What about creating a new version of the traditional orange peel block?
In this tutorial, I will teach you how to transform a regular orange peel into a two-color version of the block, and to applique using a modern style to ornament your table fashionably!!!
In this project we’ll use:
*Crossover II cutting machine;
*Beach ball cutting dies from Crafter’s Edge, or a 3″ wide and 2″ wide orange peel template (you can find it on Pinterest, or draw it yourself – mark four points: two horizontally, 3″ apart, and two vertically in the center of the two previous marks, 3″ above and 3″ below the center mark (as in a cross), trace the orange peel. Use the same proportional scale to construct the 2″ template);
*2 fabric fat quarters ;
*1/2yd (assume 42″ WOF) for background fabric;
*1/2yd (assume 42″ WOF) for backing fabric;
*Pins, safety pins and/or basting spray;
*1 x 22″ x 46″ for batting, use your scrap batting!!!
*quilting thread;
Cutting Instructions:
From each fabric fat quarter cut:
*3 x 18″ x 2″ = sub-cut (5) 2″ x 9″
*2 x 18″ x 1.5″ = sub-cut (4) 1.5″ x 9″
*1 x 18″ x 42″ for background
*1 x 18″ x 42″ for backing
*1 x 22″ x 46″ for batting
Sewing instructions:
Sew one of each strip of the same width making pairs for each color. You will use 5 pairs that after pieced measure 3.5″ wide for the bigger orange peel and 4 pairs that will measure 2.5″ wide for the smaller orange peel. Press all seams open.
To cut the orange peel using the Crossover II and beach ball die, fold the peel in half and position the top center of the cutting die aligned with the block middle seam, and cut each one.
If using a template, trace it centering each point with the block middle seam top and bottom of the template.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The next step is basting your background fabric, note that I don’t use more than 2″ extra on each side, it’s not necessary for smaller projects like this even if you will be doing heavier quilting.
Another important detail from my personal preference here is that I baste only the background fabric to the batting and I do NOT baste the backing fabric just yet. This project has DOUBLE quilting (that is when on top of the regular quilting there will still be an applique done, all by machine).
If you are doing the applique by hand and will not be interfering with the backing then it’s up to you to baste both in a sandwich now, so the quilting can also show on the backside of your project.
In this project, I am using these beautiful Simthread colors to give it a Fall touch!!!
Quilt as desired, my suggestion is to use decorative stitches for this project. I used two different decorative stitches to create a centered design exactly where my orange peel was going to be sewn, and in between, I quilted wavy lines using a straight stitch and just twitching the fabric as I was quilting.
Use your creativity!!!! Free motion quilting is also great for practicing on smaller projects like this!!
After finishing quilting, it’s time to pin the orange peel to the runner. Start in the center with a 3″ and two 2″ on each side and follow the pattern to be 3″ – 2″ – 3″ – 2″ – 3″ – 2″ – 3″ – 2″ – 3″, a total of 9 orange peel blocks.
I used a blanket stitch to applique my blocks, use your creativity in this step as well as playing with decorative stitches!!!
Now let’s move to the last step just before adding the backing fabric and binding our project!!!
It’s optional to cut the V shape at the ends of your runner, but we are aiming for a modern style, and adding the V shape will make all the difference in this project.
To cut: from the center of the 18″ side on each end place your ruler at an approximately 45-degree angle and trace 11″ to the left and to the right (see picture above for reference), cut both ends to create the V shape.
Baste your backing fabric to the batting side of the runner and cut to shape.
I used spray basting, and my next step is simply to stitch all around to make it easier and safer to attach the binding, although this extra step of sewing on the edge is not necessary since I spray-basted. If you are pin basting it will make it a lot easier to bind if you add the seam all around to secure the project together.
To bind the V shape there is no secret.
As you sew the binding, on each corner move the binding back to create the exact same 45-degree angle used for regular quilt binding. The only difference in this project’s shape is on the side corners where the angle is wider, when folding back down to the quilt, the little curve it makes will be narrow in comparison to the regular 90-degree corner of a square quilt, simply fold it down and keep stitching.
I like finishing my quilts with a stitch-in-the-ditch binding. I sew the binding first to the FRONT of the quilt using a 45-degree angle for joining the ends, then fold it to the BACK of the quilt, secure with wonder clips all around (not necessary but I prefer), making sure it covers the previous seam made and then I topstitch it all around on the TOP of the quilt.
And it’s done!!!! A quick project for gifting this holiday season, easy to make and skill-building!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!!! Let the gifting season start!!!!!
Daisi Toegel
Daisi, I love this! You are sew creative! How did you think of using the beach ball die to make an orange peel? I like the fabrics you chose for it too.