Transparendo Sewalong - Week Eight

Hi there and thanks for joining us for the eight week of the Transparendo Sewalong. We are so excited seeing everyone's blocks on Instagram. Please check them out under the hashtags, visit other's accounts and leave some love in the form of some encouraging and thoughtful words.

Each week, we have a random drawing of those participating. Enter your photo to be entered. Make all 12 blocks, sew together the quilt top as shown in the book and enter your finished quilt top for the random drawing of all participants in Week 15 for your chance to win a full-version copy of EQ8 sponsored by our platinum sponsor - The Electric Quilt Company.

Verena from einfach bunt Quilts  and I are really excited to support you and our quilting community with tips and tricks and well as soon good old fashioned quilting fun with our Transparendo Sewalong (#transaprendosal). 

 This week's hashtag is #transparendosalw8 for Week Eight for the seventh block in the book. 

 Please sign up for our newsletters to keep on top of the sewalong.

Sewalong Schedule

What is in store for you over the next fifteen weeks? Take a look at our line up. Each week there is a fun, new assignment to complete. The blocks accelerate in skill level with each new block and build upon previous blocks. Learn all types of new skills such as flying geese, nesting and twisting seams, and cutting extra-large pieces of fabric for squares and triangles.

Post your progress on Instagram with the hashtags: #transparendosal and the week -  #transparendosalw1 (week one, etc.) for your chance to be entered into a drawing. If you don't have instagram, you can send me a photo with your fabric selection at 72 dpi with a resolution of 800 pixels or less. The following Sunday, one lucky recipient will be chosen at random. Our sewalong is open internationally, so get out those sewing machines ladies (and gents)!

 

Email Karen with your weekly photo assignment. 

Email Verena with your weekly photo assignment. 

Week Eight Prizes

In Week Seven, we have another crib size batting - Quilter's Dream Green made from 100% recycled plastic fibers from our favorite batting company - Quilter's Dream Batting based in Virginia, USA.

 

In addition, we are giving away another set of Magic Pins from Taylor Seville sponsored by Steidl & Becker. 

Week 8, Block Seven - Blinded on the Freeway

This week, we are making the Blinded on the Freeway block which is a spin-off of another one of my self-designed blocks - Freeway originally released under Logs & Channels. 

Based on Original Block - Freeway

This was my quilt and bee block. I was very honored to have the blocks sewn by my German-speaking bee mates last year 2022. The block was a bit more challenging for my beemates, because I through in an inset seam. : ) They need to be challenged every now and again. I knew they could do it too and they did!!

I was unedecided about a name for the block and quilt. 

Logs & Channels

Freeway

Life's Maze

Which name do you like the best?

This block uses log cabin piecing which can be a little tricky but is also very rewarding. The advantage of log cabin piecing, is that you don't have to pin a lot. You sew strips together that should always match up to the next segment. You can easily see if your seam allowance is accurate or not. A big disadvantage of sewing log cabin blocks is that they can get wonky pretty quickly if you are not careful. That's why I advise to finger press as much as possible and press or set your seams only when necessary. Otherwise, you will stretch or distord your seams giving way to potential wonky blocks.

Follow the direction on this block and all of your seams will nest nicely without hassle. I have to admit, when sewing my own blocks, I love the fact that all of the information is listed - patch dimensions, cutting instructions, construction methods, step-by-step instructions, pressing directions, etc. Sometimes, I even skip over my own advise. It bites me in the rumpus later when something doesn't match up. Yes, I even complain to the designer/writer in my head. I am so happy to know though, that my quilt testers rocked this pattern. Everything is perfect! 

Thanks so much to Ulrike, Verena, Sandra, May, Martina and Kerstin who helped sew, proof and provide the best feeback ever!

Blinded on the Freeway - Block Seven, Week Eight in the Transparendo Sewalong - #transparendosalw8

Here are some cool quilts I whipped up with the block.

Here are a couple without the transparency and a slightly modified block.

This Week's Tip

Trying to achieve a true scant 1/4" seams throughout your quilt blocks is a daily challenge. You may want to invest in a 1/4" metal or adhesive strip guide for your sewing machine or practice with three - 1 1/2" strips of fabric. Sew them together and see if you have 3 1/2" in the end. If not, you may want to adjust your seam allowance. Practice, practice, practice with three, six or even twelve - 1 1/2" strips to perfect your true 1/4" seams. 

Sponsors

We've been working really hard behind the scenes to bring some amazing prizes to our participants. We are so happy to announce our fabulous sponsors!

Gold Sponsors:

• Quilter's Dream Batting
• Steidl & Becker / Taylor Seville
  
• Adlico - AGF
• Goldschmied Klär

Platinum Sponsor

 The Electric Quilt Company

The wonderful folks at the Electric Quilt Company are sponsoring our Finale Prize of one full version of EQ8 at the end of the sewalong Week 15. To enter your finished quilt top with all blocks and borders, photograph and forward to me or post on Instagram. If you would like to purchase the program, we have a PROMOTIONAL CODE to receive 25% off the software. Enter EASYPATCHWORK25 at checkout. If you live outside of the US, you will be sent a physical item in the mail. After you receive the package, you will be informed how to download and install the software on your system. Please follow the Electric Quilt Company on Instagram and subscribe to their newsletter for other great deals. 

The winner of this week's drawing is Renate! Congratulations! You will be contacted shortly about how to collect your prize. Thank to all for participating. We look forward to seeing your beautiful blocks next week as well.

Please participate in next week's drawing. Take a photo and post for all of us to see on Instagram or send to me info@easypatchwork.de or Verena with a resolution of 72 dpi no larger than 800 pixels. One lucky participant will be chosen at random. The giveaway is open internationally. Void where prohibited. Open to quilters 18 years of age and older. Good luck to all. Thanks for joining us!

Please leave a comment below if you are participating! 

We look forward to seeing you next week, where we will be showcasing the Spinning Dice block!

Transparendo Sewalong - Week Seven

Hi there and thanks for joining us for the seventh week of the Transparendo Sewalong. We are so excited seeing everyone's blocks on Instagram. Please check them out under the hashtags, visit other's accounts and leave some love in the form of some encouraging and thoughtful words.

Each week, we have a random drawing of those participating. Enter your photo to be entered. Make all 12 blocks, sew together the quilt top as shown in the book and enter your finished quilt top for the random drawing of all participants in Week 15 for your chance to win a full-version copy of EQ8 sponsored by our platinum sponsor - The Electric Quilt Company.

Verena from einfach bunt Quilts  and I are really excited to support you and our quilting community with tips and tricks and well as soon good old fashioned quilting fun with our Transparendo Sewalong (#transaprendosal). 

 This week's hashtag is #transparendosalw7 for Week Seven for the sixth block in the book. 

 Please sign up for our newsletters to keep on top of the sewalong.

Sewalong Schedule

What is in store for you over the next fifteen weeks? Take a look at our line up. Each week there is a fun, new assignment to complete. The blocks accelerate in skill level with each new block and build upon previous blocks. Learn all types of new skills such as flying geese, nesting and twisting seams, and cutting extra-large pieces of fabric for squares and triangles.

Post your progress on Instagram with the hashtags: #transparendosal and the week -  #transparendosalw1 (week one, etc.) for your chance to be entered into a drawing. If you don't have instagram, you can send me a photo with your fabric selection at 72 dpi with a resolution of 800 pixels or less. The following Sunday, one lucky recipient will be chosen at random. Our sewalong is open internationally, so get out those sewing machines ladies (and gents)!

 

Email Karen with your weekly photo assignment. 

Email Verena with your weekly photo assignment. 

Week Seven Prizes

In Week Seven, we have another crib size batting - Quilter's Dream Angel made from 100% flame redardant fibers from our favorite batting company - Quilter's Dream Batting based in Virginia, USA.

 

In addition, we are giving away another set of Magic Pins from Taylor Seville sponsored by Steidl & Becker. 

Week 7, Block Six - Double Nine Patch

This week, we are making the Double Nine Patch block which uses a simple five patch downsized and overlayed on top of the same block. The layout of the block uses a nine patch grid. Can you see it? 

When I first designed this block, I used the cutting instructions outlined from the EQ8 design software which is always super accurate and correct. I sewed the block together and got a 12 1/2" block. 

However, when I sent the block instructions to testers, the block wasn't fitting together right. This is where theory and praxis sometimes tend to differ. When a lot of patches are used in a block, you may notice that the block tends to shrinks. This is because 1/4" is different for all of us. If you are sewing with a super accurate scant 1/4" throughout your block, it may still end up 12 1/4". To compensate, we added just a little tiny bit to the center patches to adjust for this pheonomenon. More about that on the Sewing Tip below.

Let's get started.

Lay out all of your patches. If you are working with direction fabrics, make sure you cut out and keep the patches sorted. This block uses a three directional fabrics - pink, yellow and medium blue.

Here you can see how the direction of the fabric can make a difference if you so desire. Did you notice that the center row is flipped upside down? I didn't!

And here we have the finished block. I did flip the center row back around. 

Double Nine Patch - Block Six, Week Seven in the Transparendo Sewalong - #transparendosalw7

This Week's Tip

If you notice that your sewing allowance is spot on, you will want to trim patch C about 1/8th of an inch. Do this after you have sewn the other patches together into one row. Line up the intersecting seams and disregard the width of the segment. The extra fabric will be cut off in the next step.

After you have sewn the row together, trim off the excess fabric by aligning the ruler flush with patch A and the center five patch block. Et voilà !

Trying to achieve a true scant 1/4" seams throughout your quilt blocks is a daily challenge. You may want to invest in a 1/4" metal or adhesive strip guide for your sewing machine or practice with three - 1 1/2" strips of fabric. Sew them together and see if you have 3 1/2" in the end. If not, you may want to adjust your seam allowance. This will become even more important on the next block, Blinded on the Freeway which uses 1 1/2" strips. Practice, practice, practice with three, six or even twelve - 1 1/2" strips to perfect your true 1/4" seams. 

Sponsors

We've been working really hard behind the scenes to bring some amazing prizes to our participants. We are so happy to announce our fabulous sponsors!

Gold Sponsors:

• Quilter's Dream Batting
• Steidl & Becker / Taylor Seville
  
• Adlico - AGF
• Goldschmied Klär

Platinum Sponsor

 The Electric Quilt Company

The wonderful folks at the Electric Quilt Company are sponsoring our Finale Prize of one full version of EQ8 at the end of the sewalong Week 15. To enter your finished quilt top with all blocks and borders, photograph and forward to me or post on Instagram. If you would like to purchase the program, we have a PROMOTIONAL CODE to receive 25% off the software. Enter EASYPATCHWORK25 at checkout. If you live outside of the US, you will be sent a physical item in the mail. After you receive the package, you will be informed how to download and install the software on your system. Please follow the Electric Quilt Company on Instagram and subscribe to their newsletter for other great deals. 

The winner of this week's drawing is Pam! Congratulations! You will be contacted shortly about how to collect your prize. Thank to all for participating. We look forward to seeing your beautiful blocks next week as well.

Please participate in next week's drawing. Take a photo and post for all of us to see on Instagram or send to me info@easypatchwork.de or Verena with a resolution of 72 dpi no larger than 800 pixels. One lucky participant will be chosen at random. The giveaway is open internationally. Void where prohibited. Open to quilters 18 years of age and older. Good luck to all. Thanks for joining us!

Please leave a comment below if you are participating! 

We look forward to seeing you next week, where we will be showcasing the Blinded on the Freeway block!

Transparendo Sewalong - Week Six

 

Hi everyone and thanks for joining us for another edition of the Transparendo Sewalong. We are here to share with you the sixth week with another fun block assignment. Make all 12 blocks, sew together the quilt top as shown in the book and enter your finished quilt top for the random drawing of all participants in Week 15 for your chance to win a full-version copy of EQ8 sponsored by our platinum sponsor - The Electric Quilt Company.

Verena from einfach bunt Quilts  and I are really excited to support you and our quilting community with tips and tricks and well as soon good old fashioned quilting fun with our Transparendo Sewalong (#transaprendosal). 

 This week's hashtag is #transparendosalw6 for Week Six. 

 Please sign up for our newsletters to keep on top of the sewalong.

Sewalong Schedule

What is in store for you over the next fifteen weeks? Take a look at our line up. Each week there is a fun, new assignment to complete. The blocks accelerate in skill level with each new block and build upon previous blocks. Learn all types of new skills such as flying geese, nesting and twisting seams, and cutting extra-large pieces of fabric for squares and triangles.

Post your progress on Instagram with the hashtags: #transparendosal and the week -  #transparendosalw1 (week one, etc.) for your chance to be entered into a drawing. If you don't have instagram, you can send me a photo with your fabric selection at 72 dpi with a resolution of 800 pixels or less. The following Sunday, one lucky recipient will be chosen at random. Our sewalong is open internationally, so get out those sewing machines ladies (and gents)!

 

Email Karen with your weekly photo assignment. 

Email Verena with your weekly photo assignment. 

Week Six Prize

In Week Six, we have a set of eight different easypatchwork patterns to enjoy, sew and make at your own pace. All patterns have full-size foundation papers so no carrying your papers to the copystore. Simply trace against a good light source such as a window on light-weight paper. 

 

Week 6 - Holiday Star

This block uses a very classical quilt block, the Ohio Star with a square, transparent filter overlaid on top. Do you see the square?

When I designed the construction of the quilt block, I wanted the patches to lay flat. To achieve this, some fun twising and nesting seams were used. Anyone can construct a block using flying geese, but those types of patches just don't lay flat enough for me. I like this method better using QST or quarter-square-triangles. 

When you sew the two quarter triangles together, align the tips. Don't worry about anything else aligning at this point. the block will be trimmed later.

Continue to sew the patches together to get two larger, Half-Square-Triangles (HSTs). You shouldn't have to trim anything at this point. Now you will align the two HST units together, nesting the center seam, pin in place 1/4" inward from the raw edge. Sew.

Trim off the dog ears and open up the unit. Check to see if the centers tips are aligned and there is a cohesive line through the middle of the block.

First check to see if points (A) are aligned and not cut off. The check to see if there is a straight line (B) running through the middle of the block aligned correctly.

If there is too much space between the points, you may have to trim off some excess fabric to get the patch trimmed back down to 1/4" or sew with a larger seam allowance or a generous 1/4".

After the unit is sewn together, flip it over. Remove the first two stitches of where the seam crosses to pop and rotate the intersecting seams. Now all of those seams will rotate and lay flat! 

Before sewing all units of the block together, make sure you trim and square the block. Align all five points shown with the red arrows before square up two adjacent sides with a rotary cutter.

Lay out all patches and sew the block together in rows.

Be brave! Unpick the seams that do not match up. It will be worth it in the long run.

And may we have a drum role please . . . . . . . . 

Holiday Star - Block Five in the Transparendo Sewalong - #transparendosalw6

Here are a few examples of quick quilts make with the Holiday Star Quilt block. I would love to see what you come up with.

  

This Week's Tip

Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone to grow. We all have fears and insecurities about certain things in life. Allow yourself the room to explore and try new things. Don't be worried that it doesn't suceed on the first try. No one was born perfect. We all have our imperfections. Through repetition, diligence and perserverence we all can achieve greatness.

What does this have to do with sewing? The quilt blocks in this sampler will start to become a little more challenging. Some seams may not line up. You may have have to rip some seams and sew the block again to get the points to match up. Don't worry about that. Work at it as long as you feel comfortable. Allow yourself to make mistakes. 

Sponsors

We've been working really hard behind the scenes to bring some amazing prizes to our participants. We are so happy to announce our fabulous sponsors!

Gold Sponsors:

• Quilter's Dream Batting
• Steidl & Becker / Taylor Seville
  
• Adlico - AGF
• Goldschmied Klär

Platinum Sponsor

 The Electric Quilt Company

The wonderful folks at the Electric Quilt Company are sponsoring our Finale Prize of one full version of EQ8 at the end of the sewalong Week 15. To enter your finished quilt top with all blocks and borders, photograph and forward to me or post on Instagram. If you would like to purchase the program, we have a PROMOTIONAL CODE to receive 25% off the software. Enter EASYPATCHWORK25 at checkout. If you live outside of the US, you will be sent a physical item in the mail. After you receive the package, you will be informed how to download and install the software on your system. Please follow the Electric Quilt Company on Instagram and subscribe to their newsletter for other great deals. 

The winner of this week's drawing is Sandra! You will be contacted shortly about how to collect your prize. Thank to all for participating. We look forward to seeing your beautiful blocks next week as well.

Please participate in next week's drawing. Take a photo and post for all of us to see on Instagram or send to me info@easypatchwork.de or Verena with a resolution of 72 dpi no larger than 800 pixels. One lucky participant will be chosen at random. The giveaway is open internationally. Void where prohibited. Open to quilters 18 years of age and older. Good luck to all. Thanks for joining us!

Please leave a comment below and tell everyone that your are sewing along. Be supportive and comment and contact other participants. We would love to hear your thoughts. Take care of yourself and keep on sewing happy. We look forward to seeing you next week, where we ill be showcasing the Double Nine Patch block!