Tiny space are the future
Boughs, leaves and flowers,
Random determinism,
Forrests from a single seed
The Pieced Acorn Block
Piece the stem. I did press these seams open. I am liking this more and more, although either method works with this block, as there are no matching seams.
Mark all of the squares for the flip and turn process. You will use 2 Cs and 2 Ds for the top. I sew one thread over on the drawn line, closer to the corner. This allows you to get the full “corner”. I always test; press back and see that I cover the existing corner, then trim.
Put the larger square on first, press. Then put on the smaller square. Press. I pressed to the background, as that is the way the triangles wanted to be pressed. Sometimes I let them decide.
These next two pictures show how I quickly pin things before moving to the sewing machine. I loosely pin so that I don’t turn the piece the wrong way, and then flip to make sure. I didn’t follow my own advice on the stem and top and pieced it incorrectly. Out came my friend, Jack, the seam ripper!
And the finished block, front and back! You can see how the seams are pressed. As you know by now, the other hosts (listed below) will be posting their versions. Do check them out.
The Split Appliqué Acorn Block
Before anything else, print your instructions and pattern. Make sure the 1″ block for registration is really measures at 1″ – that will assure you that the pieces fit.
Again, these are just some hints, the pattern has the instructions. These pictures are showing the work for 2 blocks – but it is the same for 4. Remember two things:
- Leave about 1/2″ between items so you can…
- Cut with about 1/4″ around the pieces.
Then follow the instructions for your fusible, mine was a lightweight fusible that wanted a medium setting, no steam. Cut out the pieces.
Finger press each individual piece and each background in half vertically. I spent a lot of time lining up the pieces – on the ironing board so I don’t have to move.
Measuring will help keep things lined up. The following pictures give you some ideas. Remember to you will be cutting some fabric off – about 3/4″ total on the top and bottom and then again on both sides – allow space for this trimming/seam allowance.
Then check how much of the pieces are showing so that they are uniform in all 4 blocks.
You can also check the acorn body for how much shows. 
After pressing, cut the blocks in half, scary but fun!
Sew them back together. Then sew the blocks together.
Finish with your favorite appliqué stitch. I haven’t finished mine as I may use that for quilting – depending on what I am doing with my blocks.
Hope you enjoyed making the block! I really enjoyed designing it.
What Are the Giveaways for Block 5: Acorns?
Two printed “Vintage Blessings” exclusive mini patterns
from Shabby Fabrics.
Vintage Kite Table Runner Pattern
Vintage Garden Wall Hanging Pattern
and
5” charm pack “From the Chateau”
by Lisa Audit for Wilmington Prints
donated by Kathleen Scargle McCormick.
FOR EVERYONE
We love to help our sponsors, so please consider requesting a catalog from Shabby Fabrics at this link. There is quite a lot of interesting patterns, kits and tools – of course.
How Do I Enter to Win the Giveaway for Block 5?
There are three ways to enter.
Do one of the following by June 23 , 2018 at 11:59 pm EST
- Upload a photo of your finished block to my Linky Party. Click on the ADD YOUR LINK Button below to add your photo. The site will guide you through the process.
- Upload a photo of your finished block to the Partners in Design Facebook Group.
- Upload a photo of your finished block to Instagram using #fallintoaqal.
How Will the Winner Be Chosen?
The winner will be randomly selected from those who post photos of their completed blocks by the deadline. Although creativity is encouraged, the block must follow the design for this two-week period. You must be 18 to enter.
I Want to See More Versions of the Block. Who Are the Other Hosts?
Abbie at Sparkle On
April at JANDA Bend Quilts
Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting
Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter
Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Sherry at Powered by Quilting
Vanda at Quilting With Vanda
I Have Questions. Who Can I Ask?
You can ask me in a comment to this post or in an email, or I am sure that any of the Hosts would be happy to help.
When Will the Next Block be Released? July 24, 2018
All block locations will be available on the Partners in Design Facebook Group or on any of the Host’s blogs which are listed above.
What Group Is Organizing This Quilt Along?
Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting (Host + Block 7 Designer)
Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter (Host + Block 8 Designer)
Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats (Host + Block 9 Designer)
Kathleen at Kathleen McMusing (Block 5 Designer)
Sandra at Sandra Healy Designs (Block 10 Designer)
Sandy at Sandy Star Designs (Block 4 Designer)
Sherry at Powered by Quilting (Host + Block 3 & 6 Designer)
Vanda at Quilting with Vanda (Host + Block 1 & 12 Designer)
April at JANDA Bend Quilts
Kathleen at Kathleen McMusing
Sandra at Sandra Healy Designs
Sherry at Powered by Quilting
Vanda at Quilting with Vanda
Linking up:
Clever Chameleon: Coulour Party
FreeMotion by the River: Linky Tuesday
Inquiring Quilter: Wednesday Wait Loss
Disclaimer: *Links with asterisk indicate an affiliate link. Your price is not any different, but a small percentage of the sale will go to supporting my blog.
Sew cute, Kathleen! Who doesn’t love an acorn!?! And that split applique is new to me. It works so well with your pattern.
It was a fun one to design. Check out Bobbi’s too as she reduced the clunky one into 4 tiny ones. So much fun.
Definitely fall! That’s going to be an interesting challenge to try. Thanks so much!
I hope you make it an enjoy it!
Congratulations Kathleen on designing *two* beautiful Acorn blocks! You have written a great post for following both patterns.
I’m so pleased with your pretty Acorn block that I made.
Thanks, Abbie! I loved both your versions. Now for me to decide what the heck to do with the bazillion I made testing the block.
Why an Acorn quilt of course!
Loved making this block! I really loved how it turned out. So cute.
I forgot to say–I really love the poem that inspired this! Yes, an acorn is the future, compressed into a tiny package.
I thought that little poem was so expressive. Sometimes those entries feel so wordy that I thought a little whimsy would be nice.
It was fun to design – and I think people are liking the split appliqué.
Me encanta este bloque, que bien que has hecho dos versiones. Yo haré el de aplicación. Me pongo a preparar mis telas. Un saludo
Estoy tan contento de que te gusten. Espero que disfrutes de coserlo.
Thanks for the options on this one! I really enjoyed piecing mine, but I’m loving the look of all the split applique that others did. Your background fabric for the split applique is absolutely perfect. There’s no acorns where I live now, but I have so many fond memories of them as a child.
The fabric was a great one to have in my stash and worked perfectly. I love your version and it is fun to see that others have done it already! Some folks are really fast. Thanks for all your help with the directions too. I think everyone helps make each block better – a great team.
The poem speaks to my heart. I love autumn – so much complexity building into nature at that time of the year. I love love love this block. I feel an acorn quilt in my future. These blocks are so fun!!
Thank you, Patty. I am so glad you enjoyed them and do hope to see an acorn quilt one day.
At first I was like split appliqué? What is his? And then I realized after I read through ha that’s my hearts which are an old (we won’t say just how old) UFO! Didn’t know it had a name! Super idea to give two choices for blocks.
I enjoyed making your pieced acorn pattern but it was a hard decision as I wanted to try the split applique but I ran out of time. Although, I just might sew one up yet. Thanks for the patterns. I had never heard of split applique before.
You are welcome, Karen. Do try it, it is a fun technique. A little bigger piece is a little easier. And I liked that some have put the stem on after, had not thought of that. Its funny how you get into a one track mind on some of these things. Your post was great – thank you!
Thanks for sharing this on Wednesday Wait Loss Kathleen! I really love your block designs.
You are welcome, Jennifer. It is always fun to link up.
So cute!! I love both acorn designs!
They were fun to design. I just need to get a drawing app under my belt and I will be in much better shape!
Your block is so darn cute! A friend took her blocks to a Show and Tell at my LQS and I loved it! I’ve avoided QAL this year to finish up some UFO’s but I think I’m going to have to cave in on this one! Thank you for sharing!
Wow! I’m so grateful to your friend for sharing and for you joining in. Most are pretty easy, I hope you enjoy it!
Beautiful blocks! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Connie, they were fun to design.
Great block Kathleen! I loved making it 🙂 I need to try the split applique block one day!
Thanks, Sherry. I am sure you will find a time to try the technique. It is quite fun, and the results are so interesting.
Love the block, thanks so much!
Thank you, Karrin. I’m so happy that people are enjoying it.