Jazzy Orange Peel ~ a tutorial

 Happy Spring, everyone! I do believe the nicer weather is now here to stay so, yay!

This past week I was inspired to start a sweet little Spring project, mostly because I promised someone an applique tutorial and I felt that the die shape I used in this quilt would be a perfect one for that purpose ;).

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May I present Jazzy Orange Peel? The name came from a member in my Facebook group who was amazed that this was just a jazzed up orange peel block, and I thought it was the perfect name!

This table runner finishes at aprox. 21 1/2 by 48 1/2 , and this is what you will need to make it:

32  5" squares, of which 16 are light, and 16 are dark. ( I pulled needed fabrics from 2 Charm Squares, but you can of course use your Go! Square die to cut your own!( link to shop: http://shrsl.com/4vwht)

4 white corner squares measuring 6.5" ( shape #1 in your 12" Qube will work!)

fusible web

orange peel die (click here to shop:http://shrsl.com/4vwhu ), or trace your own shapes

first border ( white on mine):3 strips measuring 1.5" x WOF

second border ( green on mine): 3 strips measuring 2" x WOF

third border ( red floral on mine): 3 strips measuring 4"x WOF ( use your strip dies or a rotary cutter)

material for backing( slightly larger than quilt top), batting ( slightly larger than quilt top), and binding ( 10" wide of yardage).

Instructions:

• Attach your fusible web to the back of your chosen "orange peels" fabric( 16 of them)

{These were my fabric choices. I wanted my peels to be light, and my background to be darker. You will get a totally different look by reversing them. One note: If your background fabric is very dark, it might show through your lighter fabric ( the fusible web should disguise it a bit, but there is a risk).}

{ Don't be afraid to "piece" together your fusible if you have skinnier leftover pieces. Just make sure to place them as close together as you can}

• Now it is time to run your fused fabric through your machine using your orange peel die ( if not using the die, trace an orange peel shape onto the paper side and cut out with scissors). 
  

  

  

  

  
  

  { Because your fabric is fused there is NO NEED to worry about the fabric grain, BUT the fusible DOES count as ANOTHER half layer so only run 4 layers of fabric through at a time !}

• Grab your background squares .

• Finger press each of them in half diagonally to give yourself a guideline for placement of your peels.  

• Fuse your peels down, leaving a seam allowance on opposite corners.

 

• Next it is time to applique your peels down. Decide which stitch you want to use ( most commonly used are zigzag, blanket or satin stitch. If you are just starting with applique I feel that a zigzag is the most forgiving). If needed, insert the correct foot and throatplate, choose your stitch length and width, choose your color thread, and applique each of your peels down. I made a short movie while I was stitching, which you can see here:  https://youtu.be/JawMw6cSZS4 

{ I always try out my stitch on a scrap piece of fabric to check size. I tend to use bigger and wider stitches for bigger applique pieces, and smaller for small ones~ that is just my preference. }

• Once you have appliqued your peels, it is time to arrange your blocks. There are lots of different options here, so have fun playing around! Below are some of the options I considered: 

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  
• Sew your blocks together and press seams so your blocks will nest nicely. 
  
  
  
• Measure your quilt top. Sew together your 3 border strips and trim these to match your quilt top length ( mine were 37.5" x 6.5"). Sew your 2 long border strips to the top and bottom of your blocks. 
  
  
  
• Now take your remaining border strip and cut it into 2 pieces measuring 9.5" each ( or whatever your measurement happened to be BEFORE sewing on your top and bottom border).

• Sew a 6.5" white square to both ends on both strips, and then sew these to the remaining short sides of your quilt top. NOTE: If you want to you could make this corner block way more exciting by using your 6" Qube and designing any block, OR you can do what I did and applique a fun shape ( I decided on mine AFTER I had quilted everything so don't do that ;) )

• Time to layer and quilt your quilt! I used my walking foot and a quilting stitch on my machine to stitch next to the ditch on the strips, and 2 lines of stitching around my peels.
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• After quilting, trim your backing and batting even with your quilt top. Cut and sew your binding fabric to make one continous 2.5" wide strip and attach to your quilt. Voila, one appliqued Jazzy Orange Peel quilt all done!

I am not finished binding my quilt yet, but I wanted to get this tutorial out there...I will share all-finished photos in the Facebook group ;). 

This was a super simple and quick project and I hope you enjoy making it! As always, please let me know if something is not clear~ I am happy to help!

Happy creating!

Monique