I’ve been wanting to work on some Grandmother’s Flower Garden blocks for some time. I made a couple of these blocks a few years ago for a sampler quilt and wasn’t really happy with the method I used to make them (I made a mylar template and ironed my fabrics around it before hand-stitching). The pieces didn’t seem to hold their shape well, and I got many burns on my fingers while ironing! Later, I took a machine-pieced flower garden class and was pleased with the results…but for some reason I still wanted to make these blocks by hand.
I decided to use a Moda Jelly Roll of Aviary to make my flower garden blocks…one Moda Jelly Roll will make 40 grandmother’s flower garden blocks if you use a coordinating fabric for the flower centers (I wanted my flower centers to be yellow and found a perfect coordinating yellow in the Moda Simplicity line, also by 3 Sisters). My hexagons are 1 ¾″ wide…this is the widest size hexagon that can be used with a Jelly Roll strip. I took my regular freezer paper roll and made some 8 ½″ x 11″ sheets…then I copied the template from this post by Robyn of Daisy Quilts and ran them off on my freezer paper. The method I’m using to make the flowers is from Karen at Sew Many Ways. I’m so grateful to Karen for sharing her method…it’s absolutely foolproof!
I’ve mentioned before that I love having “take-along” projects to work on…stitchery and applique’…but these are even easier to take along…I’m definitely hooked!Oh, and run…don’t walk…to your nearest Target and buy this:
I saw this on Carrie’s blog recently and then Carol of Brown Quilts mentioned it was available at Target. I picked some up and tried it on a ruler yesterday…it is amazing. I’ve tried other products on the back of my rulers and NOTHING works like this! Your ruler or template will not slide on the fabric with this tape on the back!
I saw this on Carrie’s blog recently and then Carol of Brown Quilts mentioned it was available at Target. I picked some up and tried it on a ruler yesterday…it is amazing. I’ve tried other products on the back of my rulers and NOTHING works like this! Your ruler or template will not slide on the fabric with this tape on the back!
Oh, and one last thing…I found something new to me on the “Coming Soon” page of the Fat Quarter Shop…I really wanted to copy this picture…but it’s copyrighted of course! I absolutely can’t wait to buy …the Christmas Moda Bake Shop Box!!! It contains two different rolls of Moda Honey Bun Strips in Christmas fabrics…along with a pattern for a Christmas stocking! How cute is that?!!! It has an expected shipment date of June…if anyone sees it for sale anytime earlier…please let me know! Hope you get to sew today!
jen duncan says
Yep; good news–I DO get to sew today!
Thanks so much for the tape tip. I’ve been trying to use felt pads and there’s WAY too much airspace between the fabric and the ruler 🙂 Darling honey buns packages. Wonder how many of us will just hoard them (probably most of us, huh?)
Nedra says
You certainly gave some great tips today! I loved learning a new method for GFG and I have the tape on my shopping list.
Thanks!
Nanette Merrill and daughters says
I will have to get some of that tape stuff. I always have problems with rulers. And Moda just keeps getting better and better.
Quilt Hollow says
I just love your blog…keep coming back for all the gorgeous eye candy.
Stina says
Grandmothers Garden in a new way.. that I have to check out… Yours look just heavenly…but with that fabric..who wouldn´t..;o)
The tape sounds like a magic one… wonder if I can find something similar here… Hmmmm
Linda says
Thanks for the tip on the tape, and that moda Christmas package, that would come in handy for the Christmas swap.
Carrie P. says
Thanks so much for those links. I love the idea of printing the hexagons from the printer. Those stocking are cute too that you are wanting to make.
Julie Isa says
i’m so glad i follow your blog!!! you are full of wonderful ideas!!! thank you and have a great day!
Carrie says
I love the JR Flower Garden! What a terrific idea! A GFG quilt has been on my “I will make someday… list” for years and I think this is what will be the one! Gracias!
While I am sorry you couldn’t stay for class ~ I hope your event was a smashing success! ~ I am so glad you took the time to come on Thursday night. It was so much fun to meet you ~ and put a face to the name/blog!
And in order…
— I’m glad you enjoyed the goodies.
— I love your Pinwheel Quilt ~ and yes, you should name your quilts with something that means something to you!
— I still love your Patisserie bag! Thanks to you, I’m making a Patisserie bag of my own.
— I’m glad you like the Nexcare tape ~ it really is the best!
Linda says
Sherri,
I love your garden square. I have a plastic template, I can't remember the name, but it makes the little octogens easy to make. However, I never seem to have the time to get things together to complete. I really enjoy your blog. Thanks so much for sharing.
Grace & Peace and Happy Quilting
Linda
Kaaren says
I started my GFG hwxie quilt a while before I started blogging and had them all cut out and put together before Karen had her tutorial. I worked on it for quite a while then took a break. I’m now getting the itch to go back to it and I just might.
Thanks for the sharing all the links. They all make for interesting reading and ideas.
belinda says
Hi Sherri…well, in taking my break I see I got behind in knowing what you have been up to. You have some great posts and wonderful quilts to show too. I must try that tape. I love that your post is full of great links and shared info. I also want to do some GFG blocks. I have been seeing those ‘Hexs’ everywhere!!! Thank you so much for your visit!!
Candace says
Sherri – thanks so much for this – I really want to do hexagons at some point! Wish I’d known about that tape – I just replaced all my rulers with Olfa’s non-slip rulers – and I really do like them!
Cheers!
Material Mary says
I checked out your blog and it is so fun and I am all inspired now. Way to go….
Mary
Joy says
Sherri I LOVE your Aviary hexies!! Isn’t it just the most delicious line of fabric. so soft and pretty!!?! I have to get some :o). They will make a really stunning Grandmother’s Garden quilt – are you doing a ‘path’ between the flowers?
Love the Chrissy stockings too, what a fabulous idea!!!
Hugs,
Joy :o)
Mary on Lake Pulaski says
Thanks for all the good stuff!!
Pat / Silver Thimble Quilt Co. says
I’m going to go get some of that tape! I could have used some today. I wonder if the new Moda goodies will be showing at Spring Market. I will be there scouting it out…
Love the GFG. Oh maybe there will be one in my future…
Pat
Millie says
Great tips. I just love the soft Moda colors and it is just perfect for a grandma’s flower garden quilt.
Peg - Happy In Quilting says
Sherri…your hexagon flowers, they are just gorgeous…thanks for sharing the tips.
Sew Many Ways... says
Thanks so much for mentioning my blog on this post. Your flowers look great and I love the fabric. I’ll be mailing your vintage fabric soon. I’m just finishing up on something that I’m adding to the package!
~Karen~
Carol says
I love your GFG…that fabric is just gorgeous. I’ve never tried one…I may have to give it a whirl. Glad you passed the tape tip on!
Jilly's Space says
Thank-you for the tip and I will be checking on that sale for June!
Karen says
Very pretty.
ElizabethandJeff says
I LOVE those GFG. I am making a small one right now. Then I want to do a bigger one when I’m done. I love the Aviary fabric for it. Have you looked on The Great Hexagon Quilt Along blog? I have a link from mine. They have tons of great ideas.
Eileen says
So many good tips in your post. I’ll have to look for that tape! It is on my list for the next time I’m at Target.
amandajean says
it’s going to be a beautiful quilt! i love that fabric!
Threeundertwo says
This is great – I think I’m going to try a GFG like this!
And thank you for the tip on the tape for rulers! So glad I stopped by.
Cher says
ohhhhhhhh TYVM! for the tape tip..will get that…but the Moda pack u referred to…OMGARSH! I will be ordering for my sis for christmas…she loves MODA! TY TY TY, cher