Sew & Tell ~ Pieces of My Life QAYG

What a week!  There were several new stories/posts last week here at Melva Loves Scraps.  Block #6 of the Pieces of My Life was released as was the newsletter with the link to the memory book pages and additional stories and memories of my life not shared here... AND I hosted the Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday linky party.  Whew... 

Last week I had asked you about the self-imposed "imaginary" deadlines... I found I was not alone.  I also decided that rather than push myself into a state of frenzy... I offered myself some grace and moved the release date of the QAYG step-by-step a few days.

That day is today!  🎉

Cutting instructions:

2 - 2-1/2" x 12-1/2" strips

2 - 2-1/2" x 18-1/2" strips

2 - 3-1/2" x 12-1/2" strips

Layout your blocks and strips as shown in the photos.  You can join units together as you desire but I used the following order so that I could chain piece until the final seam.  

Join your 6-1/2" blocks together.  

Add one 3-1/2" strip to the block intended for the upper right unit.  

Join your 6-1/2" blocks to the lower left block.

Add the second 3-1/2" strip to the upper right block.  

Sew a 2-1/2"x12-1/2" strip to each of the remaining blocks. 

Join the 18-1/2" long strips to the remaining units. 

Join the 18-1/2" long units to the 12"+2-1/2" strips units. 

Join the two units together to complete the section.  

Each section should measure 28-1/2" wide by 30-1/2" tall.

NOTE:  I used a variety of fabrics for the sashing strips within the section.  My original plan was to use the same fabric throughout.  I was not fully pleased after auditioning my idea on the design wall, so I started reaching for the scraps and discovered I was much happier with it.  

Prepare a backing piece a few inches larger, approximately 30" x 32", as well as a piece of batting.  Prepare to sandwich section 1 as you would any quilt.  

I use the fusible batting from Hobbs on a regular basis.  (It not only eliminates the sticky mess but also the smell from spray basting.)  For this QAYG process, especially when joining the four sections together and eventually the border, I highly recommend using a fusible batting.  I have no affiliation with Hobbs, just a big fan of this product.

There are multiple videos out in cyber-land but I follow the process as shared by Pauline from Pauline's Quilters World. I considered making my own short video (for about 10 5 seconds), but quickly talked myself out of it since Pauline demonstrates the process so well. She says that there is no need to pin.  I choose to use some pins... a few all over but mostly along the edges.  I find that this helps to keep the top from shifting or moving if not fully fused or if it pulls loose in the handling of the fused piece.  

Quilt as desired... don't you just hate when a pattern says that???  Here are the details of what I did.

I quilted the strips with FMQ of vines and leaves first.  Not up for vines and leaves?  Try a stitch-in-the-ditch paired with a 1/4" "echo" line.  Or stitch a continuous soft curve to create a single wavy line... or return back over that line with stitching in the opposite direction making a single serpentine line or chain.

I felt that each block deserved some special quilting to enhance the pattern or design, so I used a variety of straight lines and soft curves.  The soft curves were used to create "orange peel" designs in the bow, pinwheel and SQinSQ blocks; Straight lines created square grids and some interesting geometric designs in stars and the hours block; a combination of the two were used in the bachelor's puzzle.  I approached each block separately.  Even though I was unsure of what I would do in the Bachelor block I was not concerned.  I knew a design would reveal itself to me... and it did.  I encourage you to be patient and take your time.  Consider printing out a photo of a single block, or even the whole section.  Sketch out some quilting designs to see if you like it.  

Still unsure or not up to custom block quilting?  You could certainly do an all over stippling, lattice or grid or a hanging diamond design.  Here's a site that offers some simple beginner quilting ideas...

There will be sashing strips between each section.  You will not need to be overly concerned with making certain that the stitching from section to section align perfectly.  Whatever you do... have fun with the quilting! 

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Between blog writing, publishing and related emails, I successfully finished the top of the second T-shirt memory quilt.  This one has green as its background.  I am planning on knocking this one out by the end of the week. :)

On Friday evening Dave and I enjoyed a stroll downtown to participate in the First Friday Art Walk event.  While at the Museum of Western Art, I noticed that the giftshop was running low on my books and quilted cards.  When the green memory top was done I turned my attention to the cards.  These four Fishers Peak cards are ready for delivery this week. :)

Time for this week's Sew & Tell feature.  Did you see Bonnie's Quick as a Wink 3-yard quilt?

Isn't it lovely? 💖 "I used a new-to-me edge to edge pantograph called Quick and Easy Swirl by My Creative Stitches."  

Nice job Bonnie!  👏 

On to this week's party... Ready?  GO!  I look forward to hearing about your projects.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy’s Quilts

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Create, Bake, Grow & Gather at Shabby Art Boutique

Saturday Sparks at Pieced Pastimes

Share Your Style at French Ethereal

To Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt

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