Bella Marcel
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Block 6: "at a time"

12/22/2020

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Welcome back for Block 6!! We're on the home stretch here! (Can you tell from my face in the picture above or is it just the fact that I forgot to take an actual picture so I had to screenshot everything from the video?! LOL)

Block 6 is a simple finish, which is a relief because no matter how much I love a quilt, there's bound to be a little burnout by the end...who's with me? 

If you're just joining the quilt along, just start on this Block 6 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 and prizes! Previous winners of other blocks have won FQ bundles, cases of Aurifil thread spools, and even a lightbox!

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

*Finish Block 6 by January 5th, 2021
​*Post your finished Block 6 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 madi@madihastings.com to submit your block).
*Use hashtags: #flexifuse #madihastings #beautifulthingsQAL #andoverfabrics #aurifil #cutterpillar

Let's get started! :) 

Block 5 Giveaway!

Ablin Frengel sent me her finished Block 6 this week (see below) and won this lovely thread pack from Aurifil for the Petal and Stem collection by Amy Friend of @duringquiettime! Congratulations Ablin on a job well done!

​Keep posting your blocks from Block 5 and participating to receive prizes via email :) 
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Cutting and Prep Instructions

Blizzard Shimmer: Cut (1) 26" x WOF cut
Subcut to 26" x 37" (This will be your background on top of which all your applique will be adhered).

Then you'll need the applique templates for:
Pearl Shimmer
Caribbean Shimmer
Noir Shimmer
Citron Shimmer
(the last stamp piece from Block 2 that you'll adhere after you've sewn all your blocks together!)

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Watch Block 6 Video

Assembly Instructions

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Follow your 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--I really recommend microtip scissors...they make cutting all the corners (not figuratively ;) ) and butterfly inner pieces a dream!

I didn't use a layout guide on this block. I just made sure the large Pearl Shimmer piece (the 1st piece I placed down) was equidistant on each side and on the top/bottom using a long quilting ruler. And I also made sure to center my applique text and ensure each word was on the same baseline before I ironed it all down. ALSO a note about the Caribbean Shimmer applique piece on this block: Because it's cut on the bias and is so long/thin, it is tricky to get into place. Watch my YouTube video by hitting the button below to see tricks on how I got it to cooperate (and don't forget to subscribe to my channel to see upcoming tutorials!)

Iron all your pieces down with cotton/linen heat setting and no steam for around 10 seconds.

 I used a blanket stitch to adhere all the applique pieces except for the text, which I used a straight stitch for. 

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

2692 (black)
4182 (green-blue) 

Once your applique is stitched down, you'll need to trim your block down to 25-1/2" x 35-3/4" (Make sure to keep your applique centered!)

Technically, you're finished with Block 6, but now is a great time to piece ALL of your blocks together! 

Sew Block 5 to the top of Block 6, then attach your Block 3&4 unit to the left of your Block 5&6 unit. 
 Then, you can attach your Block 1&2 unit to the bottom of your quilt. Finally, add your last applique piece (the remaining Citron Shimmer stamp piece) over the seam you just sewed!

That's it! You're finished with your quilt top minus borders!! Post your Block 6 by January 5th, 2021 so you can enter to win the next giveaway. Thank you all for participating--it's been so lovely quilting along with you and seeing your beautiful work!....Next time, we'll be adding borders and a surprise backing!

Watch Block 6 Video
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Block 5: Birds & Butterflies

12/8/2020

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Welcome back for Block 5! I'm astonished over how quickly time has flown by, and that we're almost done with this quilt!

This has to be my favorite block, albeit there's more applique than in other blocks...but those feather details are so cute and worth it! 

If you're just joining the quilt along, just start on Block 5 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 lightboxes, Aurifil spool packs, FQ bundles, and more! 

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

​*Finish Block 5 by December 21st, 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 madi@madihastings.com to submit your block).
*Use hashtags: #flexifuse #madihastings #beautifulthingsQAL #andoverfabrics #aurifil #cutterpillar

Let's get started! :)

Block 4 Giveaway!

​QuiltyNana @nj56studio won this week's giveaway...a Cutterpillar lightbox! Congratulations!

Keep posting your blocks from Block 4 and participating to receive prizes via email :) 
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Cutting & Prep Instructions

Here's the download link for the Block 5 instructions and layout guide so you can get started:
Block 5 Instructions - Beautiful Things QAL
File Size: 50 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Block 5 QAL - Layout Guide.pdf
File Size: 126 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Make sure to refer to your cutting guide before making any width of fabric cuts! You need to ensure you're not cutting into fabric reserved for Block 6 or your finishing fabric!

Blizzard Shimmer: Cut (1) 26" x WOF cut
Subcut to 26" x 37" (This will be your background on top of which all your applique will be adhered).

Then you'll need the applique templates for: 
Raspberry Shimmer
Magenta Shimmer
Graphite Shimmer
Caribbean Shimmer
Black
​Pink Coral Shimmer
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKmecRjzKZ0&t=2sRemember that you won't be using all the templates at once. Watch my Block 5 video to see which templates you need (or refer to the Block 5 image).
Watch Block 5 Video

Assembly Instructions

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Cut off the registration marks on the layout guide. Pages 1 through 4 make up the top half of the layout guide; pages 5 through 8 make up the bottom half (and yes, I printed on two different types of paper LOL so it looks a little wonky!) Tape the pages together so you can line everything up correctly. ***Don't line them up based off the edge of the paper, but where the lines meet on the applique pieces.
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After you've prepared the bird and all the feathers are ironed in place, quarter-fold your background Blizzard Shimmer fabric and iron the folds so you can see the center line creases in the block. Line those center line creases up with the large dotted line on the layout guide (over top of the lightbox). Pin the background fabric to the layout guide in each corner so that it doesn't move around. ​
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Follow your 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--I really recommend microtip scissors, especially for that butterfly piece...they will save your bacon!

After I cut all my applique out, I used my Cutterpillar lightbox with the tempered glass top (with the stand-offs) with the taped layout guide on top to arrange and iron ALL of the feather pieces on to my bird applique BEFORE I take the paper backing off my bird piece (see image below or watch my Block 5 video to see this demonstrated). Remember, use a dry iron on high (cotton/linen) heat to set the FlexiFuse glue.
Watch Block 5 Video
P.S. If you've had your eye on a lightbox for a while, snag a 20% off deal by hitting the button below and using code MADI-LIGHT at checkout. I've been obsessed with Cutterpillar products for a lot longer than I've been a partner of theirs! ​
get 20% off a lightbox!
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Now you're ready to iron the rest of your applique in place! Start with the bird beak (this one can't be out of order!), then the bird and bird eye, and finish with your butterflies!

Finally, I used a blanket applique stitch to adhere all the larger applique pieces, and a straight stitch around the wing feathers and other small pieces.

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

2692 (black)
2220 (coral)
2535 (magenta)
4182 (green-blue)

After your applique is placed, ironed, and stitched down, you'll need to trim the applique block down to 25-1/2" x 35-3/4" (Make sure you keep it centered!)

​That's it! You're finished with Block 5! Post your blocks by midnight, December 21st, 2020 so you can enter to win the next giveaway! Thanks for participating, and see you next time!
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    Author

    Hi! I'm Madi Hastings, quilt pattern and surface designer! My obsessions are many, including cooking, plant science, and books, but I'll try to narrow down my geeky-ness to pattern design and quilting for the purpose of this blog! If you'd like to make a suggestion or collaborate professionally, just send me an email at madi@madihastings.com 

    xoxo--
    madi 

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