Summer Sampler Series: Flower Garden Path

*** I have posted an alternate method to piecing this block, if piecing 32 hst pairs isn't your style. Both methods work, so choose whichever one suits your style***

Welcome to the fourth installment of the Summer Sampler Series. Are you having fun? I know that I am! I have loved seeing everyone's blocks in the flickr pool.  Today's block is referred to in Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns as Flower Garden Path. [In the Farmer's Wife book (and quilt-a-long), the block is referred to as Garden Path, while Flower Garden Path is made up of the same sub-blocks, but arranged differently).

Flower Garden Path is categorized as a four patch block, or four equal squares organized in a two by two grid alignment.  Four patch blocks are some of the most commonly used blocks, and are often subdivided. With this block, there are 9 (!) blocks in each four patch, which makes this a (gasp) 36 patch block. I think that half of the quilts I make have less blocks and seams than this 12.5 inch (unfinished) block. But this is what this series is all about, right? Trying something new, making sampler blocks that you wouldn't necessarily want to make a whole quilt out of, and skill-building. Flower Garden Path's construction is actually straightforward; it is made up entirely of half square triangles (HSTs) with one square in the center. I tried piecing this a few different ways, and in the end I decided that actually piecing the 32 HST blocks resulted in the best block.  I think most of my skill-building with this block took place in the form of accuracy and patience, two skills we all know I need more of.

FLOWER GARDEN PATH TUTORIAL
Cut pieces according to photo and diagram below. You should end up with 25 pieces.

Note: The tutorial calls for 20 squares that measure 2 7/8 inch. Each of these will be sewn into hst pairs. If you aren't completely comfortable with the thought of accurately piecing 2.5 inch finished hst pairs, I suggest cutting your blocks in 3 inch squares. It will give you a little more wiggle room in accuracy; you will want to square up your hst pairs to 2.5 inches regardless. 

 

Block Pieces	Size	Cut
Inside Square (kona snow) Background (kona snow)	4.5 inch square 2 7/8 square	1 12
Diamond (blue bandana)	2 7/8 square	10
Corner pieces (multi color)	2.5 inch square	4
Triangles (multi color)	2 7/8 inch square	4 [or 8, if you want a scrappier look]

2. Draw a diagonal line (mechanical pencil works well) from corner to corner of each of your printed background squares. Match background squares with colored squares and sew 1/4 inch on both sides of the line.

3. Cut the square in half along the pencil-drawn line, which results in two hst pairs. Iron seams open and trim pairs to 2.5 inches. (To trim, line up the seam with the 45 degree angle marking on your ruler and trim blocks to 2.5 inches, as shown below).

 4. Lay out your quilt according to the diagram below.

5. There multiple ways to sew these itty bitty squares together. I sewed seams as follows:
A to B, C to D, E to F, G to H, I to J, K to L, M to N, (skip O), P to Q, R to S, T to U, V to W, X to Y, Z to aa, bb to cc, dd to ee, ff to gg.

Press seams open; make sure to press the front of the blocks as you go along as well. This will help your block lay flat/avoid puckers.

6. Sew Blocks A to B and B to C; D to E and E to F; G to J; (ignore H); I to J and J to K; L to M and M to N; and O to P and P to Q

Press seams open; make sure to press the front of the blocks as you go along.

7. Continue to construct your quilt block according to the diagram below. 

8. Sew Blocks A to B and B to C; D to E and E to F; G to H and H to I.

Press seams open; make sure to press the front of the blocks as you go along.

Sew A to B and B to C. Press seams and you are done!  As you can see, my block has some small issues, but I was pretty happy about how it turned out! Enjoy sewing your block, and remember--be patient, be precise, and get piecing!

Happy Sewing!

Flickr Group
Block #1: Star of Virginia
Block #2: Greek Cross
Block #3: Mosaic
Block #4: Flower Garden Path