All Printed Patterns Are Now BACK IN STOCK!
Welcome back to the Hurrication QAL!
We made it to the last week! This week is all about assembling your quilt top.
Let's get started. :)
If you are making a scrappy or ombre layout, figuring out the layout takes a bit more time and consideration. I go into more depth about the ombre version in this blog post, but when I'm planning a random, scrappy layout, I like to just get all of the blocks onto the design wall (or laid out on the floor). From there, I move blocks around until the lights/darks are balanced. I try not to have the same fabric in two blocks right next to each other if possible, but that's just a personal preference.
When I'm happy with the layout, the final step before sewing the rows together is to take a black and white picture. This helps to see the value of the fabrics and it is easier to catch if there is a too dark or too light area.
I've mentioned this before, but I rarely use pins when piecing my blocks. That being said, I always use pins when piecing my rows. Pinning helps keep the rows straight and the seams aligned. For this quilt, I put a pin at each intersection and each triangle point.
When putting the rows together, I sew them together in pairs, then sew the pairs together. This helps keep everything straight, in order, and easier to handle the bulk on my sewing table.
That's it!!
I am obsessed with how mine turned out. I love every single thing about it. :)
My cover quilt was long arm quilted with the edge to edge pantograph, Mike's Swoosh. I loved the swirly effect of the quilting that played into the hurricane theme.
My ombre quilt was quilted on my domestic machine with straight lines that are approximately 3/4" apart. I don't personally free motion quilt, so if I'm quilting something myself, I usually go for straight lines.
Other edge to edge pantos I considered were Modern Curves and Echoed Swirls. I think either of those would have worked well.
If I were to quilt another one myself, I think a diagonal lines following the background fabric would look nice! Or, keep it simple and stitch in the ditch. :)
Now, onto the PRIZES!
Jill of J. Coterie is giving away free long arming services (up to $250) and will offer 20% off on any quilt you send in to her! Jill has quilted most of my cover quilts and I think she does excellent work! I love sending my quilts to her. Sign up for Jill's newsletter here!
AND
Rachel of Saltwater Fabrics is giving away a $50 gift card to her shop! Rachel puts together some of my favorite quilt kits and bundles.
To enter in the giveaway:
– Share your progress on instagram using the hashtag #hurricationqal and #rsqpatterns. (Your Instagram account must be public or I won't be able to see it.)
– Sign up for Jill's newsletter :)
I will randomly pick one winner on Sunday night and announce it in next weeks email newsletter and in my IG stories!
