End of June BOM tutorial --BONNIE

This block is called Cactus Flower and was first published in the 1930's. I think by the Kansas City Star.

To make this block you need:

1 - 1 1/2 X 14 inch strip for base of flower

1 - 2 1/2 X 8 inch strip for the stem

1 - 8 1/2 inch square of made fabric

1 - 8 1/2 inch square of background

1 - 4 1/2 inch square of background

2 - 5 inch squares of background-the picture doesn't show the smaller square very well
2 - 5 inch squares of made fabric ( I got carried and have 3, but one is for later

Note: I cut my squares ( 5 inch squares) to use for making half square triangles a little bigger and square them up after sewing.

Take the 8 1/2 inch squares of made fabric and background and cut in half diagonally. You only need one diagonal cut piece for square. Save the other for another project.

Sew the 14 inch long strip to the made fabric on the diagonal side. I match them up fold them in half and finger press the centers. That way you can match the centers.

Cut the background on the diagonal again as shown above.

Insert the 8 inch long strip between the second diagonally cut sides of the background fabric triangle as shown above. Be sure to align the stem with the diagonal cut side of the triangle.

Be sure to determine the center of the triangles to assure the block becomes square. I used folding each piece and finger pressing on the center.

Square up this block to an 8 1/2 inch square. I used a 8 1/2 inch square ruler. The center diagonal line of the block is the seam where the flower base and top of stem meet. The corner of the square needs to be centered on the stem. I did it by eye, but you can lightly draw a line through the center of the stem to align you ruler with. Press.

On the wrong side of the 5 inch squares of background draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. You can also draw 1/4 in lines for seam line on either side on the center diagonal line if desired.

Put right sides of background and made fabric squares together and sew 1/4 inch on both sides of the center diagonal line. Cut apart on the center diagonal line. Press open. Square up the half square triangles to 4 1/2 inch squares.

Sew two half square triangles together as shown. One for each side of the flower. Then sew the 4 1/2 inch square to one side of the sewn half square triangles.

Sew one set of 2 half square triangles to one side of the flower and the other set of half square triangles with the 4 1/2 inch square attached to the other side of the flower. Thats it.

This is my first tutorial and I would appreciate any constructive comments. Also is you have any questions please email me at bbbee@sbcglobal.net.