Piecing Your Quilt
Welcome to Week 3 of Our Sunshine QAL! This week, we’re diving into the heart of the quilt—piecing your half-square triangle (HST) blocks. You’ll learn how to sew with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, keep your blocks organized, and how to press your seams with the iron.
Once your HST blocks are ready and sewn into rows, you’ll start sewing them into quadrants, making sure everything lines up beautifully. Take it slow and enjoy the process—precision now will make the final assembly so much smoother!
If you get stuck, don’t worry—refer back to Denyse’s pattern for guidance!
Once your HST blocks are ready and sewn into rows, you’ll start sewing them into quadrants, making sure everything lines up beautifully. Take it slow and enjoy the process—precision now will make the final assembly so much smoother!
If you get stuck, don’t worry—refer back to Denyse’s pattern for guidance!
Learn with Jennifer
Week 3: Part 1
Week 3: Part 2
Learn with Denyse
Can you believe it's Week 3??? Time is speeding along!
When you've finalized your layout and are ready to begin sewing your blocks together, here are some tips to make sewing your My Sunshine quilt top satisfying and rewarding!
1. Press the diagonal seam of each block flat first, then press the seam allowance to one side following the pressing directions in the pattern*. Flip the block over so it's right side up, and make sure you haven't pressed a tiny fold anywhere along that seam, using the pointy nose of your iron to make sure both sides of the seam are fully open and flat.
* As noted in the pattern, you'll press the diagonal block seams DOWN for blocks in odd rows (1, 3, 5) and UP for blocks in the even rows (2, 4) for quadrants A and D.
For quadrants B and C, it's the opposite! Press the diagonal block seams UP for blocks in odd rows (1, 3, 5) and DOWN for blocks in the even rows (2, 4).
When you've finalized your layout and are ready to begin sewing your blocks together, here are some tips to make sewing your My Sunshine quilt top satisfying and rewarding!
1. Press the diagonal seam of each block flat first, then press the seam allowance to one side following the pressing directions in the pattern*. Flip the block over so it's right side up, and make sure you haven't pressed a tiny fold anywhere along that seam, using the pointy nose of your iron to make sure both sides of the seam are fully open and flat.
* As noted in the pattern, you'll press the diagonal block seams DOWN for blocks in odd rows (1, 3, 5) and UP for blocks in the even rows (2, 4) for quadrants A and D.
For quadrants B and C, it's the opposite! Press the diagonal block seams UP for blocks in odd rows (1, 3, 5) and DOWN for blocks in the even rows (2, 4).
2. Remember the long side of the triangles are cut on the bias of the fabric, which can easily stretch! After pressing, place your block on your cutting mat. Align the diagonal seam on one of the mat's angled lines, and make sure your block is square (about 9-1/2" x 9-1/2"), with straight sides. Slightly wobbly edges are not unusual— true up your sides if needed.
If your block is square but finishing slightly smaller or larger, that is ok, as long as your blocks are consistent in size. Sew a few more blocks—if they are relatively consistent in size, and square, you're good!
If your block is square but finishing slightly smaller or larger, that is ok, as long as your blocks are consistent in size. Sew a few more blocks—if they are relatively consistent in size, and square, you're good!
3. Trim off the dog ears! I find it much easier to align the block rows without the dog ears.
4. Sew the blocks together with a 1/4" seam allowance. This will dissect the diagonal block seams 1/4" in from the edge as shown, below left. Once the blocks are sewn together, you'll end up with a 1/4" seam allowance on the top and bottom edges of your rows (below, right). Having that seam is what prevents you from "cutting off" the tips of the triangles when you sew the rows together.
If you're new to sewing blocks with angled seams, it may feel a little fussy at first, and even experienced quilters won't nail all of the points. But just understanding the mechanics of the construction goes a long way toward retaining your triangle points, which later creates the smooth, continuous lines of the concentric diamond shapes.
Even if you do lose a few points, know that they will be hard to spot in the overall graphic beauty of the quilt. You may not even be able to find them!
Enjoy your stitching!
XO
D
Even if you do lose a few points, know that they will be hard to spot in the overall graphic beauty of the quilt. You may not even be able to find them!
Enjoy your stitching!
XO
D
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You’re crushing it! 🎯 Keep those seams straight and those colors popping! If things get tricky, just breathe, adjust, and refer back to Denyse’s pattern for guidance.
You’ve got this—can’t wait to see those quadrants come together next week! 🚀✨ Share your work on The Pou Crew and Denyse's Facebook. We will chime in, help one another and give support here too. Let the Sunshine IN! See you next time at WEEK 4 on March 24 when we begin to piece our quilt. And have fun! ;) - Jennifer and Denyse |