When the first signs of spring begin to appear—flowers blooming, birds singing, and bright colors bursting into view—it feels like the world comes alive again. This is exactly the feeling I wanted to capture when I first started designing the Spring Fling quilt block. It’s a project that reflects the joy and energy of the season, with vibrant prints and curves that feel like flower petals unfolding after a long winter.
I remember when I first created this block, it was during a particularly cold and gray winter. I was longing for the colors of spring, and quilting became my escape. The Spring Fling block became my way of welcoming the new season a little early—right at my sewing table. With each stitch, I could almost feel the warmth of the sun and the scent of fresh blooms. This block not only brightened up my quilting projects but also brought a sense of renewal to my creative spirit.
Capturing the Essence of Spring: The Beauty of the Spring Fling Block
The Spring Fling block is all about celebrating color and movement. The gentle curves and playful prints bring the sensation of a garden in full bloom right into your quilting. Whether you choose assorted prints for a more eclectic feel or stick with coordinating colors for a harmonious look, this block is versatile and fresh. The curved piecing adds a touch of complexity, but with a little patience, you’ll create something that truly pops with energy and vibrancy, much like the season it’s named after.
Materials and Preparation
A Burst of Color: Choosing the Perfect Fabrics for Your Spring Fling Block
When it comes to the Spring Fling block, color is everything. Whether you’re using an array of bright, mixed prints or opting for a more coordinated palette, the key is to embrace the joyful spirit of spring. Think about the flowers, the sky, the lush greens of new leaves—these can inspire the palette you select for this quilt block.
Materials Needed for One Spring Fling Block:
- Fabric Strips:
- (9) 2½” x width of fabric (WOF) assorted strips OR
- (4) 2½” x WOF blue/green print
- (4) 2½” x WOF pink print
- Background Fabric: (4) 7½” x 7½” squares (white)
- Flower Centers: (4) 3″ x 3″ squares (teal)
(Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each square)
Preparing Your Strips: Let’s Get Started
The beauty of the Spring Fling block comes from the combination of straight lines and curves, which create a dynamic, almost floral, pattern. To begin, you’ll need to sew your strips together.
- If you’re using assorted prints, sew three strips together, and make three sets. Press all seams in the same direction.
- If you’ve opted for two coordinating prints, alternately layout the strips in sets of three. Sew one of each colorway. Then, with your remaining strips, cut (3) 2½” x 6″ from each color. Alternately lay out and sew to complete the set. Press all seams in one direction to keep everything neat and tidy.
Once your strips are sewn together, you’re ready to start cutting and shaping the pieces that will form your Spring Fling block.
Full Pattern: Click Here
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cutting and Shaping the Strips
- Cut from Your Strip Sets:
Using your 3-strip sets, cut (4) 6½” x 11″ pieces.- If using coordinating fabrics, cut two pieces from each color layout.
From the remaining strip sets, cut (8) 6″ x 6½” pieces. Trim these pieces down to 6″ x 6″ by cutting ¼” off each side.
Now, you should have (8) 6″ x 6″ pieced squares (4 of each color layout if using two coordinating prints).
- If using coordinating fabrics, cut two pieces from each color layout.
Step 2: Creating Curves with the Quick Curve Ruler (QCR)
- Mark and Cut Curves:
To create the graceful curves that define the Spring Fling block, layout your 6½” x 11″ pieces. Mark 6½” on each long side, starting from opposite ends.
Using your Quick Curve Ruler, position the curve cut-out over your mark and the opposite corner, then cut along the curve. Repeat this process on the other side of the piece. Continue cutting all of your 6½” x 11″ pieces to make a total of (8) curve-shaped “A” pieces. Discard the small piece that remains in the center after cutting. - Prepare the Background Fabric:
Cut your 7½” x 7½” background fabric squares in half diagonally. Measure ½” from each tip and cut off the points.
Then, position your Quick Curve Ruler on the fabric and cut out a matching curve, similar to what you did with the strip sets. After this step, you should have (8) curved “B” shapes from your background fabric.
Step 3: Piecing the Curves
- Align the Curves:
Lay out your (8) “A” shapes (strip sets) and (8) “B” shapes (background fabric). Position one “A” piece on top of a “B” piece, leaving a small tail of the “B” shape (about ¼” to ½”).
Hold one piece in each hand and slowly bring the curved edges together as you feed them under the presser foot. Sew carefully, letting the curves guide you. Repeat for all of your “A” and “B” shapes. - Press the Seams:
After sewing each curved pair, press the seams toward the printed fabric. This will help maintain the clean look of your pieced curves.
Step 4: Squaring Up the Curved Blocks
- Trim the Blocks:
Now that your curved pieces are sewn together, it’s time to square them up. Using your Quick Curve Ruler, position it on the block so that the curved seam aligns with the 1/8″ mark on both ends. Trim the right and top edges, then rotate the block and repeat the trimming process to square the block to 6″ x 6″. Do this for all of your curved AB sets.
Step 5: Sewing the Flower Centers
- Prepare the Center Blocks:
Layout (4) of your 6″ x 6″ curved blocks, alternating colorways if using two coordinating prints. Position your 3″ x 3″ teal squares (the flower centers) on the corners of each block.
Sew on the diagonal line that you previously marked on the wrong side of the fabric. - Trim and Press:
After sewing the teal squares, trim ¼” from the stitched seam and press the seam open. This will create the finished look for your flower centers, bringing the Spring Fling block together.
Step 6: Assembling the Spring Fling Block
- Lay Out the Blocks:
Arrange your four 6″ x 6″ strip set blocks as shown in the block layout, ensuring that you alternate the pieced directions for a balanced look. - Sew the Rows:
Sew the blocks together to form rows, pressing seams in between. Once your rows are complete, sew them together to form the final Spring Fling block. Give the block a final press, and admire your colorful creation!
The Spring Fling block is more than just a quilt project—it’s a celebration of the colors, curves, and vibrancy of the season. As you sew together each strip, piece each curve, and add those final flower centers, you’ll feel the joy of spring blooming right in front of you. Whether you decide to make a full quilt or use this block as an accent, the Spring Fling will bring energy and warmth into any space. Happy quilting!