Lessons learned in the pumpkin patch

I am still trying to catch up on the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge from Patterns by Jen.

The block for June is the amazing Pumpkin.

With the other inspirations, I have used the actual fruit or vegetable, but it was IMPOSSIBLE to find a pumpkin in mid-June!! The Produce manager in my favorite store looked incredulous that I was even asking!!!

So, instead of comparing the fabrics to the colors on hand, I just went from memory and quickly picked out two orange fabrics…..one darker and one slightly lighter. In retrospect, I wish that there had been a bit more contrast but, hey……the block is finished!!!

As with most of these challenge blocks, the cutting sizes were very specific, including several that were cut to a 1/8th inch measurement. Needless to say, I was VERY careful with my cutting!!

First, I was to make 8 flying-geese blocks using the “no waste” method. I had read about this technique but had never used it so I had to follow the instructions carefully.

The first step was to draw a diagonal line on the back of the 8 smaller squares and then place them on opposite corners of the larger square and then sew 1/4-inch on either side of the line…….

The next step was to “pre-iron” the triangles before I cut them apart…..

This helps to set the seams and keeps the bias stitching straighter.

Then I cut the piece along the drawn line…..

I pressed the triangles out, leaving this weird looking shape…..

Next, add another square to the open corner and sew along each side of the drawn line……

Again with the “pre-iron”….

….followed by cutting on the drawn line.

The result was 8 flying geese blocks, although they were too big and needed to be cut down to size.

As I started trying to figure out how to best cut them to the correct size, I remembered my previously mentioned trick about putting markings on my ruler that will make the cutting easier.

In this case, the block was trimmed to 1.5 x 2.5. The first mark that I made was at 1.25-inch (1/2 of the 2.5 width). I then marked the 1/4 inch at the top and the lines of the flying geese as well…..

I am using a wash away pen so that I can easily clean the ruler!!

Before making the first cut, I positioned my drawn triangle on top of the pieced one….

….and made the cuts. You can see that the right hand triangle is a bit short but not by TOO much!!

For the second cut, I turned the block the other direction and just used the normal ruler lines to line it up…..

I really enjoyed making the flying geese by this technique and especially like that I am not wasting a bunch of triangles!!

I learned even more while making this block and want to show you all of it, so come back tomorrow for the big reveal of the “GREAT PUMPKIN” block!!!