Welcome to Week 5 of the Happy Block Swap Quilt Along brought to you by the National Quilters Circle! This week we received the LAST BLOCK!!! I can’t believe how fast this quilt along is going!
This week everyone will make only ONE block! If you are making this as a swap make 1 of your assigned blocks. If you are making this solo use Quilter 1’s instructions.
Make sure to join the NQC Block Challenge Quilt along group! In the group you will get weekly reminders of the NEW blocks. You will be able to see everyone fabric combos. And you will can view the LIVE weekly check in videos! All the information you need for the quilt along will be listed in the Announcement section of this group!
I had drawn this pattern out in the beginning of Summer, but with the kids being home and all the Summer activities, I didn’t get a chance to actually make the quilt until the kids when back to school.
I was scrolling through Stash Fabrics Sale section (not sponsored, just love their deals) and found the gorgeous Freshly Picked fabric and I had to have it. I had been wanting to use this fabric collection for a long time, and now I finally had the perfect pattern for it. They didn’t have the whole line, so I grabed a couple prints from Fabric.com (not sponsored)
I used 1/4 yard cuts from my quilt, but you can also used Fat Quarters are scraps that are large enough!
If I have to piece the backing on a quilt, I will usually go for a solid fabric or a sheet. But this gorgeous fabric was calling to be on the back!
I went with quick and easy straight line quilting for this one. And I bound it in a beautiful blue fabric from the Freshly picked line.
Welcome to Week 4 of the Happy Block Swap Quilt Along! After this week we will only have 1 more block to make! I’m so excited to see everyone finished quilts!!
Quilter 1 will make 2 of each block: A, C, E, G Quilter 2 will make 2 of each block: B, D, F, H
Each quilter will give one set of blocks to their Block Swap partner
Each quilter will make 1 Bonus block in their fabric colors for themselves
MAKE IT BY YOURSELF!
You are also able to complete this challenge solo! Simply sign up for the challenge and download both patterns each week. By making 1 of each weekly block and the bonus block, you will have a completed quilt with 9 blocks total!
WEEK 4 of the Happy Block Swap Quilt Along
This weeks blocks are have the same components as the previous weeks, so they should be pretty easy to put together.
Make sure to join the NQC Block Challenge Quilt along group! In the group you will get weekly reminders of the NEW blocks. You will be able to see everyone fabric combos. And you will can view the LIVE weekly check in videos! All the information you need for the quilt along will be listed in the Announcement section of this group!
Welcome to Week 3 of the Happy Block Swap Quilt Along! We are at the halfway point in the quilt along! I’m having so much fun seeing all your beautiful blocks!!
Quilter 1 will make 2 of each block: A, C, E, G Quilter 2 will make 2 of each block: B, D, F, H
Each quilter will give one set of blocks to their Block Swap partner
Each quilter will make 1 Bonus block in their fabric colors for themselves
MAKE IT BY YOURSELF!
You are also able to complete this challenge solo! Simply sign up for the challenge and download both patterns each week. By making 1 of each weekly block and the bonus block, you will have a completed quilt with 9 blocks total!
WEEK 3 of the Happy Block Swap Quilt Along
This weeks blocks are have the same components as the previous weeks, so they should be pretty easy to put together.
Make sure to join the NQC Block Challenge Quilt along group! In the group you will get weekly reminders of the NEW blocks. You will be able to see everyone fabric combos. And you will can view the LIVE weekly check in videos! All the information you need for the quilt along will be listed in the Announcement section of this group!
Welcome to Week 2 of the Happy Block Swap Quilt Along! I love seeing all the blocks you all have been posting in the NQC Block Challenge Facebook group!
Quilter 1 will make 2 of each block: A, C, E, G Quilter 2 will make 2 of each block: B, D, F, H
Each quilter will give one set of blocks to their Block Swap partner
Each quilter will make 1 Bonus block in their fabric colors for themselves
MAKE IT BY YOURSELF!
You are also able to complete this challenge solo! Simply sign up for the challenge and download both patterns each week. By making 1 of each weekly block and the bonus block, you will have a completed quilt with 9 blocks total!
WEEK 2 of the Happy Block Swap Quilt Along
This weeks blocks are similar to last weeks blocks, but a little different!
Make sure to join the NQC Block Challenge Quilt along group! In the group you will get weekly reminders of the NEW blocks. You will be able to see everyone fabric combos. And you will can view the LIVE weekly check in videos! All the information you need for the quilt along will be listed in the Announcement section of this group!
This pattern was designed to be a block swap. So you can grab friends, choose who will be Quilter 1 and who will be quilter 2. Then get sewing!
MAKING THE QUILT WITH A FRIEND?
Quilter 1 will make 2 of each block: A, C, E, G
Quilter 2 will make 2 of each block: B, D, F, H Each quilter will give one set of blocks to their Block Swap partner Each quilter will make 1 Bonus block in their fabric colors for themselves
MAKE IT BY YOURSELF!
You are also able to complete this challenge solo! Simply sign up for the challenge and download both patterns each week. By making 1 of each weekly block and the bonus block, you will have a completed quilt with 9 blocks total!
WEEK 1 of the Happy Block Swap Quilt Along
I decided to make this quilt by myself. I bought a gorgeous bundle of fabric from Stash Fabrics and added 2 – 1/4 yard cuts of coordinating fabrics to make a total of 12 different fabrics. Lavish Bundle (not sponsored)
Last Friday I filmed a LIVE Video to go over how to make the Flying geese! This pattern uses the 4 at 1 no waste method. I’ve also made a Flying geese supplemental that will give you two alternative ways to make your flying geese (1 at a time or Half square triangles) You can view the video in the National Quilters Circle Block Challenge Group on Facebook!
Make sure to join the NQC Block Challenge Quilt along group! In the group you will get weekly reminders of the NEW blocks. You will be able to see everyone fabric combos. And you will can view the LIVE weekly check in videos! All the information you need for the quilt along will be listed in the Announcement section of this group!
I’m so excited to have to opportunity to work with the National Quilter Circle to give you the next FREE Quilt Along!
This challenge can be done solo, or as a block exchange with a partner. Sign up now, as we will start quilting on September 20th! CLICK BELOW TO JOIN!
HOW DOES A BLOCK SWAP WORK?
Quilter 1 will make 2 of each block: A, C, E, G
Quilter 2 will make 2 of each block: B, D, F, H Each quilter will give one set of blocks to their Block Swap partner Each quilter will make 1 Bonus block in their fabric colors for themselves
MAKE IT SOLO!
You are also able to complete this challenge solo! Simply sign up for the challenge and download both patterns each week. By creating each of the weekly blocks and the bonus block, you will have a completed quilt!
JOIN THE QUILT ALONG GROUP!
Make sure to join the NQC Block Challenge Quilt along group! In the group you will get weekly reminders of the NEW blocks. You will be able to see everyone fabric combos. And you will can view the LIVE weekly check in videos!
This summer my oldest Nephew graduated high school. I wanted to make him a special quilt that he can keep and snuggle in forever! A lot of my quilt patterns lean toward the girly side, so I wanted to design something that could be masculine. I had been playing around with the idea of making a quilt with lots of flying geese units and some dead space and this designed popped in my head! It reminds me of a flock of ducks flying south for the winter. So I decided to name this quilt Left the Nest because of the flying geese block, but also because the quilt recipient is now moving on to a new chapter in his life. All that hard work in high school has paid off and now he has graduated with an AA. We are all so proud of him!
This quilt is designed to have 3 background fabrics going from light to dark (right to left) and 5 main fabrics going from dark to light (right to left). But you can also make it using 1 background fabric easily but adding all the background pieces together.
When I quilted this one I wanted to add more interest in the empty spaces than just straight lines from the top to the bottom of the quilt. So I mimicked the shapes of the Flying geese block. I love how it turned out!
The quilt is designed so the larger the size quilt you make, the larger the size pieces you will use. Baby, Throw, Twin and Quilt all have the same layout. The King size has a couple added blocks to make the quilt a square shape.
This quilt pattern is great for the adventurous beginner to intermediate quilter.
I’d love to see your versions! On Instagram you can use the hashtag #LeftTheNestQuilt or you can post your photo’s in my Quilt Along Group!
When I draw up a pattern, sometimes I have no fabric in mind and other times I draw up a pattern to complement fabric I have in my stash. The Rainier Echoes Quilt Pattern was drawn up to use this gorgeous Cotton + Steel fabric.
I wanted to design to have a large center element and then echoing corner designs. And this is what I came up with.
The pattern has instructions for 6 different sizes: Baby (40 x 40 inch), Toddler (48 x 48 inch), Throw (64 x 64 inch), Large Throw (80 x80 inch), Queen (96 x 96 inch) and King (112 x 112 inch).
With each size you go up you just expand your quilt using the same design, with just larger pieces. The larger pieces make the quilt go together super quick!
Since I made the Baby Size (40 x 40 inch), I decided to do a little more detailed quilting than I usually do. This small of a quilt, quilts up really quickly. I followed the seams and design of the quilt. I lined my walking foot up with the seams, starting from the center of the quilt and working my way out. So there was never too much bulk going through the throat of my domestic machine.
I backed the quilt with this beautiful Cotton + Steel print that incorporates all of the colors in the front of the quilt.
I had Snow do some modeling with the quilt, so you can have a size reference. She is holding the Baby (40 x 40 inch) quilt. She is 5 years old, but a little small for her age.
My wonderful quilt testers picked such pretty fabrics to make their versions with.
Made By Cindy Price Kelley:
Made by Julie Anne Ricketts:
Made by Marg Sharpe
Made by Shawnie Wallace:
Made by Sheri Bing:
Made by Rachelle Bell
Made by Michelle Graham
You can find the Rainier Echoes Quilt Pattern in my shop!!
This post may contain Affiliate Links. When using the link, you pay the same amount for the items, I just receive a small commission.
Welcome to Week 8, the LAST week of our Frame It Quilt Along! I have enjoying making this quilt with you all!
You can find the Digital and Paper Pattern (USA and Canada) in my shop 15% OFF thru April 9th!! If you are located outside the USA or Canada you can find the pattern in my Etsy Shop!!
Now that you have all your blocks done, we need to turn those blocks into a quilt!
Things you will need:
Backing Fabric (at least 6 inches wider and longer than your quilt top) Quilt Batting (at least 6 inches wider and longer than your quilt top) Basting Spray or Basting Pins
Binding Fabric These are helpful but not necessary: Hera Marker to mark out your quilting lines
Walking Foot (Helps pull your quilt from both the top and the bottom)
Finishing our Quilts!
Quilt Sandwich: First you will need to make your Quilt Sandwich. You will need to cut and sew your backing fabric to make it fit under your quilt correctly. Make sure it is at least 3 inches wider than your quilt top on all sides (quilt top size + 6 inches). Trim your selvage edge off after joining your pieces.
Make your quilt sandwich by first laying down your quilt backing, wrong side facing up. Tape down to a hard surface, making fabric taut. Next lay your batting on top. Smooth out with your hands, do not stretch. Then lay your quilt top right side up, smooth out with your hands.
Basting Your Quilt:
Spray baste: My favorite way to baste my quilt is by using Spray Baste! It makes basting so much easier. If you have allergies, this is probably not a good option for you.
Find a place where you can lay out your quilt. Make sure to tape the backing fabric taut to the floor (or large table).
Here’s great spray baste tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew: Spray Baste Tutorial
Pin basting: You can use safety pin about 3 to 4 inches apart (about the width of your hand). I like to use the large curved basting pins. This takes a little longer than the spray basting, but is a great option.
Quilting your Quilt:
This step is totally up to you!
With my quilt I chose to quilt from top to bottom ‘organic’ straight lights approximately 1 inch apart. I used my walking foot with the guide set to 1 inch. I like to use my seams as a guide to help keep my lines straight.
Hand Tie your Quilt: Some prefer to tie there quilt.
Here’s a tutorial on how to do this on BluePrint.
Hand Quilt: Here’s a wonderful video tutorial by Suzy Quilts all about How to Hand Quilt.
Machine Quilt using your Walking Foot:
Emily Dennis from Quilty Love has a great tutorial on how to Zig zag quilt your quilt with a Walking foot. Click here I love this method of quilting, it give your quilt great texture.
Free Motion Quilting:
Free motion quilting can give you great texture and if you aren’t great at quilting straight lines, this would be great for you. Suzy Williams from Suzy Quilts has a great Free Motion Quilting Tutorial. Click here.
Binding Your Quilt:
Binding is the fabric strip that goes on the edge of your quilt. It covers all of the unfinished edges and rounds out your quilt.
You will want to make sure to square up your quilt before you attach the binding. Cut off the extra batting around the edges and make sure your sides are straight and corners are squared.
Most quilters will cut 2 /12 inch by width of fabric strips and then sew them together at the ends at a diagonal. Then press the strip in half, so that you are wrapping 2 layers of fabric around all of your edges.
You can machine sew the binding to the front of your quilt and wrap it around to the back and hand stitch it down. Or some prefer sewing the binding to the back of the quilt, wrapping it around to the front and machine stitching it down.
One of my favorite binding tutorials is by Suzy Williams of Suzy Quilts. Go check it out!
I’m so excited to see everyone finished quilts!
JOIN ME for a LIVE Video tomorrow (April 3, 2019) at 10:15 am PDT (West Coast USA). I will be going over these finishing steps and seeing if anyone has questions! If you can’t join me LIVE, the video will be saved to the Facebook Group, it will be available on Instagram for 24 hours and I will upload it to my YouTube channel.
Join the Quilt Along by posting your progress photo’s on Instagram with the hashtag #FrameItQAL
OR Join the Facebook Quilt Along Group and post your progress photo there!!
