Welcome to the Eleventh block reveal

for the Destination QAL!

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

Presenting: Hot Air Balloons

This 12.5″ (unfinished) block pattern was created by Sherry Shish and available by clicking on her blog Powered by Quilting here. The patterns in this QAL are available free now until November 16th, 2021 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.

Tips and Tricks to Constructing this Block

1. Choose wisely. There are so many fabric choices. Which ones will you choose? I already had used the green grass for block two- the camper.But I really wanted to use the Saguaro. They were a bit too big and I wouldn’t use them again in this quilt. In the end, I used the green grass. 
2.  Learn and Practice Good Paper Piecing Habits. Even though Sherry has provided a cutting line, I still use the ruler and measure the seam allowance. I often change the size of my blocks so I got in the habit of measuring the seam allowances rather than relying on the lines given on the pattern. When resizing blocks, the seam allowance is no longer accurate. Trust me. I’ve learned the hard way.
3. Keep Looking Up.  To help me orient the pieces correctly, I drew arrows to show which direction was up. I also labeled my pieces as sky and with the color I was using. The picture below shows how the pieces will go together but this is backwards. The B1 piece will be on the right when completed. Paper piecing is like that: working backwards and upside down—I love it!
4. Match Making Made Easy. The points won’t match on the pieces as you put them together. One will extend 1/4″ from the other. Make sure it does and sew in the valley and the sides will match perfectly.

The other thing I wanted to do was make my two mountains distinct from each other without using different fabrics. So I oriented the print going in different directions.

I still need to add the ropes and applique around the pieces.

Join me next week for Bobbi’s last block in this quilt along and the segment 3 and final wrap up post. I’ve been busy working on something special for my quilt setting.

See These Hosts for More Construction Tips

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

Sherry @ Powered by Quilting — The designer of this block.

Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts

Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter

Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing

Join this QAL

You can join in anytime. Find the complete schedule here. Every Tuesday for four weeks, a new block is released until all 12 blocks have been released. This QAL is divided into three segments each containing four blocks with a two week break between segments for a chance to catch up.

When you finish a block, share it on our Facebook group or post a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #DestinationQAL. We enjoy seeing and commenting on each person’s finished blocks.

Segment 3: September 14 to October 19

• September 14 – Block 9: Karen Thurn @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats  — Find Block Nine There
• September 21 – Block 10: Becca Fenstermaker @ Pretty Piney Quilts — Find Block Ten There
• September 28 – Block 11: Sherry Shish @ Powered by Quilting  — Find Block Eleven There
• October 5 – Block 12: Bobbi Bridgeman @ Snowy Days Quilting — Find Block Twelve There
• October 5 — Segment 3 Wrap-up and linky provided for segment prize and linky provided for Grand Prize
• October 19th 7:59 am Eastern time — Deadline to enter picture for Segment 3 Prize
• October 19th – Segment 3 Winner Announced

Segment Three Prizes

At the end of this segment, a prize package will be offered. Make all four blocks and follow the directions on the Segment wrap-up post to enter to win. We allow for creative changes and embellishments but each block must be made using the given patterns to be eligible. A grand prize giveaway will be held for making all 12 blocks. More details coming on the Segment wrap-up post.

Six Month Subscription to Make Modern. An online magazine for quilters, by quilters, filled with beautiful patterns and articles to inspire quilters like us to make more modern quilts!

And a pattern from each of these designer’s shops!

Becca Fenstermaker of Pretty Piney 
Sherry Shish of Powered by Quilting $10 shop credit 

Don’t Miss Out on My Previous Destination QAL Posts

Segment 1:

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

Tu-Na Quilts: Destination QAL Block 1 — Canyon Block

Tu-Na Quilts: Destination QAL Block 2 — Camper Block

Tu-Na Quilts: Destination QAL Block 3 — Fair Block

Tu-Na Quilts: Destination QAL Block 4 — Turtle Beach

Segment One Wrap-Up

Segment 2:

Tu-Na Quilts: Destination QAL Block 5 — Ferry

Tu-Na Quilts: Destination QAL Block 6 — Covered Bridge

Tu-Na Quilts: Destination QAL Block 7 — Cityscape

Tu-Na Quilts: Destination QAL Block 8 — Lake

Segment Two Wrap-Up 

Segment 3:

Tu-Na Quilts: Destination QAL Block 9 — Road Trip designed by me. I sewed three of these.

Tu-Na Quilts: Destination QAL Block 10 — Sign Arrows

What I Learned Today:

1. Having time off is ok.  Tu-Na Helper and our sons helped pick the apples this weekend. The crop was very light this year with very small apples. I won’t be making applesauce, apple cider, or apple pie filling. 
2. The wasps and bees are especially bad this year. They ate into a lot of the apples.

Question: Would you like to go up, up in the air in a hot air balloon or do you prefer to keep your feet on the ground? I’ve thought that a visit to Albuquerque for the Hot Air Balloon Festival would be fun. But I have no desire to ride in one. However, I’ve been in a helicopter although I kept my eyes closed the whole time.

Thanks for stopping by and do come again,

Karen, Tu-Na Quilts

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