This month’s block has many pieces, but is quite easy to put together. There are four identical quarters rotated to form the flower-like shape. This is actually a 5 grid block made at 12″, so it’s likely to finish a smidge large, but it can easily be trimmed to the correct size without losing any design integrity.

As always, I recommend you check out the Skill Builder Series posts, especially the Quarter Inch Seams and Nine Patch posts for detailed information about block assembly.

Cutting

Fabric 1 (light): Cut a 3″ strip. Subcut a 15″ rectangle, then cut the remaining strip to 1 3/4″ and cut (2) 8” x 1 3/4″ rectangles.
Fabric 2 (medium): Cut (2) 1 3/4″ strips. Subcut (8) 5″ rectangles. You will use more of the strip later in the block. (The photo does not show the 5″ pieces.)
Fabric 3 (dark): Cut a 1 3/4″ strip. Subcut a 15” rectangle and an 8” rectangle. You will use more of the strip later in the block.
Background: Cut (8) 2 7/8″ squares.

Sewing

Sew 3″ x 15” light strip to 1 3/4″ x 15” dark strip. Press to the dark.

Subcut (8) 1 3/4″ segments (A).

Sew 1 3/4” x 8” light strip to 1 3/4” x8” dark strip. Sew another 1 3/4” x 8” light strip to the other side of the dark strip. Press to the dark on both sides.

Subcut (4) 1 3/4” segments (B).

Lay out two of segment A with one of segment B and sew together.

Separate the seam at the back by tugging gently so the thread slips out, and press in opposite direction. This will give a flatter seam.

Do the same with the second section.

Repeat to form four center units.

Chain piece the center units onto the medium 1 3/4” strip.

Cut apart, trim and repeat on the other side of the center unit.

Cut apart and trim. Press to the medium.

Chain piece the short side of the 5” medium segments to the remainder of the dark strip.

Press to the medium (the larger piece), then cut apart and trim to create segment C.

Sew one segment C to either side of the center unit, lining up the seam intersection and nesting the seam allowances. The medium strip will NOT be as long as the rest of the unit, but should extend at least 1/4” past the edge of the center light/dark unit. Repeat with the other three units.

Place a 2 7/8” background square on the unfinished corner and sew from corner to corner. You may prefer to draw this line before sewing.

Trim excess fabric away and press to the background fabric.

Repeat with the second corner, then repeat with the other three units.

Lay out the four units, rotating to form the block design, and sew together.

Trim to 12 1/2″ square, and there’s your Shasta Daisy block!

Any questions? Click here to download a “short version” of these block instructions in PDF form.

Please visit the Botanicals BOM Intro post for optional settings with fabric requirements and links to all blocks that have been posted so far.