The Whimsical Workshop, LLC is a full-service design studio and retailer. We specialize in designing a large range of quilting patterns and fabrics. We also offer lectures and workshops about quilting and design internationally. The Whimsical Workshop products are available worldwide through their website:
www.thewhimiscalworkshop.com.
Make sure to check them out on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook through the links on their website.
It’s now month eight of the Block Mania Blog Hop! I can’t thank you enough for following along and coming back for this next free block! Have you made any of our previous blocks yet? If so, please send us a picture at Heidi@thewhimsicalworkshop.com or share it with us in the comments below. I would love to see what you’ve created!
If this is your first time stopping by for a free block, welcome; we’re so glad you’re here! All 7 of our previous block patterns and SVG files are available on our website, www.thewhimsicalworkshop.com. So make sure to collect them all!
The theme for this month’s block is “Flowers”, with a corresponding color palette of Reds, Pinks and Greens. I was inspired to create Dottie the Ladybug in her flower garden. Here are the links to the pattern and SVG files for Dottie.
I hope you’ve been having as much fun meeting these characters, as I’ve had in creating them. Comment below with your favorite so far, or if there’s an animal you’re still hoping we’ll create for an upcoming block.
Now let’s get started crafting our newest friend, Dottie!
To see how I assemble this block, be sure to watch the video to learn more about the block and finished design while I put everything together. I will be covering tips on finishing the edges of small pieces and how to create Dottie.
This month’s block features an assortment of basics from our friends at
Benartex Fabrics. You’ll need a mix of reds, pinks, greens, black and white.
Now download the pattern and grab your favorite fusible web
(mine is Hot Fix available here) to trace and cut the shapes for
this block.
Next, it’s time to pull out your appli-fuse sheet and placement drawing so we can start assembling Dottie. Start with the smaller areas and built out to the wings. Make sure to check out the video for the block for tips to line up the dots on the wings.
Next up is to create the flowers on an appli-fuse sheet to make assembling the entire block a snap.
You’ll also need to make a gentle curved bottom for the block. If this is a new technique for you, don’t be discouraged! I’ve already got a quick YouTube video tutorial ready for you.
Once you have your background it is time to position and press Dottie and her flowers in place. I recommend placing Dottie down first (DO NOT PRESS) and arrange the flowers as desired and then once you are happy press her in place.
Now that we have our block assembled, it’s time to pick out your favorite Aurifil threads for the finishing stitch and move to the sewing machine. As always, I am using Aurifil 50wt threads.
In the block video above, I share with you tips on how to finish the edges of these small shapes and how to add the embroidery swirl to each lollipop flower.
And there you go, now you've got a finished Dottie block!
I hope you have enjoyed this month’s free block. Make sure to visit all the other designers on the Blog hop to collect your free Flowers blocks!
Each month a group of top designers in the quilting industry will each create a FREE 12” block that fits the month’s theme and color palette. We will all post our blocks on the first Tuesday of the Month. You can hop from blog to blog to learn more about each designer and collect your free block pattern. This month’s theme is “Flowers” and I created our adorable "Dottie's Flower Garden" block for you. The pattern is available on our website. The Block Mania Blocks will only be available free of charge for the first two months afterwards they will be for sale for $5.00 as a digital download.
Make sure to check out all the different flower blocks from my fellow Block Mania Blog Hop Designers with the links below! You can also join our Facebook Group for Block Mania Here!
