BIRD SEED
by Tula Pink for BERNINA
Finished side: approx. 72" x 78"
MATERIALS:
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Geese and Seeds - 27 Print Fat Quarters from Tula Pink’s Moon Shine collection for Free Spirit Fabrics
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Background - (5) 1 yard each in White, Cream, Pale Grey, Light Grey, Medium Grey Or 4 1/2 yards of a single solid background fabric
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6 yards - Sheer weight or ultra light weight fusible interfacing fusible on one side only, 20” wide •Binding - 5/8 yard
CUTTING:
From the print fat quarters cut:
(4) 5 x 10 rectangles, from 20 fat quarters
(3) 5 x 10 rectangles, from the remaining 7 fat quarters
(1) 7 1/4 x 7 1/4 square, from each fat quarter
From Background Fabrics cut a total of:
(102) 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 squares
(108) 3 7/8 x 3 7/8 squares
Draw a diagonal line on the back of each 3 7/8 square
From fusible interfacing:
On the Non-fusible side draw (102) template A seeds
Roughly cut out each seed leaving at least a 1/4 inch of interfacing around the drawn line this will be trimmed accurately after sewing.
MAKING THE FLYING GEESE:
NOTE: If you are using multiple background fabrics like the example quilt use the darkest background colors on the darkest print fabrics and the lightest background colors on the lightest print fabrics. This turns out best when you let them fall in an unexpected way.
1. Place two 3 7/8 x 3 7/8 on opposite corners on one 7 1/4 x 7 1/4 print square, right sides together. Line up the drawn diagonal line across the two 3 7/8 squares, one corner from each square will overlap.
2. Sew a scant 1/4 seam on both sides of the drawn line.
3. Cut on the drawn center line.
4. Press seams toward the background fabric.
5. Place one 3 7/8 square on the corner of one of the units created in step 4, right sides together.
6. Sew a scant 1/4 seam on both sides of the drawn line.
7. Cut on the drawn center line.
8. Press seams toward the background fabric.
9. Repeat steps 5 through 8 with the remaining unit created in step 4.
10. Steps 1 through 9 will yield 4 flying geese units.
11. Repeat steps 1 through 9 with the remaining print squares and smaller background squares to create a total of 108 Flying Geese units.
MAKING THE SEEDS:
NOTE: This method of making “seeds” also called “peels” is a faux appliqué technique. While there is a bit more prep work it is overall much quicker to accomplish.
12. Place one fusible interfacing seed, fusible side down, on one print 5 x 10 square, right side up.
13. Sew ON the drawn seed line.
14. Trim away the excess fabric leaving 1/8 seam allowance.
15. Cut a small 2 inch slit in the center of the interfacing ONLY, be extra careful not to cut the fabric. Use a stiletto or tapered scissors.
16. Gently pull the fabric through the slit turning the entire seed right side out. Use a turning tool (I use a chop stick) to gently push out the points at the top and bottom of the seed and finger press the edges of the seed.
17. Repeat steps 12 through 16 until you have created a total of 102 seeds.
18. Place one seed on top of one background square fusible side down, center the seed leaving an even 1/4 seam allowance around the outside edge. To get the seed precisely in the middle of the background square fold the square in half diagonally and lightly press the fold to create a perfectly centered diagonal line across the square.
19. Press in place, flip and press from the back as well.
20. Top stitch the peel in place with a coordinating thread.
21. Repeat steps 18 through 20 to create a total of 102 seed squares. If you are using multiple background fabrics follow the same placement strategy as with the geese placing the darkest seeds on the darkest background fabrics and the lightest seeds on the lightest background fabrics.
MAKING THE QUILT TOP:
NOTE: The cover quilt shows a gentle blending of one color to the next. Spend a little extra time laying out your seeds and geese before sewing the top together. It will make all the difference!
22. Lay out the seed squares and geese according to the Assembly diagram.
23. Sew across each of the thirteen rows first.
24. Then sew the rows together beginning at the top and ending at the bottom.
25. Layer the finished quilt top, batting and backing.
26. Quilt and bind using your preferred method.