Monday, March 30, 2020

Hand Pieced QAL - Louisa


Having fun hand piecing?  It's time to get started on our third block - Louisa.



Louisa will build on the skills from Evelyn (our first block) and Jane (our second) and introduce the challenge of dealing with a bunch of seams coming together at the center.

Louisa goes together quickly and you'll enjoy the challenge of piecing her whether you are new to hand piecing or picking back up your needle and thread after a break from last year's QAL.

Still need the pattern for Book Club for the Hand Pieced QAL - grab yours now!  Book Club is a 9 block sampler and two block setting to make either a wall hanging or a throw sized quilt.  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!



Tips & Tricks

There are just two different kinds of units to be cut  for our Louisa block.  You'll likely be a pro using templates now but check out the tutorial if you need some reminders.  Make sure you mark all your stitching lines on the wrong side of the units.  This specialty ruler - The Perfect Piecer -  makes it easy marking sewing lines on angles.


The rotary cutting instructions (if applicable) for the units can be found in the bottom left corner of the pattern sheet.  Please consult the tutorials for Using Templates and for Marking Stitching Lines if you need some tips.



Layout all the units to match the design for the Louisa block.  (I am using my wonderful wool pressing mat to keep everything organized.)



Sew pairs of pie wedges together - you will have 4 sets.  I like to pin along the marked stitching lines to make sure the units are lined up correctly.   Sew 2 sets together to create each half of the unit.


The key to success in dealing with the bulk of 8 pie wedges coming to the middle of the quilt is to pin well and carefully push your needle through all the seam allowances.   Sew a few stitches pass the center and flip to the right side to make sure you are happy with how everything is aligned.  If you aren't, now is the time to pull out your stitches and try again.


Once your pie wedges are all together, sew on the triangles to complete the block


The link-up for Louisa (or any blocks you make this week) will open on Thursday, April 2.  If you share on IG, please tag your photo with #bookclubqal and #handpiecedqal.

Make sure you go visit Kristen and see her Louisa block!

The Book behind the Block

When Louisa (Lou) first appears in the book Me Before You by Jojo Meyes her life is somewhat defined by her quirky family and her inability to hold a job for very long.    Lou takes a job as a companion to Will.  Will, who is paralyzed after a motorcycle accident, has made a deal with his parents that he will seek an opportunity for assisted suicide in 6 months if he finds he can't handle life as someone who is severally disabled.

While I won't spoil the ending for you (although you may have already read the book or seen the movie), I can tell you that this is one of my favorite books of all time.  I laughed and cried as I followed Lou and Will through the development of their relationship.   There are actually two other books in the series and I'd recommend those as well - After You and Still Me.

And if you've read these books and want to enjoy another by Jojo Meyes, let me suggest The Giver of Stars.

When naming the block Louisa, we were both struck by the hectic nature of Lou's life best represented by the spinning block.  I used gold for the triangles as a nod to her bumblebee tights which make an appearance at her birthday party.


The link-up for Louisa (or any blocks you make this week) will open on Thursday, April 2.  You can also add your blocks to the Jane link-up - it closes Thursday right as the Louisa link-up opens.  If you share on IG, please tag your photo with #bookclubqal and #handpiecedqal.


Please stop by Kristin's blog to check out her version of Louisa!





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


Have a wonderful day! Patty

1 comment:

  1. I love Jojo Moyes' books! I had forgotten that Louisa was the name of the main character in Me Before You and the others, but she is definitely a favorite. I enjoyed making this block! Thanks, Patty!

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