I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long: Block 7
Today is a double fun block release day for the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long. There are actually two blocks released today and Block 7 is mine! I am sharing a Pointsettia Block for a big splash of holiday color. Every year I get a couple of large pointsettias for Thanksgiving and keep them around until the New Year so these dramatic plants mean family holiday time for me. You can download the pattern below and read through this post for a short tutorial and some tips. I am so excited to see what everyone does with my block! If you are new to the QAL visit the Facebook Group for the details and join the community of quilters who are getting in the spirit.
Get the block pattern: This QAL is over, so this block pattern is no longer available for free. It is available for sale in the shop here: Poinsettia Quilt Block Pattern.
Fabric Choice
My sample block is made with traditional colors: two shades of red for the petals, green for the leaves, and white for the background. Whatever fabrics you pick try to keep some contrast between the alternating petals. You could even go scrappy and use four different darks and four different lights for the petals.
My Tips for the Block
This is a traditionally pieced block using half square triangles (HSTs), quarter square triangles (QSTs), and squares. The units are pieced slightly oversize so you can trim them down to the exact size which will help with matching seams and points. As long as you sew with a fairly consistent 1/4" seam you should not have any trouble with constructing this block.Make Red/Pink HSTs
Make two sets of Red/Pink half square triangle units for the petals. For each set place a red square and a pink 4" square right sides together. Mark a diagonal line and sew 1/4" from each side of the line. Cut along the line and press the seams open. Then trim each HST unit to 3 1/2" square.
Make Green/White QSTs
Make two sets of Green/White quarter square triangle units for the leaves. For each set place a green and a white 4 1/2" square rights sides together. Mark a diagonal line and sew 1/4" from each side of the line. Then without moving the pieces cut along the other diagonal. Press the seams open but don't trim yet.
Make Red or Pink and Green/White Squares
Cut the remaining 4" red and pink squares along the diagonal to make triangles. Sew the red and pink triangles to the green/white triangles. Notice the orientation should be opposite for the red and pink units. Don't worry if the red and pink triangles are not exactly the same size as the green/white triangles. Just place the long edges right sides together and makes the red or pink points line up on the green/white seam line. Press the seams open and trim to 3 1/2" square.
Put It All Together
Lay out your units to match the block picture. Sew the squares together for each row, then sew the rows together. Trim the block to 12 1/2" square. And don't forget to add the yellow circle to the center. This final touch is what turns it into a flower!
Enter the Block Prize Giveaway Of course there is a great prize drawing for Block 7. If you are the lucky winner you will receive one pdf pattern of your choice from Jennifer Fulton of The Inquiring Quilter and The 4" x 5" Quilt-Block Anthology book signed by author Carol Hopkins. 
To be entered in the prize drawing just post a picture of your finished Block 7 in one of three places:
- Facebook Group
- Instagram with hashtag #iwishyouamerryqal
- Or link up your blog post of your finished block with the linky party below on this post.
Grand Prize Drawing in January
Remember, there will be a drawing for an amazing grand prize in January. To be eligible for the grand prize drawing you must post a completed quilt top using all twelve of the QAL blocks by January 16. Even if you miss deadlines for some of the individual block giveaways you can still post for the grand prize. Look at these amazing sponsors for the grand prize!