DIY Network

Handiwork: Grandma's Flower Garden Quilt An updated version of a traditional quilt pattern From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-133

In Stephannie Behrens's modern take on Grandma's Flower Garden, which uses freezer paper to create the template, each hexagon becomes its own flower in a rainbow of colors.

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Materials:

	Grandma's Flower Garden Quilt
	PDF Click here for complete instructions and charts.

3-1/2"x3-1/2" fabric squares in the following colors and quantity:
red (46)
yellow (19)
green (28)
blue (33)
orange (42)
purple (37)
pink (27)
2 yds. black fabric for border, backing and binding
45"x60" cotton batting
1-1/2" hexagon template
plastic-coated freezer paper
cotton sewing thread, any color, for basting
cotton hand-quilting thread in red, yellow, green, blue, orange, purple, pink and black
size-10 straw needles
sharp pencil
paper scissors
fabric scissors
single hole punch
toothpick

1. Using the hexagon template (figure A), trace 232 hexagons onto the dull side of the freezer paper with the pencil (figure B). Cut out each of the hexagons exactly on the lines, using the paper scissors. Take your time and be precise about this step. Use the hole punch to make one hole in the center of each hexagon.

Figure A

Figure B

2. With a hot, dry iron, iron each paper hexagon to the wrong side of one of the squares of fabric. The shiny side of the freezer paper should face the wrong side of the fabric. The freezer paper hexagons will stick to the fabric. Trim the fabric with the fabric scissors to the shape of the hexagon, leaving at least 1/4" excess fabric on each side of the hexagon.

Note: Do not put the shiny side of the freezer paper to the hot iron: it will stick to the iron.

3. Using the basting thread, fold the edge of the fabric over the template and baste down, sewing right through the paper.

4. Whipstitch the basted hexagons together along the very edge (figure C), catching just a few threads on each piece using the matching hand-quilting thread. Knot each piece at the end of both sides. Follow the attached diagram for placement (figure D). When you have to inset a hexagon, sew along one side and then fold the quilt to line up the next set of stitches.

Figure C

Figure D

5. When all of the hexagons are sewn together, snip and remove the basting threads. Using a toothpick, carefully remove the paper from each piece.

6. Cut two 3-1/2" and two 4" strips of black fabric, selvage to selvage, for borders. Using black thread, whipstitch the longer ends of the quilt to the 3-1/2" border pieces and the remaining sides to the 4" border pieces.

7. Saving 1/4 yd. of black fabric for binding, use the remaining black fabric and batting to quilt the piece as you see fit. Bind with black fabric.

GUESTS :

Stephannie Behrens
E-mail: stepho@silanastitchworks.com
Website: www.silanastitchworks.com