, then sew the rows into the block shown. Use pins to keep the intersections straight.  Press gently and try to keep the squares dimensional. It should measure 6-1/2″ square.

Long Tall Sally Quilt Block

Long Tall Sally Stem

 Assemble:

(6) lt blue rectangles 2-1/2″ x 3″
(2) green squares 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″
(1) green rectangle 6-1/2″ x 1-1/2″

Just like you did with the butterflies, draw a diagonal line in pencil on the back of the 2-1/2″ green squares.  Place it right sides together in one corner of a light blue square so that the pencil line connects the two sides as shown.   Notice that one diagonal line is drawn right to left and the other is drawn left to right.

Long Tall Sally Quilt Block

Stitch on the line.  Flip the square over the seam and press to the corner.  The edges should match.  Trim the excess on the underside. Press to the green.

Sew this block between two 2-1/2″ x 3″ lt blue rectangles as shown.   Make (2) sets.   Sew the 6-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ green rectangle between these two blocks and you have made a stem.  Square up to 6-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ if necessary.

Long Tall Sally Quilt Block

Sew the stem to the bottom of the flower you made above.

Long Tall Sally Quilt Block

Putting it all together

 You are in the home stretch now.  All you have to do is gather the three blocks that you made and sew them in a row!  Press gently.  Your row should measure 12″ x 30″.

Long Tall Sally Quilt Block

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85 thoughts on “My Happy Place – the Seams to be Sew Row-a-long”

  1. What a pretty row !, I have never tried dimensional piecing, will have to try it out !
    Thanks for the giveaway !

  10. It took a bit of searching to find the comment spot. This is a sweet row, and I really think I will put it on my to do list. It is my first visit to your blog, but I’ll be back to see what is under your needle.
    thanks
    Lynn

  21. Your row is beautiful!! I love the colors you have chosen. Thanks for the great tutorial you provided also.

  22. I love your beautiful row. The fabric choices are perfect. Thanks for the great tutorials you provided also.

  27. Your beautiful garden row makes us all go into our happy place. What a fabulous addition to this row along.
    Thank you “sew” very much!

  28. I REALLY love all the deminsions you put into this lovely peice of art. I am not a fan of winter, so this definitely will warm my heart on cold days.
    By the way, most people do not realize the time it takes creating, designing, and writing up the directions for something this detailed. YOUR HARD WORK GOES UNNOTICED, therefore I just had to sign up for your blog. I love Row Alongs to find creative, TALENTED people such as yourself, willing to take the extra time to teach us newbys new techniques. (Sorry for the long message)
    God Bless!

  32. Love your row, especially with all of the dimensional aspects. Signed up as a follower, but the only email I get to “confirm” sends me to my WordPress account management pages. I can not get your Thank You page. Can you please help me get your wonderful pattern.

  40. What a fun Row!! Definitely Happy & Summery!! Might make for my verrrry green-thumbed Daughter! (Think her green thumb runs clear to her shoulders!! lol) Know she would be tickled to hang this Row! Thank you for sharing! 🙂

  47. Very nice! The dimensional elements would also be a great touch for an Alzheimer’s fidget quilt. Thanks for sharing!

  55. I love your row and the great tutorial! Besides my sewing room, my garden is my happy place too. Thank you for sharing!

  60. Your garden happy place is delightful! Thank you for the detailed tytorial. I will definitely try the dimensional pinwheels.

  68. I love the 3d effect this adds to your row. My garden is one of my happy places except it is a disaster right now from all the rain we’ve had and the weeds have taken over. Oh well, spring is just 6 months away.

  71. I think your row is great. Lots of techniques and you did a wonderful job showing how to make all the components. Thank you. I will email you separately since when I signed up, I do not see this pattern on the list of patterns shown on the link I got.

  72. I’m looking forward to trying the dimensional piecing. Thank you so much for such a cute row and thank you for making it pieced rather than applique!

  74. Well, that row is a lot of fun! I, too, like gardens, and yours looks like a very happy place to be.

  75. Your garden row is so cute! Seeing pretty flowers and vegetables in a garden can be a very happy place.

  76. Your block is amazing! I’ve never tried 3D piecing before, but I’ve signed up to follow you, and I expect to learn how!! 🙂 They add so much to the design!! Thanks for being a part of the row-along and for your beautiful row!! 🙂

  79. Such a great post and a beautiful row. The tutorial is simply amazing. Having all of this to view while you make the pattern is so helpful to creating it. Thank you for participating this year Kris, it’s been so much fun to see your beautiful pattern come to a design and the wonderful fabrics you used to give us that spring time garden effect. I hope you will consider doing this again next year.

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