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Thursday, February 3, 2022

Exploding Heart QAL - Week 5

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!

Exploding Heart quilt along

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


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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 it here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SliceofPiQuilts.

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

Exploding Heart quilt in all solid pink fabrics

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 on social media so others can find it and give you lots of heart eyes!

Video

This week's video has some....technical difficulties. Thank you for your grace. 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!
  • If you want, 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 #explodingheartquilt or #explodingheartQAL on Facebook or Instagram, and like and comment on other posts to encourage those that are sewing along!
Exploding Heart quilt along


QAL Schedule

Week 6 - February 10th - Quilting and finishes

Next week, I'll be sharing some ideas for quilting both on a longarm and a domestic machine!

Let's all quilt along!


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2 comments:

  1. Thank you for posting Iam still cutting and almost ready to sew. I take care of my 97 year old mother and sew while she is still sleeping in the morning. I live in So. California the weather is pretty good, but when the weather changes so does my arthritis. I love quilting and I have sewn garments in my younger years, I crochet and dabble with knitting. I used to counted cross stitch too. I will post a picture as soon as I get the top done then the finished quilt too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I didn't get to follow the quilt along - but I did get my quilt put together -- trying to decide if I need borders or not thanks

    ReplyDelete

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