The Secret Path: Part Five

Monica Poole
Aug 6
2 min read

The Secret Path continues with the beautifully architectural Castle Rosette block, inspired by the intricate rosette windows found in medieval castles and cathedrals. Built from two foundation paper pieced template units sewn in opposite directions, this month's design creates a striking octagonal centre surrounded by bold geometric points, resulting in a block that is both elegant and satisfying to construct.

This month is also packed with practical techniques to help make your foundation paper piecing even more enjoyable. Monica shares seven of her favourite FPP tips, along with a brand new Beyond the Seam Technique, a simple glue basting method she developed to help seams nest beautifully while still allowing them to be pressed open. It's a technique born from experimentation, and one we hope you'll enjoy adding to your own quilting toolbox.

The accompanying appliqué block echoes the decorative motifs introduced in Appliqué Block 1, creating a beautiful sense of continuity throughout the quilt. Inspired by Gothic tracery and cathedral architecture, the graceful curves and layered details provide a lovely contrast to the strong geometric structure of the Castle Rosette block.

As your quilt continues to grow, you'll begin to see how each month's blocks work together to create a cohesive and richly detailed design. We hope you're enjoying watching your own interpretation of The Secret Path unfold with every stitch.

As always, we love seeing your progress and the beautiful fabric combinations you choose for each block. If you have any questions along the way, or would like to share your work, we'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

Happy quilting!

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