There are 12 pieces in each block:
4 innie petals, 4 outie petals and 4 thongs (sorry, they just look like thong panties to me)
The construction sequence I use is:
1) Join 2 thong pieces at the narrow end. Use a really small stitch length. Press this seam open. now you have 2 single thong pieces and a joined piece.
2) make the 4 petals using the curved piecing method above, using a regular seam length. Press the seams one way or the other, but be consistent on all the pieces. There should be no need to clip the seams.
3) Sew 2 completed petals to a single thong. do this twice to make the 2 sides. press seams toward the petals.
4) Now you should be able to sew the 2 sides to the thong piece you made in the first step. Press these seams toward the thong.
I found this block very easy to make, however, mine were die cut, so they were very consistent. As posted before, you need to be very careful about keeping a consistent seam allowance.
Let me know if you have more questions, or if this is not clear.[/QUOTE]
That's the way I do mine also--got these instructions with my Marti Michell templates. Easy as pie! I had another set of Winding Ways templates--not Marti's and I had a heck of a time piecing them.
BTW: I love love love your description--"thongs"
Think I'll use it from now on!