Welcome to Week One
of the Sweet Land Sew Along!!
If you are just joining us and would
like to know more about this sew along
and how it works
to read my blog post called
"Bee Prepared"
where I tell you all about it:)
if you still need to download
the sew along guide.
We are making the
Sweet Land Quilt
which finishes at
88" x 88"
It consists of 5 pieced blocks
and 4 applique blocks
as well as a scrappy pieced border!
To make the appliqué blocks,
we will be using my
Sew Simple Shapes called of course...
Sweet Land Sew Simple Shapes!
The collection that we are using
for the quilt is...
AMERICANA!!
For this week we are going to turn
some of these Americana fabrics,
Sew Simple Shapes and interfacing...
Into this!!!
Sweet Land Applique Block #1
***PLEASE TAKE NOTE***
I usually do a video tutorial for
the first week of my sew alongs
but I am doing it here on my blog
for this one because I currently
have Covid and have lost my voice,
so I am not able to film.
But no worries!
I'm sure I will be better soon
and I did not want to postpone
the sew along until after my voice returns.
Sew...with that being said,
Let's get started!!
for each of your applique blocks.
I only need to show you how to make the applique block once because
of course the other three applique blocks
are done the exact same way and just
have different fabric.
You will know which fabric for which block
from the details in the sew along guide.
A few things to keep in mind
when tracing your shapes is that
a few are traced in reverse.
You trace in reverse by turning
the shape right side down when tracing.
You will need to trace one of the eaglets,
one of the flags and one of the
blue flag parts in reverse.
READY...
SET...
First step is to sew these strips
for the baby eagle beaks to the side
of the fabric for the bodies.
Also trace the line for the beaks
from the sew simple shape.
Use a 1/4" seam allowance...
and press the seams open
so that the applique will lie flat.
Now you can line up the traced beak
line directly onto your
seam allowance before sewing.
Sew directly onto your traced line
all the way around and end by
oversewing about 1" or so
to secure the stitches.
I like to use a smaller stitch
when sewing my shapes to ensure
that I do not have loose stitches .
All sewn!!
These little eaglets are the only shapes
that need two fabrics sewn together
beforehand so now you can
go ahead and sew all the rest:)
I have each of my shapes for the block sewn
and have separated them into 3 categories.
The ones on the design board on the left
have inner curves and the ones
on the right have a cleavage area
and the ones above the boards have neither.
Trim all of the shapes leaving
an approximate 1/4" seam allowance.
This is how you clip the inner curve areas
on the flag parts and the eaglets.
Make 3-4 clips close together
just short of your stitching line.
Now these appliqués can lie flat
after turning and pressing
because if these clips.
Speaking of turning,
I cut an X like this in the interfacing
ONLY so that I can turn.
Then I turn.
Take note that after turning
each shape looks pretty rough
but they look great after these few steps...
First I use a turner to shape it
around ALL of the sewn edges
and gently push out the points...
Then I quickly use my
Quick Press Seam Roller
around the edges before
pressing it on the fabric side and
then using a clapper.
By doing all of these steps,
each shape is ready for laying out the block!
If you are new to my method,
please feel free to watch a video or two
that I have done in my previous sew alongs
to help you out if needed.
for this sew along,
you can find direct links
to each of these tutorials
by scrolling down to the bottom.
Okay back to the shapes!
This is how I clip each cleavage area.
ONE clip right to the stitching line
but not into it or past it.
Now these will lie flat after
turning, shaping and pressing.
For the remaining shapes that
do not need clipping,
simply trim leaving a seam allowance.
All of my shapes are turned, pressed
and ready for laying out the block...
Let's go to the worktable and get started:)
Grab all of your supplies,
including the 16 1/2" Trim-It Ruler
and a measuring tape...
you will need both as we go along.
Prepare all of the 1/4" stems
as called for in the guide.
If you have never seen how I prepare
the stems please CLICK HERE
and watch my video for my last sew along
and you can see how I prepare mine.
First thing is to grab your Sue Glue
and let's put together a few of the pieces.
Glue the flower centers to the flowers,
the blue flag sections to the top corners
and the wings to the eaglets.
The wings extend about 1 1/2"
above the eaglet body.
***Take Note***
When gluing you only need a little bit.
Try to remember that "a dot is a lot!"
Okay let's begin with the bottom stand piece,
the center stem, the three flowers and the center leaves.
The stem measures 7" long from the top
of the stand to the bottom of the flower.
The bottom of the red leaves
measure 4" up from the top of the stand.
I glued the leaves and the top flower down.
I placed a little bit of glue on the
BOTTOM of the stand and only the top
of the stem to keep them in place.
I only glued the side flowers down on the outsides and not the insides.
I didn't glue those entire pieces down yet
because I need to keep them free for
tucking the rest of the stem ends underneath.
Also take note that you don't want the
entire design to extend past 15 1/2" tall...
will measure 16" x 16" AFTER
it's sewn into the quilt
and the design will need about
1/4" space away from the seam allowance
on the top, bottom and sides.
The center of the side flowers line up
with the bottom of the red leaves...
And measure 5" from the side of the
gold circle to the center of the stem.
Repeat this measurement for the other side.
After laying out a few pieces from
the center out as I've shown you,
I now rely on the lines of the ruler
to layout the rest of the shapes and
keep them as symmetrical
as I can on both sides.
I will take a top photo of the ruler
on my block as I go along and add
more pieces so that this will help you
with your placement as well.
Take advantage of all of the lines
on the ruler when placing your shapes.
Having horizontal, vertical and
diagonal lines make all the difference!
Next I placed the flag poles and the flags.
I trimmed the ends of the poles
on an angle like this before tucking under
the center stem and gluing down.
There is 1 1/2" between the bottom of
the tucked under poles and the
top of the bottom stand...
And the flagpole measures
1" above the flag.
I also pressed the top of the poles
under 1/4" and glued them down
so the edges would be finished.
Take note that I glued the flag sides
on TOP of the poles and did not
tuck them underneath.
Close up of the left flag placement...
and close up of the right.
Okay now let's place the prepared
bias stems that go with the side flowers.
I tucked both ends of the stem
underneath the flowers and underneath
the center stem and the base
and glued both stems down with
a very thin line of glue down the center.
Now time for the baby eagles!!
I extended their legs all the way down
to the bottom but of course
you don't have to as they will be
cut off when trimming down the block
and the ends sewn into the seam
when sewing the blocks together.
Now let's add the final shapes...
The hearts and leaves:)
I've placed all of my shapes
and I love how it looks1
Keep in mind that everything is not
exactly symmetrical but thanks to the ruler
it is pretty darn close
and as long as I am within the
15 1/2" guidelines I am good to go:)
Now I will go ahead and
glue everything down that I haven't
yet and pin into place to dry.
I like to use my pins as much as I can
before gluing down each piece
but take note that if by chance
you see a shape that you would
like to adjust I only use a little glue
and I can carefully pull it off
and adjust as needed before the final
glueing and all of the pins are removed:)
My block is now ready for applique!!
After applique I will press my block
from the back and then use the
16 1/2" x 16 1/2" Trim-It Ruler
and trim down my block before
I sew it into the quilt.
If you have never appliquéd before,
please CLICK HERE
to watch my tutorial on both
hand or machine applique.
Either way looks fabulous
and is totally up to you!
I hope you enjoyed this
step by step tutorial for the
applique block and now you know how
to make the remaining three!
My tip is to use your first one as a
guide when laying the rest out.
You could place it on top of your
Easy Trace Lightbox as a base guide
for the others.
Please use the guide for the
fabrics used for the remaining blocks.
I must say that having these details
on each block is very helpful!!
Of course because I am working ahead
I had already made the other three blocks
and was saving block one
to make it with you for the tutorial:)
I put all four on the design wall
in my work room so that I could
take several photos for you:)
I think they are so fun!!
I hope that you enjoy making your blocks:)
Thanks for sewing along with me this week!
I'll be right back here next week
and show you how I make a sashing and a cornerstone block:)
Until then,
Happy Sewing!!
xx
Lori
