Friday, August 1, 2025

Hive 2 Tutorial for August – Community Block for Jai

 

Get ready to dive into your scrap pile and try something new. This month we’re making the Community block, by Eli Hazard. If you’ve never done applique before, don’t worry—I hadn’t either. This block is beginner-friendly, colorful, and a great way to explore new stitches while keeping things low-stress.

Why You’ll Love This Block

  • It’s a great way to use up scraps, especially solid-colored ones
  • The shape is simple and fast to assemble
  • It’s a fun introduction to applique, even if you’re brand new

I first made this block during the True Colours Quilt Along2025. I was surprised at how something could feel both simple and a bit tricky at the same time. I learned a lot, and I think you will too.

 

Fabric and Color Guidelines

Background Fabric

Choose any shade of gray, from light to dark. Gray blenders and tone-on-tones are perfect.
Please avoid holiday prints, novelty prints, or anything that feels too busy.

NOTE: My block shows a white background instead of gray since that was the background color for the Quilt Along that I chose. I am wanting to do another quilt with the gray background for some variation.  

Applique Circle (Outer Circle)

Use solid color fabrics, or fabrics that read as solid (tone-on-tones or subtle textures are fine).
You will need one of each of the following colors:

  • Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Light Blue (baby blue), Medium Blue (robin’s egg), Purple, and Pink

Cutting Instructions

The finished block should measure 12.5 inches by 12.5 inches.

If you're new to applique, you may want to start with a slightly larger square—13 inches or even 13.5 inches—to allow trimming after stitching. It doesn’t need to be perfect. My own block certainly wasn’t.

Template Note: The applique template for this block can be found in Eli Hazard’s original Community post. Please reference it for the correct shape and sizing.

Cut each applique piece out along the dotted line, and then fold under along the solid line before applying to your background fabric. 

Assembling the Block

This block took me less than an hour to complete. I simply dug through my scraps until I found a piece of colored fabric that covered the applique template. I didn’t measure—if it fit, I used it.

Important: The applique pieces do need to be folded under along the solid line. This gives your shapes a finished edge and helps prevent fraying.

This is where Steam-a-Seam fusible tape is especially helpful—it keeps the pieces in place after you fold them under and allows you to position everything securely before sewing.


NOTE: There is no right or wrong way to do applique. If you prefer a different method of doing it, please feel free. The vision of this block is to showcase the diversity of skills, color, and technique that makes us all special even if we are all the same.  

Layout Order
The colors should be placed in the same position as the example picture on the first page of the Community Block.  (as shown in the example photo):

Applique Stitching Tips

Choose thread that matches the background fabric. If you don’t have a perfect match, go with something neutral that won’t draw attention away from the design.

Use any stitch you’re comfortable with. That could be a straight stitch, edge stitch, decorative stitch, or a proper applique stitch.

When I made mine, I tried a decorative stitch. It looked nice, but it did make the corners a bit bulky and pulled in the background fabric, which slightly shrank my finished block. If you’re new to applique, an edge stitch or straight stitch is a safe place to start.

Final Thoughts

Once your applique is sewn down, you’ve finished your block. 

  • You’ve made a circle
  • You’ve used up some of your scraps
  • You’ve learned or practiced a new skill

No matter how your block turned out, you’ve taken a creative step forward. That’s worth celebrating.

I look forwarding to seeing the amazing colors. 

 Jai 

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