Exploding Heart Quilt Along - Week 1

Welcome to Week 1 of the Exploding Heart quilt along! I am SO excited that so many of you are going to be quilting along with me! (Over 2,000 of you!)

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If you're new here, hello! I'm Laura! I design  quilt patterns , and I'm a self-proclaimed deal hunter! Be sure to join the popular  Quilting & Sewing Deals Facebook group  where I post sales, deals, and coupon codes from all around the web!

I want you to know that this is my first time hosting a quilt along, so I'm asking for some grace. I'm still figuring out some behind-the-scenes things, and there may be a few hiccups along the way. My goals for the quilt along are for us to encourage one another, make a quilt, and have fun!! Which also means I'm hoping you overlook the technical difficulties I had with the video this week, and forgive me for not including it...

If you're just joining in, be sure to check out all of the QAL blog posts:

Introduction

QAL Week 1

QAL Week 2

QAL Week 3

QAL Week 4

QAL Week 5

QAL Week 6

**The QAL has ended, but sign up if you want to be notified about the next QAL!

Week 1 / 6

This week we will cut all of the pieces for the quilt top. You can find the sizes and quantities needed on page 2 of the pattern.

If you don't yet have the pattern, you can purchase the PDF version here .

You can also get a paper version that will be mailed to you.

Before you start cutting, share a photo of your fabrics and the pattern cover on social media so we can ooh and ahh over your choices! Use #explodingheartQAL in the text of your post so others can like and comment on your post! I'm using Confection Batiks by Kate Spain for Moda for one of my quilts.

One thing I really love about quilting is that there are so many ways to do the same thing. None of them are right and none of them are wrong. During the QAL, I'll try to show a couple different ways to do each step so you can pick which way you like the most! I'll encourage you no matter which way you do it!

One example of that is that the pattern includes directions for both traditional cutting with a rotary cutter as well as using a fabric cutter. I have an AccuQuilt GO! , so I'll share how I use that for this quilt.

If you're using an AccuQuilt GO! cutter, you can use die #55708 (4" finished square) to cut the background squares, and die #55711 (4" finished quarter square triangle) to cut the triangles. Mine both came in the 8" Qube set . Personally, I prefer to cut the squares with a rotary cutter, but love using my AccuQuilt for the triangles! The AccuQuilt cuts perfectly sized pieces so that once sewn, you don't have to trim the blocks at all! It's a huge time saver!

***NOTE: Depending on which version of the pattern you have, the cutting chart for the AccuQuilt on page 2 of the pattern might show an incorrect total triangle count. The total number of triangles needed is 516.

The AccuQuilt GO! can cut up to six layers of fabric at once. I cut my fat quarters into 5 1/2" x 18" strips first, then I take two strips and accordion fold them on top of the die to make six total layers. I put the AccuQuilt cutting mat on top, put it through the cutter, slide the cutting mat off the top, and I instantly have 24 cut triangles!

Here's another tip that I use when cutting out a quilt. I use a Boogie Board to keep track of how many pieces I've cut. Of course paper and pencil work too, but writing it down after each cut really helps to not lose count!

If you're not using an AccuQuilt, you can layer 3-4 fat quarters together on your cutting mat, then cut the squares. There are many ways to cut with a rotary cutter , but I'll share what works for me.

I am right-handed, so I work from the right side of my cutting mat . I lay the fat quarters so they are 18" vertically, and the 21" side is horizontal. I lay the fat quarters just over the 0" line on my cutting mat on the right-hand side, then cut on the 0" line to get a straight edge to start.

I use the markings on my mat when cutting. I find that my Fiskars mat is very accurate, and this method allows me to cut any size I need. I know many people that cut by only using the measurements on their ruler (ignoring the measurements on the mat). Do what works best for you!

Next, I move my ruler over to the left, lining it up on the mat where needed to cut the squares. I don't move the fabric. Only the ruler. After cutting, I move the ruler again to cut another strip. Repeating for the entire width of the fat quarter. Once all the vertical cuts are made, I walk around to the right side of the table. I still haven't moved the fabric! I turn the ruler now to make the cuts in the opposite direction. I make one initial cut to make the right edge straight (usually the 18" line, but sometimes it has to be 17 1/2"). Then I move the ruler to cut the size of squares needed. It doesn't take long to cut lots of squares!

Cutting the background fabric can be a bit awkward since it's one piece of yardage instead of fat quarters. A large table (I used my dining room table!) and a  large cutting mat can help. I also like to double my fabric when cutting to make it go faster. To do this, find each end of the yardage and hold the ends together at the factory fold. Line up that factory fold edge as best as you can, then lay it on the cutting mat. The factory fold should be closest to you, along the 0" line on the bottom of the mat. Smooth out any wrinkles and adjust the fabric as needed to keep both folds lined up with the 0" line. Also be sure that all four layers of the cut edges on the right-hand side are just over the vertical 0" line.

Like before, cut on the 0" line to get a straight edge. Make the vertical cuts first, not moving the fabric. I cut several strips, then just fold the extra yardage back out of the way. I walk around to the right side of my table, cut off the selvage edge (usually on the 21" line, but sometimes 20 1/2"), then cut the needed pieces I count these piles by 4s, make a note of the total on my Boogie Board , then gently move the yardage over to the 0" line to cut another set. I be sure to line up the folds along the bottom 0" line again, then cut a tiny bit off the vertical 0" line if needed.

Homework

• Cut all of the background fabric and heart fabric into the sizes and quantities needed. Refer to page 2 of the pattern.

• Share a photo of the pattern cover with your fabric so we can encourage you! Use #explodingheartQAL in the caption of your photo on Facebook or Instagram. On Facebook, you can share on your personal timeline, or you can share in a quilting group you're in! If the post is "public," then others sewing along will be able to find it and encourage you!

• Search for #explodingheartQAL on Facebook or Instagram, and like and comment on at least three posts to encourage others that are sewing along!

• Enter this week's giveaway at the end of this post!

QAL Schedule

Week 1 - January 7th - Cutting

Week 2 - January 14th - Sewing the blocks

Week 3 - January 21st - Continue sewing the blocks and trimming them

Week 4 - January 28th - Sewing the rows

Week 5 - February 4th - Sewing the top

Week 6 - February 11th - Quilting and finishing

Next week, I'll be sharing lots of tips for sewing the blocks. I'll even show you several different methods so you can pick which one you like the best!

Oh, and the blog posts for the QAL will all stay up permanently, so you can come back to them whenever you need to! 

GIVEAWAY

Now for this week's giveaway! There will be a giveaway every week of the quilt along! This week's sponsor is Oliso , who is giving away one Oliso Mini Iron and silicone iron rest ! Enter using the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let's all quilt along!

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If you liked this post, you may also like these:

12 Days of Ornaments - Day 1

QAL By the Sea - Block 8

Destination: Quilt Along - Block 12

Disclaimer: Giveaway is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Blogger. By entering, entrants confirm they are eligible to win. No purchase necessary to win. Open to US residents aged 18+. Giveaway starts at 12:00am CST January 7, 2021 and ends at 12:00am CST on January 14, 2021. One winner will receive an Oliso Mini Iron (value of approximately $50). Odds of winning determined by number of eligible entries received. How to enter: complete a task on the Rafflecopter widget. Winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter on January 15, 2021 from all eligible entries and notified by email. If winner cannot be reached via email or prize is unclaimed after three days, a new winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter. Winner is responsible for paying any taxes related to the prize. By entering this giveaway, you release Slice of Pi Quilts from any liability whatsoever. Void where prohibited by law.