Sewcialites, Block 18

Today, I get to share my block for the Sewcialites Sew Along hosted by Fat Quarter Shop.

My block pattern, Hearty, can be found on the Fat Quarter Shop blog today.  You can also find all of the blocks that have been released for the Sewcialites sew along here.

Hearty is just the cutest little block in my opinion!  Look how cute just the little heart center is:

I am using Spring Brook fabric for all of my Sewcialites blocks which is shipping so soon!

I am making my blocks in the 3″ size and this block is a little bit fussier in this size with all of those little HST’s.  But I do have a couple tips for how I pieced this block.

1. Starch before cutting your fabrics!  This is especially helpful when piecing these little blocks.  I am currently using the Faultless Spray starch with the Luxe finish, gold cap.
2. Press all seams open. (Note: for this block, I did press the last two seams to one side as the block laid nicer this way).
3. Pin at intersections.  This is especially important when you are pressing your seams open as they will not naturally want to nest together as they do when pressed to the side.  I usually prefer a long/thin pin when I pin but for these little blocks I prefer a shorter/not as fine pin.  Specifically, Magic Pins in the Fine Patchwork size.
4. I have been using my version of a Tailors Clapper which happens to be a piece of unfished maple wood about 1 1/4″ thick left over from maple countertops we had made a couple years ago. =)  It’s not fancy but it helps flatten those blocks.  I don’t typically use it for larger blocks but have been liking it for these small blocks.
5. I use steam when I iron.
6. I really like a seam guide on my machine for flip and stitch corners (for flying geese, HST’s, snowball corners etc.)

Not everyone likes using a seam guide to eliminate marking those lines.  Back in the day when we could be out and about more and I was teaching classes, I always demo’d a seam guide and encouraged people to try one out because it really can save a lot of time.  Some folks loved them and others felt they couldn’t be as accurate.  So, it might not be for you but I always like to mention that I use them for all of my piecing because they can be such a time saver if it’s a product that works for you.

The last thing I wanted to mention as far as helping out with small piecing is using white tone on tone fabrics for your background.  I know many of you may be using these sorts of fabrics for backgrounds because they are prettier than a white solid.  But, I bet many of you might not realize that they have a bit more substance to them than a white solid (or even other quilting cottons).  They are so crisp, especially with a little bit of starch, and you’ll certainly notice how nice they are to piece with.  They really are nicer to piece with for small piecing (as well as larger piecing)!  My white on white fabrics are some of the fastest to sell out in each collection so if you see one you like, snatch it up!

The white on white in Spring Brook is this pretty little orange peel print:

I hope some of these tips help you out.  Piecing smaller blocks doesn’t need to be intimidating, and having the right tools (and this will vary from person to person!) makes all the difference.  Try different things out and find what works for you!

As I mentioned above, Spring Brook is shipping very soon…possibly as soon as next week.  If you missed my YouTube video earlier this week, I shared all about my Spring Brook fabrics, quilts, and coordinating solids.  You can catch it here. =)

Have a wonderful weekend! Corey