2015 Adventure Quilt – Block of the Month #3

Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle

2015 Adventure Quilt – Block of the Month #3

Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle

March is National Quilting Month; let’s celebrate with the third of twelve in the Block of the Month pattern series. Once complete, the blocks will comprise what I’m calling, The 2015 Adventure Quilt. Join us on our journey as we stitch our way through many quilting fabrics and scraps using assorted techniques. I’ve compiled a collection of blocks that look great as a sampler, which features one stitched block for each month, or as a single block in a quilt design.
Our third Block of the Month pattern is the Scrappy Quarter Circle Block. Quarter-circle blocks are generally pieced together using two shapes with opposing seams. Talk about difficult! My quarter-circle block is made as an appliqué. Quilting with curves couldn’t be easier!
Last month, the Cornered Hearts block was made with one of the Trace ‘n Create Quilt Templates—Carefree Curves templates. This month, use another template from the same set, selecting the 1/4-Circle and Circle Template.
Remember, this quilt will be a scrap adventure for you and me. Total yardage for the entire quilt is not provided; rather we will be working in a color palette of scraps (or Fat Quarters).
If you’d like this block pattern as a downloadable PDF, please click the “Print Post as PDF” button at the lower right of this post.

Notions, Fabrics, and Supplies:

Getting Started:

Throughout this adventure, I am working in a scrappy palette of three colors. Any three colors should work. I’ll be working with black, white, and a green/chartreuse color collection. As I rummaged through my quilting fabric scraps, I found that I had the below collection on hand, many from Riley Blake Designs.
2a Choose Fabrics copy

Keep in mind that you may need to add interchangeable pieces as the months progress. I found out that as I made this third Block of the Month quilt block some of my go-to fabrics were now gone. A small allover black print was the first fabric that needed to be replaced, and then I purchased a small green polka dot print. As this quilt adventure progresses, you too may need to buy additional fabrics. How’s that for an excuse to buy fabric?

Scrappy Quarter Circle Block

The block this month measures 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″, and it measures 12″x 12″ once it is stitched into a final project. A 1/4″ seam allowance is included.

Cutting Directions:

  • Select eight fabrics from the scrap fabric grouping. Choose light, medium, and dark fabrics.
  • Cut four 6-1/2″ background squares for each block.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Cut four 4-1/2″ additional squares from both cotton and fusible interfacing, such as Sofshape, for each quarter-circle appliqué.
  • Stack the 4-1/2″ squares of fabric and interfacing, right side of fabric to the smooth (non-fusible) side of the interfacing.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  •  Place the circle template over the square set, align the corners, and trace the 1/4-Circle for 6″ Finished Block arch size.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Set the machine at a shorter stitch length, 2.0 mm. Stitch along each curve.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Trim away the excess fabric from the outer curve using a pinking blade.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Trim the excess interfacing from the interior of the quarter-circle, leaving approximately 1″ of interfacing.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Turn the interfacing to the wrong side. Glide a point of the turning tool along the stitching line to smooth the curve.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Press the interfacing to the wrong side of the quarter-circle.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Position the quarter-circle on a background quarter.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Thread the needle with clear,monofilament thread or thread that matches the fabric. (We used monofilament thread.) Stitch along the curve with a straight stitch. Also stitch the sides of the quarter-circle to the background square.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle

Note from Nancy: I don’t trim the excess from behind the appliqué. The extra layer of fabric has never caused a bulk issue in my quilt projects.

  • Arrange four quarter-circle sections in a pleasing arrangement.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter CircleNancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Align the top two and lower sections, right sides together. Stitch with a ¼″ seam allowance.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Press the seam open.
Note from Nancy: There are two options when pressing seams: Press the seams open or press both seams to one side. Due to the number of layers of fabric, I prefer to press the seams open for this scrappy block.
Nancy Zieman BOM March 107
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle

  • Join the block halves, right sides together, matching the center seam. Stitch with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Press the seam allowance open.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle

Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle

Share your 2015 Adventure Quilt Blocks Socially

If you have a blog site, website, or online social sewing group, feel free to grab the code and share this button.

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If you are on social sites like Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, or Facebook, let all your friends know you are working on The 2015 Adventure Quilt Blocks by tagging your post with the hashtag:  #NZBoM.
The hashtag is a searchable “word” associated with an event or activity, which when searched on popular social websites, like Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, and Facebook shows every single post using that hashtag. Even if you don’t personally know that stitcher, you’ll see her/his progress and a photo. Hashtags are a fun way to network and connect with people who share similar interests.

What would a quilt look like?

As part of this Block of the Month series, included are ideas of what a quilt might look like if you made it with only this month’s block. Some of the concepts have sashing and others do not. These quilts are a good way to brainstorm what this block looks like repeated.

  • This quilt features scrappy blocks, set in sashing and traditional cornerstones. This quilt also uses a double border.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  •  The following quilt uses the quarter-circle block but has a planned, rather than a scrappy fabric arrangement.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle
  • Changing up the “What would a quilt look like” feature, I decided to include a bed runner. Bed runners lay at the foot of the mattress, warming your feet and giving a bit of accent color to the room. Mixing up the fabric placement creates these large black focus squares. This would measure 24″ x 72″.
Nancy Zieman | March 2015 Block of the Month | Scrappy Quarter Circle

Watch more on Trace ‘n Create Quilt Templates—Carefree Curves Collection on Sewing With Nancy part two of Carefree Curves.

2015 Adventure Quilt Block of the Month by Nancy Zieman/Carefree Curves Template

To watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.

In the 2015 Adventure Quilt Block of the Month series, we’ll be making twelve fun blocks from five different templates/tools: Carefree Curves Template, Dresden Template, Grandmother’s One Patch Template, Lone Star Template, and the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge.

Find the instructions for the first three 2015 Adventure Quilt Blocks HERE.


Watch for the next block to arrive on the third Saturday of each month!

Bye for now,

Nancy Zieman The Blog
 
 
 

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14 Comments

  • Kerri Hunter
    March 21, 2015

    I love this BOM!! I don’t have the tools but I’m making templates up as I go!!

  • Judy G
    March 21, 2015

    The very first quilt I ever made, some 35 years ago, was a “Drunkard’s Path” variation as this one is. Sure wish I’d know about this interfacing/applique trick back then!

  • Connie W
    March 21, 2015

    One of your many great features of all your blogs, Nancy, is that I keep a list of all the handy tools you feature. The circle template will go to the top of my list. These quilts are so eye catching in both design and color. Thank you for more ideas to add to my wish list!

  • Helen
    March 21, 2015

    This is the second BOM I’ve done and love it! With Nancy’s easy directions, the blocks go together so easily.

  • JoanMarie
    March 21, 2015

    This is fun! I have not yet made a quilt but have used these shapes in other instances. THANK YOU FOR THE DETAIL INFORMATION & PICTURES TO GO ALONG WITH… I am such a visual needs person & you certainly make ( and SHOW) the steps clearly. Bless your heart.

  • Edna Marks
    March 21, 2015

    Can’t get the file to print to pdf so I can save it, Is any one else having this problem?

      • Edna Marks
        March 23, 2015

        When the new window opens it is blank. I have waited for several minutes to see if something loads but it doesn’t. I really want to save this since I want to make this quilt but don’t have time right now.

  • yolanda
    March 23, 2015

    Nancy muchas gracias por este tutorial siempre me facinao estos trabajos pero hasta hora los estoy haciendo poco a poco

  • battymom
    July 11, 2015

    I guess I don’t understand what secures the curve of the secure to the square. The directions say to sew along the edge, and I don’t see thread lines on the circle itself. Does this leave a little “pocket” or unsecured “curved edge” or am I missing something.
    I love the look of thisl Just trying to figure it out.

  • Audrey C. Eberhardt
    September 19, 2016

    9-19-16
    I was interrupted during your demo on quarter circle squares.
    I thought you used two colors. Where can I get the pattern, instructions and the tools ?

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