Welcome to the first block reveal for the Sew Let’s QAL.
This QAL is brought to you by Partners in Design: Where Friends and Fabric Meet.
I still need to insert the needle, thread the machine, and applique around the buttons. I’ll add several buttons to the right of the panel once I’ve quilted this top. For those of you who are concerned that I didn’t use enough of the cactus fabric, rest assured my final project will have a lot of it. But you’ll find a bit of this cactus fabrics in each of the blocks in this segment.
This block was designed by Sandra Healy of Sandra Healy Designs. You can download the free pattern here on her blog from now until September 24th, 2019. After then, the patterns may not be available anymore. Don’t delay, download them today.
Tips and Tricks to Constructing this Block
- Take a deep breath!!! There are a lot of pieces. Don’t let that discourage you or intimidate you. You CAN do this!
- This is not a race. Don’t let the size of this block (24.5″ x 18.5″) discourage you or intimidate you. You CAN do this! Take your time. Do sections at a time. Cutting will take time.
- There are a lot of pieces. Don’t let that discourage you or intimidate you. You CAN do this! To help keep track of the cutting, check off the pieces (on your downloaded and printed pattern) after you cut each one.
I also suggest making labels for each piece with the letter or number assigned for the piece and pinning the label on the piece right after cutting.
4. Read and follow Sandra’s great instructions.
And check off the steps after you complete each one. When you’re called away, you’ll know just where to pick it up when you return.
5. Sandra refers to cotton reels in the pattern but I call them thread spools. What do you call them?
See These Hosts for More Construction Tips
Look for bi-weekly inspiration from these bloggers.
Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Jennifer @ The Inquiring Quilter
In addition to those listed above, look for inspiration from these bloggers during:
Segment 1: March 12th to May 21st
Sandra @ Sandra Healy Designs – Designer of this block
Quilt Hosts
Look for bi-weekly inspiration from these bloggers as they turn their blocks into a quilt.
Join this QAL
You can join in anytime. Every other Tuesday, a new block will be released until all 13 blocks have been released. You can find the full schedule on my post here. This QAL will be divided into three segments. Segment one will consist of 5 blocks.
Share a picture of your block on our Facebook page, or on Instagram with the hashtag #SewLetsQAL. We want to see them. A prize will be awarded at the end of each segment.
Segment 1: March 12th to May 21st
- March 12th – Block 1: Sandra @ Sandra Healy Designs
- March 26th – Block 2: April @ JANDA Bend Quilts
- April 9th – Block 3: Sherry @ Powered by Quilting
- April 23rd – Block 4: Bobbi @ Snowy Days Quilting
- May 7th – Block 5: Abbie @ Sparkle On! and Segment Project Suggestions
- May 21st – Segment 1 Prize Winner Announced!
Block patterns will be free from the designers and available on their blogs until the date of the Grand Prize announcement September 24th, 2019.
Entering to win the prizes below is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
- Everyone (You must be 18 to be able to enter to win prizes) gets to participate because International entries are welcome! You do NOT need to have a blog to enter.
- Make all of the 5 blocks in this segment provided to you free of charge for this event. Use your own fabrics and embellish them as you like. If entering the giveaway, the blocks should definitely be recognizable as made from these free patterns. Take one picture with all of them included.
- Post a picture of all of your blocks before 11:59 PM EST, May 20th, 2019 either on the Facebook page, or on Instagram with the hashtag #SewLetsQAL, or on the hosts blog Linky party at the end of each segment. You are welcome to post a picture on each of the sources but it will only count as one entry.
Segment 1 Prizes and Sponsors
A newly released item from Omnigrid® (a Prym Company)
Large Folding Cutting Kit
that includes 18 x 24″ mat, a 3″ x 18″ ruler and a 45 mm rotary cutter
Timeless Treasures Tonga Treat Strip Jr. “Orchid” -20 pc 2 1/2″ strip pack
2 Shabby Fabrics Vintage Blessings printed table runner patterns
and a packet of Sunflower laser-cut appliqués (small.)
One Free PDF pattern from each of these “Partners in Design”
Sandra Healy Designs Janda Bend Quilts Powdered by Quilting *up to $10.00
Choices!!!
You choose what you want to make: A quilt or several smaller projects. This is the only block that will be this large. The rest will be 12.5″ unfinished. We have several hosts which will offer suggestions what you can do with your blocks if you don’t want to make a quilt. Not sure what to do? Just start making the blocks and decide along the way. A grand prize will be offered for a completed quilt top or several projects that use all of the 13 blocks.
I’ll be making several projects for my sewing room. I’ll use all of the blocks in Segment one for one project. Any guesses what it might be?
Don’t Miss Out on My Previous Sew Let’s QAL Posts
Tu-Na Quilts: Sew Let’s QAL – Introduction
Tu-Na Quilts: On Pins and Needles – A look at my fabric selection
What I Learned Today:
- I should follow my own advice. Labeling these pieces is a good suggestion. I spent more time remeasuring each piece to find the one I needed. On two occasions, I grabbed the wrong piece and recut it causing me to have to cut yet another one. I should have taken a few minutes to make labels.
- “Do as I say, not as I do.” That statement has a lot of merit.
- I don’t know everything. Shhh, don’t tell Tu-Na Helper.
Question: Have you ever made this large of a block before? I’ve even made larger. But this is the first sewing machine that I made out of fabric. I think this will be a fun QAL.
Linking to:
Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication
BOMS Away at Katie Mae Quilts
Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts
Main Crush Monday at Cooking Up Quilts
Thanks for stopping by and do come again.
Karen, Tu-Na Quilts
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats 
Pingback: Sew Let’s QAL Block 1! – Powered by Quilting
Can’t wait to see the whole quilt. Looks like fun
LikeLike
Sew cute with those cactus on your sewing machine!!!
LikeLike
rsrsrs tambem chamo de carretel de linha. bobina é a que fica por dentro da maquina.
só fiz 2 almofadas de aplique e duas de caleidoscopio pra dar de presente. mais nada. achava essa técnica de hoje muito complicada, mas com as explicações de voces já estou achando fácil.
estou encantada com as inspirações que estou recebendo de voces. e desculpa o tradutor, ele falha as vezes. moro no Brasil e escrevo em portugues!
até o proximo comentario!
LikeLike
Here’s a translation of Elizabeth’s comment:LOL also call reel line. Coil is the inside of the machine.
I only made 2 appliqué pads and two caleidoscopes to give away. Anything else. I thought this technique was very complicated today, but with the explanations of you I’m already finding it easy.
I’m delighted with the inspirations I’m getting from you. And excuse the translator, it fails sometimes. I live in Brazil and I write in Portuguese!
To the next comment!
LikeLike
Ok speedy gal! Nicely done. Very nice. I like the cactus center and your color choices. I will learn from your comments. I have made lots of this style of pattern, and yes, labeling helps. How fun to see a finish. I am excited. My pattern is printed, fabrics out, now to get to it.
LikeLike
I call them spools, too. Your block looks great! It doesn’t seem like all that many pieces for such a large block. I like the bit of Tucson landscape (or Phoenix – Southern Arizona, anyway) you inserted in your machine. Clever!
LikeLike
Lovely southwestern colors! So you!
LikeLike
Pingback: 'Sew Let's QAL' Block 1 - Sandra Healy Designs Quilt Pattern Designer
Pingback: Quilt Along – Chela's Colchas y Mas
That’s so cute!
LikeLike
Pingback: “Sew, Let’s Quilt Along” Block 1 Release! | Sparkle On!
Karen, your sewing machine is awesome! I love your fabrics, it is going to be so fun to see your projects.
LikeLike
Your sewing machine is so cute! I like your bit of cactus fabric as the screen. I’m going to be really eager to see how you incorporate it into all your blocks. I’ve never made a block that big, but it certainly looks doable. Thanks for the hints and tips.
LikeLike
I’ve made blocks as large for a medallion quilt. Love your sewing machine block. Looking forward to seeing more of this sampler.
LikeLike
Looks great! I did download the pattern and was going to go look for fabric, but then I got distracted… who knows what with!! xx
LikeLike
Pingback: Sew Let's QAL, Block 2 - Sandra Healy Designs Quilt Pattern Designer
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts: Sew Let’s QAL Block 2 – Quilt Along Mug Block | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Pingback: Sew Let’s Quilt Along – Chela's Colchas y Mas
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts: Sew Let’s QAL Block 3 – Ruler | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts: Let’s QAL Block 6 – Binding Clips | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts: Sew Let’s QAL Block 7 – It’s a Pressing Issue | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts: Sew Let’s QAL Block 8 – Pin Cushion | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts: Sew Let’s QAL Block 9 – In Stitches | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts: Sew Let’s QAL Block 10 – Buttons | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts: Sew Let’s QAL Block 11 – By the Bolt | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts: Sew Let’s QAL Block 12 – Rotary Cutter | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Pingback: Tu-Na Quilts: Sew Let’s QAL Block 12 – Who’s Got the Thimble? | Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats