September 08, 2020

Bloom Block- It's a Garden Party Row Along

Welcome to my stop on the It's a Garden Party Row Along! I'm excited to share my Bloom block with you today 😊 Before I do, I have to say a big thank you to Marian Pena, of Seams to be Sew, for all the work she put into organizing this row along.

After I decided to sign up to participate in the row along, I realized I had no idea what kind of block I wanted to do. I've been doing that a lot lately, signing up for things and then figuring out my block or whatever after. I knew I didn't want to design a garden scene or a collection of flowers. Not because I don't like those kinds of rows or blocks (so many of them are beautiful!), but because it didn't appeal to me as a design project. What kept coming to mind was the art of Georgia O'Keefe, except I didn't have any real idea what her art looks like, just the notion that it involved extreme close-ups of flowers. After googling her art, I didn't see any way to translate her style into a quilt, but I still loved the idea of an extreme close-up of a flower.

I also had to take into account the various sizes of rows or blocks that were required for the row along. I knew a block would be better than a row, for what I was thinking, so I decided to make a 30" block. Then I decided to put the flower in the corner, rather than the center, and that's how Bloom was designed 😊

Bloom quilt block | DevotedQuilter.com

Northcott Fabrics generously sponsors the row along, providing each of the designers with up to 1 yard of fabric. I chose this gorgeous, marbled blue to use for the background of my block.

Bloom quilt block | DevotedQuilter.com

Then I picked out a selection of orange Island Batik fabrics to use for the flower petals. I love oranges/yellows with blue (as evidenced in my Burst mini quilt). I opted for raw-edge machine applique, using a glue stick to hold the pieces in place. It's my favourite applique technique. I love that it's quick and simple, plus it looks great and doesn't add any extra stiffness to the quilt.

When I had the petals glued in place, Zachary looked at it and asked if I was making a turkey! I can see why he would have thought that! I guess I should ask him if it looks more like a flower with the solid yellow (from Northcott, too, I think) there for the flower center.

Bloom quilt block | DevotedQuilter.com

You can choose to stitch around the shapes with a matching thread, or go with a contrasting thread to create a totally different look. This time I chose to use matching thread, Aurifil 50 wt in 2390 for the flower petals and 1135 for the flower center. Zig zag stitching around applique shapes is so quick and it makes the pieces look so much more polished. It's also very forgiving - if you move a smidge to one side or the other, it still looks good.

Bloom quilt block | DevotedQuilter.com
Bloom quilt block | DevotedQuilter.com
The It's a Garden Party Row Along will be continuing through October 8th, with blocks and rows being shared on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. With the different sizes of rows and blocks being shared, you'll be able to create a garden quilt that is unique to you. There are also prizes to be won! You can enter my giveaway by scrolling down a bit farther 😊

First, though, here's the full schedule for the row along:

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Blue Heron Quilting
Carolyn Butterfield
Made By Marney
Pumpkin Patch BC
The Devoted Quilter

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Bobbin In Quilts Blog
Kissed Quilts
Patchwork Breeze
Songbird Designs/Brenda's Blog
Stitchin’ at Home

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Daughters of Dorinda
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Just Let Me Quilt
Lovingly Lissa
The Quilt Rambler

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Fabric Bash/Carpe Blogum
For the Love of Geese
Kathleen McMusing
Ms P Designs USA
QuilterChic

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Heleen Pinkster Quilt Design
Patti’s Patchwork
Quilt Schmilt
Scrapdash
Your Sewing Friend

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Charisma’s Corner
Clever Chameleon
Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio
Kathy's Kwilts and More
Mountain Meadow Designs

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Cynthia’s Creating Ark
Miss Loreen's Schoolhouse
Moose Stash Quilting
Tuning My Heart Quilts
Cheryl LaPlante

Thursday, October 01, 2020

Barbara Dieges
Linda B Creative
Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio
Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting
Ursa Minor

Tuesday, October 06, 2020

Bumbleberry Stitches
Charlie's Daughter
Seams To Be Sew
The Quilting Room with Mel
Words & Stitches

Thursday, October 08, 2020

Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Lynn's Beauty
Quilt Art
Renee's Quilting Addiction
Sew Incredibly Crazy

And now for the giveaway! Everyone likes prizes, right? Use the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win a $20 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop 😊 This giveaway will close on September 15th.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Electric Quilt is also offering 20% off all products except for EQ Academy during the row along. Use the coupon code GARDENPARTY20 to save. I do all my quilt designing using EQ8, so I can highly recommend the program, if you're interested in designing your own quilts.


Don't forget to download your free Bloom block pattern. I'd also love it if you pinned this image, to help other quilters find the pattern, too. Thanks and happy garden quilting!

Bloom quilt block | DevotedQuilter.com

90 comments:

  1. I love the colors in your block. Bright and sunny.

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  2. I really love your block! Great work!

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  3. Thank you very much for the lovely block you shared with us.

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  4. Thanks for sharing your pattern! A bit of sunshine today...

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  5. I love the colors you chose! Thanks for a great design and yes I read the shipping rules!

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  6. Nice summer to fall colors! pjrquilter at msn dot com

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  7. This is such a bright block! It will be a lovely addition to the garden quilt. Thank you.

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  8. Thanks for your block! I love dahlias and zinnias and this reminds me of them. And I did read the shipping requirements.

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  9. Great Pattern...thank you. I hope I don't offend you but I see your pattern will also work well as a quadrant...so I also plan on making 4 to make a giant 60 inch wallhanging. Thanks again....

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  10. What a bright and cheery block!

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  11. What a gorgeous block - I love the colors! And yes, I read the shipping requirements>

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  12. That is lovely. I love the fabrics and colors you used on that great background. Yes, I read the shipping requirements.

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  13. beautiful block. I love the sun. Yes, I read the shipping rules. Thanks

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  14. Your block is beautiful, very eye-catching!

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  15. The colors you chose were spot on. Love your block. Thanks for sharing your talents!

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  16. I love this big, beautiful sunflower block! It makes me feel happy. Thank you for this, and the chance to win.

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  17. I don't remember seeing this block previewed Leanne, but wow.. WOW I love it!!! Thank you so much for participating in the row along this year, your pattern certainly encourages the creative spirit that comes from all the designers to create a wonderful pattern.

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  18. Love the block! thanks for sharing it

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  19. This is a lovely sunflower and perfect. I love hearing about your design process - much like mine.

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  20. This block would make such a pretty mini wall-hanging in my sewing room. It's on my list to make, for sure! Thank you for your creativity!
    duchick at gmail dot com

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  21. What a nice cheerful block. Thank you.

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  22. Great block, Leanne! I love the large bloom. Thanks for sharing!

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  23. Great way to use up those orange scraps. Thank for a fun and cheery pattern.

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  24. Love your block! Thanks for the tutorial for glue basting the pieces - it's not a technique that I was familiar with (I've probably been avoiding applique for that reason!)

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  25. I love blue and orange together! Thank you for this cheerful pattern.

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  26. What a gorgeous block. Today's rows have sure been a great start to the hop. I read the shipping rules.

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  27. The block makes me think of the wonderful Sunflowers smiling in people's gardens this time of year. Beautiful colours, thank you.

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  28. This is a beautiful block and the fabric is lovely. It is quite modern. I've read the shipping rules. Thank you for the pattern and thanks to the wonderful sponsors.

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  29. Did not read yet, lol. Thanks for your work and the giveaway!
    cork@pa.rr.com

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  30. Thank you for the beautiful block!

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  31. Thank you so much! A beautiful block! All by itself, it will be wonderful for many things!

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  32. Thank you for the lovely pattern. The ladybug fabric you used is perfect.

    I read the shipping requirements for the row along giveaways.

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  33. Yes, I did read the shipping requirements for the row along giveaways.

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  34. Thank you for this lovely block.
    Shipping instructions, didn't find them here but off to seamstress to read!

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  35. Having to pay for shipping for some of the prizes doesn't apply here. Great block, wonderful prize from Fat Quarter shop!

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  36. Your applique stitches are just perfect!

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  37. Love the quilt block....the colors are a bit like a turkey that kids in school have made from paper...lol...thank you for reminding us to check the shipping requirements as a row along like this is much more than being able to get a free block pattern.

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  38. Such a fun block in wonderful autumn colors! Yes, I read shipping!

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  39. I love your idea of a close-up of a flower in the corner. No, I have not read about the shipping. Guess I need to go back and do that. Nancy A: SewingGranda@gmail.com

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  40. i did read the rules :) I love your bright cheery flower. It reminds me of a summer garden!

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  41. Thank you for this great block

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  42. Thank you, Very nice
    Elizabeth, Silverdale, WA

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  43. Thank you for sharing...love the colour palette and off centre design!

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  44. Great pattern! Thanks for sharing.

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  45. You bet I read the requirements. Marian knows how to get a reader's attention. :) As do you, with this vibrant block!

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  46. I really like this block, thank you. Oh yes, I've been part of Marion's blog hops before. We all pay for shipping and handling of any prize we win.

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  47. Great block, and I love the way you combined all the gorgeous oranges to contrast with the beautiful blue background! Yes, I am aware of the shipping requirements

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  48. I am having a great time "hopping" and am delighted with your pattern. I understand the shipping requirements.

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  49. Thank you, very nice block! Love the colors.

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  50. Love your block, this would be great for the center of a quilt with all the other blocks around it.

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    1. I did read the shipping rules, thank you for the chance to win.

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  51. No, I haven't read the rules.

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  52. Love your block! Thanks for sharing too... Yes..read the shipping info :) Thank you for chance to win the Give-a-way :D

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  53. What a beautiful block, I love the sunshine-y colors against that dark blue.I did read the shipping rules, too. bestbelle2010@aol.com

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  54. That’s a cool block Leanne! Maybe next year I’ll sign up for one or some of these hops! I love the Northcott blue background you chose too. I love Georgia O’Keefe’s art too!

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  55. Thanks for your beautiful block. I understand the amount of work that is involved in providing this to us.

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  56. Read the shipping rules. And I love your quilt block. Such tiny stitches on the edge of the flower petals. Beautiful!

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  57. says fall it says fall for sure. Fun block with lovely colors.

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  58. Thank You ~ I can see a flower in my future :)

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  59. Yes, I did read the guidelines. Love this off-center flower - it reminds me of fall. Thank you for the pattern.

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  60. What a blooming lovely block 😉
    Yes I did read the shipping rules.
    Thank you for sharing your pattern and the creative process story!

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  61. What a vivid block to add to our row along. Thanks so much for your time and work making the pattern and sharing it with us for free. Yes I read and understand the shipping rules.
    Carol McWhorter

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  62. Beautiful blooms for any gardener!

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  63. Beautiful center piece block! Sadly, the colors remind me of all the wildfires that surround me in Oregon. Our sky is the color of the deepest oranges used in your beautiful block. I've been a follower of your blog and you always inspire and love your personal sewing projects. I read and understand your shipping rules.

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  64. Nice block, and you could easily make a turkey with it.

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  65. I did read the rules--and thanks for a beautiful block!

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  66. My granddaughter loves Sunflowers, I see this as a wall hanging for her room.. Thank you for the pattern..

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  67. Orange in any shade is my favorite colour so I love this quilt. I read the shipping requirements.

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  68. Thank you for sharing your lovely design!

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  69. I have read about the shipping rules. I absolutely love your block - thanks so much!

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  70. Love this block it will look great over my fireplace.

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  72. Yes, I did read the shipping rules.

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  73. Your flower is just gorgeous! Thank you!

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  74. The flower block is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

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  75. This block is so beautiful. I know exactly how I want to quilt the leaves.

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  76. Bloom block is bright and pretty.

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  77. It's like a sunrise and a flower all in one. :) Thanks for sharing your pattern, much appreciated.

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