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Week 6: Finish Those UFQs 2021

It’s week 6 of the Finish Those UFQs challenge! How’s your listing going? I hope you are making some progress. I’m really surprised with how much I’ve already finished!

You can download the FREE Quilt Project tracker here:

LAST WEEK

My goal was to finish quilting and bind my Starlight Mountains quilt! I’m happy to say, this quilt is all finished! I started this quilt during the quilt along in September of 2020. This is a FREE quilt pattern, you can find it HERE!

I quilted this one from top to bottom in a organic straight line 2 inches apart. I used a Warm and White cotton batting, since the quilt has so much white in it.

I found a super cute cotton dot sheet set at Target. It goes perfectly with the top. Then I bound it in a tiny black with with dot fabric. I love how this one turned out!

THIS WEEKS GOALS

I only have 2 quilts left on my list! Woohoo!! I plan on working on my large sized Stepping Stone quilt. I made 4 of the baby size quilts. I plan on sewing them together with strips of fabric. I had started working on this quilt in December of 2016. This is going to be a family snuggle quilt for our couch. It has cloud fabric for my son Cloud and snowflake fabric for my daughter Snow.

Then I am hoping to also baste this quilt and start quilting it.

HOW TO JOIN

  • Print the project tracker
  • List all of your unfinished quilts on the project tracker
  • post your weekly progress in the Facebook Group or on Instagram with the hashtag #FinishThoseUFQs2021

JOIN ME for the weekly LIVE Check in chat in the Facebook Quilt Along group, today (June 1st) at 7am PDT.

Finish Those UFQs 2021 Challenge schedule:
April 27th – Week 1 – Write out your list
May 4th – Week 2
May 11th – Week 3
May 18th – Week 4
May 25th – Week 5
June 1st – Week 6
June 8th – Week 7
June 15th – Week 8
June 22nd – Week 9
June 29th – Week 10

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

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WEEK 5 – NQC Block Challenge with the Starlight Mountains Quilt

This post may contain Affiliate Links. When using the link, you pay the same amount for the items, I just receive a small commission.

Wow! That Quilt along went by so fast! We are on WEEK 5 of the Starlight Mountains Quilt Along with the National Quilters Circle! We have all these beautiful blocks, now it’s time to turn them into a comfy quilt!

This week you can download the Finishing instructions. These will give you instructions on how to sew your top together, add your borders and how to turn your quilt top into a cozy quilt!

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN: Starlight Mountains Quilt Block Challenge | National Quilters Circle

Things you will need to finish your quilt:
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 Emily Dennis of Quilty Love.  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!

For my original quilt I used my walking foot and quilted about 1 inch apart. I used my hera marker a 6×24 inch ruler to mark out my line on the borders and larger finished pieces in my quilt top. I used my seams as a guide. I like to sew about 1/2 from the seam, this helps avoid the bulk of the seams.

Hand Tie your Quilt: Some prefer to tie there quilt. Suzy Quilts has an cool way of tying quilts. Check out her Tutorial!

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!

How do I participate?

Make sure to Post your finished quilt top photo in  The NQC Block Challenge Facebook group 
OR Post your photos on Instagram using the hashtags #HappyCloudCreations and/or #NQCQuiltBlockChallenge

You can also JOIN my Facebook Quilt Along Group – Happy Cloud Creations Quilt Alongs I will be posting my photos over in my quilt along group also!

You can sign up for my Newsletter!

QUILT ALONG SCHEDULE:

 Fabric Requirments
My Blog – Explaining this Quilt Along
September 7th – Week 1 – Small Star Block #1 (Make 6)
September 14th – Week 2 – Small Star Block #2 (Make 6)
September 21st – Week 3 – Mountain Block (Make 6)
September 28th – Week 4 – Large Star Block (Make 3)
October 5th – Week 5 – Quilt Borders and Assembly

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

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WEEK 4 – NQC Quilt Block Challenge with the Starlight Mountains Quilt

Yay!! It’s the last week of blocks and then next week you will get the finishing instructions!

This week we will be making 3 of the Large Star blocks! If you are making a larger size make sure to check the cutting instructions located in the Quilt Along Group!

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN: Starlight Mountains Quilt Block Challenge | National Quilters Circle

I’m so excited to see everyone quilts come together!

If you have not joined yet you can join here to get the weekly email reminders from the National Quilters Circle.

If you have already joined, but you still need the Fabric Requirments, you can download them HERE! To find the previous weeks information CLICK HERE!

QUILT ALONG SCHEDULE:

 Fabric Requirments
My Blog – Explaining this Quilt Along
September 7th – Week 1 – Small Star Block #1 (Make 6)
September 14th – Week 2 – Small Star Block #2 (Make 6)
September 21st – Week 3 – Mountain Block (Make 6)
September 28th – Week 4 – Large Star Block (Make 3)
October 5th – Week 5 – Quilt Borders and Assembly

I’m so excited to see everyone’s Mountain blocks!

Make sure to join The NQC Block Challenge Facebook group 
OR Post your photos on Instagram using the hashtags #HappyCloudCreations and/or #NQCQuiltBlockChallenge

You can also JOIN my Facebook Quilt Along Group – Happy Cloud Creations Quilt Alongs I will be posting my photos over in my quilt along group also!

You can sign up for my Newsletter for weekly quilt along reminders!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

FOLLOW ME:
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INSTAGRAM

I’m going scrappy!!

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WEEK 3 – NQC Block Challenge with the Starlight Mountains Quilt

Welcome to WEEK 3 of the Starlight Mountains Quilt Along with the National Quilters Circle!

If you have not joined yet you can join here to get the weekly email reminders from the National Quilters Circle.

If you have already joined, but you still need the Fabric Requirments, you can download them HERE! To find the previous weeks information CLICK HERE!

This week we will be making 6 Mountain Blocks for the throw size quilt! If you are making an alternative size, make sure to check the fabric requirments to see how many blocks you will need to make!

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN: Starlight Mountains Quilt Block Challenge | National Quilters Circle

QUILT ALONG SCHEDULE:

 Fabric Requirments
My Blog – Explaining this Quilt Along
September 7th – Week 1 – Small Star Block #1 (Make 6)
September 14th – Week 2 – Small Star Block #2 (Make 6)
September 21st – Week 3 – Mountain Block (Make 6)
September 28th – Week 4 – Large Star Block (Make 3)
October 5th – Week 5 – Quilt Borders and Assembly

I’m so excited to see everyone’s Mountain blocks!

Make sure to join The NQC Block Challenge Facebook group 
OR Post your photos on Instagram using the hashtags #HappyCloudCreations and/or #NQCQuiltBlockChallenge

You can also JOIN my Facebook Quilt Along Group – Happy Cloud Creations Quilt Alongs I will be posting my photos over in my quilt along group also!

You can sign up for my Newsletter for weekly quilt along reminders!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

FOLLOW ME:
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INSTAGRAM

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WEEK 2 – NQC Block Challenge with the Starlight Mountains Quilt

It’s WEEK 2 of the Starlight Mountains Quilt along with the NQC Quilt Block Challenge!

If you have not joined yet you can join here to get the weekly email reminders from the National Quilters Circle.

If you have already joined, but you still need the Fabric Requirments, you can download them HERE!

This week we will be making 6 Small Star #2 Blocks! This block is similar to last weeks block, but it had a different center and made up of different colors.

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN: Starlight Mountains Quilt Block Challenge | National Quilters Circle

QUILT ALONG SCHEDULE:

 Fabric Requirments
My Blog – Explaining this Quilt Along
September 7th – Week 1 – Small Star Block #1 (Make 6)
September 14th – Week 2 – Small Star Block #2 (Make 6)
September 21st – Week 3 – Mountain Block (Make 6)
September 28th – Week 4 – Large Star Block (Make 3)
October 5th – Week 5 – Quilt Borders and Assembly

I’m going scrappy with this quilt. So I will be making 2 of each of my color combos this week. Each color combo is different than last weeks combo.

I’m so excited to see your blocks this week! Make sure to post them in the The NQC Block Challenge Facebook group 
OR Post your photos on Instagram using the hashtags #HappyCloudCreations and/or #NQCQuiltBlockChallenge

You can also JOIN my Facebook Quilt Along Group – Happy Cloud Creations Quilt Alongs I will be posting my photos over in my quilt along group also!

You can sign up for my Newsletter for weekly quilt along reminders!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

FOLLOW ME:
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WEEK 1 – NQC Block Challenge with the Starlight Mountains Quilt

Small Star #1 Block

Welcome to the NQC Block Challenge Quilt Along using the Starlight Mountains quilt that I designed! This will be a 5 week long quilt along. So you will have a finished quilt in no time!!

If you have not joined yet you can join here to get the weekly email reminders from the National Quilters Circle.

If you have already joined, but you still need the Fabric Requirments, you can download them HERE!

This week we will be making 6 Small Star #1 Blocks!! This is a simple block that will go together quickly.

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN: Starlight Mountains Quilt Block Challenge | National Quilters Circle

QUILT ALONG SCHEDULE:

 Fabric Requirments
My Blog – Explaining this Quilt Along
September 7th – Week 1 – Small Star Block #1 (Make 6)
September 14th – Week 2 – Small Star Block #2 (Make 6)
September 21st – Week 3 – Mountain Block (Make 6)
September 28th – Week 4 – Large Star Block (Make 3)
October 5th – Week 5 – Quilt Borders and Assembly

I’m going scrappy this time!! So I will be making 2 of each of my color combos this week.

I’m so excited to see how your quilts turn out!!

Make sure to join The NQC Block Challenge Facebook group 
OR Post your photos on Instagram using the hashtags #HappyCloudCreations and/or #NQCQuiltBlockChallenge

You can also JOIN my Facebook Quilt Along Group – Happy Cloud Creations Quilt Alongs I will be posting my photos over in my quilt along group also!

You can sign up for my Newsletter for weekly quilt along reminders!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

FOLLOW ME:
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INSTAGRAM

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Finish Those UFQs WEEK 7

IMG_7980 (2)

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 7 of the Finish Those UFQs challenge!! I hope you are making great progress on your lists!

You can download the FREE Quilt Project Tracker here: Finish Those UFOs

This week I finished my Happy Flower Garden Quilt!! I had made this quilt top during the Quilt Along in 2018. It feels good to check this one completely off my list!! It’s been super overcast and rainy here in Western Washington this past week, so I haven’t had a chance to take a full length photo yet.

Next up this week was finishing the quilting on my Happy Block Swap Quilt. I decided to go with a slight wave from top to bottom, then I echoed that way arrows the quilt in 1 inch lines. I didn’t have much quilting left to do, so I was also able to make the binding, attach it to the front and I started hand sewing it to the back.

happy block swap binding 2

Next week my goal is to finish the binding on the Happy Block Swap Quilt.
I would also like to get my baby size Left the Nest quilt basted and quilted!

I received the background fabric in the mail for my next Quilt Pattern, I think I’m going to call it Flower Party Quilt! I’m really excited to share this one with you all. It might be a contender for the next quilt along that will start in January 2020!

I’m using Wasabi by Kona Cotton for the background and the main colors will be this gorgeous Road Trip fabric by Alison Glass.

IMG_7982 (2)

What did you finish this week? What are your goals for next week? Join my Quilt Along Group and post your progress photos!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

Finish Those UFQs 2019!
Nov. 1st – Week 1 – Intro
Nov. 8th – Week 2
Nov. 15th – Week 3
Nov. 22nd – Week 4
Nov. 29th – Week 5
Dec. 6th – Week 6
Dec. 13th – Week 7
Dec. 20th – Week 8
Dec. 27 – Week 9

 

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WEEK 5 – Happy Block Swap Quilt Along with the National Quilters Circle

Week 5

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!

It’s not too late to join this FREE Quilt along! Click here to go to the National Quilters Circle Week 5 Blog post. You will find this the Bonus block here. Scroll to the bottom to find last weeks blocks!

WEEK 4 of the Happy Block Swap Quilt Along

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.

Friday I filmed a LIVE Video going over this weeks blocks. You can view the video in the National Quilters Circle Block Challenge Group on Facebook!

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  Instructions
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!

Here are my WEEK 5 Bonus Block!!

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WEEK 4 – Happy Block Swap Quilt Along with National Quilters Circle

Week 4

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!!

It’s not too late to join this FREE Quilt along! Click here to go to the National Quilters Circle Week 4 Blog post. You will find this week’s blocks here. Scroll to the bottom to find last weeks blocks!

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 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.

Friday I filmed a LIVE Video going over this weeks blocks. You can view the video in the National Quilters Circle Block Challenge Group on Facebook!

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  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!

Here are my WEEK 4 Blocks!!

Block G (Quilter 1)

block g

Block H (Quilter 2)

block h

I think this will be my layout!

8 blocks

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WEEK 3 – Happy Block Swap Quilt Along with National Quilters Circle

Week 3

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!!

It’s not too late to join this FREE Quilt along! Click here to go to the National Quilters Circle Week 3 Blog post. You will find this week’s blocks here. Scroll to the bottom to find last weeks blocks!

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 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.

Friday I filmed a LIVE Video going over this weeks blocks. You can view the video in the National Quilters Circle Block Challenge Group on Facebook!

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!

Here are my WEEK 3 Blocks!!

Quilter 1 – Block E

block e.jpg

Quilter 2 – Block F

block f