It’s hard to believe we’re already starting our third and final segment of Sew Let’s Quilt Along. We only have four blocks to go! If you missed any of the first nine blocks, it’s not too late. All of the blocks will be free until the quilt along ends on September 24, 2019. You can find the links to the past blocks on my quilt along page.

This week’s block is one of my favorites! These fabulous buttons were designed by Laura Piland of Slice of Pi Quilts. Check out her blog post to get the pattern.

Tips for Success

Working with Too-Small Fusible Web

I really love my Lite Steam-A-Seam2, but it just so happens that the size sheets I have weren’t wide enough for the buttons. Since I couldn’t fold a single sheet in quarters as the pattern instructs, I folded two sheets in half.

I lined up the template along the folded edge and pinned in place. Then I cut along the lines.

When I was finished, I had pairs of half circles. I simply placed the two halves together to create the full circles I needed.

Peeling the Paper

Sometimes it’s quite the challenge to get the paper to peel off the back of the fabric. This is especially true with circles! If you score the paper with a pin then fold along the score line, it will come right up.

Teflon Pressing Sheet

My Teflon pressing sheet made a big difference in constructing this block. First, I used it to fully assemble each of the buttons separately. Then it allowed me to fuse them to the background before trimming and stitching them in place. If you don’t have a Teflon pressing sheet, parchment paper works just as well.

Securing the Applique

Since the rings on the buttons are so narrow, I recommend using a straight stitch to secure the applique. I like to use matching thread so the stitching doesn’t show too much. For this block, I used 50 weight Aurifil in Light Leaf Green, Light Blue Violet, Dusty Lavender, and Grey.

I really took my time to get the stitching to go evenly around the little circles. Since they’re so small, I would take one stitch at a time, then lift my presser foot so I could pivot before taking the next stitch. While it takes a bit longer this way, it ends up looking really nice. Just make sure your need stops in the down position before lifting the presser foot.

Our Lovely Hosts

We have eight hosts for segment 3, and we all made our very own buttons 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.

Abbie Danahy @ Sparkle On!
April Adams @ JANDA Bend Quilts
Becca Fenstermaker @ Pretty Piney Quilts
Bobbi Bridgeman @ Snowy Days Quilting <— That’s me!
Jennifer Fulton @ Inquiring Quilter
Karen Thurn @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Kathleen McCormick @ Kathleen McMusing
Sandy Maxfield @ SandyStar Designs
Sherry Shish @ Powered by Quilting

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 3, entries will be open from 12:00 am August 27 to 11:59 pm September 9, 2019 (Eastern time). There are three places you can share your blocks to be entered in the drawing:

Facebook - share in the Partners in Design Facebook Group
Instagram - share with the hashtag #SewLetsQAL
Blog Linky - the hosts will include a link-up on their segment 3 wrap-up post on August 27, 2019

Segment 3 Prize Package

We have a wonderful array of prizes for each segment! Here’s the prize package for segment 3:

4” Needlecraft Scissors from Omnigrid (a Prym Company)
5 Piece Fat Quarter bundle from the “Ring Ring” collection by Hoodie Crescent (color Cinnamon) by Paintbrush Studio Fabrics
Craft Storage Tool Box from Everything Mary
13 piece Fat Quarter Bundle of the Colette Collection from Timeless Treasures
And, a free PDF pattern from each of these Partners in Design:
April Adams @ JANDA Bend Quilts *Christmas Tree Farm table runner
Becca Fenstermaker @ Pretty Piney
Laura Piland @ Slice of Pi Quilts
Sandy Maxfield @ SandyStar Designs

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.

Are You Ready?

I hope you love this week’s block as much as I do. What colors do you think you’re going to use? I can’t wait to see what you make!

Sew Let's Quilt Along: Buttons