Welcome to Blocks 9 & 10 of the Fab Farm Sew Along. I changed this weeks schedule and decided to do both flowers at the same time. There is very little difference between them, so combining them made sense for this Sew Along. Next week, I will talk about putting the top together. I hope to have mine quilted to show you, but it may take a few more days.
Cutting The Block
In case you are curious, I cut and made one block at a time. Also, I used different fabrics for both my blocks. You can find the cutting instructions for the flowers on pages 39-42. If you need a reminder, here is how I set up the cutting, using SEPC (scan, enlarge, print, cut).
Making Blocks 9 & 10
These blocks aren’t hard but I recommend keeping an eye on the location of your pieces so that you don’t inadvertently put one in the wrong spot. Sewing instructions begin on page 43. I found that adding the D pieces to the flying geese type unit could be a little tricky so, here is your first hint.
Hint #1: Do not trim D pieces until you are sure it is pieced correctly.
One thing that confused me until I made the flowers, was the difference in the pieces for the bottom flower section. The size difference allows for the blunting of the point when you attach the stem. I kept my pieces in order on the block so I wouldn’t make a mistake and move it. The bottom piece does not have a 1/4″ seam allowance on the point on the side with the background.
Hint #2: Keep the bottom petal piece in the right position
I kept my pieces for the outside corner on the table like they would be sewn. Again, it helps keeping them in the proper place.
Hint #3: Watch placement of petal corners.
The flower is already to assemble. I did put a pin in the top when I was done, to be sure that the rotation of the block did not get lost.
Hint #4: Mark the top of the sunflower during piecing.
You then move on to piecing the leaves. Again, I kept pieces together on my block boards or sewing table to prevent rotation. I also find sewing one set of leaves, say the right side, first and then the other side insures that you are keeping everything going the right way.
The assembly of the bottom half of the sunflower is similar on both. Here are pictures of both leaf backgrounds on the design boards.
The larger has two extra leaves, two extra background leaf separators, and two side pieces.
I sewed in order, top to bottom on one side, then the other side to keep everything where it should be. Soon, you will have two stem/leaf units assembled. The flower goes together quite quickly from here.
The Finished Block
Here are the finished sunflowers and the last blocks for the Fab Farm Sew Along. The next steps for assembling is relatively easy for the top, but I am making a few changes and will share those with you. For now, enjoy the farm animals an flowers in all their glory!
Sally the Strawberry,
Harriet the Horse,
Gertrude the Goat,
Celia the Cow,
Charlotte the Chicken,
Bertha the Bee,
Penelope the Pig,
Shefield the Sheep and
Sunny and Flora the Sunflowers.
Linky Party
I decided to open the last block party to include all the blocks. So, please link up any block you would like here!
The Schedule
Here’s the schedule including co-hosts. You can begin at any time and find the posts here or on this page.
| Date | Block |
|---|---|
| Monday, April 3, 2023 | Fabric Selection |
| Monday, April 24, 2023 | Block 1 Strawberry |
| Monday, May 1, 2023 | Block 2 Horse |
| Monday, May 8, 2023 | Block 3 Goat |
| Monday, May 15, 2023 | Block 4 Cow |
| Monday, May 22, 2023 | Block 5 Chicken Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts co-host |
| Monday, May 29, 2023 | Block 6 Bee |
| Monday, June 5, 2023 | Block 7 Pig Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting co-host |
| Monday, June 12, 2023 | Block 8 Sheep |
| Monday, June 19, 2023 | Block 9 & 10 Sunflowers |
| Monday, June 26, 2023 | Assembling the Top |
| Monday, July 17, 2023 | Parade of Quilts |
Patterns and Kits Available
I am listing some links for patterns and kits. They are affiliate links, so a little comes to me (no additional cost to you) to support the costs of running the blog.
- Amazon: Fab Farm pattern*
- Annie’s: Fab Farm Pattern*
- Fat Quarter Shop: Fab Farm Pattern*
- Fat Quarter Shop: Fab Farm Quilt Kit* (currently scheduled for July)
Coming Up on My Blog
Fab Farm SAL – Blocks 9 & 10 & Linky Party (6/19)
Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd
Fab Farm SAL – Assembling Fab Farm (6/26)
Linking Up
Monday Musings
Monday Sew and Tell
Midweek Makers
Oh, these are delightful and I look forward to seeing your modification and how you get it all quilted up. 🙂
Super cute sunflower blocks, Kathleen, and congrats on getting all of your blocks made during the SAL!!
Sounds like one needs to have their coffee before sewing this one-caffeine to make sure you are in the right head space, LOL. It’s another cute block!
Thanks for the tips – my sheep is done, just haven’t posted yet.
The sunflower looks complicated, but taking it step by step yields a great result! Love it! 🙂
The quilt is adorable! I love it!
I love sunflowers!! These are lovely. The grands all go to the Sunflower Field in the summer and pick the HUGE blooms!! Thanks for sharing your tips…they are awesome! And thanks for linking up with Monday Musings.
With so many little pieces, organization is key, the lack of which can be hugely frustrating. But you already know that. Love all your blocks. They re coming together nicely.