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I'm posting this one day early as the 1st of the month is also Wednesday, so this spreads out the fun a bit.
A little Secret today… a Secret Garden that is! I LOVE finding a secret garden tucked away. I'm so excited to see all our blocks together. For today I have a lesson on fabric placement.

If you love this fabric and want to make some companion items to your quilt, grab another kit while they are still available. I love this combo so much and can see it used for placemats, pillows, and a table runner.
THE DOWNLOAD is ALWAYS at the end of my article HIGHLIGHTED IN PINK, so keep reading

TIP: Fabric Selection
- Usually l like to do a small test by cutting just a few squares, not all of them. But I was sure this was going to give the feel that I wanted, and it didn't, ugh. In my fireside chat this week I talked about fabric selection and this is a perfect example today of how to fix something before you sew it.
- LEFT SIDE - My first idea is a hot mess. The light squares are not enough contrast to the HST corners. And TOO much contrast to the gray squares.
- RIGHT SIDE - I fold a piece of gold plaid and put it in place. It's ok, I could do it, but I also think I can do better.
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TIP: Fabric Selection
- Folded the green and that gave me enough contrast, but also blended better so that the '+' is visible. In the prior options the '+' was going to disappear.
- I still take one last photo before sewing to be sure I like it. Then sew it up!
- My 'bonus' squares go into my 2.5" scrap storage bin by color for making 'quilts as I make other things' See my tutorial on that HERE

I've been cutting all my triangles for my HST units on my Gemini, it saves me so much time as I have no trimming at all!
** BUY A GEMINI Die Cut machine, I love mine! **
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My design wall is still layered with Christmas Fig underneath at the top. The Flower Bouquet & the Christmas fig are Still my priorities to finish up and have tops ready to send out. Luckily with the sew along I have to make the blocks!
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Download Pat Sloan Block 18 A Flower Bouquet
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10 Responses
This block was so much much. Thanks for sharing your great designs.
I have enjoyed making this quilt so much – hate to see it coming to an end but looking forward to the next one.
Thank you for showing us the tutorial on fabric color placement. That is very helpful asi struggle with that too at times. I’ve always been one to cut everything out first before sewing. Your teaching me to cut a little and then sew to make sure everything balances out. Love that you show us a colored photo of the quilt as each block is finished! Thank you for the time as well that you put into these sessions!
Thank you for going through your thought process on fabric selection and placement. That is why I bought the kit, so I could learn from you as fabric selection and placement is something I am trying to work at getting better. It has been helpful for me to analyze each week your fabric selections for the blocks, but this week was even better with your commentary! Thank you so much!
I love these blocks. Our weather here in Mi has been cold and rainy this week. I’ve been going through a couple of my UFO’s and trying to work on them. Thank you for your inspiration and encouragement.
Another great block!!!! I do that too…fold fabric up to see if it will work. If I’m using it all over I’ll unfold and lay it out and place the other blocks on top. I also take a photo on my phone if I’m not sure. Usually when I look on the phone it shows me what I need to change. I’m self taught so it makes me feel like I’m on the right track when you do it too!!!
My machine broke down, ugh. I’ll cut the pieces out so when it gets back, hopefully in a week, I won’t be far behind. Love this Block
I am trying really hard. I just downloaded the blocks for this quilt. I made 5 yesterday and five more at my sewing group today. Only 7 more and I will be caught up.
Thanks Pat, I needed this on this rainy day.
Thank you for showing us the process of choosing fabrics with pictures really helped. Love the block cant wait to start