Threadology QAL – Block 7
Today I am back with the seventh block of Fat Quarter Shop’s 2019 Threadology Quilt Along!
#7 – The Economy Block
Over the past few months of making these Threadology blocks and sharing them on this blog, I’ve come to realize I really DO have a system for quilting. There are times I feel very unstructured, always trying to establish a routine for EVERYTHING (and failing miserably quite often), but for sewing, I think I’ve got it down, and I’ll share that today.
1 – Clean sewing area, assemble necessary tools, read pattern, cut fabric
I think a clean sewing area is key for me in starting a new project. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, sewing is so much smoother!
2- Assemble blocks on design boards
I’ve talked about this nearly every block I do. It’s a game changer having a design board. You can make your own, as I described in this tutorial or buy ready made design boards at the Fat Quarter Shop.
3 – Move design boards to sewing area
My sewing space is not fancy. I use a steel office desk. Several years ago, I walked by a house daily where an elderly man used to sit outside on his porch swing. Next to him, taking up most of the porch, was the desk. Finally, I worked up the nerve one day to approach this complete stranger and ask if he wanted to get rid of the desk. He did!
I went home, got hubby, and we returned to load it up. If I’d had any idea how heavy it was, since it was steel rather than aluminum, I might not have been as excited. My sewing room is in the basement, and it was no easy task getting it down there, but I love it. So many drawers, and free!
4 – Begin chain piecing
I’m big on chain piecing. I like to repeat the same step over and over on all my blocks before moving on to the next step. I know some people prefer to sew one block at a time, but it slows me down.
Time to press
And yes. This has become the norm in my sewing room since rescuing Pepper. All our other cats know the rule: NO CATS IN THE SEWING ROOM. Except Pepper. She has no boundaries. I am now the proud owner and user of LOTS of lint rollers!
I’m always terrified she’ll get burned by the iron, but so far, so good.
She’s also a ham for the camera and regularly photo bombs my blog shots.
Last, it’s time to grab some “frou frou” and take some pictures! These blocks I think were named “economy” because time wise, you won’t waste any. Super fast, super easy! In my mind, I still call them a Square in a Square in a Square.
Just a reminder that this year’s QAL benefits Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas. Fat Quarter Shop offers all of the patterns for free, but offers the opportunity to make a $5 donation per pattern download to support Make-A-Wish. All proceeds from the pattern downloads will be donated to Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas, with Moda Fabrics partnering along. To learn more about the cause you can view this Make-A-Wish video.
Be sure to follow the Threadology Quilt Along’s web page which includes all patterns and video tutorials, Facebook, and Instagram! Join the Kimberly Stitch Squad Facebook Group to join thegroup of quilters who are also quilting along. And be sure to hashtag your Threadology Quilt progress with #makeawish and #threadologyquiltalong on Instagram so we can see and share your work!
