Curves
Orange Peel
Four peel units in a 2x2 grid. Each unit is two curved pieces — a concave background corner and a convex petal. Pin the arc generously before sewing.
Cut list
What to cut for one 12 inch finished block. A quarter inch seam allowance is already in every size.
Feature
- 4 pieces
- 6½"
Background
- 4 pieces
- 6½"
By region
| Region | Fabric | Units | Cut from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Left Background | Background | 1 | 6½" |
| Top Left Petal | Feature | 1 | 6½" |
| Top Right Background | Background | 1 | 6½" |
| Top Right Petal | Feature | 1 | 6½" |
| Bottom Right Background | Background | 1 | 6½" |
| Bottom Right Petal | Feature | 1 | 6½" |
| Bottom Left Background | Background | 1 | 6½" |
| Bottom Left Petal | Feature | 1 | 6½" |
How it goes together
- Step 1
Cut your pieces
Cut the pieces in the cut list. The sizes are for a 12 inch finished Orange Peel block and already include a quarter inch seam allowance.
- Step 2
Piece the curved seams first
Pin each curve at the midpoint and quarters, then ease the seam as you sew. Press toward the concave piece.
- Step 3
Assemble the block
Join the units into rows, then join the rows. Press as you go and square the finished block to size.
Read more
Color value vs hue in quilts
Value is how light or dark a color is. Hue is what we usually call “the color itself.” In quilts, value carries the design — hue carries the mood.
5 min read
Quilt block families, explained
Most quilt blocks belong to one of six families — Patchwork, Half-square triangles, Flying geese, Stars, Curves, and Hexagons. Each family is a way of piecing fabric together.
6 min read
The quilter’s seam allowance, explained
A seam allowance is the strip of fabric between the seam and the raw edge. Quilters work in a standard 1/4 inch — and getting it right is the difference between a top that finishes flat and one that fights you.
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Try the Orange Peel on a real layout.
Open it on the Design Wall. Try a few colors, see the math, change your mind.