QNM Web Extras

Peace Baskets

 Assembly

Step 1

Prepare the stems and vines as follows: Fold bias strips in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. Stitch 3/8" from folded edge. Referring to Fig. 1, trim close to stitching. Press strip with the seam underneath as in Fig. 2.

Step 2

Turn under 3/16" allowances on all applique patches; baste. It is not necessary to turn under edges of patches that will be tucked under other appliques. Using B's with the longest edge cut on the bias, fold a B patch in half so that the two shorter sides align. Finger press center fold as shown in block-piecing diagram. Lightly mark the flowers, leaves, and stems on B, aligning center flower with fold line on B and bottom edge of stems with sewing line of B. (Reverse the left flower to complete right portion of design. ) Pin patches in place on B; blindstitch in place. Make 16 B's like this. Referring to block piecing diagram, make 16 blocks.

Step 3

Join blocks, A's, edge B's and C's in diagonal rows. Join rows.

Step 4

Mark and sew all borders in place before appliqueing them. Referring to bottom border diagram, fold a 68  1/2" white border in half lengthwise and finger press the fold. Unfold and then refold again in half crosswise to find the center of the border. From the center, lightly mark every 8 1/2". In the first section to the left of the center, trace the border motif (including the vine, stem, I, J, and K patches), aligning the dotted line with the center lengthwise fold of the border and the dashed lines with the 8 1/2" marks. In the section to the right of the middle fold, rotate the vine pattern and lightly mark in place. The vine should form a continuous smooth line. Mark J/K flowers in four of the sections and the L/M flowers in alternate sections as shown in quilt photo. Repeat in other short border. Sew a short border to the bottom of quilt. Repeat for top of quilt.

Step 5

Similarly fold and mark the long white borders. Sew a long border to each side. To complete marking the vines, continue the curve of the vines until the bottom and top vines meet the side vines in the comers in a pleasing manner. Add flowers and leaves in the corners as shown on the quilt.

Step 6

Fold a 3-yard bias strip in half to find the center. Match this to the center of a border. Blindstitch vines in place on all borders, trimming as needed. Blindstitch all other applique patches in place.

Step 7

Quilt in the ditch around all appliques. Quilt 1/4" from seams of all white patches. Quilt A, B, and C patches as desired. Quilt 1" parallel lines in borders as shown. Bind to finish.