Step 3 - Center Blocks of Stars in the Valley QAL

This has been a great time to have a QAL 

when 

you live in the North Pole 

(Ok ...Canada)

and

there is a 3 day long blizzard!

It really piled up out there

but 

the cows pulled through with plenty of bedding!

My son, Jeremy's dog Diesel has been BORED out of him mind.

He normally is outside so this small elephant of a dog

has

taken to the couch for the last few days. 

We are on to step three - The centers of our blocks! 

You will need your 6 1/2" background squares

and

3 1/2" colored squares

I am using blue Bliss wideback by @northcottfabrics 

and

Diamond Dots wideback by @wilmingtonprints

These will be square in a square blocks. 

A little tip I got from a friend for keeping your iron board clean

and

getting crisp seams was to put a piece of freezer paper

with

the wax side down and press on this till it gets worn out. 

I find it makes a world of difference keeping the heat in your blocks

for

crisp pieces! 

Another this notion I love is Diagonal Seam Tape 

by

 @cluckclucksew

 You don't have to draw your lines on your pieces

I thought Sherri at @quiltinglife does a fabulous job showing how to use it! 

Check it out! 

I have a few rolls in stock if anyone needs one !

If you prefer to draw the lines....

No pressure! 

You sew down the center line on each square...

Or stitch corner to corner if you have the tape installed.

Either way works great! 

It's tricky to get pics sometimes as I have a supervisor named Lucy!

She is also dying for attention

and

figures if I am sitting down I should be spending it with her! 

Eventually.... 

You get your first set of corners sewn on the center block! 

I like to take the pieces cut off from the sides

and

sew them together as they are free HST's for another project! 

Do the same to the other side 

 

You will have 13 center blocks! 

It's an easy step! 

After all, it's Easter and most of us are on cooking duty! 

but seriously, I am loving all your participation in this QAL!

The blocks are looking incredible. 

All the color combinations are amazing!

Great Job, Charlene! 

This purple is a wide back by @PBTextiles called Day Dreams.

This navy and the background are two widebacks 

by 

Westrade Textiles

This quilt takes a lot of fabric so it's very efficient to use widebacks!

I loved this meme Leanne created....

There is actually 156 HST's....

so 

it's actually 87.36 years! 

LOL

You are all doing fabulous and I hope you are having fun!

Anyone can join our Facebook page to see the fun!

It is Stars in the Valley QAL

Thanks for the meme, Sylvia! 

I hope everyone had a great Easter with friends and family! 

Nice to get back to some normalcy! 

Now bring on Spring... I am ready! 

Christa 

 

Fly, Fly away… Part 2 of Stars in the Valley

 It seems I forgot to say...

Every good project starts with a little sustenance!

Have you tried these Dairy Milk Mini Egg bars?? 

Seriously,

 I wish Justin would not have introduce me to them! 

But it is Easter, right??

I am so impressed with the blocks that have been pumped out this week! 

You can see progress on our group

on 

Facebook

@starsinthevalleyQAL

This is Cheryl Dvernichuk's Wyoming block 

This wideback sold out in a week! 

It is called Multi Butterfly Magic Dots 

by

Timeless Treasures

I hope I can get some more! 

So let's see where this next step takes us! 

We are on to Fast Flying Geese! 

Start with Flying Geese A

You will need these...

If you prefer to make your lines on each small square, 

go for it! 

I like to line up two squares on the diagonal of the big one....

Draw one long line...

And take to the machine!

Sew on 1/4" on both sides of the line...

Cut down the center

Press to the dark side....

Add two more squares on the diagonal of these two new blocks

Sew 1/4" on both sides of the line again.

Cut down the center

Press to the dark side again

Voila!

 You have 4 flying geese with dark wings! 

Flying Geese B

These Geese will be the light wings 

This will be the exception to the rule when you press...

I pressed to the light side this time.

I feel like it gives a more accurate goose in the end.

But you do you....no pressure! 

In my world, there are no rules...

Only what works for you! 

Add your squares again,

Stitch on both sides of the line....

Cut, press, Repeat....

I love how this fast way makes four at a time! 

Next we will connect the wings...

I like to sew with the point side up with a pin

(mark this down... a PIN in my world!)

I aim to make sure that my needle intersects right at the pinpoint

So I don't loose my points when it's complete! 

You are all making fabulous progress! 

This blizzard is the perfect opportunity for a QAL!

Make sure to post your progress on Facebook

as

we will be picking a winner

 for

 a little gift at the end of it! 

Stay warm and getting stitching!

That's what blizzards are for! 

Ok..... 

Not barefoot today....

Christa