Introducing our new Sunday Picnic Block of the Month series!

Celebrate spring and summer outdoor soirees with our brand-new picnic-themed Block of the Month series!

Starting from issue 135, every issue of Love Patchwork & Quilting will feature a new block from Gracey Larson's Sunday Picnic Block of the Month.

What can I expect in this Block of the Month series?

This Block of the Month series will run from issue 135 until issue 146, with 12 traditionally pieced block designs to build your skills.

We started things off in issue 135 with Block 1, a sun hat and sunglasses design made using simple strips and Corner-square Triangle units.

How to sew a Corner-square Triangle

If you're new to sewing Corner-square Triangles – not to worry! We've got a handy step-by-step guide which will walk you through the process and help you get to grips with them. Once you've got the hang of it, you'll be raring to go and get started with Gracey's Block of the Month series!

Not familiar with Corner-square Triangles? Here is a tutorial for you.

How to make a CST

1. To make a CST, place a square in the corner of a fabric piece, RST. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the small square, making sure it goes across the corner of the larger piece.
2. Sew along the diagonal line.
3. Trim the seam allowance to ¼in, outside the sewn line.
4. Press the corner piece open to complete. If necessary, trim the edges of the corner piece even with the larger piece.

Or, you can find this tutorial in issue 135 – buy a digital copy here.

What does the finished Sunday Picnic quilt look like?

Below you will find the finished Layout Diagram – you can follow Gracey's layout or mix and match your blocks as you please.

The finished quilt measures 78in x 86in, with each block having different measurements.

You can always sew one block and turn it into a cushion or tote bag… or even make many of your favourite block to piece into a striking repeat block quilt! It's so easy to make your own.

How to make the entire Sunday Picnic quilt

You will need Confetti Cottons by Riley Blake as follows:

• Bleached Denim (light blue) (Background): 5¾yds
• Silver (light grey): ½yd
• Grey (mid grey): ¹/₈yd
• Peony (coral-pink): ³/₈yd
• White (white): ⁵/₈yd
• Piglet Pink (mid pink): 1/2yd
• Petal Pink (light pink): ³/₈yd
• Dandelions (yellow): ¹/₈yd
• Violet (mid purple): 1/4yd
• Purple (dark purple): ¹/₈yd
• Lilac (light purple): ¹/₈yd
• Mustard (dark yellow): ¹/₈yd
• Green Smoothie (mid green): 2½yds
• Pear (yellow-green): ¼yd
• Licorice (black): ¹/₈yd
• Cinnamon (brown): ¼yd

Plus Cotton Supreme Solid by RJR Fabrics as follows:

• Beach House Coral (bright coral): ⁵/₈yd

Plus Kona Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman as follows:

• Mac N’ Cheese (orange): ³/₈yd
• Ice Peach (light peach): 1yd
• Limelight (lime green): ¼yd
• Sand (beige): ⁵/₈yd

Catch up on all the blocks so far

Missed a month and want to catch up? Each month we’ll update this post to include the latest blocks so you can use it as a design library. Find all the blocks and get the instructions for the months you’ve missed in our past issues (which you can buy digitally or from our online store!).

Block 1: issue 135

Block 2: issue 136