Hannah's Garden Part II: Cutting it Out

Finally I got to take my rotary cutter to those big chunks of fabric, but before I get too carried away, I wanted to let you know that I updated Hannah's Garden Part I. I changed the quilt design slightly, and updated the yardage requirements.

Starting with the white background fabric cut:

• 3 pieces 12 1/2 x 72 1/2 (cut this along the length of the fabric)


• 16 squares 5 3/8"


• 8 squares 3 7/8


• 32 squares 3 1/2

*Make sure you cut the larger pieces first!

Next from the various prints cut:

• a total of 18 strips 4 1/2" x 18" cut at least one from each print, two from most prints8 pairs of 5 7/8 squares, each a different color (these are for the pinwheel blocks.)
• 8 sets which include (2) 3 7/8 inch squares, and (1) 3 1/2 inch square, each in a different color (these are for the shoefly blocks.)
• (16) 3" strips of solid blue
• Hold off cutting your solid green vine until you decide how you are going to applique it. I will post the options when I get to that point.

Next you are going to need the flower and leaf template. Please email me and say, "I would like the flower and leaf template for Hannah's Garden, and I will email you a pdf. I am working on getting it uploaded, but if you need it before then, send me the email. Now you are going to need to pull out your fusible web. I decide to applique using my quilting machine, but you cut this the same as if you are going to hand or machine buttonhole stitch around the edge. If you are going to needle turn applique, you will need to add 1/4 inch to the templates. I also recommend trying Anna Maria Horner's super circles and using a blind stitch to applique. Read through the tutorial before you cut out your circles if you are interested.

When you trace the circles, trace smaller circles inside of larger ones. This will save you a lot of fusible web, and reduce bulk when you iron them together. This is how I stacked mine:

• 4 sets D1, D2, A2
• 1 set D1, D2, E2
• 4 sets A1, E1, E2
• 4 sets B1, C1, C2
• 1 set E1, C2
• 1 set C1, D3
• 4 sets B2, D3
• 23 leaves

When you cut them apart, just fold them in half, and cut just outside the line of the inner circle. See center photo above. You don't need to follow the lines exactly on this cut. Once you have them all cut out, iron them to the wrong sides of your remaining prints. First I did all of the A2, B2, C2, D3, and E2 circles in yellow. These are all flower centers, and I wanted mine all yellow. The remainder of the circles divided among the remaining prints, except green, at random. Iron all of the leaf shapes to the green prints. Now cut them all out, following the lines precisely.

I like to stack up all of my pieces according to size, and keep them in a basket or plastic container until I am going to use them. I usually sew while my baby is napping, so I have limited time. Does anyone have any other organizational tips for keeping things neat inbetween work sessions?