Exploding Heart Quilt Along - Week 2

It's Week 2 of the Exploding Heart quilt along! Last week was all about cutting, and this week we will start sewing the blocks! There's a video you can watch this week, and a giveaway at the end of this post!

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

Introduction

QAL Week 1

QAL Week 2

QAL Week 3

QAL Week 4

QAL Week 5

QAL Week 6

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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!

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

Week 2 / 6

This week we will begin sewing the blocks. (You have two weeks to get the blocks done!) The directions for the blocks are on pages 3 - 7 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.

The pattern includes directions for using an AccuQuilt as well as traditional cutting and sewing. I'll share some tips for both!

Be sure to scroll down past the tips to watch the video and enter the giveaway!

I am using Aurifil 50wt thread for all my piecing. I like to use a neutral color like #2600 Dove or #2310 Beige  because I have a light background fabric. Any color will work fine, I just try not to use dark colors with light colored fabric so the thread color doesn't show through the fabric. (This is a great time to use up all those random partially used bobbins!) I sew with a stitch length between 2 and 2.5 on my machine, and chain piece as much as possible!

If you used an AccuQuilt to cut the pieces...

...then you'll be sewing four triangles together to make each block. You can mix your colored triangles up in a box or bag if you want to pick them randomly! I sew sets of two triangles together first, and press each of those seams in opposite directions.

***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.

Then I can nest those seams to sew the final seam.

One of the biggest advantages of using an AccuQuilt is that the sewn blocks are the right size and don't need any trimming! Trimming the blocks is next week's quilt along task, so you'll get a free pass! That gives you two weeks to sew the blocks, so don't rush to get them all done this week!

If you are not using an AccuQuilt...

...then you have lots of choices for sewing your blocks! There are tons of inventions and gadgets that can help save you time or be more accurate. These are all optional. I just wanted to show you a few of them in case you want to try something new! ALL of these methods will require the blocks to be squared up to the needed size. I'll give some tips for that next week!

Your first decision is to draw a line or not to draw a line.

The pattern says to draw a line from corner to corner to begin sewing the blocks. You can use your regular quilting ruler and a pencil, marker , air erasable pen , or any other writing tool for this job. When sewing, align the drawn line with the side of your 1/4" presser foot to sew 1/4" on either side of the line.

There are a special rulers for this job too. 

The Fons & Porter Seam Markers are 1/2" wide rulers with a line down the middle. To use this ruler, you draw a line on both sides, then just sew on the lines!

Another similar ruler is the Quilter's Rule Quick Quarter . This ruler is also 1/2" wide, but it has slits down the center so you can draw on either side of the ruler or the center line.

There are even more options if you do NOT want to draw the line!

The simplest method is to use a piece of painter's tape or washi tape on your sewing machine bed. Line the edge of the tape up with the edge of your 1/4" presser foot.

Then keep the bottom corner on the line as the fabric goes through the machine. Flip the square around, and sew again to get both stitching lines needed.

Diagonal Seam Tape uses this same principle, but has a red line that is straight in front of the needle, and 1/4" lines on either side.

You use it the same way as the painter's tape, keeping the bottom corner of the square in line with the black 1/4" line as you sew.

Another product that works in a similar way is the Sew Straight guide by Quilt in a Day .

This guide tapes to your machine bed, and has additional diagonal lines to help you keep your square aligned as you sew.

But my favorite of all of these methods is the laser sewing machine !

The laser shines on top of the fabric instead of getting covered up! Check out this blog post if you want to know more about the laser! If I'm not using my AccuQuilt, then I'm definitely using my laser! (This week's giveaway is a red one! Enter at the bottom of this blog post!)

Whether you use a gadget to sew your blocks or not, you'll have two weeks to get them done. Next week I'll share tips on squaring and trimming the blocks, so try to get them all sewn this week.

I press all of my seams to one side, and nest seams whenever possible.

If you're sewing blocks that have two half-square triangles together, be sure to nest the seam before sewing the other diagonal lines!

And if you're sewing a half-square triangle to a background square, they won't be the same size. Just center the HST on top of the square, then sew.

Video

Want to see all these tools in action? Check out this week's video!

**If the video doesn't load, you can watch it here:  https://youtu.be/PHzWNBpPoRM .

Homework

• Sew all of the blocks. Refer to pages 3-7 in the pattern.

• Share a photo of your stack of blocks on social media 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 tips for trimming and squaring the blocks!

GIVEAWAY

Jeanne was last week's winner of an Oliso Mini Iron ! Congratulations, Jeanne!!

Now for this week's giveaway! There will be a giveaway every week of the quilt along! This week's sponsor is ViviLux, who is giving away one Red Sewing Machine Laser ! 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:

I Wish You a Merry QAL - Block 9

12 Days of Ornaments - Day 3

QAL By the Sea - Block 10

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 14, 2021 and ends at 12:00am CST on January 21, 2021. One winner will receive a Red ViviLux Sewing Machine Laser (value of approximately $60). 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 22, 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.