Exploding Heart Quilt Along - Week 5

Thursday, February 4, 2021

It's week 5 of the Exploding Heart quilt along! We are so close to having a finished quilt! Last week we sewed our blocks into rows, and this week we're sewing the rows into the quilt top! You definitely don't want to miss this week's giveaway at the bottom of the post!

Exploding Heart quilt along

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

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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 5 / 6

This week we will sew the rows into a quilt top! The directions for this are on page 9 of the pattern.

If you don't have the pattern yet, you can purchase the PDF version here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/822272908/.

You can also get a paper version that will be mailed to you here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/836168813/.

Be sure to scroll down past the tips to watch this week's video and enter the giveaway!

Exploding Heart quilt with Island Batik fabric

I like to sew the rows together in sets of three or four. So I'll sew rows 1-4 together then set them aside while I sew rows 5-8 together, etc. Then I go back and sew those larger units together. It just helps me be able to manage the pieces and not have to wrangle so much under my sewing machine at one time.

The numbered pins that I shared with you last week really help me keep track of each row and know how to add it to the next one.

Using numbered pins in quilting

You can use pins or sewing clips to hold your seams in place if you like, but I prefer not to use those. I just nest one seam at a time and sew from seam to seam. (The video might help explain how I do that!) I also live by the motto, "Finished is better than perfect!" If my seams get off a bit, I usually ignore it and try again with the next seam.

Sewing an Exploding Heart quilt

Once all the rows are sewn together, press the final seams using your preferred method. I just press mine all in the same direction, but you might like to press yours open to reduce bulk. Do what you like the best! (I am using this iron and wool pressing mat.)

Pressing the seams of my Exploding Heart quilt

I can't wait to see all of your heart quilts this week!! Remember to use #explodingheartQAL or #explodingheartquilt in the caption of your photo so others can find it and give you lots of heart eyes!

Video

This week's video had some....technical difficulties. I do not foresee being a YouTube star in my future! LOL! And yes, my iron is off in the video. I know enough about myself to know actually ironing and taking a video at the same time is a bad idea!

**If the video doesn't load, you can view it here: https://youtu.be/1y6A5e1wHQQ.



Homework

  • Sew the rows into a quilt top!
  • Share a photo of your quilt top so we can give you lots of heart eyes! Use #explodingheartQAL and #explodingheartquilt in the caption of your photo on Facebook or Instagram.
  • Search for #explodingheartQAL on Facebook or Instagram, and like and comment on at least three posts to encourage others that are sewing along! There are several people that are a bit behind, so let's cheer them on!
  • Enter this week's giveaway at the end of this post!

Exploding Heart quilt along

QAL Schedule


Next week, I'll be sharing some ideas for quilting both on a longarm and a domestic machine! And there's an amazing giveaway next week too!!

Giveaway

Exploding Heart quilt along sponsors

Now for this week's giveaway! There will be a giveaway every week of the quilt along! This week's sponsor is Hobbs Batting who is giving away a queen sized Heirloom 80/20 batting!


Let's all quilt along!

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 age 18+. Giveaway starts at 12:00am CST February 4, 2021 and ends at 12:00am CST on February 11, 2021. One winner will receive a queen sized Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 batting (approx. value $30). 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 February 12, 2021 from all eligible entries and notified by email. If winner can not 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.

51 comments:

  1. I have loved making this quilt, it just kept getting better and better as the days went by! I haven’t ever seen the numbered pins but will be looking into them! It would have been helpful!

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  2. I didn’t use pins when sewing the rowa together. I just match up one seam at a time. Thank you for such a beautiful quilt pattern!

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  3. I had stopped using pins thinking it was faster. But really it isn't. If you want those seams to match pin pin pin

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    1. I agree with pins....the clips wound up on the floor

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  4. I use pins to hold my rows together. While I want a quilt top finished, I also want my seams to match as closely as I can manage. Still about 2 weeks behind but I hope to get my quilt laid out this weekend.

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  5. I have actually completed the quilt a week early due to my work schedule and my quilt top os finished. I have the backing and it’s ready for the quilt sandwich now!

    I have really enjoyed this QAL and look forward to Laura doing another pattern and hosting another QAL with that one. I’ll be making another one of these quilts though for sure!

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  6. Just joining the QAL. Have chosen fabric and ready to start cutting today! Such a neat quilt!

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    1. Since I am retired and the weather here is brutal (blizzard today), I spend several hours on my projects. I am done with my top and just added the first border (I need to make it a queen-size quilt). The fabric I bought for the big borders doesn't do the quilt justice, so on Saturday I'll be making a stop at the fabric store to find the perfect fabric!

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  7. I really enjoy making this quilt. It is a great visual pattern and it goes so easy together.

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    1. I agree that this is a great visual pattern and maybe that's why I'm having a good time putting it together. Some patterns are hard to follow, but not this one!

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  8. I use pins for matching seams and clips for binding.

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    1. I like putting a pin where the seams nest. Only a few of my points didn't match exactly, but they were close enough!

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  9. I LOVE my clips! I use them almost exclusively instead of quilts.

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  10. Beautiful quilt! Great practice to try and line up the seams. Good thing that most people don't notice the mistakes. I think we are our worst critic :) I would like to do another one in different colors.

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  11. I wish I had those numbered pins you recommended at the start (next time). I've also been sewing a couple of rows together, then moving on to a few more. I'm hoping to have the top have finished today and I already have several rows for the bottom half sewn. Already plotting out colors to make this quilt again. I love it.

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  12. The top is coming together. What a great pattern!

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  13. I usually use pins for piecing quilts and clips to binding, but I haven’t used either for this one so far!

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  14. Still sewing rows but can already tell the seams on my rows will be off. Definitely will need to remind myself that finished is better than perfect!

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  15. 2/3 of the top is finished. I've been pinning every 2nd seam, I tried not pinning but wasn't happy about some of the seams. Loving how it has been coming together.

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  16. I "webbed" 3 rows together to help with organization. I sent a photo to my "quilter" daughter (as opposed to my "knitter" daughter or my "painter" daughter) and she was enthralled! Can't wait to present it to our friends!

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  17. I pin everything. I love the Clover U-shaped pins, they are sharp, very fine and are the perfect pin to keep seams / points matched up.

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  18. Last week got my pattern, this week selecting stash fabrics. Ready to go. I like the numbered pins idea. Can't say how many times i've gone from the design table to sewing machine and flip-flopped my rows. Yes i got a new design, but the unsewing takes time.

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    1. I've flip-flopped rows before too. I started taking a picture on my phone when I get it laid out just the way I want it. I can't tell you how many times I look at the photo after rows are sewn & placed back into the design. Too easy to flip one!

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  19. I am excited to give this quilt to my niece and her fiancé for their wedding present. If I get it all done soon, I can send it back to Texas with them (from a couples' shower in Iowa next month).

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  20. I don’t have social media so can’t share my quilt pic, but after *mis-cutting, (*shopping to find fabric that would fill in), *ripping seams (*I didn’t read the directions) and *busting long hours trying to catch up, I finished my quilt and love it. I decided to add a small border to lock down those seams I pressed open. Thanks for a great project

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  21. Hi. Very informative and great content and great blog too.

    I usually Buy Printed Quilts through online sources because I am not professional in making quilts. I upgrade my bedding space almost every year because I just love my bedding space because it brings a good feeling and thats very important to generate sleep.

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  22. Loved this project, thank you a great QAL

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  23. I am not a fast sewer I guess, so not this far yet. But guess slow and steady is ok too. Enjoy all your tip and tricks. Hope these videos stay up for a long time yet so I can continue to refer to them! Thank you.

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  24. I usually pin my seams to make sure they match, not this time. My Accuquilt triangles are going together perfectly so far. Still making blocks, but since we got hit with a huge snowstorm that's carrying over into today, I'll be in my space trying to get them all done.

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    Replies
    1. Mother Nature must be a quilter....She provides us with wonderful time

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  25. I've just found this QAL, and my girls are asking for these quilts for their beds. Can't wait to dig out of the snow for a trip to our fabric shop to pick their fabrics! I think I'm going to have to calculate a border for their beds, though.

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  26. Loving this QAL!! Thanks so much for hosting it! My top was done last night... then I noticed a tiny hole in one of my triangles... so some more ripping and stitching and now it's done for a second time! Tomorrow... photos...THANKS again!

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  27. I don't use pins or clips, just my fingers. I am so far behind on this QAL! I am tempted to quit, but I love the pattern so much.

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    1. Hey, don't give up! I haven't started trimming yet, but know we can do this if we keep at it a little by little when time avails. I'm surprizing myself with how great the little blocks are matching up in the center and it's like opening a present each time I open one up! Enjoy the process and eventually it'll be done. :)

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    2. dont quit...just take it bit by bit....if you get bored with cutting change to sewing some blocks ... I used paper plates to stay organized as the piles grew and then with layout

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  28. Don't you just love it when you open up those quarter square triangles and they all meet in the center! Such a surprize everytime! So adorable too :)

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  29. I am just starting to sew! So far behind but I hurt my back and had to stop standing at my cutting table and rest my back for a couple weeks! So now I am back at it and so exciting to get caught up! I can’t share photos because it’s a wedding gift for a friend and I don’t want to spoil the surprise it I am loving my color choices and wish I was ready to sew my rows together! I love seeing all the others’ progress!

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  31. Top is all together and love it. This is my second quilt and couldn’t be happier!!

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  32. I prefer pins for most applications, but the clips come in handy at times!

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  33. This is a fun, quick & beautiful quilt. I may also be using the pattern for memory quilts. I just would like to find a better way to reduce the bulk...

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  34. I got done a little ahead....but hey its cold outside. I think I will make another...I still have tons of scraps. Sewing wasnt the tough part.I think it was the ironing

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  35. I use pins and clips. it depends on the project ans what I'm trying to do.

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  36. I love clips churcaeatauburndotedu

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  37. It was so fun seeing this quilt come together on the last assembly step...thank you!

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  38. I use pins alot when putting blocks and rows together. I also use wonder clips for keeping things in order.

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Thank you for visiting and for your comments! I try to reply to comments via email, so if you're expecting a response and don't hear from me, check if you're a no-reply blogger. Happy sewing!