Sharing a
creative connection™

Christmas Wishes Block of the Month

Center Medallion Block, Sashing, and Borders

"Center Medallion"

The fabric requirements for the entire quilt are available here.

Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A —One 10 1/4" square

From 4 3/4"-wide strip, cut two 4 3/4"** squares (**cut twice diagonally)

From 9 1/2"-wide strip, cut twelve 9 1/2" x 2 1/2" pieces (sashing)

From 3 3/4" x 32" strip, cut two 3 3/4" x 7" pieces, three 3 3/4" squares

Fabric B —From 4 1/2"-wide strip, cut three 4 1/2"* squares (*cut once diagonally)

Fabric C —From 6"-wide strip, cut two 4 3/4" squares** (**cut twice diagonally), three 3 3/4" squares

Five 3" x 42" strips (Outside Border)

Six 2 3/4" x 42" strips (binding)

Fabric D —Scraps for two leaves

Fabric E —From 12 1/2"-wide strip, cut two 12 1/2"* squares (*each cut once diagonally) and pieces for stems

From 3 3/4"-wide strip, cut three 3 3/4" squares

Five 1" x 42" strips (First Border)

Fabric I (Center Block Border)—Two 1" x 24 1/2" strips, two 1" x 23 1/2" strips

Backing—3 1/8 yards

Batting—55" x 55"

Lightweight Fusible Interfacing (optional)—1/4 yard

Making the Center Medallion Block

  1. Sew together one Fabric A triangle and one Fabric C triangle making sure Fabric A is on the right side as shown. Press. Make six.


  2. Sew unit from step 1 to one Fabric B triangle as shown. Press. Make six. Square unit to 3 3/4" centering intersection of seams.


  3. Sew together one 3 3/4" Fabric A square and unit from step 2 as shown. Press. Make three.


  4. Refer to Quick Corner Triangles. Making a quick corner triangle sew one 3 3/4" Fabric E square to one 3 3/4" Fabric C square as shown. Press. Make three.


  5. Sew together one unit from step 2 and one unit from step 4 as shown, noting orientation of triangles. Press. Make three.


  6. Sew together one unit from step 3 and one unit from step 5 as shown. Press, twisting seams. Make three.


  7. Sew one 3 3/4" x 7" Fabric A piece between two units from step 6 as shown, noting direction of squares. Press.


  8. Sew together one 3 3/4" x 7" Fabric A piece and one unit from step 6 as shown. Press.


  9. Sew together 10 1/4" Fabric A square and unit from step 8 as shown. Press.


  10. Sew together unit from step 9 and unit from step 7 as shown. Press. Lily Block measures 17" square.


  11. Sew unit from step 10 between two Fabric E triangles; triangle corners will extend past edge of block. Press seams toward triangles. Sew this unit between two remaining Fabric E triangles as shown. Press. Square unit to 23 1/2" to ensure a correct size for the surrounding blocks.

 

Adding the Appliqués

  1. Refer to Quick-Fuse Appliqué directions. (For hand appliqué, refer to Hand Appliqué and add 1/4"-wide seam allowance to appliqué patterns.) On paper side of fusible web trace two Lily Leaf Patterns, one Curved Stem Pattern, and one Curved Stem Pattern reversed. Draw one ½” x 14 ¼” Straight Stem Piece onto paper side of fusible web. Use Fabric D scraps for leaves and Fabric E for stems to prepare appliqués.
  2. Referring to layout, position appliqués on block making sure they are centered and aligned. Trim Straight Stem Piece as needed. Leaves are 3 3/4" from base of stem. Fuse in place. Finish appliqué edges with machine satin stitch or decorative stitching as desired.

 

Assembling the Quilt

Once all the blocks are constructed they should be measured for accuracy and consistency. If a block is more than 1/8" different from the correct size, an adjustment should be made. The most effective way to adjust size is to change the size of the sashing or borders. If a 9 1/2" square block measures smaller, cut wider sashing (perhaps 2 3/4" x 9 1/2" instead of 2 1/2" x 9 1/2") to adjust for the difference. Sizes for the Block/Sashing units are given in the steps below. When sewing two units of different sizes together, sew with the smaller unit on top and the larger unit next to the feed dogs as the top piece may stretch slightly as sewn.

Prior to sewing the blocks together arrange all sashing pieces and blocks together around Center Medallion to determine the most pleasing arrangement for your quilt. Our blocks are placed starting with Block One in the upper left corner and moving around the center in a clockwise direction.

  1. Referring to layout, sew two 1" x 23 1/2" Fabric I strips to opposite sides of Center Medallion block. Press seams toward Fabric I. Sew 1" x 24 1/2" Fabric I strips to remaining sides. Press.
  2. Referring to quilt layout, arrange and sew together three 2 1/2" x 9 1/2" Fabric A pieces and Blocks Two and Three. Press seams toward sashing (Fabric A). Unit measures 9 1/2" x 24 1/2".
  3. Arrange and sew together three 2 1/2" x 9 1/2" Fabric A pieces and Blocks Nine and Eight. Press. Unit measures 9 1/2" x 24 1/2".
  4. Referring to layout sew Center Medallion between units from steps 1 and 2. Press seams toward center. Unit measures 24 1/2" x 42 1/2".
  5. Arrange and sew together Blocks Four, Five, Six, Seven, and three 2 1/2" x 9 1/2" Fabric A pieces. Press. Unit measures 9 1/2" x 42 1/2". Sew this unit to right side of Center Medallion unit. Press.
  6. Referring to layout arrange and sew together Blocks One, Twelve, Eleven, Ten, and three 2 1/2" x 9 1/2" Fabric A pieces. Press. Unit measures 9 1/2" x 42 1/2". Sew this unit to left side of Center Medallion unit. Press.

Adding the Borders

  1. Sew together five 1" x 42" Fabric E First Border strips end-to-end to make one continuous 1"-wide border strip. Measure quilt through center from side to side. Cut two 1"-wide border strips to this measurement. Sew to top and bottom of quilt. Press seams toward border.
  2. Measure quilt through center from top to bottom including borders just added. Cut two 1"-wide First Border strips to this measurement. Sew to sides of quilt. Press.
  3. Refer to steps 1 and 2 to join, measure, trim, and sew 3"-wide Outside Border strips to top, bottom, and sides of quilt. Press.

Layering and Finishing

  1. Cut backing in half crosswise. Sew pieces together to make one 56" x 80" (approximate) backing piece. Press and trim to 55" x 55".
  2. Arrange and baste backing, batting, and top together. Machine or hand quilt.
  3. Refer to Binding the Quilt. Sew 2 3/4"-wide binding strips end-to-end to make one continuous 2 3/4"-wide binding strip. Bind quilt to finish.

Website visitors have permission to print this project for personal use only. This project may not be copied or otherwise reproduced without the express written permission of Debbie Mumm®.