Desert Daydreams Design of the Month Zephyr

Hi there, all you cool Pins and Needles!  It’s Melisa from Stitchology.  I’m back today to share with you our 7th block in the 2025/2026 Design of the Month program. On the 2nd Friday of each month, I release a new nine-inch raw edge applique block kit.  This year’s theme, Desert Daydreams, is inspired by my childhood in New Mexico. In addition to the monthly blocks, we will release a quilt that incorporates all 12 blocks as we approach the finish line.  The blocks are available as kits or PDF downloadable patterns and once the month is over that kit will no longer be available, so you will need to be sure to check back monthly to see the new design and to grab your kit while you can!

You can find the kits and a video tutorial on raw edge applique here:

Our seventh block features Zephyr the Red Tailed Hawk.  She is inspired by the hawk that has built a nest in a giant cottonwood tree I walk by several times a week.  The tree is nestled in the Bosque-the forest that runs along the Rio Grande River-and I imagine is an ideal home because she is near water, wildlife and is protected from predators.

This is an especially fun block to make because the applique is easy, but it is an ideal design to allow free motion quilting to add texture and interest.

I started by tracing all my applique pieces. If you need a refresher on raw edge applique, you can find the tutorial here:

I built the design using the parchment paper technique.  You can read more about that here:

Next, I used the technique on free motion sewing found in this post to stitch in her talons and beak details.

Now that I have my block built, she’s looking pretty cute, but she’s also looking a little flat.  This is where free motion quilting can really make a design shine.  I’m going to go ahead and use the same free motion technique above to quilt in the shape of feathers along her back, legs and through the wing.  I like to use a slightly contrasting thread and in this particular instance I wait until the quilt sandwich has been made so I will be sewing through the quilt front, batting and backing all at once.  This quilts the finished project, but it also adds additional texture to the wings.

I just use swooping designs to mimic the shape of a wing. I like to make the wings longer towards the bottom part of the wing and shorter at the top.

When you compare the block that has been quilted next to the one that has not you can really tell the difference!

The number one question I get about raw edge applique is when to sew around the blocks-meaning do you do that while you are making the block, or later when you are quilting the final project? There is no correct answer, and you should do whatever feels best to you. I personally prefer to wait to do it as part of the quilting process.  I love how it adds additional texture and makes the design come alive.  On the flip side, it is easier to maneuver a small block instead of an entire quilt and if you are new to free motion quilting you may find you have better results when working on smaller pieces.

Once you complete the Zephyr block, she can be set to the side until all the blocks are finished. We will be back next month with our 8^th block!

Thanks for reading! 

Melisa