Monday, August 29, 2016

Star Light, Star Dark QAL: Piecing the Top Together


Welcome to Post 8 of the Star Light, Star Dark QAL! Today we're putting the top together. And, just in case you're not at this point yet, that's perfectly okay, too - the QAL doesn't close until October 3 (the last day to link up your finished lap or baby quilt to win prizes). One more month, friends!


http://www.quiltyhabit.com/2016/06/schedule-and-sponsors-star-light-stark.html


June 26 - October 4, 2016

All info here!

Share your fabric choices and progress!

 Instagram: #starlightstardarkqal

Facebook: Quilty Habit Facebook group

Sponsored by:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/sewmeasong/http://www.fatquartershop.com/   http://www.craftsy.com/user/546702/pattern-store
http://www.craftsy.com/user/1015609/pattern-store      http://www.aurifil.com/

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Many of you have already gone ahead and pieced your tops together. It's very easy, and I pretty much gave it away in the instructions post!

1. If you haven't done so already, sew your Small Stars together. The seams should match right up!

2. Sew Fabric 3 to the top or bottom of your Large Star. You decide! Press seam open.

3. Sew Fabric 7 to the top or bottom of your Small Star(s). Press seam open.


4. Sew the two sections of your block together (see below for a full block), and press the seam open. This is just ONE option for a layout! Feel free to experiment with the placement of your stars and background fabrics - see last week's post about Alternate Gridwork for more layout ideas. Repeat directions 1-4 for all of your large blocks.


Here's how I determined my layout (I hadn't cut my Fabrics 3 and 7 yet, but you get the idea). I kept switching fabrics and color placement until it felt balanced. Use a design wall, floor or table!


5. Sew rows together and press seams open. If you're making a lap size version, you'll have 3 rows; for a baby quilt, you'll have two. See picture below for a lap size example.


6. Pin the rows together and match the very middle seams (this should be easy to do if you have a lot of contrast between the two halves of your quilt!). Then, match as many seams as you can and pin before you sew. I enjoyed this article from my friend Chris Dodsley @madebychrissied about keeping your seams from folding as you sew.


7. Press your seams open. Ta-da! Your quilt top is done!

Now it's time to decide on a backing (or piece one) and get ready to quilt. The next post will be in two weeks, and I'll give you some quilting ideas. I've already seen one completely finished quilt (that honor goes to @ellathrowawench on Instagram - here's her quilt)! Woohoo!! Great job, Ella!

I hope you are all enjoying the QAL as much as I am. Don't forget to share your progress on Instagram or on our Facebook group! See you soon!

QAL Schedule


 

6 comments:

  1. Ella's quilt is really beautiful. Guess what- mine is nearly ready as well. 'Just waiting on a label to finish the binding. So much fun!

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  2. It is going to be so much fun to see how everyone decides to piece their quilt tops!

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  3. Awwww... I actually have a second one that I get to keep. I'll post it this week!

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  4. This looks great. I matched all of my seams but I seeeeeem to have 1/4 inch difference on the blue side. and I can't just chop it off..... I may have to do some unsewing today. or tomorrow.
    It is not a horrible situation, but this kind of thing drives me literally insane (check the 6:00 news for an incident in Northern Virginia lol j/k)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Catching up after a whirlwind September and I've just read this post. Thanks for mentioning my seams tute Jess, I've given you a shout out here on my facebook page - Chris :D

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Let's start a conversation! I love comments and I'd be happy to reply to all who have an email address accessible. Thanks for commenting!

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