Springtime Bliss Block

Welcome to week 3 of the Fat Quarter Shop Jolly Bar 3 Table runner QAL.  These hour glass blocks - called Springtime Bliss - were fun to assemble in these bright colors!  (Grab the pattern for this and all the blocks here.

The table runner can be made with a single jolly bar (pre-cut which measures 5'' x 10'') and some background fabric.  I am using a layer cake - Quotation by Moda - for mine!

Want to sew along?  Pick up the Jolly Bar book volume 3 here.  (affiliate link)  The book has patterns for 20 different quilts.  The table runner will be a nice sampler of the different blocks in the book.

Find overall information and fabric requirements at the Jolly Jabber blog.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Harmony Hand Pieced QAL - Flying Geese

My favorite quilt block is the Flying Geese and I'm excited that we've gotten to the Flying Geese unit in the Harmony Hand Pieced QAL!   Each Harmony block needs 4 Flying Geese units (8 geese in total) which means you'll need 16 Flying Geese units (32 geese in total) if you are making the throw sized quilt. We've got lots of basic tutorials - Using Templates, Marking Stitching Lines, and the Running Stitch - if you need some tips.

If you are just catching up, you can see the tips for all the previous units: Square in a Square, Half Square Triangles, Fancy Half Square Triangles, Partial Square in a Square units, Twisted Triangle in a Square, and the Corner Units.

Stitching Tips

The flying geese unit is easy to piece whether you are sewing units cut with a rotary cutter or units cut with templates.  

Two 'pro' tips for stitch and flip method (rotary cut):

• Mark both triangles and align a pin through the intersection point on each block to keep pieces aligned.
• For the second triangle, start at the top folded over corner from the first (background) triangle

One 'pro' tips for templates:

• Mark the /4'' stitching line just where you are about to stitch and clearly mark the start and stop lines 1/4'' from edge.  (Please note that my lines are not usually that dark - a bit a computer magic made the lines visible in this photo!)

When you are ready to stitch the flying geese together, stitch as shown in photo (on right below) so you can both stitch through the seams and keep the point of the geese intact. 

If needed, sliver trim your block and then go ahead and mark the stitching lines around the outside so you will be ready when it is time to sew your units together.

For more tips, check out Kristin's post - she has a great video for sewing geese!

The Basics

Still need the pattern for Harmony?  Grab yours now!  

Harmony is a large single block - make one and you've got a lovely wall hanging (28'' x 28'') or join 4 Harmony blocks together for a lovely throw sized quilt (56'' x 56'').  Did you miss the QAL announcement?  You can find more information here!  If you have any trouble ordering the pattern, please don't hesitate to email us at handpiecedqal@gmail.com - we'll be happy to help!

Whether you are making the wall hanging or the throw sized quilt, we recommend you cut just the pieces you need to make a single Harmony block.  Once you've sewn a few units and have some experience cutting with templates, you can go back and cut the rest of the pieces for all the Harmony blocks you need.

Please consult the tutorials for Using Templates, Marking Stitching Lines, and the Running Stitch if you need some tips.

The following supplies were used - the Perfect Piecer, Aurifil 80 wt thread,  needles, Clover applique pins, wool pressing mat, Oliso mini iron, and great lighting!

We will be sewing the units in the order of the pattern which means our next unit will be the triangle in a square unit - we will share tips next Monday, April 19. Our second check-in link-up will be April 26!

Stay in touch and join our community so you don't miss a thing!  

• Join our Hand Pieced Quilt Along Facebook Group.  

• Subscribe to our newsletter 

• Follow Simply Everyday Handmade and Elm Street Quilts on Instagram

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Slow Summer Stitch Project Update

Last August, I buried packed away with care my Summer 2020 Hand Piecing project.  In a sewing studio clean up I found it again!  After a bit of pressing, I laid it out on the floor to see where I was in the process.  

The assembly process involves bringing blocks together in groups of 4 and then joining those into a group of 16 blocks.  There are lots of partial seams here which are much easier to do by hand than by machine.  Assessing where I am, I've decided to make two more 4 block units (already prepped) sew these 16 block units together and then (perhaps) use the other blocks I have to add a row to one end.

Read more about the project here.

To give me a bit of incentive to finish my quilt top, I am going to join the 100 Day Summer Sew-Along which is all about hand sewing!  Grab your favorite project and join in!

The sew along is hosted by Jenn from Sew Fine thread gloss and begins on June 1.

Kristin and I are sponsoring the event and will be offering our hand piecing patterns as one of the prizes.

Have a wonderful day! Patty