Tu-Na Quilts: QAL by the Sea Block 2

Welcome to the second block reveal

for the QAL by the Sea!

This QAL is brought to you by Partners in Design: Where Friends and Fabric Meet.

Presenting: Terry the Turtle

I still need to do the applique.

This 12.5″ (unfinished) block pattern was created by

Jennifer Fulton of The Inquiring Quilter. You can download it free here on her blog from now until December 1, 2020 at 7:59 am Eastern time. After then, the patterns in this QAL may not be available anymore or may be available for a small fee through the designer. Don’t delay, download them today.

Tips and Tricks to Constructing this Block

Make do. I don’t have a lightbox but I do have a window, tape, and a pencil.
Just tape the pattern to the window and trace the pieces onto the adhesive backed web using a pencil.
Label your pieces. You’ll be glad you did and frustrated if you didn’t.
Notice the letters in the margins.
Reduce bulk. If you notice in the pictures above, I’ve added an additional line about 1/4″ to 1/2″ away from the inner edge of the larger pieces (H). After I’m done tracing, I don’t cut on the lines yet. I’ll cut out each piece leaving some of the paper around all the lines. The larger pieces will only be an outline of the piece.
I draw the inner line just to remind me to trim out the inside so the block will be softer as it won’t have that stiff web in it.

After fusing it to the fabric, I then cut on the outer line. This makes for a softer block.

Press according to your adhesive backed fusible web directions. Then cut on the outer line. Your applique piece needs to have some fabric with the fused web on it that is cut away so that the edge is smooth and crisp and not frayed. If your edges are fraying, use a sharper scissors.
Use the adhesive backed fusible web wisely. I save leftover pieces for another project.
I traced medium pieces inside the larger ones and small pieces inside the medium ones.

I leave some space between all the pieces. I could have used the printer to print copies directly onto the fusible web but then I would have used 5 pages of it. Now I have lots more for other projects.
Enjoy the process. Rome wasn’t built in a day. This block may not be either. Take your time. It has a lot of pieces but don’t let that intimidate you. If you can read and follow the directions, you’ll be able to build this turtle one step at a time. It’s like putting a puzzle together.
Choose your fabrics carefully. Look for fabrics that will give good contrast between all the different parts so you can see them. Make sure your fabrics aren’t all prints or it’ll look too busy. Use at least one tone-on-tone or a solid fabric to tame it down. When choosing prints, vary the scale of them. Choose one with a larger print and one that has a medium print and one that has a small print. Oftentimes, I take more time choosing fabrics for a block or a quilt than the actual sewing of it!
Make it your own. Add something fun. I added some rick rack above the shell. It could either be water splashing on his back or bumps on his shell.

Now, here’s a turtle with attitude!!

See These Hosts for More Construction Tips

Look for bi-weekly inspiration from these bloggers.

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats — Thanks for stopping by.

Sherry @ Powered by Quilting

Becca @ Pretty Piney Quilts

Sandy @ SandyStar Designs

Abbie @ Sparkle On!

Laura @Slice of Pi Quilts

Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter

Join this QAL

You can join in anytime. Find the complete schedule here. This QAL is divided into three segments each containing four blocks with a two week break between segments for a chance to catch up. Blocks are released on Tuesday mornings at 8 am Eastern time until all 12 blocks have been released. You’ll find the schedule for segment one below.

After you’ve sewn your block, share a picture of it on our Partners In Design Facebook page, or on Instagram with the hashtag #qalbythesea. We want to see them and encourage each other.

Segment 1: August 4—September 8, 2020

August 4 — Block 1: Becca Fenstermaker @Pretty Piney Quilts —She Sews Seashells by the Seashore
August 11— Block 2: Jennifer @ The Inquiring Quilter —Terry the Turtle
August 18 — Block 3: April @ JANDA Bend Quilts — Coming soon
August 25 — Block 4: Sherry @ Powered by Quilting — Coming soon
August 25th — Segment 1 Wrap-up and linky provided for prize entry
September 8 7:59 am Eastern time — Deadline to enter picture containing all four blocks for Segment 1 Prize
September 8: Segment 1 Winner Announced
September 8: Segment 2 begins

Segment 1: Prizes and Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for the following prizes for Segment 1!

One U.S. Winner Receives:

Dream Green 60″ x 60″ batting from Quilter’s Dream. An earth friendly polyester batting made from 100% recycled plastic bottles!
A Fat Quarter fabric bundle of Island Batik “Kismet.” This line by Tammy Silver of Tamarinis has a bohemian vibe with vibrant colors!

One International Winner Receives:

A Six-month subscription to Make Modern magazine. This magazine is for quilters, by quilters, filled with beautiful patterns and articles to inspire quilters like us to make more modern quilts!
A PDF pattern of your choice from these Designers! Click to view their shop items.

Pretty Piney

The Inquiring Quilter

Enter to Win Segment and Grand Prizes

Entering to win is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Everyone (You must be 18 to be able to enter to win prizes) gets to participate. There will be two prizes awarded for each segment and for the Grand Prize: U. S. and International. You do NOT need to have a blog to enter.
Make all four of the 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. Finished projects or a quilt are NOT a requirement for entry.
Post one picture that contains all four of your blocks by 07:59 AM EST, September 8, 2020 either on the Partners in Design Facebook page, or on Instagram with the hashtag #qalbythesea, or on the hosts blog Linky party found in the wrap-up post 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.

The Grand Prize is going to be amazing! To enter just make, take and post one picture that contains ALL 12 blocks (they don’t need to be made into a finished quilt top or projects but if you do, be sure that all 12 blocks can be seen).

Don’t Miss Out on My Previous QAL by the Sea Posts

Tu-Na Quilts: QAL by the Sea Block 1

She Sews Seashells by the Seashore

Tu-Na Quilts: Announcing the Next Quilt-a-Long with Partners in Design —Introduction and a look at my fabric selection.

Look for bits of this fabric in some of the blocks.

Coming Soon!

August 18 — QAL by the Sea Block 3

What I Learned Today:

Hosting a Garden Tea Party for the Bride-to-Be is exhausting. On Sunday, my backyard was transformed into an English Garden.
I have two wonderful sisters who did most of the baking and decorating.

I made the scone cream, the cranberry pecan chicken salad and the dill spread for the cucumber sandwiches. My sisters made the macarons, cupcakes, and Spam spread.

3. #1 and #2 require a blog post!

4. So does the Spam spread.

5. I may never eat scones anymore without first topping them with scone cream.

6. My mom, who is the grandmother of the groom, is beautiful in pink. Guests were encouraged to wear dresses. Many were sporting hats, too.

My beautiful mom!

Question: Coffee or Tea? I do love my cup of coffee each morning but these teas were delicious. We even had a lesson on how to steep a cup of tea.

Thanks for stopping by and do come again.

Karen, Tu-Na Quilts

At this time, I am not affiliated with any of the items, products, services, or shops that I picture or talk about here on Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats. I just happen to like and use them.

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