Welcome to Week 4 of the Riley Blake Designs Block Challenge. Today is so exciting, as I am sharing with you my #RBDblockchallenge block pattern! This FREE Tiptoe Thru the Tulips Quilt Block Pattern is the week 4 block the #RBDBlockChallenge!
You are invited to join myself and 15 other Riley Blake Design designers as we share 16 NEW and exciting 10" quilt blocks! It is fun and free and the final quilt is a surprise!!!
We began on (January 3rd) and will be ending May 23rd with the finishing instructions! Every Tuesday, a NEW block pattern is released, except the last Tuesday of the month when we take a moment to catch up, get inspired and really enjoy all the awesome work happening on the RBD Block Challenge around the globe!
Here are the links you will need:
Follow along on Instagram with the hashtag #rbdblockchallenge
Block 4: Tiptoe Thru the Tulips by Jennifer Long
Block 4 of the #RBDBlockChallenge is designed by Jennifer Long of Bee Sew Inspired and it's called Tiptoe Thru The Tulips
You can download the FREE block pattern here:
I designed the Tiptoe Thru the Tulips block to be enchanting and whimsical. Like a hand-drawn tulip you could find in the pages of your favorite fairy tale! I love that you can use (2) of your favorite prints in this tulip and they both have the opportunity to shine! Of course, I am sewing mine with #forestfriendsfabric!
I decided I couldn't make just one Tiptoe Thru the Tulips block - after all, tulips love company! I think I will keep one for the #RBDBlockChallenge final quilt, and perhaps make a couple of pillows, or a table runner?
I made mine using a combination of my Forest Friends fabric and some coordinating RBD Confetti Cottons (see my fabric list at the bottom of this post).
I had lots of fun fussy cutting these fun prints and hand-stitching around the tulips, stem and petals.
Tips and Tricks for Tiny Piecing:
1. Press your pieces before you sew. Even adding a tiny bit of starch helps with accuracy!
2. Shorten your stitch length. When working with small pieces, I often shorten my stitch length to 1.5mm - 2mm. It is a great way to keep your pieces secure and will also help in the next tip.
3. Press your seams open. Pressing seams open helps reduce some of the bulk when working with lots of seams. Your seams will stay secure open with the shortened stitch length from tip #2.
Last year I wanted to add some hand stitching to my blocks and did some outline hand stitching in my background fabrics on my 2022 #rbdblockchallenge blocks. I did this BEFORE I assembled the blocks into the final quilt and before I quilted it. I just love the hand look it gives the blocks and so I decided to do this again in 2023!
Quilting together is all about community, friendship and creativity. I hope you can join us and share your progress.
Fabric:
Forest Friends by Jennifer Long, Bee Sew Inspired for Riley Blake Designs
RBD Block Challenge Blocks:
Here is a look at all the #RBDblockchallenge blocks to date. I can't wait to see what this quilt will look like when it all comes together!
I just adore the tulip based on the Fox's sweater. It raises my mood just looking at it!