Tag: YouTube Tutorial

House Block QAL – Block #3: Two of the Same

House Block QAL – Block #3Download

We’re one-third of the way into the QAL and block three, in it’s simple nature, is a firm favourite of mine the more I look and admire it!

It really is such a lovely, neat block to make where the tall houses just dominate the design in a pleasing way! This one would look great with some dense floral prints for the houses and contrasting colours for the roofs. Add in red doors and you’ve got the making of some lovely London-style town houses! Fab! 🙌🏻

As always, don’t forget to share your finished blocks with me and everyone else who is following along using the hashtag –

#AmandasHouseBlockQAL

and tagging me on Instagram –

@3and3quarters

Block four is in the early drafting and editing stages and will be released as soon as I can finalise it!

Happy Sewing, friends!

🩷 Amanda

House Block QAL – Block #2: Three Terraces

PATTERN – House Block QAL – Block #2Download

Our lovely second make in my House Block QAL is here! Say hello to the Three Terraces block. 👋🏠

Inspo for this one came from those sweet little inner city streets that are endlessly lined with rows of tall houses standing neatly together. Although they’ve all been built the same, each one is slightly different to their neighbour either through the exterior colours or how well they’ve been loved throughout the years.

Another option for this block that I think would look super cute – change the grass sections for yellow sand and turn the terraces into fun little beach huts! Or even change the grass sections into blue water and the paths into yellow sand trails… 🏖️

There’s so much room for creativity and fun with this block and I can’t wait to see how you all interpret the design and make it yours!

Don’t forget to share your finished block with me on Instagram…

#AmandasHouseBlockQAL

And tag me too…

@3and3quarters

I hope to have Block #3 ready to go over the next coming weeks. Just think: Two of the Same… 😉

Happy Sewing, friends!

🩷 Amanda

House Block QAL – Block #1: The Original Homestead

PATTERN – House Block QAL – Block #1Download

Welcome friends to a muchly anticipated and very over-due Quilt Along!

I can’t quite believe the last Quilt-Along (the Mini Block QAL) I hosted was seven years ago – that was 2018! What!?!?

Well today, I’m so happy to be able to share with you the first block in this new House Block QAL!

The Original Homestead is a nod to the classic house block seen in both vintage and modern quilts and is relatively simple to piece together. 

Take your time choosing the right colours and prints you want to use for your block and take advantage of the colouring-in page to explore and decide what works best!

Follow the tutorial below to learn how to piece this block together.

Don’t forget to share your finished blocks with everyone using the hashtag – #AmandasHouseBlockQAL as well as tagging me on Instagram @3and3quarters!

Sneaky hint for the next block in the QAL…

Block #2 is a Trio of fun! 🏠🏠🏠

Happy Sewing, friends!

PS. Just incase you missed it, here’s the Introduction video I shared chatting all about this new QAL! xx

MINI BLOCK QAL | Block #9: Octagon Rosette

PATTERN SHEET: MiniBlockQAL – BLOCK9

It’s the last one, my friends. The very last block in this QAL! 😭

For our final block, we’re flexing our English Paper Piecing skills and taking a dabble in making octagons! (Something I’ve never done before!) Our sweet little 1″ octagons are then hand sewn into a circle, or rosette (another thing I’ve never done before!) to complete the block. Easy!

I then amped the skill level up a notch by using a directional print fabric to create a fun geometric pattern within the rosette. Such fun!

As I mention in the video, if you’re unable to source pre-made 1″ octagons, I’ve included a template in the pattern sheet for you to trace around and use. A basic lightweight card stock will do the trick as a paper template.

Also, you don’t have to use a Fabric Glue Stick like I have to baste your octagon templates and to applique your rosette to your fabric. There are plenty of other ways to do it and you’re more than welcome to do it the way you best feel confident!

I think one of the great things about this block is that there is such a freedom in how you choose to construct and finish it. For example, when sewing the edges of the rosette to the background square, you can do it either by sewing machine (straight-stitch, zig-zag stitch or something fancy and fun) or by hand (a buttonhole or blanket stitch might be nice!).

Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy making this block (It’s so much different compared to all of the other blocks we’ve made!) and you become more confident in your EPP skills! 😊

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So, the next video in the series will be the last tutorial…

I’ll be wrapping it all up by showing you how:

Piece in the sashing and borders

Sandwiching the top with a batting/pellon and a backing

Whizzing it through the machine with a few quilted lines here and there

Sewing on a simple binding

Attaching a rod pocket to the back

And then finally labelling the finished wallhanging

Phew! I definitely have my work cut out for me! It’s gonna be an intense tutorial to make! But I’m excited though!! I can’t wait to see everyone’s finished projects!!

REMEMBER: Keep on sharing those blocks! (#AmandasMiniQAL / @3and3quarters)

Happy Sewing, Friends!

xx

MINI BLOCK QAL | Block #8: Cake Stand

PATTERN SHEET: MiniBlockQAL – BLOCK8

Can you believe it?!

We’re slowly getting to the pointy-end of the series with our second-to-last block to make!

Today’s block is another one of those traditional types that I’ve always wanted to make but just have never got around to doing it! Not anymore though! This sweet delicious little block is called Cake Stand and is sooo scrumptious and lovely, I just want to make a whole quilt out of it!

As I was coming up to the colour ‘brown’ in my own theme for this QAL, I just had to combine chocolate + cake to equal a yummy block design! The added pink and white are supposed to loosely resemble sickly sweet spiking icing on top of the cake. 😋

So, my advice when making this block…

Be patient and take your time. And double check the position of all of your units more than once before sewing them together, just to avoid any stressful unpicking moments! (I know this from personal experience!!) This block can be deceptively tricky if you’re not paying attention!

Best of luck and enjoy making!

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So, yep! The next block to come will be the last in the series before we start sashing all of our beautiful blocks together!

I can’t wait to see what everyone’s will look like!!

Remember, if you want me (as well as all of the other equally talented and creative people joining in on the QAL) to see what you’re making, share them with us on Instagram using the hashtag #AmandasMiniQAL and tagging me with the handle: @3and3quarters 👍🏻

Block 9 is a super-duper simple design. We’ll be using some techniques and tools that I’ve never used before in any of my previous QALs.

Should be fun, I think!! 😊

Until then…

Happy Sewing, Friends!

xx

MINI BLOCK QAL | Block #7: Dollhouse

PATTERN SHEET: MiniBlockQAL – BLOCK7

Who’s ready for block seven?!

On our slow descent to the final stages of this QAL, block seven is a real cutie!

This one is called Dollhouse (can also be called: Mini House or Little House) and features an array of many squares and rectangles. To add a bit of character to my block, I’ve added a red door (I’ve always wanted to have a real house with a red door!!) as well as a grey-scaled print to act like curtains for the windows.

In this tutorial, I break down the block into manageable sections for you to follow so that you don’t feel too overwhelmed by all of the different sized squares and rectangles! Just take your time piecing together each section, keep to a 1/4″ seam allowance and press, press, press!!

And don’t worry too much if your finished block turns out a bit wonky… Mine did. It just adds a bit of charm and character!! 😊

Enjoy making this little darling!

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We’re now in a race to get this lovely little QAL finished before Christmas (or by New Years Eve at the latest! But I promise, it won’t come to that!). Blocks eight and nine will be out before you know it! Each pattern is about 98% complete, I just have to film and edit them! Happy days!

Annnd, I know I keep harping on about it, but please keep on sharing your beautiful blocks with me! I love seeing how each one of you interpret the blocks with your choices of colours and prints! And your little Dollhouses are gonna be super cute!!! 🏠

The best place to share is on Instagram using the hashtag: #AmandasMiniQAL and tagging me @3and3quarters.

(You can also share them with me on Facebook too!)

Until next time,

Happy Sewing, Friends!

xx

MINI BLOCK QAL | Block #6: Single Irish Chain

PATTERN SHEET: MiniBlockQAL – BLOCK6

After a few weeks between drinks, so to speak, we’re back to it and ready to plunge into Block 6 of our Mini Block QAL!

This time around, we’re making the Single Irish Chain.

FUN FACT! I’ve never made this block before until now. I’ve seen bigger versions of it here and there on many social media places and a quilt made entirely out of this block is just simply gorgeous! I’ve definitely added it to my ‘Quilts-To-Make-One-Day-When-I’ve-Got-Nothing-Else-To-Do’ list! 😂

This block, like most in this series, is super simple to construct and gives you a really great opportunity to practice and perfect your skill in nesting seams. (You should all be pros at it by now!! 😜) It’s a block that’s not too fiddly or stressful to piece and should take no time to finish!

I can’t wait to see all of the beautiful versions of this block that you’ll make! Enjoy!

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I’ll do my very best to try and not have such a gap of time between this block tutorial and the next! Block 7 just has to be my absolute favourite in this series and I can’t wait to get making it! It’s just the cutest!

Until then, don’t forget to share all of your blocks with me on the Instagrams using the hashtag: #AmandasMiniQAL and tagging me: @3and3quarters!

Happy Sewing, Friends!

xx

MINI BLOCK QAL | Block #4: Cain & Abel

PATTERN SHEET: MiniBlockQAL – BLOCK4

After navigating through winter colds, endless days/weeks at work and my terrible habit of procrastinating, block four is finally here!

Hoorah!

It may look tricky on the outside but once you delve into what makes this block tick, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by just how simple it actually is to piece together!

The only real ‘tricky’ bit to this one are the sizes of the pieces that make up the block. (But hey, that’s the whole point to this series isn’t it? Challenging our abilities to make gorgeous mini blocks out of mini pieces of fabrics!)

I’m 100% sure, like me, you’ll squeal and swoon over the wee 1.5″ HST blocks you’ll piece together and then stare amazingly at the intricacies of the finished block. (You can actually see me do this near the end of the tutorial!)

So like I always say when it comes these complicated looking blocks, take your time when making it; try to be as accurate as you can when cutting and sewing, relax and just simply do your best!

Made a mistake? Try again. Learn from it. Become better! 👍🏻

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For block 5, we’ll be back to something a bit easier compared to this block. I promise!

It’ll also mark the halfway point in our Quilt Along!! (Can you believe it!?!)

Hopefully it won’t be too long between drinks (so to speak) until I can get that out to you!

As always, don’t forget to share your blocks with me using the hashtag: #AmandasMiniQAL on all the socials!

See you in the next one!

Happy Sewing!

xx

MINI BLOCK QAL | Block #3: Mini Hashtag

PATTERN SHEET: MiniBlockQAL – BLOCK3

Let me dive straight in and introduce you to the Mini Hashtag Block, our third in my Mini Block QAL!

You know, I actually never realised just how quick and simple this little block was to cut and piece together! It seems like I blinked and it was miraculously sitting in front of me! (Almost like a ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ type of situation!) You’ll know what I mean once you make it yourself! It’ll be a ten minute job, easy! 😜

Totally have fun picking fabrics for this little beauty! Try to choose two really stark and contrasting fabrics/prints/colours to really make that Hashtag design POP!

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Start preparing yourselves for the next block – we’re delving into trickier waters and playing with a block saturated with itty-bitty HSTs and squares! It’ll be fun, I promise!!

But before that, don’t forget to share your finished Mini Hashtag Blocks with me using the ‘official’ hashtag – #AmandasMiniQAL – over on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or wherever it tickles your fancy! (Also, include my handle: @3and3quarters and I’ll definitely see it! 😜)

Until then Friends,

Happy Sewing!!

xx

MINI BLOCK QAL | Block #2: Flying Dutchman

PATTERN SHEET: MiniBlockQAL – BLOCK2

Woot! Block two is a little beauty!

This darling orange filled triangle maze is called the Flying Dutchman. Made entirely of flying geese units, you can choose to make a statement with the centre triangles (make that pinwheel standout, honey!) or go real low-key and do all of your F.G units the same! (As always) The choice is yours!!

FYI, this block is slightly tricky to piece (obvs because of it’s itty-bitty size!) so be really aware of keeping to a 1/4″ seam each time you’re at the sewing machine and make sure to nest that middle seam as close as possible to get a really crisp pinwheel centre. Do your best, learn along the way and don’t be afraid to make mistakes! 😊

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Keep on sharing your blocks with me by using the hashtag: #AmandasMiniQAL or tagging me with @3and3quarters on Instagram and Facebook.

All of your first blocks were beautiful!! I love that everyone is doing something different while challenging and enjoying themselves along the way!! Yay!

Block three will be a fun one! I’ve already pulled my fabrics out for that one and can’t wait to share it with you!! (Here’s a clue for you: #) 😜

Happy Sewing, Friends!!

xx