March, 2002 BOM
September 23, 2006

     This is a very simple pieced pattern made from 2.5" x 2.5" squares.  The finished size is 16"; the unfinished size is 16.5".

     This block would be an excellent block to make in an effort to use up scraps of fabric... and if you don't have enough of one fabric, then group them into colors and arrange them in a more "scrappy" look.

     Since each block resembles a flower, the center square is yellow, referred to as Fabric A.  The next "ring" of squares can be any color, but for this block, I'm going to refer to this inner ring of four (4) squares as Fabric B.  The next "ring" going outward from the Fabric A "ring" is made up of eight (8) squares, which I'll refer to as Fabric C.  The outer "ring" is Fabric D, and is made from  12 greens, which resemble the leaves of a flower.  The background fabric can either be white, cream/tan, or even black, and will be referred to as Fabric E.

     Each block consists of 64 - 2.5" x 2.5" squares and sews together very quickly.  Be sure to use a "scant" 1/4" seam allowance so that the block measures accurately when finished.  And for you quilters that are more "experienced", you may quickly notice that you can use strips for the "white" areas, rather than squares.  I actually made a block using the strips instead of squares for the background fabric, and honestly, it just didn't look right.  So, although this would quicken the time to make the block, in my opinion, it also detracts a little from the overall look.  Of course, this is a personal preference.

     Since this quilt has a very light background, it is important to pre-wash fabrics in order to avoid bleeding.  It is also wise to use 100% cottons.

     What a wonderful block to swap with friends!  Use your favorite spring fabrics and colors to make a bright and cheerful quilt to enjoy the year 'round.

     Now, on to the instructions!

1. Using the pattern above, assemble the squares into eight rows (notice that rows 2 and 8 are the same, rows 3 and 7 are the same, and rows 4 and 6 are the same?), with eight squares in each row as shown in the following diagram, using a scant "just shy of" 1/4" seam:
   

2. In row 1, press the seams to the right. In row 2, press seams to the left.  Row 3 to the right.  And so on, with the odd rows going to the right and the even rows to the left.  If you get this backwards, it still works out right, as long as you press each row in the opposite direction of the preceding row.  Why do this?  By doing it this way, when you begin sewing rows together, you find that each place where two seams match automatically "snug" together and "lock" into place.  I use this technique and it does away with pinning.

3. Next, assemble the eight rows into a block, as shown in the following diagram:
   

4. Press the rows so that they all go in one direction.    By being careful and paying attention to where the blocks are going to go in a quilt, if you alternate the pressing between up on one block, down on the next, you'll find they "snug" together when you join blocks.  Same principle as explained in step 2.

5. Each block, at this point, should measure 16.5".  Once it is sewn into a quilt, it finishes at 16".

Congratulations, you've finished the block!

     Are you wondering how much background fabric these samples use?  Refer to the handy chart below for background fabric requirements information!

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