Deciding to cut your fabric scraps down into usable sizes can be a daunting task. Especially if you are just getting started and have a mountain of fabric to tackle! In this post, I break down my strategy for cutting into my fabric scraps.
I cut my scraps into: 2.5” strips, 1.5” strips, 10” squares, 5” squares, 3.5” squares, and 2.5” squares. I chose these because they are common pre-cut sizes so there are many quilt patterns already written to use these sizes (with the exception of the 3.5” squares). Also, I like that you can combine these sizes in many different combinations to make a 6” block.
These sizes work for me, but when choosing what sizes to cut your scraps into, choose what works for you! If you are planning a string quilt, 1.5” strips might be the best use of your scraps. If you are thinking a postage stamp quilt sounds fun, cut your scraps into 2” squares. If you don’t have a specific quilt in mind, cut your scraps into a variety of sizes like I do until inspiration strikes!
After I finish cutting the fabric for a new quilt project, I put all of the leftover fabric into a bin (it’s actually a flower pot)! When the flower pot gets too full, I cut my scraps down into the usable sizes and sort them by color into storage boxes. You could also sort the scraps by size depending on how you plan to use them (for example, if you are making a postage stamp quilt or string quilt).
I used to cut these scraps after I finished each project or quilt, but now I throw them into my flower pot and save them for the days I just want to do something mindless while I watch TV. When my flower pot gets too full, but I don’t want to stop what I’m working on, I’ll spend 5 or so minutes a day cutting up scraps until that fabric mountain is more manageable.
Scrap Cutting Strategy:
Last thought: Anything larger than a FQ or ¼ yard, I will consider saving for a fabric destash instead of cutting up. I don’t keep a big fabric stash (read here to find out why), so honestly, if I saved it, it probably wouldn’t get used. That is the main reason why this fabric scrap management strategy works for me. I am more likely to use fabric that has been cut down into usable sizes than I am larger pieces stashed away.
If you choose to cut your scraps into the same sizes that I do, I have a FREE quilt pattern written specifically for those cuts. Download my Scrappy Valley quilt pattern here!
The Chevron Stars Quilt Pattern is out now!
Chevron Stars quilt pattern is the second in my chevron series. You can get both Chevron Series Quilt Patterns here! And if you'd prefer just this one, you can get the PDF version here and the Printed version here!
So let me tell you a story about Chevron Stars... This was one of those patterns that I would work on for a bit only to put it away and come back to it later. I actually had 3 or 4 iterations of this design that I *almost* moved forward with before deciding at the last minute that I didn't like it. It wasn't until I offset the stars that it started to come together.
I think I am constantly having to remind myself not to rush the process because I am excited. Sometimes it is necessary to sit with a design for my creativity to have a chance to work.
Chevron Stars is rated as an intermediate level pattern. This is because accurate cutting, trimming, and a 1/4" seam allowance are necessary skills to make this quilt pattern come together. Don't let the "intermediate" scare you away if you are a newer quilter, though! This pattern is perfect if you want to practice matching points.
The star blocks in this quilt are BIG! These 15" square blocks make this a good pattern for showing off your favorite fat quarter bundle! If you haven't seen the Moonglow version I made using a Ruby Star Society bundle, you should check it out here!
If you are familiar with my quilt patterns, you will know that I have another chevron pattern - Chevron Points. This is the sister pattern to Chevron Stars, as they both use the pointed chevron design throughout! If you love the chevron design as much as I do, you can actually snag both patterns in this Chevron Series bundle!
Okay - back to talking about the cover girl.
So, this was actually my first time using a dark background. I'm not going to lie, I was kind of nervous about it! Having dark threads to trim from the back of the quilt top to keep from peeking through my lighter fabrics was a TASK. Plus, with darker fabrics I worry about bleeding but that's nothing a few color catchers and some Synthrapol can't prevent. I'm glad I went through with the dark fabric because I loved it! I think it really makes those stars POP!
The fabrics I used are Michael Miller Cotton Couture in the colors Delft, Glass, Ice Blue, Iris, Mauve, Ocean, Saturn, Spa, and Venus. The accent color that breaks up the stars is Soft White. The background color I used is the color Cadet. Lastly, the backing and binding color is Saturn.
The cover girl was longarm quilted by Katie Hanson of Modern Textiles. We went with the classic - a baptist fan pantograph. You really can't go wrong with it!
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Get your copy of the Chevron Stars quilt pattern in the shop now! You can get the PDF pattern here and the Printed pattern here!
Chevron Stars quilt pattern is the second in my chevron series. You can get both Chevron Series Quilt Patterns here!
Alexia Abegg is one my all time favorite fabric designers so I was thrilled to get this collection from Ruby Star Society as part of their Makers program. I really admire the way she puts her collections together without huge floral motifs. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a good floral print, but Alexia's collections don't need them. Her style is unique and I love it. You can get to know a little bit about her here!
I didn't have room to use all of the fabrics from this collection in the quilt, so I selected the ones that flowed best and ran with it!
This was the first sample of Chevron Stars I made while I was testing the pattern. It was so fun to see it come together. I had been working on this design off and on for almost a year so it was a long time coming! I'm glad that I'm finally able to share it with you all!
I used Michael Miller's Cotton Couture Fabrics in the color Quartz as the backing of this quilt. I think it compliments the colors in Alexia's collection perfectly. The Moonglow collection is a stunner, so I didn't want to put a print on the back to compete with it.
The quilting on this Chevron Stars quilt was done by the wonderful Katie Hanson of Modern Textiles. We decided to go with the Pretty Petals pantograph for this one and I'm glad we did! It gives the quilt a dainty feeling that fits the collection perfectly.
I love this scrappy Hurrication quilt so much!
The fabric I used for this quilt came from Kristin Quinn Creative. Kristin made a quilt with a similar bundle for Modernly Morgan, and I fell in love with it. I reached out to her and asked her if she could expand the bundle to 20 prints for me and this is what she came up with!
Choosing the layout of this scrappy quilt was a process of mixing and matching until the layout was just right. I wanted to make sure the colors within the quilt flowed nicely from one another. I actually have a blog about planning this ombre layout that you can read all about here!
I decided to use Floral Elements by AGF in Antique Rose for my backing fabric. I figured that since the front has so many colors and patterns going on, the backing should be calm and pretty neutral for the quilt. I think it pairs nicely with the scrappy Hurrication top!
I decide to quilt this scrappy ombre Hurrication quilt myself on my domestic sewing machine. I chose straight-line quilting approximately 1" apart. If you need a trusty, quick quilting design, you can't go wrong with straight-line quilting!
The scrappy binding is hands down my favorite part of this quilt! I think everyone should have at least one scrappy bound quilt under their quilting belt. It adds so much fun and flair to the quilt - especially if you choose to add it to a simple solids only quilt!
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Want a cute Hurrication sticker? You can get yourself one here! |
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Scroll for more pretty pictures of the Scrappy Ombre Hurrication Quilt!
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!
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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!
Hurrication is finally out in the world and I couldn't be happier about it!
This one has been in my drafts for a couple years now, and I am excited to finally get it out into the world. It was inspired by my time living in coastal Georgia. We had only lived there for a couple of months when we had to evacuate for a hurricane. My sweet neighbor invited us to come stay at her family home a few hours away. It ended up being a really fun way to spend a few days, so we jokingly called it our “hurrication” for the rest of the time we were neighbors. And, luckily, the hurricane that was coming our way took a detour at the last minute, and there was minimal rain and wind damage to our area. *Phew*
For my cover quilt, I knew I had to use my go-to for solids: Cotton Couture by Michael Miller. The colors I used in this quilt are Cadet, Denim, Sea, and Delft with a background of Soft White. I love how soothing and calming these colors are together - despite the scary weather inspiration behind the quilt. It is a little like the feeling of relief once the weather has cleared!
The quilting for this Hurrication cover quilt is by Katie Hanson of Modern Textiles. She used the Mike's Swoosh pantograph which is basically the perfect design for this pattern - the swirly effect of the design looks like the pattern a hurricane makes on a weather radar! I'm not saying ALL Hurrication quilts should have this quilting design, buuuut it is a pretty great combo if I do say so myself!
You can get your own copy of the PDF or paper versions in the shop now! Make sure to tag me in your makes so I can admire your work and use the hashtags #rsqpatterns and #runningstitchquilts on your social posts!
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Want a cute Hurrication sticker? You can get yourself one here! |
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Keep scrolling on for more pretty picture of the Hurrication cover quilt! :)
Welcome back to the Hurrication QAL!
This week is all about the extra HST you can make from your snowball corner leftovers!
Let's get started. :)
I like saving all of my triangles for the end for a couple reasons. One, I don't always use the background fabric and pair up the prints instead. Two, they make a good leaders and enders while piecing other projects.
Reminder, these are on the bias so handle gently when sewing!
If you click on the Week 2 link above, there is section on sewing an extra line 1/2" away from the original. Cutting in between these two lines gives you the extra HST without having to sew them separately later! If bias edges are troubling for you, do it this way to avoid that issue.
Press your HSTs open or two the side (whichever your preference), and square to 2.5". They will finish at 2" when sewn together!
The Rainbow Sherbet Pouch by Great Heron Thread Co is my newest obsession. I made one to hold my hand embroidery projects, and I loved it so much I used my HSTs from my cover quilt and my QAL quilt to make two new pouches.
Don't tell the others, but the ombre effect from my QAL pouch is hands down one of my favorite things I've ever made. The ombre continues on to the back and it's just so fun!
For the blue pouch, I attempted some improv style patchwork. I randomly paired triangles together to make the HSTs and then randomly paired the HSTs when sewing them together. It was freeing to not worry about matching points!
I used this pattern by Something from Nothing to make a journal cover that fits over a composition book. When sewing these HSTs, I randomly paired the fabrics together omitting the background fabric altogether. I had less HSTs to work with, but this was a small project so it worked out just fine!
Each week I will be giving away a FQ bundle curated from my own stash! Here is this weeks bundle!
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.)
– Because I want this to be a stress-free QAL, any picture of your progress counts! It doesn't have to necessarily “match” the prompt. If you don't have your fabrics yet, post the QAL graphic. If you have your fabrics, show them off so we can see what you're going to make! If you want to post more than once, go for it! All of it counts. :)
I will randomly pick one winner on Sunday night and announce it in next weeks email newsletter and in my IG stories!
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!
AND
Rachel of Saltwater Fabrics is giving away a $50 gift card to her shop!
We're almost done! If you haven't finished your blocks yet, next week is a good chance to do that before we finally assemble the tops!
I've been wanting a new (long and skinny) pin cushion to keep next to my sewing machine. I had a few leftover HSTs from my Scrappy Hurrication quilt, so I made one really quick. I took some pictures of my process so you can make one too!
Because pin cushions are so small and can be made so quickly, these are a great way to use up small scraps!
1. Sew scraps together to make at a panel that is 7" x 9". Place the panel right side up on top of lining fabric. The lining fabric will be inside the pin cushion and wont get seen. So it doesn't have to be anything fancy.
2. Quilt as desired. I did straight lines approximately 5/8" apart.
3. Trim panel down to 6.5" x 8.5".
5. Fold in half wrong sides together and sew a 1/4" seam.
6. Now it will look like a tube. Press seam open, centering the seam in the middle of the tube.
7. Sew a 1/4" seam on ONE end of the pin cushion tube.
8. Turn pin cushion right side out. Use a stiletto or butter knife to help push out the corners.
9. On the open end, fold the edges under approximately 1/4", press, and clip in place. I like to do this before I add the filler because it is a little easier to work with at this stage.
10. Using the small funnel, add the filler. I massaged the bottom of the bag in between pours to help distribute the filler down evenly, and to make sure it got into the corners at the bottom.
11. When full, use clips to hold the edges together. Carefully sew edge closed backstitching at the beginning and end.
12. Fill with pins!!
Welcome back to the Hurrication QAL!
We are almost to the halfway point, how are you feeling!?
I don't have much to share this week, so I thought I'd share some of the posts from the Instagram hashtag. Everyone is making great progress, so hopefully you are feeling inspired and motivated to finish!
Let's get started. :)
These are just a handful of the quilts being shared on Instagram. Be sure to follow the hashtag or check it out here!
Each week I will be giving away a FQ bundle curated from my own stash! Here is this weeks bundle!
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.)
– Because I want this to be a stress-free QAL, any picture of your progress counts! It doesn't have to necessarily “match” the prompt. If you don't have your fabrics yet, post the QAL graphic. If you have your fabrics, show them off so we can see what you're going to make! If you want to post more than once, go for it! All of it counts. :)
I will randomly pick one winner on Sunday night and announce it in next weeks email newsletter and in my IG stories!
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!
AND
Rachel of Saltwater Fabrics is giving away a $50 gift card to her shop!
Next week will be all about snowball corners! I'll share what I'm making with my leftover HSTs, give you some other ideas what you can make with yours, and have a handy tutorial for you. :)
Welcome back to the Hurrication QAL!
This weeks' post is a short one. I had a few questions throughout the week, so I wanted to address them here in case you also have a similar question.
Let's get started. :)
Starching Fabric
I was asked about how often I starch my fabrics, so here is my process in a little more detail. I ONLY starch once - before cutting my fabric
I do not starch again after my fabric cut or after I've started sewing the pieces together because starch can cause the fabric to shrink.
Starch washes out completely and you will still get that quilty crinkle after it has been washed. I've also used starch in wall hangings that have never been washed with no negative effects.
Trimming Blocks
If you are having trouble with squaring up the blocks - sewing with a scant 1/4" seam, and pressing seams OPEN will give you a little more wiggle room when trimming your blocks to size. This can be particularly important if you are working with a thicker fabric like wovens or flannel.
Each week I will be giving away a FQ bundle curated from my own stash! Here is this weeks bundle!
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.)
– Because I want this to be a stress-free QAL, any picture of your progress counts! It doesn't have to necessarily “match” the prompt. If you don't have your fabrics yet, post the QAL graphic. If you have your fabrics, show them off so we can see what you're going to make! If you want to post more than once, go for it! All of it counts. :)
I will randomly pick one winner on Sunday night and announce it in next weeks email newsletter and in my IG stories!
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!
AND
Rachel of Saltwater Fabrics is giving away a $50 gift card to her shop!
If you have any questions or any issues making a block, please let me know so I can talk about it in next weeks newsletter! From here on out, we will we be making our blocks. :)
See you next Monday!
Welcome back to the Hurrication QAL!
We are starting our blocks this week and I can't wait to see them come together. If you are making the throw size quilt with me, we have 20 blocks to make and five weeks to do it. You can either make 4 blocks a week, OR make 5 blocks a week with a catch up week at the end. Either way you go, this should give you plenty of time to keep up!
If you are making a different size quilt, divide the total number of blocks needed by 5 to see how many blocks you need make each week.
Let's get started. :)
I highly recommend making a test block before diving into the rest. It can be a good way to make sure you know what you're doing and a good visual check as you make your blocks. It is also a way to test of your fabric placement and to make sure you like the flow of your block.
In order to get the best results when making these blocks, I recommend pressing creases into the E1 square so you can easily center the triangles on the square fabric.
Fold the fabric in half horizontally and use your fingers to press down on the crease. Open the square, rotate it 90 degrees and repeat the process. To be honest, I don't bother to do press a crease into the triangles, but you can also press the triangles in half to find the center point.
If you pressed a crease in the triangle, line up the two creases and pin in place. If you did not, line up the center point of the triangle with the creased line.
I repeat this process again before attaching the B triangles. Because of the way the block rotates, you will need new markers. However, I use the same marks for C and D triangles, but you can re-press if need a more obvious line.
Finger pressing works well for me, but you can also use your iron if you are wanting a deeper crease.
Chain piecing is my favorite quilting short cut.
If you are making the Modern Solids version, chain piecing is a piece of cake! Make a pile of triangles and a pile of background squares and dive in. Just be sure you are sewing the correct color in the correct orientation!
If you are making a Scrappy or Ombre version, chain piecing takes a bit more planning.
First, I make ALL 20 blocks with the A triangles. I make these one at a time so I don't accidentally mix up any of my sets. Once all 20 A triangle blocks are made, pressed, and trimmed, it's time to chain piece!
I find it easiest to work in batches of four or five (see how that worked out! ;). I will gather the remaining triangles in the colors needed next to my sewing machine. That way, I can quickly I grab the correct color and size triangle from the stack as I need them.
I also like to set up a small pressing station next to my sewing machine so I can easily press each set blocks before sewing the next step. After each round of triangles, I square them up and repeat the process until the four blocks are done. It makes the process so much faster!
In the pattern, I suggest pressing the A, B, and C triangles to the side and the E1 triangle and snowball corners open. Those last two seams will line up with the seams on other blocks so pressing them open helps to reduce bulk.
Certainly, all seams can be pressed open if you prefer to do so. Remember, when pressing open, trim the dog ears before attaching the next set of triangles.
Do not skip this step! I know it can be tempting to think it looks square enough and you really just want to move on to the next set of triangles. Don't do it! Each round of triangles makes a block that is slightly oversized and needs to be trimmed down to the appropriate size to work. Accuracy is important here since each round of triangles builds on the ones before.
When lining up my ruler, I do a quick visual check of an inner square with the ruler so I don't accidentally square the block a little wonky (see photo above). I also check to make sure I have 1/4" from the point on all sides. Double check everything again, and trim the right and top edges. Rotate the block 90 degrees and do it again!
TIP: Place washi tape on your ruler to easily see where you are supposed to trim. Place tape JUST outside of the marks. If you place the tape directly on the lines, it can be hard to see if you are covering up the fabric with the tape.
If you don't have a large square ruler (I'm using a 16.5" creative grids rulere here, I love this one and I use it every quilt I make): here are two resources that can help!
I have a blog post/video tutorial on using two rulers to square larger blocks, and Jen of PiperAutumnFabrics made a similar reel squaring her Hurrication blocks. Check them out below!
The last step in making the block is adding the snowball corners. You're in the homestretch now!
Mark your squares. I like to use hera markers or a frixon pen to draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the square. I sew my seam JUST to the right of that line.
TIP: fold the D square over and press it BEFORE trimming off the excess. It stays more square this way.
Also, save the extra triangles to make a bonus project. I'll be back later in the QAL with some ideas of what you can do with them.
TIP: Sew another line 1/2" from the first and then trim down the middle. This quickly gives you the extra HST without having to sew them later.
Each week I will be giving away a FQ bundle curated from my own stash! Here is this weeks bundle!
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.)
– Because I want this to be a stress-free QAL, any picture of your progress counts! It doesn't have to necessarily “match” the prompt. If you don't have your fabrics yet, post the QAL graphic. If you have your fabrics, show them off so we can see what you're going to make! If you want to post more than once, go for it! All of it counts. :)
I will randomly pick one winner on Sunday night and announce it in next weeks email newsletter and in my IG stories!
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!
AND
Rachel of Saltwater Fabrics is giving away a $50 gift card to her shop!
If you have any questions or any issues making a block, please let me know so I can talk about it in next weeks newsletter! From here on out, we will we be making our blocks. :)
See you next Monday!
I'm so excited to make this quilt and share my tips with you along the way.
Here's how it's going to work: each Monday for the next 7 weeks, I'll share a blog post with the weekly focus and any tips, tricks, or tutorials for the week. Each blog post will be linked to the Hurrication QAL page (bookmark this page!). I will also send an email with a link to the blog post and the giveaway winner. Plus I will share it on my social media, so you don't miss anything!
If you are on Instagram, share your progress using the hashtag #hurricationQAL and #hurricationquilt so I can see and cheer you on! Be aware, your account must be public for me to see it.
First things first, if you don't have the pattern already, you can download the PDF here, the PRINTED version here, and download the free alternate version here.
Before we jump in, let me introduce myself really quick! My name in Julie and I am the pattern designer behind Running Stitch Quilts. I started quilting in 2014 when I bought a sewing machine on a whim and I haven't looked back since. My husband is in the military and we have lived all over, but we are currently in Michigan with our two daughters and two dogs. When I'm not quilting or wrangling kids, I'm probably running. So far, I've done one marathon and five half marathons with another coming up in October!
This week we will be focusing on choosing, prepping and cutting fabric, and getting organized.
You have a lot of options with this quilt. It can be made with yardage, half yards, or fat quarters. In addition to that, I made an alternate version that has slightly different fabric requirements. You can get more information on that here.
No matter which version of the quilt you make, the key is staying organized. To help you with that, I've linked the coloring page here. Print off as many as you need to plan your quilt!
If you are making the Modern Solids version, it can be helpful to make a swatch card to keep by your sewing machine for easy reference! Glue, tape, or stitch down your fabric in the desired placement. It is a great visual cue when sewing.
If you are making the scrappy or ombre versions, I talk more about how I keep those layouts organized below. For now, make sure you get your pieces mixed and matched or laid out in an ombre pattern.
Starching your fabric is not required if you want to skip this step. However, I like starching my fabrics because I think the stiffer fabric is easier to sew with and helps with accuracy. I like it for this pattern in particular because of the bias edges in the pattern. Bias edges are prone to stretching and distortion, so you'll need to handle them with care, but starched fabrics can help with that a bit. I have a blog post where I talk more about bias edges.
If you want to starch your fabric, do it this week, BEFORE you cut into it. Starch can cause a small bit of fabric shrinkage, so if you spray down fabric that has already been cut, you run the risk of trying to sew with pieces that are too small.
I shake out my fabric and then spray it down pretty good. I let it dry a bit, then iron out any wrinkles and creases. If I'm not cutting into it right away, I will drape it over the back of a chair to minimize putting creases back into it.
Cutting for this quilt is fairly straight forward. Please make sure you are following the correct chart and read through all of the instructions before starting!
TIP: Use a fresh rotary cutter blade (your hands and wrist will thank you!), and measure twice and cut once. ;)
If you are making the alternate version from the pattern extension: You will need to refer to the original pattern for B, C, and E1 cutting instructions. Please let me know if you have any questions!
For ALL versions: Don't forget to cut the appropriate pieces diagonally into triangles. Refer to your pattern or pattern extension for specifics.
When you are finished cutting, plan the scrappy or ombre layout.
TIP: If you are making a scrappy quilt, you need four different fabrics per block. When mixing and matching (or planning the ombre) only work with the small A triangles. This way you aren't handling the bigger triangles more than necessary.
This is how I planned the ombre layout for my quilt!
If you are wanting to make the ombre scrappy version, this blog post goes into more detail about how I planned that quilt. It also has a color key you can refer to that can get you started. Depending on your fabric, you will probably need to make some tweaks, but it is a good starting place!
Each week I will be giving away a FQ bundle curated from my own stash! Here is this weeks bundle!
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.)
– Because I want this to be a stress-free QAL, any picture of your progress counts! It doesn't have to necessarily “match” the prompt. If you don't have your fabrics yet, post the QAL graphic. If you have your fabrics, show them off so we can see what you're going to make! If you want to post more than once, go for it! All of it counts. :)
I will randomly pick one winner on Sunday night and announce it in next weeks email newsletter and in my IG stories!
Jill of J. Coterie is giving away free long arming services (up to $250) and Rachel of Saltwater Fabrics is giving away a $50 gift card to her shop!
We are jumping right into block assembly next week. I'll be sharing my tips for chain piecing and trimming the blocks at each step.
If you have any questions, drop them in the comment box below!
See you next Monday!
