Week 2 - Bronte's Stars Quilt Sew Along
Feb 24, 2021 - 1:33pm
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Welcome to Week 2 of the Bronte's Stars Sew Along. How much fun has it been meeting all the other sewers and seeing all the awesome fabric choices!
SHARE ON INSTAGRAM:
Don’t forget to post a pic of your cut fabrics to IG and be sure to the use the #brontesstarssal and #brontesstarsquilt hashtags to make it easier for others to find your photos.
Another reason to post your photo each week are the prizes! Each week I will pick a photo from IG and give the winner a bundle of 3 of my PDF patterns. Just remember to post before the next week newsletter goes out.
Don't worry if you’re ahead, this is supposed to be fun. If you feel like sewing, go for it. This sew along is all about enjoyment so there are no rules, stick to the schedule or move ahead, do what's right for you.
There have been some fabulous fabric combos popping up on Instagram and in the Facebook group. Some of my favourites are shown below. I can't wait to see these made up into Bronte's Stars quilts.
Don’t forget to post a pic of your cut fabrics to IG and be sure to the use the #brontesstarssal and #brontesstarsquilt hashtags to make it easier for others to find your photos.
Another reason to post your photo each week are the prizes! Each week I will pick a photo from IG and give the winner a bundle of 3 of my PDF patterns. Just remember to post before the next week newsletter goes out.
Don't worry if you’re ahead, this is supposed to be fun. If you feel like sewing, go for it. This sew along is all about enjoyment so there are no rules, stick to the schedule or move ahead, do what's right for you.
There have been some fabulous fabric combos popping up on Instagram and in the Facebook group. Some of my favourites are shown below. I can't wait to see these made up into Bronte's Stars quilts.
CUTTING TIPS:
First up I wanted to share the cutting diagrams to all the different fabric cuts that I mentioned last week. This should make it easier to work how many squares you need to cut if you don't want to use fat quarters.
First up I wanted to share the cutting diagrams to all the different fabric cuts that I mentioned last week. This should make it easier to work how many squares you need to cut if you don't want to use fat quarters.
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Just to avoid any confusion:
1 Block = 1 Full Block if made from all of the same fabric.
1 Block = 1 Full Block if made from all of the same fabric.
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To speed up cutting I like to cut 4 layers at a time. I know this can be a bit daunting but I promise if you have a nice sharp blade it's easy. Just remember to concentrate because if you make a mistake, you will make it 4 times!!
When cutting the squares for Bronte's Stars I like to cut the larger squares first, the the next smaller ones and then the smallest last.
Now I have my fancy cutting table it makes it much easier to make the diagonal cuts without moving the squares. I just walk around the table. This can also be achieved by using the end of your kitchen bench or by spinning the cutting mat. I find the less that the squares are handled, the less they move, which makes your cutting much more accurate. And we all want accurate cutting!
When cutting the squares for Bronte's Stars I like to cut the larger squares first, the the next smaller ones and then the smallest last.
Now I have my fancy cutting table it makes it much easier to make the diagonal cuts without moving the squares. I just walk around the table. This can also be achieved by using the end of your kitchen bench or by spinning the cutting mat. I find the less that the squares are handled, the less they move, which makes your cutting much more accurate. And we all want accurate cutting!
TIPS FOR CUTTING THE BACKGROUND FABRIC:
I don't like to spend much time on cutting so if I can make it quicker I'm all for it and one place you can definitely save time on is on the background fabric.
First thing you need ia a cutting mat that's wide or long enough to accommodate a piece of fabric folded, minimum 22 inches.
I'm going to give an example of how I would cut the rectangle pieces (E) from the background fabric.
Iron the fabric in half really well and make sure the selvages are lined up perfectly.
Make a first cut to trim the edges to make them perfectly straight.
Then cut as many strips the width you need, being careful not to disturb any of the previous cuts.
Then spin the board, or walk around the corner of your table and make the other cuts creating your rectangles. The trick is to carefully lay your ruler down each time without disturbing the fabric.
To make triangles, I keep the fabric on the board and then make diagonal cuts.
This is the quickest way I have found to cut fabrics for backgrounds.
I hope it helps you go a little faster too!
You can check me out doing some of this cutting in a little time lapse video I have on instagram here.
I don't like to spend much time on cutting so if I can make it quicker I'm all for it and one place you can definitely save time on is on the background fabric.
First thing you need ia a cutting mat that's wide or long enough to accommodate a piece of fabric folded, minimum 22 inches.
I'm going to give an example of how I would cut the rectangle pieces (E) from the background fabric.
Iron the fabric in half really well and make sure the selvages are lined up perfectly.
Make a first cut to trim the edges to make them perfectly straight.
Then cut as many strips the width you need, being careful not to disturb any of the previous cuts.
Then spin the board, or walk around the corner of your table and make the other cuts creating your rectangles. The trick is to carefully lay your ruler down each time without disturbing the fabric.
To make triangles, I keep the fabric on the board and then make diagonal cuts.
This is the quickest way I have found to cut fabrics for backgrounds.
I hope it helps you go a little faster too!
You can check me out doing some of this cutting in a little time lapse video I have on instagram here.
RAINBOW BRONTE'S STARS QUILT:
Next up is the cutting requirements for the rainbow version I shared last week.
Next up is the cutting requirements for the rainbow version I shared last week.
PAIRING THE BLOCKS:
As you know just from looking at the quilt, each star is made up of two fabrics. It is best to take the time to sort through your cut fabrics pair them up before you start sewing. This way you won't end up with lots of the same fabrics.
As you know just from looking at the quilt, each star is made up of two fabrics. It is best to take the time to sort through your cut fabrics pair them up before you start sewing. This way you won't end up with lots of the same fabrics.
TIPS FOR DIRECTIONAL PRINTS:
When cutting out the triangles for the blocks with directional prints, you will get the prints going different ways. However if you cut with your fabric doubled and right sides together you will get the pieces to have all the prints going the same way. See the first image below. I actually prefer to turn the pieces as in the second image, I think it makes for more movement!
Lay the pieces out before sewing to make sure you have the layout you like best!
When cutting out the triangles for the blocks with directional prints, you will get the prints going different ways. However if you cut with your fabric doubled and right sides together you will get the pieces to have all the prints going the same way. See the first image below. I actually prefer to turn the pieces as in the second image, I think it makes for more movement!
Lay the pieces out before sewing to make sure you have the layout you like best!
MAKE A TEST BLOCK:
Now it's time to make a test block. If you feel confident to sew it up, go for it, but if you would prefer to wait there will be lots of tips in next weeks newsletter.
Now it's time to make a test block. If you feel confident to sew it up, go for it, but if you would prefer to wait there will be lots of tips in next weeks newsletter.
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WEEKLY WINNER:
This week's winner is @sharonrodrigowilson
Congratulations and I hope you enjoy your patterns. I'm looking foward to seeing your quilt made up so much!
This week's winner is @sharonrodrigowilson
Congratulations and I hope you enjoy your patterns. I'm looking foward to seeing your quilt made up so much!
That's it for Week 1.
Next week we will be making blocks.
I hope you guys are having fun!
How much fun is it checking out all the photos and fabric inspo on the #brontesstarssal hashtag!
And remember, this sew along is not fast paced, however please zoom ahead if you want to! This sew along is all about you, so please sew at your own pace.
I am enjoying watching all your fabulous quilts come together and can't wait to see some photos of finished blocks popping up in my IG feed.
Emma x
Next week we will be making blocks.
I hope you guys are having fun!
How much fun is it checking out all the photos and fabric inspo on the #brontesstarssal hashtag!
And remember, this sew along is not fast paced, however please zoom ahead if you want to! This sew along is all about you, so please sew at your own pace.
I am enjoying watching all your fabulous quilts come together and can't wait to see some photos of finished blocks popping up in my IG feed.
Emma x
