Quiltalong ... Coming along

Well I have finally finished my 1,089 2 1/2" square blocks that I need for my king size APQ Quiltalong quilt.

I used two charm packs in with all my other fabrics, and when I was subcutting my segments after the 1 1/2" strips had been sewn together, they slipped here and there.  So I had to trim many of the blocks just a wee bit.  When your blocks are finishing this small, it is even more imperative to keep your measurements just so. Is it taking a lot of time ... Yes.  But it would be much more frustrating to start assembling this and have it not go together properly.

Just a few of my four patches, but I really need to start sewing them into blocks of nine so I can feel like I am making some progress.

Chaining ... Now to trim apart and press. Do you chain?  A lot of people don't, but I swear by how much time I save.  You do have to be careful when you're stacking and sewing so the squares don't get out of order.  I usually have at least a couple times where I have to stop and figure out where I went wrong!  Haha

Oh {{sigh}} ... This block is measuring a mere 6 1/2" square and with all these intersections and seams, when I pressed the seams to one side, it was just too bulky and I did not like how it was laying. So I am pressing my seams open ... I really hate how much time it takes, but the result is so worth it.  It just does not make sense to spend so much time assembling these blocks, only to take shortcuts to finish.  I really want a beautiful finished project, wouldn't you?

Chaining my nine patches along on my little Singer.  I sew at my friend's house on Monday's and I really love this little machine!  Enough of a break for me now, back to my nine patches!!

APQ Quiltalong 2015

I was very excited to see the new APQ Quiltalong for this year.  There are three patterns using four patches, but the quilt that I thought was just adorable was the first one shown, designed by Lissa Alexander.  You can read her blog here and see links to other designer blogs that are participating in the Quiltalong.  http://modalissa.blogspot.com/2015/01/apq-quiltalong-go-four-it.html?m=1

Ok great ... Reading the directions I first need a bunch of 1 1/2" strips sewn together, then cut into 1 1/2" segments.  I can do that!

First of all, I want to show you this awesome light I bought at IKEA for 14.99.  Bonnie Hunter had mentioned it on her blog as being a great little light.  I broke the light bar on my Bernina years ago and have been stumbling along without one.  Even my sewing machine repairman suggested just buying a clip on light.  This light is super bright, stays where put, and has a long neck and a long cord.  It works so well, I am going to buy one for my longarm too.

See all the strips piling up behind my machine?  I used my June Taikor strip cutter (only because I don't have an Accuquilt 1 1/2" die), and just kept chaining my strips.

Haha ... Pile of strips!!  Now to iron them

open.

A beautiful stack of strips, just ready to subcut.  I took a layer cake of Road 15 by Sweetwater ... I loved this line and had intended to use this layer cake for something else.  But one of the new rules for my stash is "no saving fabric."  Not for some old project, not for the "right" project, not for a person ... It's outta here! Let's face it ... We rarely ever follow through with what we intend it to be used for and there is always more fabric we can buy!!  I have lots of Sweetwater leftover fabric and it will pair well with others as well, so that's what I am starting with.  I am going to need A LOT of fabric, so who knows where this will lead.

Ok ... Yay!!  From strips to 1 1/2" segments .. The segments are sewn into 4 patches.  Hey, wait a minute ... That makes a four patch that only measures 2 1/2" .... And I want a king size quilt .... Whaaaaaattt?!???  Tune in for more later ...