Sew Let's Quilt Along: Binding Clips

Welcome back to Sew Let’s Quilt Along! We’re starting segment 2 today, but you can still get all of the previous blocks until September 24, 2019. Check out my quilt along page for links to any blocks that you might have missed.

I’m thrilled that we’re kicking off segment 2 with one of my very favorite tools - binding clips! When Jennifer chose this theme for her block, I really didn’t know how she was going to pull it off. I was floored when I saw the design. It’s absolute perfection! I loved it so much that I just had to make two of them.

Head on over to Jennifer’s post to get the block pattern.

Tips and Tricks

Seam Test

Any time a block has different sized pieces coming together, it’s essential to test your seam allowance. It’s the only way you can be sure everything will fit together nicely and your block will come out at just the right size.

To test your seam allowance, cut two 2" squares and sew them together. Press as desired, and measure the resulting rectangle. The rectangle should be 3 1/2" long. If your rectangle is shorter, you need a narrower seam allowance. If your rectangle is longer, you need a wider seam allowance. Adjust your seam and try again. Once the rectangle is exactly 3 1/2" long, you're good to go.

Choosing Fabrics

This is a great opportunity to celebrate a larger print. I usually use a lot of small pieces, so it was really nice to see such a big chunk of fabric. I started by choosing a focus print, then selected the rest of the fabrics to complement it.

I had two fabrics that I really loved, so I ended up making two blocks. You’ll notice that one of my blocks has a pattern to the clip placement, while the other one is completely scrappy. I love both looks!

Keep Track of the Clips

It’s important to pay attention to which way the clips on the edge of the block need to face. I got so excited sewing, I forgot about that part! It’s a good thing I keep a seam ripper handy. Hopefully seeing my mistake will save you from making the same one.

Design Boards

I love my design boards! They are such a convenient way to keep all of my pieces organized as I’m putting my blocks together. Since they’re covered with batting, the fabric sticks to them instead of trying to slide away. You can see how I made them here.

Pin Long Seams

Most of the seams in this block are pretty short, so I skipped the pins. But it’s a really good idea to use them when you get to the long seams. It’s so easy for the fabric to shift on those longer seams, so the pins make a big difference in the final block.

Our Lovely Hosts

We have eight hosts for segment 2, and we all made our very own binding clips blocks. Be sure to visit all of the lovely ladies below for more tips and inspiration. If you like what you see, leave a comment! We all love a bit of encouragement from our fellow quilters.

Prizes

We will have a prize package at the end of every segment, as well as a grand prize at the end of the quilt along. The prizes are open to all participants that are at least 18 years old. If you don’t remember what I mean by segment, check out the intro post for a refresher on how this quilt along is structured.

How to Enter

To be eligible to win a segment prize, you need to make all of the blocks from that segment. Share a photo or photos of your blocks (in a single post) to be entered.

For segment 2, entries will be open from 12:00 am July 2 to 11:59 pm July 15, 2019 (Eastern time). There are three places you can share your blocks to be entered in the drawing:

Segment 2 Prize Package

We have a wonderful array of prizes for each segment! Here’s the prize package for segment 2:

Grand Prize

To be eligible to win the grand prize, you need to make all 13 blocks from the whole quilt along and turn them into a quilt or other project(s). Quilt tops don’t need to be quilted, but projects do need to be finished. Share a single post that shows all of the blocks in a quilt or project. It doesn’t matter how many projects or what projects you make, or how many blocks you use in each project as long as you show that you’ve used all 13 blocks in a finished project or projects.

Important Note

To keep the contest portion of the quilt-along fair and fun for everyone, only quilters that use all of the designers' blocks [in a quilt or project(s)] will be eligible for the grand prize. Likewise, our segment prizes will only be open to those that make all of the designers’ blocks for that segment.

Fabulous Sponsors

We are really lucky to have some amazing sponsors on board for this quilt along! Please check them out as thanks for supporting us. Bluprint, Dear Stella, Everything Mary, Island Batik, Paintbrush Studio Fabrics, Prym, Shabby Fabrics, Timeless Treasures, Warm Company Additionally, many of the block designers are donating their quilt patterns.

Your Turn

I hope you’re excited about this block! I feel like I could make a whole fleet of them. Do you have a favorite fabric that you want to showcase? I can’t wait to see!

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Quilting, Quilt AlongsBobbi BridgemanSew Let's Quilt Along, Partners in Design, pieced quilt block, mystery quilt2 Comments