Sew Let's Quilt Along Block 7

For Block 7 of the Sew Let's Quilt Along we are paying tribute to our best quilting tool ... the iron! Honestly I think quilting is as much about pressing as it is about sewing. I have four irons and I use them all. A nice steam iron, a dry iron with no steam holes, a small travel iron, and an iron for clothes. Karen Thurn designed this fun It's a Pressing Issue block pattern which you can find on her website Tu-Na Quilts, Travels and Eats.

My Tips for Block 7

** On the spray head unit pay attention to the orientation of the pieces when you trim the seam allowances after sewing on the diagonal line. Yeah, ask me how I know. I just love to share my mistakes with you on this QAL.

** It is fun to see the pattern that results on the back when you make the 9-patch units for the quilt top. The seam allowances are pressed in opposite directions and nested together when you sew the seam. Then press the seam allowances in opposite directions to even out the bulk. You may need to pick out one or two stitches to allow the seams to lay down correctly.

** Note in the full block picture above that I used bias tape instead of rick rack for the electrical cord, just because I had bias tape in my stash. If possible I like to work with whatever I have on hand.

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
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 2 which includes Blocks 6-9 and will run from May 21-July 15. So plan to post for the Segment 2 prize drawing after Block 9, between July 2 and July 15.

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