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WEEK 1 – Happy Block Swap Quilt Along with the National Quilters Circle

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It’s so exciting starting a new quilt along! I love seeing all the pretty fabric combos and all the pretty blocks!

The Happy Block Swap Quilt Along started September 20th!  I’ve partnered with the National Quilters Circle and it is sponsored by Sulky Threads.

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!

You can go download Week 1’s Blocks and Flying Geese Supplemental here! CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE NQC BLOG POST

 

My Block A (Quilter 1)

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My Block B (Quilter 2)

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QUILT ALONG SCHEDULE! 

Meet Andrea Smith of Happy Cloud Creations
Happy Block Swap Fabric Requirments
SEPT 20th – WEEK 1 – Quilter 1 (Block A) and Quilter 2 (Block B) and Flying Geese Supplemental
SEPT 27th – WEEK 2 – Quilter 1 (Block C) and Quilter 2 (Block D) and Flying Geese Supplemental 
OCT 4th – WEEK 3 – Quilter 1 (Block E) and Quilter 2 (Block F) and Flying Geese Supplemental
OCT 11th – WEEK 4 – Quilter 1 (Block G) and Quilter 2 (Block H) and Flying Geese Supplemental
OCT 18th – WEEK 5 – Bonus Block (Block Quilters Make) and Flying Geese Supplemental
OCT 25th – WEEK 6 – Quilt Assembly Instructions

SIGN UP FOR THE NATIONAL QUILTERS CIRCLE EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS

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! All the information you need for the quilt along will be listed in the Announcement section of this group!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE GROUP!

Happy Block Swap_newsletter5

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Block 5 – Diamond in Diamond Block (Happy Cloud Quilted Pot Holder Quilt along)

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Welcome to block 5 of the Happy Cloud Quilted Pot Holder Quilt Along!! Block 5 is a Diamond in Diamond block. This block has a little more steps than the previous blocks, but is still lots of fun! You could always opt to making the center square a plain 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch square.

This block is a nice block to change around the color placements to find different designs. It’s also a great block if you like to fussy cut prints. Personally, I’m not great at fussy cutting so I tend to go for a pretty fabric.

You can find out how to make the Flying Geese using the No Waste 4 at 1 time method in the previous blog post.

Block 4 – Crazy Flying Geese

DOWNLOAD THE FULL LENGTH PATTERN HERE: Full Length Pattern – Happy Cloud Quilted Pot Holders

I will be filming a LIVE video in the Facebook group tomorrow (Wednesday Nov. 22nd) at 10:15am PST. To share tips and answer any questions. You can also share your progress in our Facebook Group!

Click here

I can’t wait to see all of your pretty blocks!! Make sure to post them in the Facebook Group and on Social media you can share using #HCQPotholderQAL

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

Quilt Along Schedule
Oct. 27, 2017 – Week 1 – Fabric requirements and Pot Holder construction directions
Nov 7, 2017 – Week 2 –  Block 1 – Modified Log Cabin
Nov. 14, 2017  – Week 3 – Block 2 – Flying Geese
Nov. 21, 2017 –  Week 4 – Block 3 – Sawtooth Star
Nov. 28, 2017 – Week 5 – Block 4 – Crazy Flying Geese
Dec. 5, 2017 – Week 6 – Block 5 – Diamond in Diamond
Dec. 12, 2017 – Week 7 – Block 6 – Stepping Stone

WATCH THE FACEBOOK LIVE TUTORIAL VIDEO

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Block 4 – Crazy Flying Geese (Happy Cloud Quilted Pot Holder Quilt Along)

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Welcome to Block 4 of our Happy Cloud Quilted Pot Holder Quilt along! Block 4 is made up of 8 flying geese. You could make 8 flying geese and arrange them how ever you’d like! I decided on this arrangement of them all pointing inward.

With this block I quilted by stitching in the ditch. I felt like It would show off the pattern more if quilted this way.

In the pattern for the Crazy Flying Geese block, we make the Flying Geese with the one at a time method. Some people prefer to make their flying geese with the No Waste – 4 at a time method.

With the No waste 4 at a time method you will need:
Color A: 1 –  5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inch square
Color B: 4 – 2 7/8 x 2 7/8 inch squares
Color C: 1 – 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inch square
Color D: 4 – 2 7/8 x 2 7/8 inch squares

4 AT 1 TIME GEESE A

1. Take your large square (5 1/4 inch) and 2 small squares ( 2 7/8 inch). Lay the two small squares on opposite corners, right sides of fabric facing each other. Draw a line from one corner to the other diagonally. Pin in place. Sew a scant 1/4 inch from the drawn line on both sides. A scant 1/4 inch seam is a 1/4 inch that includes the width of your needle/thread. Cut down the center line. Press seam out.

4 AT 1 TIME GEESE B2. Lay 1 small square (2 7/8 inch) down in the corner, right sides of fabric facing each other. Draw a line from one corner to the other diagonally. Sew a scant 1/4 inch from your drawn line. Cut down the center and press toward the small triangles. These geese should be 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches. Trim if needed.

4 AT 1 TIME GEESE C

Full Length Pattern – Happy Cloud Quilted Pot Holders

I will be filming a LIVE video in the Facebook group tomorrow (Wednesday Nov. 22nd) at 10:15am PST. To share tips and answer any questions. You can also share your progress in our Facebook Group!

Click here

I can’t wait to see all of your pretty blocks!! Make sure to post them in the Facebook Group and on Social media you can share using #HCQPotholderQAL

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

Quilt Along Schedule
Oct. 27, 2017 – Week 1 – Fabric requirements and Pot Holder construction directions
Nov 7, 2017 – Week 2 –  Block 1 – Modified Log Cabin
Nov. 14, 2017  – Week 3 – Block 2 – Flying Geese
Nov. 21, 2017 –  Week 4 – Block 3 – Sawtooth Star
Nov. 28, 2017 – Week 5 – Block 4 – Crazy Flying Geese
Dec. 5, 2017 – Week 6 – Block 5 – Diamond in Diamond
Dec. 12, 2017 – Week 7 – Block 6 – Stepping Stone

WATCH THE FACEBOOK LIVE TUTORIAL VIDEO

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Block 3 – Sawtooth Star Block (Happy Cloud Quilted Pot Holder Quilt Along)

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Welcome to Block 3 of our Happy Cloud Quilted Pot holder Quilt along! The Sawtooth Star block is one of my favorites! I love using it in quilts, table runners and placemats and of course in pot holders!

I love how you an showcase a pretty fabric in the center like the block above. I used fabric from the Aviary 2 collection designed by Joel Dewberry for Free Spirit Fabrics.
You could have your center fabric match your outer fabric, like these pot holders I finished below.
I made these using fabric from the Fresh Market collection by Riley Blake Designs. I bound them using a stripe fabric made by Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

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With the above pot holders I wanted to quilt them to emphasize the star pattern! I quilted them using my walking foot and lined the foot up against the start edge. It’s nice using a walking foot, because it helps pull all of those layers through the machine. If your machine didn’t come with a walking foot it is easy to find one for your machine. You can google your make and model number or go to your manufactures website!

If you have already downloaded the Quilt-A-Long pattern, the block will now be available in your Craftsy account for download.

You can download the full length pattern HERE! Full Length Pattern – Happy Cloud Quilted Pot Holders

I will be filming a LIVE video in the Facebook group tomorrow (Wednesday Nov. 22nd) at 10:15am PST. To share tips and answer any questions. You can also share your progress in our Facebook Group!

Click here

I can’t wait to see all of your pretty blocks!! Make sure to post them in the Facebook Group and on Social media you can share using #HCQPotholderQAL

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

Quilt Along Schedule
Oct. 27, 2017 – Week 1 – Fabric requirements and Pot Holder construction directions
Nov 7, 2017 – Week 2 –  Block 1 – Modified Log Cabin
Nov. 14, 2017  – Week 3 – Block 2 – Flying Geese
Nov. 21, 2017 –  Week 4 – Block 3 – Sawtooth Star
Nov. 28, 2017 – Week 5 – Block 4 – Crazy Flying Geese
Dec. 5, 2017 – Week 6 – Block 5 – Diamond in Diamond
Dec. 12, 2017 – Week 7 – Block 6 – Stepping Stone

WATCH THE FACEBOOK LIVE TUTORIAL VIDEO