Sew Let's Quilt Along Block 5

For Block 5 of the Sew Let's Quilt Along we are making our own quilt shops! The pattern for this block was designed by Abbie Danahy and is available on her website Sparkle On!. My go-to Blueberry Park fabrics worked really well to make my fantasy shop whimsical and joyful.

My version of "Sew, Let's Quilt Shop" block,
designed by Abbie Danahy

Segment 1 Wrap-Up

Can you believe this is the last block of Segment 1 of the QAL? Today I am also sharing a wrap-up post with information about the segment prize drawing and details on the projects that I have made with my blocks. Visit this post for project inspiration including a bonus pattern for a large tote bag: Sew Let's Quilt Along Segment 1 Wrap-Up and Projects

My Tips for Block 5

  • This block has lots of pieces, but you are used to that by now. Abbie's fabric cutting list is easy to follow, especially if you check off the pieces as you cut them and keep them organized in labeled piles.
  • You've flipped corners and made half square triangles before in this QAL. You have the skills! Build your shop one step at a time and enjoy the construction process.

Embellishment

Have fun embellishing this block to make it your own. In the pattern, Abbie included templates for fun fusible appliqué decorations and I used those as starting points for my own shop.

Machine Embroidery

I used the alphabet stitch on my sewing machine to embroider the open sign and the shop name before I cut out those pieces of fabric. Now the SandyStar Quilt Shop exists in my fantasy world! I've had my Baby Lock Soprano sewing machine for years, but this is the first time I've used the decorative alphabet stitch. I admit, I had to phone a quilty friend who has the same machine to figure out how to change the size of the characters. Thank you Janette!

Freezer Paper Appliqué

For the little potted plants and the open sign I used a freezer paper appliqué technique instead of fusible appliqué. I like how this technique makes a crisp, folded edge for the shapes. I also used fabric markers to add a few details to the plants.

Steps for freezer paper appliqué:

  1. Trace the design on freezer paper and cut it out. If the design is not symmetrical remember to draw it in reverse.
  2. Press the freezer paper shape, shiny side down, to the wrong side of the fabric.
  3. Cut the fabric around the freezer paper with a bit less than 1/4" seam allowance.
  4. Press the seam allowance over the edge of the freezer paper then remove the paper. Starch or starch alternative helps get a crisp fold.
  5. Glue baste the appliqué piece on the background fabric and hand stitch it in place.
  6. Tip for circle shapes: Hand sew a basting stitch all around the seam allowance and pull the thread to evenly gather the seam allowance over the edge before pressing.
Press seam allowance over edges of the freezer paper template.
Remove freezer paper after pressing edges. See the hand basting stitches I used to gather the edges around the circle templates?
Crisp folded edges ready to be hand appliquéd.

Community

The absolute best thing is sharing and seeing what everyone is making. Even if you are not keeping up with the schedule or posting for the prize drawings we still want to see what you are making!

You will find announcements and plenty of other quilters to cheer you on in the Partners in Design Facebook Group.

On Instagram you should use #SewLetsQAL on your posts. Be sure to follow the hashtag so you can see what everyone else is making.

More Blocks and Tips from Hosts

Visit the hosts for this block to see a variety of sewing tips and fabric choices from the Partners in Design team.

*Abbie Danahy @ Sparkle On!
April Adams @ JANDA Bend Quilts
Becca Fenstermaker @ Pretty Piney Quilts
Bobbi Bridgeman @ Snowy Days Quilting
Jennifer Fulton @ Inquiring Quilter
Karen Thurn @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Kathleen McCormick @ Kathleen McMusing
Sandra Healy @ Sandra Healy Designs
Sandy Maxfield @ SandyStar Designs
Sherry Shish @ Powered by Quilting

Amazing Sponsors

We are lucky to have amazing sponsors on board with some fabulous prizes for this QAL! In addition, many of the block designers are donating quilt patterns for the prize packages.

Prize Drawings

There will be a prize drawing at the end of each segment and then a grand prize drawing at the end of the whole QAL. The prizes are open to participants who are at least 18 years old.

Segment Prizes

To be eligible to win a segment prize, you need to make all of the blocks from that segment. Then share a photo (or photos) of your blocks in a single post to be entered in the drawing at the end of each segment. We are currently in Segment 1 which includes Blocks 1-5 and will run from March 12-May 20. So plan to post for the Segment 1 prize drawing after Block 5, between May 7 and May 20. See this post for more details on the Segment 1 prize drawing: Sew Let's Quilt Along Segment 1 Wrap-Up and Projects

Grand Prize

To be eligible to win the grand prize, you need to make all 13 blocks and turn them into a quilt top or other projects. Quilt tops don't need to be quilted, but projects do need to be finished. Share a single post at the end of the quilt along that shows all of the blocks in a quilt top or other projects. It doesn't matter how many projects or what projects you make, or how many blocks you use in each project, as long as you show that you have used all 13 blocks in a finished quilt top or projects.

How to Enter the Prize Drawings

There are three places you can share your blocks to be entered in the random prize drawings. Each participant will only be entered once in each drawing, even if you post in multiple places.

  • Facebook - share your blocks in the Partners in Design Facebook Group
  • Instagram - Share your blocks with hashtag #SewLetsQAL
  • Blog Linky - The hosts will share a link-up on their wrap-up posts at the end of each segment.

~Sandy

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