MINI BLOCK QAL | Block #1: Flying Geese

PATTERN SHEET: MiniBlockQAL – BLOCK1

And we’re on our way! Let’s get in to making Block 1!

This one is simply called ‘Flying Geese’ as it features four lovely little Flying Geese sweetly stacked in the centre and then framed by two chunky rectangles on either side.

One of the great things about making mini blocks is that they take a flash to make – literally! As soon as you’ve cut the tiny pieces out, you’ve magically made a tiny block that you’ll squeal all over due to it’s itty-bitty size! But let’s not romanticise it too much! A high level of concentration, patience and accuracy is still needed to create a successful block!

As mentioned in my Introduction blog post, I’m colour-blocking each of my minis, hoping to achieve a rainbow effect as the finished result. Therefore, my first block has been made using two contrasting yellow solid prints. Feel free to either follow the same idea as me or finally have an excuse to break into that FQ bundle you’ve been hoarding away since forever! Be creative, be free and have fun with your fabric selections!

As always, you’ll find all of the written measurement and cutting instructions in the pattern sheet linked above.

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I’ll do my best to get Block 2 out to you as soon as I can. It’s another one heavily featuring Flying Geese, so brush up on your piecing skills with Block 1 so that Block 2 will come together perfectly! (Or as perfectly as you can – no pressure here – just do your best!)

Remember to share your finished blocks on your favourite social media platforms using the hashtag – #AmandasMiniQAL – so that we can all see what each other is up to and spread some encouragement and positivity! I can’t wait to see all of your blocks!!

Also, if you have any questions about the Quilt Along, shoot them my way and I’ll try my best to answer them as soon as I can and to the best of my ability! 😊

See you soon for Block 2!

Happy Sewing, Friends!

xx

MINI TUTORIAL: Flying Geese Block

Here’s just a quick little tutorial I uploaded last week simplifying the process of making the utterly-tradtional Flying Geese unit.

The process of how to make this block should be a staple in your patchwork library and when it is, you can adapt and shape it into any size or formation you wish!

Here are the measurement & cutting instructions for this block..

– Cut x1: 5&1/2″ x 3″ rectangle from one fabric

– Cut x2: 3″ squares from a contrasting fabric

– Piece together as demonstrated in the video.

– Feel free to make as many Flying Geese units as you wish to piece together a long strip, or square or rectangle. The choice is all yours!

The final measurements of this unit are: 5&3/8″ x 3″ or 13.5cm x 7.5cm.

And, here are some great examples of the Flying Geese unit pieced together in a few beautiful and creative ways!

(Links to the sources of these quilts are at the end of this post!)

FlyingGeeseQuiltsHappy Sewing Friends!

xx

{LINKS}

The Quilt by City Stitches

The Quilt by A Stitch In Time

Quilting Expo | The Low Down

Quilting Expo was yesterday! Yay! 

I had a wonderful time teaching, chatting, eating (and sewing!) with a lovely group of ladies.

I showed them how to make four classic quilt blocks paired with some yummy and fresh modern fabrics.

Four Classic Quilt Blocks
Four Classic Quilt Blocks

The big block winners of the day would have to of been the colour-blocked Log Cabin…

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and the Lone Star block (my personal favourite!)

A Pretty Lone Star!
A Pretty Lone Star!

With the Lone Star block, I’m planning to make a sweet lap quilt out of it – stay tuned for that idea to hopefully come to life!

The other blocks we tackled were a Flying Geese variation and the-always-easier-than-it-looks Dresden Plate.

Patiently Machine Appliquéing the Dresden Plate
Patiently Machine Appliquéing the Dresden Plate

There were a few other projects that had been planned but time got away from us and they went undone…*insert sad frowny face*

The view of my very messy work space! Oh dear...
The view of my very messy work space! Oh dear…

It was a great day all around and I was definitely warn out by the time I got home! (It was a rare early night into bed for me!)

This coming week I’ll be working on a side commission for the BFF and then I’ll get back into piecing together my Mini Double Wrench Block Quilt as well as the many other numerous things that need to be planned and done! 

Happy Sewing Friends! xx

The Queen of Piecing!

I’m so happy to proudly announce that I am no longer a machine paper-piecing virgin! Yay!

October’s Craftsy’s BOM where all about machine paper-piecing, making the Friendship Circle Block…

And the Circle of Geese Block…

I was always a little wary of how machine paper-piecing worked. I had watched countless Youtube videos without an ounce of understanding of how or what to do.

And yet, this past weekend, I put my sewing-thinking-cap on and the technique finally clicked in my head and I successfully completed these two sweet little blocks.

I now feel more confident and less wary to tackle a project that features the machine paper pieced technique and will definitely go out of my way to find a suitable one to start very soon! Like this one that I’ve been dying to know how to make (but with cuter fabrics!)…

Getting back to the topic, here all my of 20 BOM blocks together!

Today in Sydney, the weather is coldish and overcast with a little peek from the sun: perfect to wile away an afternoon on the sewing machine. After completing some of my heavy loaded uni work this morning, I’m treating my self to an afternoon centred on my darling sewing machine! I need to get started on the backing for my Jacob’s Ladder quilt so I can baste it and start quilting it. I’ve almost convinced myself to give hand-quilting a go on this quilt. It’s a technique I’ve never attempted before as I’ve always machine quilted my quilts. I know the basics of how hand-quilting works in my head and have all the accessories to start but haven’t quite perfected it in the actual ‘doing’ bit.

Here some hand quilted quilts that have been inspiring me over the past week…

Spinning Stars by Anna Marie Horner

Prism Quilt by Sundance

Pillow by Sunny in CAL

Come to think of it, I really should give hand quilting a go. I love a challenge as well as the thrill of learning something new and accomplishing it!

The decision has been made! Stay tuned!

Happy Sewing! xx