Here is my finished H-8 block, but since some of my quilting friends asked how to go about this block, I've added some pictures of the steps I took below.
You also can find instructions for this block on http://dearbabyjane.blogspot.com/ in a slightly different approach from mine. She's doing a fantastic job at breaking the blocks down into manageable bits and pieces. :o)
First off I always start out by printing out the block I'm about to work on and then start doodling notes on the paper on how to tackle it, as seen above (you should be able to enlarge the picture by clicking on it).
So, first I started out by piecing the center.
I cut out all of the other pieces and lay them out. BTW, the corner triangles are pretty much cut to size, so if you want to follow my approach and build in a bit of a security, you might want to cut the squares for those 2 1/2" instead of the 2" I used. There really wasn't much to trim for me from the corners, when I squared up the finished block.
Next I took my Olfa circle cutter and adjusted the cutting distance to 1 1/4". The measurement was taken directly from the block without seam allowance, because of the method I use, which should start making more sense in a second.
So I cut the circle out of freezer paper and ironed the shiny side of the freezer paper to the backside of the fabric I'm planing on appliqueing to the center.
With the freezer paper "sticking to the fabric I cut out the center, leaving about 1/4" seam allowance. In order to be able to turn the seam allowance back, I make little snips into the fabric, then I use a water soluble glue stick to apply glue just on the seam allowance and start turning it back onto the freezer paper, smoothing the edge with my finger as I go along.
The result is this perfectly smooth circle that's ready for the applique.
I place the circle exactly into position and baste it with the largest stitch by machine. Then I choose the applique thread that most closely matches the fabric that you applique (in this case a light blue).
Here's a picture with the finished hand applique and the machine basting stitches still in place.
And this is how the applique looks from the back side with the freezer paper and basting stitches still in place and the applique fabric not trimmed down to the 1/4" seam allowance yet.
I then go ahead and remove the basting stitches, trim the seam allowance and to remove the freezer paper I spritz the backside with water and let it sit for a moment, so the glue has time to dissolve. The freezer paper will pull off very easy.
This is a close-up of how I trimmed the QST's.
I hope the pictures are helpful, but don't hesitate to ask if you want me to clarify one of the steps.
Last week I met with Moira and Susan to go to The Bernina Connection in Phoenix and to lunch afterwards.
Normally I purchase loose leaf teas from Adagio - just love their teas and the Ingenuitea, but the other day I purchased this tea set from Costco with flowering tea. 
After you pour boiling water into the teapot, the blossom opens up into this piece of art and releases the tea flavor.
Some of my friends and family have leaped into the new year already, so here I'll be wishing all of you lots of happiness, fun with your family and friends, good health, jobs or sources of income for everybody wanting/needing to make a living in this worsening economy and time to enjoy the passions in your life in 2009!
I've never posted the finished healing quilt I made for Michelle, so here's a picture of it on her wall.
I couldn't see myself piecing all of the pie shapes, so I took a shortcut by making two of the units below.
This is how the pieces look like after I trimmed off 1/4" and before pressing the small triangle units out.
As you can see on the picture, I drew the seam allowance on the straight edges of the quarter circle. The curved portion of this quarter circle will be used to turn the edges under with a glue stick, so you'll add the seam allowance to the fabric in this part, but not to the pattern.
Here is my finished H-8 block, but since some of my quilting friends asked how to go about this block, I've added some pictures of the steps I took below.
First off I always start out by printing out the block I'm about to work on and then start doodling notes on the paper on how to tackle it, as seen above (you should be able to enlarge the picture by clicking on it).
So, first I started out by piecing the center.
I cut out all of the other pieces and lay them out. BTW, the corner triangles are pretty much cut to size, so if you want to follow my approach and build in a bit of a security, you might want to cut the squares for those 2 1/2" instead of the 2" I used. There really wasn't much to trim for me from the corners, when I squared up the finished block.
So I cut the circle out of freezer paper and ironed the shiny side of the freezer paper to the backside of the fabric I'm planing on appliqueing to the center.
I place the circle exactly into position and baste it with the largest stitch by machine. Then I choose the applique thread that most closely matches the fabric that you applique (in this case a light blue).
