The block for May, 2002 is the Garden of Eden. This block measures 12 inches square.  (12 1/2 inches unfinished) Instructions:  Use good quality, 100% cottonpre-washed fabrics.

1.     2.     3.     4.     5.  6.  7.       8.

Choose a small-print yellow fabric for the cross, a purple floral print for the flowers, and a white solid for the background. 1.  From the purple fabric, cut one 3 inch square.       (all cutting instructions include the seam allowance.) 2.  From the yellow fabric, cut four rectangles 3 inches by 5 1/4 inches.       3.  From the purple fabric, cut eight 3 1/4 inch squares.      From the white fabric, also cut eight 3 1/4 inch squares. Cut all sixteen squares diagonally from one corner to the other to form 16 purple and 16 white triangles. 4.  With right sides together, sew one of the purple triangles to one of the white triangles along the long edges using a 1/4" seam allowance.  You should end up with a purple and white "half-square triangle" like that pictured in graphic 4.   Press to the dark side.  Repeat for the other 15 pairs of triangles.  You will end up with sixteen 2 7/8 inch squares. 5.  Sew 2 of these squares right sides together along the purple sides with a 1/4" seam allowance.   (See graphic 5)  Repeat with the other 7 pairs of squares.  You will end up with eight "flying geese" sections.  Press all pairs to the same side. Sew 2 of these sections right sides together along the purple sides using a 1/4" seam allowance.   (pin well to make sure seams match in the center)  Repeat with the other 3 pairs of flying geese sections.  You will end up with four squares with a purple diamond in the center.   (see graphic 5) 6.  Refering to graphic 6 assemble the first row by joining two of the purple-diamond squares to either side of  a yellow cross piece along its long edge.  Repeat with the remaining two squares and another cross piece.  Press seams to the yellow sides. 7.  Refering to graphic 7 assemble the middle row by joining two of the yellow cross pieces to either side of  the 3 inch purple square sewing along the short edge of the yellow pieces.  Press seams to the yellow side. 8.  Refering to graphic 8 assemble the three rows from steps 6 & 7 into a finished block.  Press well. Your completed unfinished block will measure 12 1/2 inches. 12 inches after sewn into a quilt!

Back to Block of the Month