Fall Into a QAL Block 9 Released Today
Today has arrived!! Thanks for stopping by to see my block that I designed for the Fall Into a QAL. 
This QAL is brought to you by Partners in Design: Where Friends and Fabric Meet.
Presenting my Postage Stamp Turkey Block
This Postage Stamp Turkey block involves stitching sixty-four 2” squares together of which 37 are Half Square Triangles (HSTs). Don’t panic. Each of the hosts will have construction tips to share on making this turkey. After you are finished reading my post, waddle on over to theirs to take a look.
Download your pattern by clicking on Postage Stamp Turkey below to get your free pattern.
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Postage Stamp Turkey
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Making This Block Just a Little Easier
Don’t let your fear of small pieces prohibit you from making this block. I’ve included step by step directions and pictures in the pattern. Here’s a few other tips to help you succeed.
- The more pieces in a block the likelier your block may end up being too small. That’s why I wrote Tu-Na’s Tried and True Easy Steps to Making Accurately Pieced Blocks found here. I show how to cut accurately as well as cover the importance of starching and proper pressing.
- Throw away your clock. Working with this number of small pieces will take time. Sit and sew and enjoy it. Maybe break the job into several sewing sessions.
- Print out the blueprint found on the last page. Color it using colored pencils or crayons (I like colored pencils).
- Use the handy labels that I’ve provided in the pattern to identify the many pieces.
Making a Two Color Background
I provided directions on the pattern for making the background with just one color. However, if you want to use two colors to create a sky and ground as I’ve done on my sample, follow these cutting and sewing charts here.
Cut all pieces as indicated on the pattern except cut the background pieces as follows:
Sky Background: (6) 2.5″ squares, (6) 2″ squares, and (2) 1.5″ x 2″ rectangle
Ground Background: (5) 2.5″ squares, (6) 2″ squares, and (1) 1″ square.
Follow all the directions as indicated on the pattern except:
Use the 1″ square sky background when making the head, the 1.5″x2″ ground rectangles when making the feet, and 2.5″ sky background squares for the wattle/beak unit and the neck/wattle/background unit.
HSTs:
Using 2 Sky Background and 2 Dark tail pieces, make 4 HSTs
Using 2 Sky Background and 2 Light tail pieces, make 4 HSTs.
Using 2 Ground Background and 2 Light wing piece, make 3 HSTs.
Using 1 Ground Background and 1 Dark wing piece, make 1 HST.
Using 1 Ground Background and 1 Body piece, make 2 HSTs.
Complete your turkey following the pattern. Use your blueprint to layout your pieces.
Have fun making your turkey. I can’t wait to see the flock appear on our Facebook page and Instagram.
Join this QAL
You can join in anytime. Each 12.5″ (unfinished) block will be released every other Tuesday with the last one scheduled for release on October 16th. You are free to make these blocks any way you want. However, if you are wanting to enter the contest, be sure to read the rules found in the Enter to Win section below to make sure your entry counts.
The patterns will remain free on the respective designer’s blog until November 13, 2018. Designers may choose to keep them free after that time or make them available for a charge in their pattern shops. The final finished top containing all 12 of these blocks (it doesn’t have to be quilted) link up for the mega giveaway is November 13th at 11:59 EST.
Enter to Win
A winner will be selected at random from all the blocks posted. Details are listed below.
Block 9 Prizes: One lucky person will receive these prizes just for making a postage stamp turkey.
Two printed “Vintage Blessings” exclusive mini patterns from Shabby Fabrics: Vintage Pumpkin Wall Hanging and Vintage Schoolhouse Table runner .
And one 34” x 45” Warm & White craft size Cotton batting from the Warm Company.
Vintage Pumpkin – Wall Hanging Pattern: Want the kit instead? Make life easier and order it here! Full Set of 12 patterns available here – buy all 12 and save 10%! Decorate your home all year long with this beautiful wall hanging from The Vintage Series by Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics. Wall hanging measures 12″ x 18″ and hangs from a darling dowel hanger (not included – available separately below).
Vintage Schoolhouse – Table Runner Pattern: Want the kit instead? Make life easier and order it here! Full Set of 12 patterns available here – buy all 12 and save 10%! Decorate your home all year long with a beautiful table runner from The Vintage Series by Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics. Table runner measures approximately 12 1/2″ x 53″.
Please help us support our QAL sponsors.
Visit Shabby Fabrics to request their latest mail order catalog here or view the digital version!
Visit the Warm Company to see what they have to offer.
Entering to win the prize above 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. Hosts and designers are not eligible to win.
- Make a block using my pattern. Take a picture of it. Slight variations of the pattern are ok such as embellishments but keep your block true to the designed pattern if you are entering the giveaway. The block should definitely be recognizable as one made from this free pattern. Deviating too much (or substituting a different block entirely) will cause your entry not to be counted. If you have questions if it’s allowed for entry into the giveaway, please ask me before you cut.
- Post a picture of your block before 11:59 PM EST, September 17th either on the Facebook page, or on Instagram #fallintoaqal.
Winners are drawn from the eligible pictured blocks and prizes awarded every other week. A mega grand-prize using all 12 of the block patterns sewn into a quilt top/flimsy (quilting not necessary) will be awarded at the end of the Fall Into a QAL .
See These Hosts for Inspiration and Tips
on Making the Autumn Leaf Block
*Block Designer — here. Download your free pattern by clicking on the pdf above.
- April at JANDA Bend Quilts
- Vanda at Quilting with Vanda
- Sherry at Powered by Quilting
- Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting
- Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter
- Abbie at Sparkle On
- Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats* Thanks for stopping by. I hope will make a postage stamp turkey. It’s almost cute enough to eat.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
These are our prize sponsors throughout the QAL. The sponsor for each bi-weekly prize varies. The Final Grand prize bundle and sponsors will be announced 10/16/18.
In addition, the following members of Partners in Design are providing prizes as well:
- Abbie at Sparkle On
- April at JANDA Bend Quilts
- Kathleen at Kathleen McMusing
- Sandra at Sandra Healy Designs
- Sherry at Powered by Quilting
- Vanda at Quilting with Vanda
Come on Back for the Next Block Release
Join me on September 18th at 12:00am EDT for the release of the tenth block designed by Sandra Healy of Sandra Healy Designs.
Don’t Miss Out on My Previous Fall into a QAL Posts
Tu-Na Quilts: Big Announcement!!! (QAL introductory post with a schedule of when the blocks are released and a sneak peek at the fabrics that I’ll be using.) Yes, I’m seeing spots!
Tu-Na Quilts: Block One—Hedgehog
Tu-Na Quilts: Block Two —Harvest Basket
Tu-Na Quilts: Block Three — Bonfire
Tu-Na Quilts: Block Four — Sunflower with Tu-Na’s Tried and True Easy Steps to Making Accurately Pieced Blocks
Tu-Na Quilts: Block Five — Acorn with Lesson 1: Let’s Take the Wheel for a Spin of Tu-Na’s Tried and True Easy Guide to Fabric and Color Selection for Quilt Blocks
Tu-Na Quilts: Block Six — Pie with Lesson 2: Variety is the Spice of Life of Tu-Na’s Tried and True Easy Guide to Fabric and Color Selection for Quilt Blocks
Tu-Na Quilts: Block Seven — Pumpkins Aplenty
Tu-Na Quilts Block Eight — Autumn Leaf
What I Learned Today:
- Time flies when you’re having fun and even when you’re not.
- Tu-Na needs a turkey anatomy lesson. Turkey’s have wattles to help regulate body temperature since they don’t have sweat glands.
- The red part hanging off the beak of a turkey is actually called a snood. You’ll see it enlarge when Mr. Turkey is strutting his stuff while the misses are around. Evidently, they find it fascinating.
Question: Where do you display your turkeys in the fall? Are they on the wall or the door, in the yard, or on your plate? On Thanksgiving, turkey is on my plate. We like it so well, that I served it at Easter this year.
I stuffed that turkey breast with lots of fresh rosemary and a large cut up lemon. I also inserted lots of butter under the skin. Because everything is better with butter!
It was tender and juicy. Tu-Na Helper thought so.
Thanks for stopping by and do come again.
Karen, Tu-Na Quilts
Linking to:
Main Crush Monday at Cooking Up Quilts
Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt
Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River
Let’s Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts
Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts
