QAL by the Sea Block 5!

Block 5 is released today!  Sandra of Sandra Healy Designs is this week's designer.  Be sure to bookmark my quick links page so you have easy access to all the blocks and hosts!  You can also find the quick links page by clicking the button on the right side of my page.

I decided I wanted colorful fish for this block with two different types of blue for the water.  My fabric pull is super colorful!

Here are my top tips:

My typical tip is to make sure to cut the centers out of the fusible to reduce bulk, but for the stripy fish, I marked one of the stripes so I could locate it correctly on the back of the piece.

I layered the fusible pieces on the paper, then covered with my Fusamat to flip and iron them together.  This took a few times to make sure I got the order of the pieces correct!

I don't have any buttons, so I decided to use a Tulip Fabric Marker to mark the eyes of each fish.

I can't stress this enough, but use monofilament thread! This will prevent all the thread changes you'll need for this block.  Be sure to use REGULAR thread in the bobbin, the monofilament is only for the top thread.  Make sure to adjust your tension so you can't see the bottom thread on the top.  Once the raw edges have been appliqued, square up the block to 12.5".

Ta Da!  All finished!

Get the pattern from Sandra's blog post here. 

Don't forget we are doing prizes by segment and region this time!  To be eligible for Segment Prizes, you must complete all the blocks in the segment.  Share a photo or photos in a single post with all the blocks in the segment to enter!  Be sure to indicate your location, so you can be entered into the correct prize pool!

There are several ways in which you can enter to win prizes!

1. If you are on Facebook: Join the Partners in Design, Where Friends and Fabric Meet Facebook Group. Each Designer will be posting links to their tutorials there, and it will be used as a place to ask questions and post photos of your finished block for prizes.
2. If you are on Instagram: Use the hashtag #QALbytheSea on your finished block to be entered to win.
3. Each Designer will have a Linky Party on their wrap up post at the end of each segment so you can link your progress to their blog to be entered to win.

Segment 2 prizes are as follows:

For US Residents:

• Quilters Dream Poly batting;  a throw size 60” x 60”.  Dream Black is a beautiful true black quilt batting that enhances the integrity, richness, and warmth of vivid and dark fabrics and ‘quilts like a dream’. https://www.quiltersdreambatting.com/products/quilters-dream-midnight-black-poly
• A Fat Quarter fabric bundle of the Island Batik line Cascadia by Claudia Pfeil. https://islandbatik.com/

For International Residents:

• A 6-month subscription to Make Modern.  A magazine for quilters, by quilters, filled with beautiful patterns and articles to inspire quilters like us to make more modern quilts! https://www.makemodern.com.au/
• A PDF pattern of your choice up to $10.00 from these designers:
  • Laura of Slice of Pi
  • Sandra of Sandra Healy Designs

Be sure to visit all of the other hosts to pick up other tips and tricks for this block!

Abbie @ Sparkle On!
Becca @ Pretty Piney Quilts
Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter
Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts
Sandy @ SandyStar Designs
Sherry @ Powered by Quilting <- That's me!

Good luck on your block!  I can't wait to see it!

Did you catch my announcement in the Facebook Group?!  I am offering 25% off edge to edge Longarming Quilting Services for all Partner's In Design QAL quilts!  Motivation to finish these quilts!  Check out my Longarm Services here.