Pet Shop Quilt Block

Quilt Block Mania designers are taking you on a shopping adventure this month!

Our free BOM theme is “Markets and Shops.”  You’ll have trekked the mall after you sew up each quilt block!

Come with me to the Pet Shop!

You can get the pattern HERE.

I wanted the block to be straightforward and not too complicated. The letters and bone are foundation paper-pieced.

If you’re new to foundation paper-piecing, visit Paper Panache at https://www.paperpanache.com/how-tos.  I found it great for paper-piecing directions, and many patterns on this website.

Tips on the appliqued ball:

Below, I show my applique process for preparing the ball block.

Cut a tagboard circle 3 1/2″ in diameter (shown on the pattern instruction sheet).  Cut a fabric circle at least 1/2″ larger. 

With a single thread, sew small running stitches between the tagboard edge and the fabric edge. 

Pull the ends of the thread so the fabric gathers and covers the tagboard edge. Tie the thread to hold this gather in place.

With iron, press the gathers to create a crips circular edge on the fabric.

Bend the tagboard slightly and gently remove it from inside the fabric circle. 

Center the circle on the 5″ x 5″ background fabric. Press the circle. Hold it in place with a few pins or dabs of glue.

Stitch the circle in place with hand or machine stitching.

Tie off the thread ends on the back.

Trim ball block to 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″, with ball centered on block unit.