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Block 4: "Stitch"

11/17/2020

I'm slowly getting things organized in the new place. You can bet I had my sewing room set up before I even put all the clothes away. LOL. Priorities, am I right!?

Getting the new sewing room set up got me all antsy to dive into unfinished quilts, but I'm attempting to stay on-track with seeing this one through before I get entirely sidetracked! The ADD is real, people. Once I go down that rabbit hole of pulling out a secondary project, it all goes downhill! Haha.

Anyway, on to Block 4! I love all the quilty notions on this block and the whimsical "STITCH" text that runs vertically down the block.

If you're just joining the quilt along, just start on Block 4 with us this week (you'll still need to download some of the files from my blog post that covers Block 1) so that you can be eligible to win the upcoming giveaway/prizes! Previous winners of other blocks have won FQ bundles and notions, and EVERYONE participating has received a prize for that week (whether they met the deadline or not!)

What you need to do to be eligible to win the giveaway:

*Finish Block 4 by December 7th, 2020
*Post your finished block to Instagram and tag me @madi_hastings so that I can see that you finished! (If you're unfamiliar with posting to Instagram, you can also email me at [email protected] to submit your block).
*Use hashtags: #flexifuse #madihastings #beautifulthingsQAL #andoverfabrics #aurifil

Without further ado, let's get started!

Block 3 Giveaway!

Here's the giveaway for those who finished the last block...Congratulations to @quiltish , winner of 4 large spools of Aurifil threads and a $25 gift card to Keystone Modern Creative!

Anyone who posts their Block 3 to Instagram is still eligible to receive a free PDF pattern (the mermaid twin-size quilt to the right!), so don't hesitate to post and tag me even if you've already missed this week's giveaway. And once you've posted, message me with your email address so that I can send the PDF pattern your way!

Refer to your cutting guide before making any width of fabric cuts!! You need to make sure you're not cutting into the fabric reserved for your applique and vice versa.

Blizzard Shimmer:

Cut (1) 33" x 1/2 WOF piece (this will be the background for your applique notions section)
Cut (2) 5-1/4" x 3" rectangles from your leftovers from previous blocks

Cut (1) 5-1/4" x 8" rectangle from each of the following fabrics:

Caribbean Shimmer
Wasabi Shimmer
Citron Shimmer
Star Shimmer
Marigold Spectrastatic
Pink Coral Shimmer

Piecing Instructions

Start with (1) of the 5-1/4" x 3" Blizzard Shimmer rectangles, and attach with a 1/4" seam (on the 5-1/4" sides) each of the 5-1/4" x 8" rectangles in color order: Caribbean Shimmer, Wasabi Shimmer, Citron Shimmer, Star Shimmer, Marigold Spectrastatic, and Pink Coral Shimmer. Then, attach the other (1) of the 5-1/4" x 3" Blizzard Shimmer rectangles to the end with a 1/4" seam. Refer to the pattern color image for a visual image.

Cutting Instructions

Here's the download link for the Block 4 instructions so you can get started:

block_4_instructions_-_beautiful_things_qal.pdf
File Size:	121 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

You'll need the applique templates for:
Apple Shimmer
Wasabi Shimmer
Graphite Shimmer
Noir Shimmer
Peacock Shimmer
Gunmetal Spectrastatic
Dusty Orchid Spectrastatic

Remember that you won't be using ALL the templates at once, since they're sorted by color and not by block. To get an easy rundown of exactly which templates/applique pieces you'll need, I cover that in my Block 4 video.

watch block 4 video

Assembly Instructions

I followed the basic applique process using the reversed applique templates (I have the pre-printed templates from FlexiFuse). I adhered the FlexiFuse to the corresponding fabrics and cut each template out.

Pardon my French ;) I didn't actually plan on putting the templates in a particular order that would phonetically spell a popular swear word (in the image to the right), but there it is. LOL.

Then I ironed the "Stitch" lettering pieces to the center of each color rectangle with the "s" adhered to the Caribbean Shimmer rectangle, and the "h" adhered to the Pink Coral Shimmer rectangle. Remember-- no steam, and high temp settings for 10 to 15 seconds :) If you're using the Cutterpillar tempered glass top, you'll need to iron for longer (watch my Block 4 video to see other important tips for use).

I used a buttonhole/blanket stitch in matching black Aurifil 50 wt thread to stitch each letter down.

Then, I followed the same process for the applique notions block, stitching the applique down with matching Aurifil thread.

Here's the color #s I used when color matching the applique (Aurifil 50 wt):

2692 (black)
2610 (light gray)
5016 (green)
1103 (maroon)
2815 (blue)

If you purchased FlexiFuse's laser-cut kit, you have the full-size printed layout guides that you can use in conjunction with a lightbox to perfectly place your pieces. If you're not one of the lucky ones, watch my YouTube video of Block 4 to see me place the pieces and get a few pointers.

After your applique is placed, ironed, and stitched down, you'll want to trim your scissors applique block down to 32-1/2" x 20-1/2," making sure it's centered.

Attach the scissors applique block to Block 3 with a 1/4" seam. Then, attach your "stitch" lettering unit to the right hand size of the Block 3&4 unit. If you want to, add embroidery stitching/beading of pins in the pincushion and embroidery stitch "loose thread" on the spool.

That's a wrap! Post your blocks by midnight, December 7th, 2020 so you can enter the GIVEAWAY! Woot woot!

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Block 3: "1"

11/10/2020

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Welcome back for block 3 of the Beautiful Things Quilt Along!

I finished moving, and even though the sewing room is an unholy disaster, I've located my essentials, and it's sure to be smoother sailing from this point forward with each block :)

If you're just joining us this week, I'd recommend starting with Block 3 and catching up as you go. If you finish Block 3 by November 24th and post it on Instagram (tagging me @madi_hastings) or message me with a picture, you'll be entered to win that week's giveaway (and you'll automatically receive a prize!) Click HERE to download fabric requirements, cutting guides, and applique templates if you haven't already.

Feel free to message me at [email protected] or on Instagram with questions or concerns or to share your progress! I'd love to see :)

Block 2 Giveaway!

Congratulations to @roxyquilts , winner of a FQ bundle of Andover Fabrics! Anyone who posts their Block 2 is still eligible to receive a prize, so don't hesitate to post, even if you've missed this week's giveaway! Message me or post a picture of your block and give me your email so I can email you the gift :)

Blizzard Shimmer:

Cut (1) 5-1/2" x WOF strip--

Subcut into (1) 5-1/2" x 30-1/2" strip and (1) 5-1/2" x 2-1/2" rectangle

Cut (2) 3" x WOF strips--

Subcut into (2) 3" x 27-1/2" strips and (8) 3" squares
You'll need a TOTAL of 20 3" squares, so use some of your extra scraps from previous blocks if you're saving fabric to cut the remaining 3" squares. If you don't have scraps to cut into, you'll need to cut a 3rd 3" x WOF strip and cut an additional (12) 3" squares for a total of (20) 3" squares

Cut (1) 5" x WOF strips--

Subcut into (1) 5" x 20-1/2" strip and (1) 3" x 20-1/2" strip

You'll notice that my pattern instructions say "using leftover yardage from Blocks 5 and 6." This will optimize your fabric yardage, so go watch my YouTube video HERE to learn how.

Cutting Instructions

Here's the download link for the Block 3 instructions so you can get started:

block_3_instructions_-_beautiful_things_qal.pdf
File Size:	46 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

A list of what you need to cut for this block (I like to cut everything at once and then move on to my applique and piecing steps):

Cut (1) 5-1/2" x 3" rectangle from each of the following fabrics (If you followed along in my YouTube tutorial for Block 2, you have ALREADY cut these except for Magenta Shimmer!):

Apple Shimmer
Mandarin Shimmer
Marigold Spectrastatic
Citron Shimmer
Wasabi Shimmer
Caribbean Shimmer
Peacock Shimmer
Dawn Shimmer
Violet Shimmer
Magenta Shimmer

Pearl Shimmer: (1) 21" square (do NOT cut 21" x WOF or you won't have enough fabric for the applique piece in Block 6--refer to cutting guide and watch my YouTube video HERE where I talk about it.

You'll need the applique templates for:
Graphite Shimmer and
Pink Coral Shimmer (you should have already printed both of these pages, so just cut out the templates that you need).
If you ordered the kit, skip the tracing/cutting steps for applique.

If you haven't printed those templates pages yet, click the button below to visit my previous blog post with the download links. Be sure to print to size!

Download Applique templates

Flying Geese Instructions

Follow the Block 3 instructions for assembling your flying geese unit with your 5-1/2" x 3" fabric rectangles and 3" Blizzard Shimmer fabric squares. I pressed the seams of the flying geese toward the white to prevent thick seams at the end.

Sew your completed 5" x 2-1/2" flying geese units together with a 1/4" seam in color order: Apple Shimmer, Mandarin Shimmer, Marigold Spectrastatic, Citron Shimmer, Wasabi Shimmer, Caribbean Shimmer, Peacock Shimmer, Dawn Shimmer, Violet Shimmer, and Magenta Shimmer.

Then, attach your 5-1/2" x 2-1/2" Blizzard Shimmer rectangle to the right hand side (adjacent to the Magenta Shimmer unit) of the row, which should now measure 5-1/2" x 27-1/2."

Applique Block Instructions

Tape template pages together (unless you ordered the pre-printed fusible or kit!) and trace on to your FlexiFuse. Follow basic applique instructions (if you haven't downloaded those yet, you can find them HERE) using the reversed Graphite Shimmer and Pink Coral Shimmer applique templates (you only need the "1" and the heart).

Adhere your fusible-backed applique to the center of the Pearl Shimmer 21" square and stitch your applique down. I have thread color recommendations in my YouTube video. Click the button below to view the Block 3 video.

Watch Block 3 video

Trim your applique block down to 20-1/2" square, making sure the applique is centered and square!

Sashing/Finishing Instructions

Now time to add sashings and finish the block!

To the left hand side of your Pearl Shimmer applique block, pin and stitch with a 1/4" seam your 3" x 20-1/2" strip of Blizzard Shimmer.

Then, to the right hand side of your Pearl Shimmer applique block, pin and stitch with a 1/4" seam your 5" x 20-1/2" strip of Blizzard Shimmer.

Press your seams, and then attach your top and bottom Blizzard Shimmer sashings (the 3" x 27-1/2" strips). Press your seams again.

Or follow along the Beautiful Things QAL page to post your block and ask questions/join a community of people that are participating!

Beautiful Things QAL Facebook Page

You'll attach your flying geese row to the base of your block.

Finally, add your 5-1/2" x 30-1/2" sashing strip of Blizzard Shimmer to the left hand side of your block.

You're finished with Block 3!

Don't forget to post your completed Block by November 24th, 2020 to be eligible to win the giveaway and receive prizes! We'll see you again in 2 weeks!

Check out my Instagram page here to follow along with updates on the quilt along.

View Madi's Instagram

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Block 4: "Stitch"

Block 3 Giveaway!

Piecing Instructions

Cutting Instructions

Assembly Instructions

Block 3: "1"

Block 2 Giveaway!

Cutting Instructions

Flying Geese Instructions

Applique Block Instructions

Sashing/Finishing Instructions

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