My Favorite Color is Moda Sew Along - Blocks 18, 19, & 20

 I know, I know. The sew along ended quite a while ago.

Life has been crazy. I won't go into details, but I'm trying to wrap this quilt up (no pun intended) by the end of the year.

Disclaimer: Sometimes I will change the pattern instructions a little bit because a different way works better for me. This does not mean that the pattern won't work exactly as written. If you follow the pattern, your blocks will still turn out fine.

Tips/Instructions:

Blocks 18 & 19 are basically the same block, just with different fabrics and different sizes.

The only tip I have is seam direction. Press the seams on two sections toward the outside triangles and the other two toward the center sections. This will allow for nesting of the seams.

Sew everything together.

Block 20

1. Pressing the HSTs:

Fabric 2 & 7 - press toward fabric 7

Fabric 2 & 5 - press toward fabric 2

6 1/2" HSTs - press toward fabric 2

2. Pay attention to the 4 patches. They are not all identical.

3. Lay out everything as you go.  This will definitely save time and effort since this this is a pretty intricate block.

All the blocks are now done!!! Next up, assembly.

NOTE: I still have patterns for sale individually if you'd like to make your own version. I also have a couple of Grunge Trading post kits left. They are 40% OFF and shipping is FREE.

I'd love it if you join the Facebook Group and/or post pictures on Instagram and mention the blog (and tag @twiddletails) if you find this post helpful.

My Favorite Color is Moda Sew Along - Blocks 16 & 17

Two identical blocks using different fabrics.

Disclaimer: Sometimes I will change the pattern instructions a little bit because a different way works better for me. This does not mean that the pattern won't work exactly as written. If you follow the pattern, your blocks will still turn out fine.

Tips/Instructions:

1. Making quarter square triangle blocks:

First make 4 HSTs.

Draw a diagonal line on the back of two identical HSTs as in the photo below. Place pairs right sides together as shown below.

The most important thing is to ensure that all the seams come together where they cross in the center.

I like to pin on either side of the center to ensure there's no slippage. Yes, I need new pins...

Sew 1/4" away from the diagonal line on both sides just like you would when making an HST. Cut on the drawn line and press. Here's the back.

2. Lay out all the pieces before you start sewing and every time you've sewn a seam(s) and take a photo.

 This will save you a lot of headaches and seam ripping. An example:                                                                                                

3. Take your time. It will save you time.

NOTE:  All remaining kits are on 30% OFF in both the Etsy shop and main store. I also have patterns for sale individually if you'd like to make your own version.

I'd love it if you join the Facebook Group and/or post pictures on Instagram and mention the blog (and tag @twiddletails) if you find this post helpful.

My Favorite Color is Moda Sew Along - Block 15

This block looks very scary but really isn't. It's all HSTs and, because it's 27" x 27", it fills up a lot of space.

Disclaimer: Sometimes I will change the pattern instructions a little bit because a different way works better for me. This does not mean that the pattern won't work exactly as written. If you follow the pattern, your blocks will still turn out fine.

Tips/Instructions:

I don't have many tips for this block.

Be sure to double check your fabric combinations because there are 4 different HST combos.

I always lay everything out on the table as I go.

Nesting seams is hard when there are this many pieces in the block.

I did manage to do a little when making the smaller square units.

Make the 16 individual squares and sew them together in groups of 4.

Then sew these together in pairs and, finally, sew the pairs together to complete the block.

NOTE: As of the writing of this post, I still have a couple of kits left in the Trading Post and Pink Lemonade colorways.  I also have patterns for sale individually if you'd like to make your own version.

I'd love it if you join the Facebook Group and/or post pictures on Instagram and mention the blog (and tag @twiddletails) if you find this post helpful.

 

My Favorite Color is Moda Sew Along - Blocks 12, 13, & 14

We are making 9 blocks this month but don't panic.  They are very simple blocks.

Disclaimer: Sometimes I will change the pattern instructions a little bit because a different way works better for me. This does not mean that the pattern won't work exactly as written. If you follow the pattern, your blocks will still turn out fine.

Tips/Instructions:

Block 12: Press the Fabric 8/10 HSTs' seams toward Fabric 10 and the Fabric 9/10 HSTs' seams away from Fabric 10. This will allow all the seams to nest nicely when you assemble the block.

Block 13: Instead of cutting the squares into triangles, I used the traditional way of making hourglass blocks.

1. Use all the squares to make HSTs. You will have 4 HSTs.

2. Draw a diagonal line as below on the back of 2 of the HSTs.

3. Place 2 HSTs (one with a line and one without) right sides together as below and sew 1/4" away from the line on both sides. Check that the seams line up where they cross over.

4. Cut along the drawn line and press. Trim to 9.5".

Repeat for the other 2 HSTs. You will have 4 hourglass blocks but will only be using 3.

Block 14: Press all seams toward Fabric 7.

NOTE: As of the writing of this post, I still have a couple of kits left in the Primrose Garden, Trading Post and Pink Lemonade colorways.  I also have patterns for sale individually if you'd like to make your own version.

I'd love it if you join the Facebook Group and/or post pictures on Instagram and mention the blog (and tag @twiddletails) if you find this post helpful.

My Favorite Color is Moda Sew Along - Blocks 10 & 11

A quick month.

This month's blocks are really easy and I don't have too many tips that I haven't mentioned before.

I'm planning a post on how to decide which direction to press seams, so stay tuned.

 

Disclaimer: Sometimes I will change the pattern instructions a little bit because a different way works better for me. This does not mean that the pattern won't work exactly as written. If you follow the pattern, your blocks will still turn out fine.

Tips/Instructions:

Remember to make TWO of block 11.

NOTE: As of the writing of this post, I still have a couple of kits left in the Primrose Garden, Trading Post and Pink Lemonade colorways.  I also have patterns for sale individually if you'd like to make your own version.

I'd love it if you join the Facebook Group and/or post pictures on Instagram and mention the blog (and tag @twiddletails) if you find this post helpful.

Sampler Spree - Week 3

 This week's Sampler Spree color is aqua/turquoise/teal. This is one of my favorite colors!! 

The blocks are:

• #8 - Broken Sash
• #20 - London Stairs
• #22 - Dream Ship
• #31 - Lightning Strikes
• #35 - Double Shoo-Fly
• #49 - Opposites
• #67 - Jack in the Box
• #71 - Oh Susannah
• #82 - Scotch
• #94 - Hayes Corner
• #96 - Broken Windows
• #101 - Framed Ohio Star

There is another BONUS PROJECT this week! Be sure to join the Facebook group to download it.

A few ways to participate:

1. Join the Twiddletails Quilt Alongs Facebook group (free projects will be uploaded here.)

2. Join the Moda Blockheads Facebook group

3. Follow on Instagram: #samplerspreeqal, @yardgrl60, @modafabrics, @martingaletpp

4. Share your progress on Instagram using #samplerspreeqal

Here are my blocks for Week 3:

My Favorite Color is Moda Sew Along - Blocks 7, 8, & 9

 And there goes another month! Is it just me or is time flying faster than usual?

This month's block is really simple. You'll make the same block in 3 different sizes.

Disclaimer: Sometimes I will change the pattern instructions a little bit because a different way works better for me. This does not mean that the pattern won't work exactly as written. If you follow the pattern, your blocks will still turn out fine.

Tips/Instructions:

1. Pin the larger half square triangles before sewing. It really helps keep the layers together.

2. You can do a lot of chain piecing here, which will speed up the process significantly.

3. Press all seams away from the HSTs and the center square.

4. When sewing the rows together, press toward the center or the block.

and last, but not least,

5. Remember to make THREE of block 9.

NOTE: As of the writing of this post, I still have a couple of kits left in the Primrose Garden, Trading Post and Pink Lemonade colorways.  I also have patterns for sale individually if you'd like to make your own version.

I'd love it if you join the Facebook Group and/or post pictures on Instagram and mention the blog (and tag @twiddletails) if you find this post helpful.

Another Quilt Along!

In all honesty, I do not need another quilt-along in my life. This one is too good to pass up though.

Moda is hosting a this quilt-along using the new book by Susan Ache (@yardgrl60 on Instagram):

"Sampler Spree: 100+ Fresh & Fun Quilt Blocks".

This is a scrappy quilt. Every week, we will make 10-12 blocks. Every week will be assigned a different color, for instance the color for week 1 is blue, so we'll make all 10 blocks using blue scraps.

You can, of course, use any fabrics and colors you choose. A couple of layer cakes would make for a lovely coordinated quilt.

There are instructions for 106 blocks in the book. The cover quilt uses 100 of them. The blocks are 6" x 6".

Details:

Start date: 6/16/2021
End date: 8/18/2021
Frequency: 10-13 blocks a week

Block size: 6" x 6"

Hashtag to use on social media: #samplerspreeqal

I am not very clear about the other details yet, so be sure to follow Twiddletails on Instagram and/or join the Twiddletails Quilt Alongs Facebook group. I will post updates as I get them.

Here are samples of some of the blocks. Aren't they pretty?

I'm planning to dig into my scrap bins for this one.