Block 2 of Sew Let's QAL is released today! Read all the details of the QAL here. Don't forget to bookmark my quick links page for easy access to all of the designers' and hosts' blog posts! This block is a Quilt Along Mug by April of JANDA Bend Quilts. You will need to go to April's post to download the pattern for this block. All patterns for the QAL will be free until September 24, 2019 (the end of the QAL).
The block finishes at 12" square and it's a great addition to this mystery QAL!
Here are my top tips for constructing this block:
- This block is special in that it uses an Inkjet printer to print the text on the mug. If you do not own an Inkjet printer, I will describe what I did later in this post. DO NOT USE A LASERJET PRINTER. A Laserjet printer heats the ink on top of the surface it's printed on and therefore will not work on fabric. Even worse, if you iron paper or fabric that uses a Laserjet printer, you will need to clean off your iron due to the printer ink getting transferred to the iron plate. Ask me how I know... whoops!
- Use a design board to lay out all the pieces of the mug block. It's a great way to make sure you cut all of the pieces needed for the block. Check out my design board tutorial to make your own.
- I use the Clearly Perfect Angles on my sewing machine so I do not have to mark diagonals. It's a lifesaver! All I do is align it properly and sew!
- I decided that I wanted to use fabric markers instead of embroidering the letters. If you decide to do embroidery, I would suggest a whipped backstitch since it'll even out the curvature of the letters. You can see my backstitch tutorial here and the additional whipped backstitch tutorial here.
- Since I already made my block, I decided to use freezer paper on the back of the fabric to stabilize it enough to draw. I also used my Daylight Wafer Lightbox to trace the text onto my mug.
- Ta Da! Just like if I'd printed on the text with a printer!
What will you put on your Mug block? I can't wait to see it!
Remember, we are doing prizes by segment for this QAL rather than by each individual block. The current segment ends after Block 5 and the entry window will be open from 12am Eastern on May 7 to 11:59pm Eastern on May 20. There are 3 ways to enter, all of which require a photo of all finished blocks in the segment:
- If you are on Facebook: Join the Partners in Design, Where Friends and Fabric Meet Facebook Group, and post a photo of all the blocks in the segment to be entered to win.
- If you are on Instagram: Use the hashtag #SewLetsQAL on the photos of all the finished blocks in the segment to be entered to win.
- Each host will have a Linky Party on their last block of the segment for you to link up the photo of all finished blocks for that segment in order to be entered to win.
The prizes for this segment include:
- A newly released item from Omnigrid® (a Prym Company) -Large Folding Cutting Kit that includes an 18 x 24" mat, a 3" x 18" ruler and a 45 mm rotary cutter
- Timeless Treasures Tonga Treat Strip Jr. "Orchid" -20 pc 2 1/2" strip pack
- 2 Shabby Fabrics Vintage Blessings printed table runner patterns and a packet of Sunflower laser-cut appliqués (small.)
- And, a free PDF pattern from each of these “Partners in Design”
We also have a new sponsor for the prizes, Paintbrush Studio Fabrics! Thank you so much to all of our sponsors!
Don't forget to check out the other awesome hosts of the QAL for more tips and tricks on this block!
April @ JANDA Bend Quilts
Becca @ Pretty Piney Quilts
Bobbi @ Snowy Days Quilting
Sherry @ Powered by Quilting <- That's me!
Abbie @ Sparkle On!
Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Sandy @ SandyStar Designs
Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
Sandra @ Sandra Healy Designs
Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter
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