The Dragon Fly Block – Pieces Sew-Along
We have been sewing along with Melva from Melva Loves Scraps and her Pieces From the Past sew-along. Just recently released, the ninth block is called The Dragon Fly. This block is a paper-pieced block and a fairly easy one at that with only four pieces. Selecting two coordinating fabrics from our Laurel Burch collection posed a bit of a challenge as we wanted just enough contrast.
Dragon Paper Piecing
In the end, the lovely green fabric with so much movement was chosen as the winner. In this block, only two fabrics are needed.
While I admit that this block is simple as far as paper piecing goes, it wasn’t without issues. I sewed one of the four sections three – yes, THREE – times. Needless to say, I was worried the paper was going to be structurally challenged. In the end, that wasn’t worth worrying about but it was very annoying to pick it out for the second time!
Dog On Dragon Fly Finish
It seems that removing the paper from the back of large pieces like this is a snap. I’d like to thank Mary, from Quilting Is In My Blood, for encouraging and challenging me to give PP a try. I doubt I’ll ever enjoy it as much as she does but I do have to recognize the precision level you can obtain with this process. Also, I no longer pause when PP is required for a project – a win/win all around. I would even make this block again in a heartbeat.
Shortly, we will be sharing our version of The Dragon Fly block on Melva’s website. It is a welcome addition to our growing collection of blocks for this sew-along. There’s still time to join in as well if you’re interested. Melva also shares the letters her grandparents received after WWII from German prisoners who had worked on their farm. The little glimpses of history are just priceless.
Join us each Tuesday for our hosted linky party called To-Do Tuesday. Our other Linky Parties can be found by clicking the link above or along the sidebar on our website for more quilting fun – check out what our friends are up to. Like/follow us on our Facebook page and you can share your photos of what you’re working on. We would love to see them!
I love the fabrics (no surprise there) and the block. I’ve been PP using freezer paper so I don’t need to rip paper out; just peel it off! 😉 Carol
Beauty of a block in my favourite colours! You must give pp a try ‘without sewing through the paper’. I wrote a tutorial on it a few years ago on my blog.(no ripping required) It changed my LIFE. Learned it from Joanne at Canuck Quilter Designs.
Love the dragon fly block and your colors are gorgeous!
The dragonfly block is gorgeous! I am glad you had a positive experience with paper piecing. It is a bit of a brain twister.
Roseanne, your green fabric was perfect for getting movement in this block!
Good for you trying paper piecing and with success!
Happy Quilting! 🙂
I love this block and glad you got over the PP fear. I love using newsprint, and have tried to buy a ream but buy Carol Doak’s when I can’t get that. Its much easier than printer paper.
This is such a great block. I love your fabric choices! I had to download the block. I’d like to make an entire quilt using this block. Have a great day, Mary.
Love the block and the material particularly…they go great together…
Your block looks amazing! I am impressed with the lines going in the same direction. I probably would have ended up with a section going the opposite. :/
Love this block! I miss Melva’s posts; they don’t show up on my feed, so I need to go catch up!
I like it – the color choices and the design
I have been following Melva’s letters and love every bit of history that she has been sharing! I am not making the blocks. I sure do like your fabric choices for the Dragon Fly block! 🙂