TRICK or TREAT!!!

It's Halloween today and it's my day to share a block for Michele's Quilting Gallery Glorious*Autumn*Block*Party!! This block is a colorful Treat.........and at the end, there's a bit of a Trick that will make it even more of a Treat!  And here is my block..........Maple Swirl!!

I called this block Maple Swirl because that's what the maple leaves do here on our street...........they fall from the trees and swirl up and down the street and across the yard! Autumn is my favorite of the four seasons.  I love the cool, crisp days........ the harvesting of the crops.........colorful leaves on the trees and blowing in the wind.........the smell of a bonfire, caramel apples, popcorn balls, pumpkins, and the fun of Halloween. It was a childhood tradition that I always enjoyed as a kid, then with my own kids and grandson. And, of course, with the neighbor kids that come to the door all dressed up. My treats are ready and so is my camera! My camera (and me) have been very busy these last few days preparing my block and taking photos for my block tutorial, so now..........let's get you started!

Step 1. Fabric Choices!!  I was originally planning a Halloween themed block with some of the fabrics you see in the stack on the upper right. But then.......I found the stack of gorgeous solids when I opened my box of autumn fabrics and I knew I had to use them in my block. The line is called "Liberty Village" and is by Craz folk for Four Corners Designs.  You will need six solids for this project. I chose the green to use for the corners and the other colors for the squares that surround the center section. I pulled out four different leaf prints to "audition" and see which one I liked best with the solids..............

I decided on this beautiful Maple leaf print by Timeless Treasures. We live on Maple Ridge and surrounding our development are many maple trees that are so pretty when the leaves are at their peak in early October. Right now, most of the trees are bare because it's been a rather windy Fall.

Step 2. I cut an 8-1/2" square from the autumn print. And then, because I liked the fabric so much, I decided to make four of these blocks. You are getting a "sneak peek" at the Trick part of this project because, as you can see, I have cut four leaf-print center blocks. LOL!  I chose the green from the stack of solids and cut 16 - 2-1/2" squares. You will need four green squares for each block.

Step 3. I used a pencil to mark diagonally across each square, then pinned one square to each corner.

Step 4. Stitch the four squares to each corner and then trim away the excess.

 Step 5. Fold over the green triangle and press to make your center section.

Step 6. Take the remaining solids, stack them up and cut into 2-1/2" squares. You will need 20 squares for each block. Note here.........you could also sew long strips and cut into 2-1/2" sections but I only had 1/4 yard cuts of this fabric and I decided to cut individual blocks and not waste the fabric. I might need extra if I made a mistake. Which I did. So I was glad I played it safe. :-)

Step 7. Lay out the 2-1/2" squares by starting at the upper left corner and then going around the center section in the same order..........purple, deep red, burnt orange, burgundy, orange.  It is important to lay them out in the same order if you plan to do the "Trick" aspect of this project. More on that in a minute.

Step 8. Sew the four blocks together for the right and left sides of the center section. It is very important to take accurate 1/4" seams for this block.  I thought of the term "scant 1/4" seams as I sewed because that mistake I mentioned earlier.........it was because I was not being careful when stitching my seams!!  Also, I chose to press my seams open for this project because I wanted it to lay very flat. You may decide to press to one side or the other depending on your fabric choice.

Step 9. Next, sew the six blocks together for the top and bottom pieces that will be sewn to the center section. Press.

 Step 10. Pin, then sew the side strips in place and press

 Step 11. Pin and sew the top and bottom strips in place, then press.

 Step 12. Your block is finished!!!!

And now, for the "Trick" part of this project...............If you make four of the blocks in this tutorial, and then lay them out like this............

 and then sew them together like this............

then you can make a colorful Glorious Autumn tabletopper!!! If you make the four blocks and lay them out in two rows, the only blocks that will be the same are the purple ones (or whatever color you are using in your blocks).  One note on the colors in my photos.........they are brighter than what they are in person. And from one photo to the next, they seem to be different. Anyway, I liked the idea of making this tabletopper for my Thanksgiving table and so I had to make the four blocks and sew them together. Then came time to find just the right fabrics to sash/border and bind the quilt. Oh, that was difficult!  The brown swirly fabric that is in the background is what I will be using for the backing.

 I thought I liked this combination in the photo below........

but the narrow border of green wasn't quite what I was looking for and then I found a "tree bark" brown and it was just what I wanted. To see the finished project, you'll have to stop by next Monday to see it hanging "on the line" in my regular Monday feature. And also on that day.........

I will draw a name from the comments you post here and one lucky winner will receive a kit with all the fabrics to make this same tabletopper!!  Just leave your name (make sure you have a link back to your blog and/or your e-mail address) and tell me your favorite Autumn scent..........pumpkins roasting, fire burning, cookies in the oven. You tell me!
You may leave your comment starting now and through Sunday evening at midnight CST. Winner will be announced in my Monday "What's on the line?" post!
Thanks to Michele for letting me share my autumn fun! If you have any questions on the block assembly, please e-mail me.  :-)  And don't forget to hop over to the main page for all the other blocks that have been posted and more to come!  Just go here and you will find plenty of Autumn quilting fun!!

Sandi