Welcome to the Bee Prepared post
for the Flea Market Flowers Sew Along!!
We will be making my
Flea Market Flowers Quilt
76" x 86"
The sew along takes place here on my blog starting on Monday, January 25th...
and yes...consider this your official invite!
This is a free sew along and all that you need to do to join in is tune into my blog here every Monday for the weekly tutorials for one or two blocks in the quilt.
We will be using my fabric collection called FLEA MARKET
This is a photo of everything
in the fabric kit.
There are a few more prints in the collection
that are not used in the quilt
such as a few panels and a
really cute vintage kitchen print!
I also designed 3 widebacks (106" wide)
to match the collection
that you can choose from to use
for your quilt backing.
FLEA MARKET
has just arrived last week and is
making it's way to quilt shops everywhere!
If you do not have your fabric kit
pre-ordered...
just do a quick google search
"Flea Market Flowers Quilt Kit"
to find a shop that would be happy to help you out!
I know because of what is going on
in the world with shipping problems
right now, that it may take longer
to get your fabric kit...
but no worries because all tutorials
will remain here on my blog:)
You will also need to download the flea Market Flowers Sew Along Guide.
Remember this is just what it's called...
a "guide" to help you through this sew along
and it is invaluable
but keep in mind it is not a pattern.
I will be doing the step by step tutorials for the blocks and so there is no pattern available nor needed during this sew along.
I usually keep my sew along guide in a plain white binder but I'm happy to say that I now have a binder coming out with each fabric collection that you can keep your guide in:)
This is what the outside looks like...
And the back.
On page 2 you will find the introduction page with the fabric requirements and all of the supplies that you will need.
I'll go through them with you one by one in order that they are listed in the guide.
This is my large Vintage Trim (ric-rac)
in the color Riley Coral.
We will be using the large size to
tuck inside of the binding after
the quilt is quilted:)
We will be using the
SEED RULERS
for all of the leaves...
there are 2 sizes and all of
the leaves are these two sizes
in the entire quilt:)
We will be using my
PIE RULER
to make all of the flowers.
Depending on what lines you use
to cut on will depend on how big
each flower is after sewing them:)
I have two different sets of
CIRCLE RULERS
and both sets have different
sized circles from the other.
Above is the one you will need
for this sew along.
It has four rulers in it and we will
use all four sizes for the
centers of the flowers.
You will need two packages of the
Sew-In Interfacing.
We won't use it for the flowers because
those edges will already be
turned under after sewing them...
but we will be using it for
every leaf and every circle.
On page 8 of the guide you will find
the sizes and quantity that you
will need to cut from the interfacing.
This is my favorite!
I affectionately call it
SUE GLUE
but it's really called
Sue Daley Applique Glue.
I use this for glue basting my blocks
before applique.
(you can choose to applique
by hand or by machine)
I love it because it holds my applique
pieces well but they can be adjusted
if needed and is also water soluble
which is always a bonus!
There are two sizes needed
of the bias tape makers by Clover.
1/4" and 1/2"
We will use both for the flower stems.
We will not actually be cutting any
of the strips on the bias because
all of the stems
are straight and not curved...
but we will still run them through
these makers for the stems.
You will need to sew an
accurate 1/4" seam allowance
when sewing your pie slices together
for the flowers and of course
when sewing the blocks together.
This is what I use...it's my
SEAMS SEW EASY GUIDE
My newest edition already have
the rectangles cut out...
the older ones work exactly the same but
you just cut the rectangle out yourself.
If you have not used my design boards before...
you may want to get "on board"
for this sew along
LOL!!!
You will find them invaluable in keeping
each block organized after cutting
and then laying out your blocks
while sewing them together.
I always have new ones come out to match
each fabric collection that can be purchased but you can always make your own as well.
I have done many tutorials over the years
on how to make them...
to watch the latest one on my new
YouTube Channel
These are my very favorite pins to use during the basting part of making the blocks.
I find them just the right size and length.
I have many different sets of Pretty Pins...
these are the ones called APPLIQUE and come in this green package in a super cute container:)
You can choose whichever brand of thread
you would like but just keep in mind
that you will need colors to match
each applique piece the best that you can.
My very favorite is Aurifil.
I have been using it for 10 years...
ever since I was introduced to it.
This is my special edition 45 spool set.
I have other smaller sets as well
but this one will work
if you happen to have it:)
There are many colors to choose from
and in two different weights...
both of which will work for
both machine or hand applique.
Inside the guide...
each piece of fabric from the kit
is shown and what you need to cut from it.
***NOTE***
I usually recommend that you cut
all your fabric before the sew along starts
but for this one I would recommend that
you only cut all of the
leaves and strips
for the stems and wait on the rest.
I just don't want you to be confused
or to make a mistake when cutting
the slices for each flower
because there are so many different sizes
and for block E flower
there is special cutting instructions.
I will guide you each week on how to
cut those for each particular block tutorial.
It shows in the guide how to do it
and they are actually super easy to
cut once you understand what I mean
so I would prefer to show you
for at least the first few weeks.
Of course you can go ahead and cut
all of your background fabric pieces
and there is a cutting diagram to do so.
We will cut them larger
and then trim them down after applique.
On page 9 you will see what letter is assigned to each block and what size
to trim them down AFTER applique...
and what size that it finishes at
after sewing into the quilt.
You will also see how the quilt
goes together in three vertical rows
and then finally how the borders go on.
There is also a schedule so that
you will know which blocks
that I will be doing a
tutorial on each week.
*This does not mean that you will
need to keep up with this schedule.
You can if you want to finish your
quilt by the end of the sew along ...
but I encourage you to sew at your own
speed because we don't all have the
same amount of sewing time each week.
The most important thing is to enjoy
the sew along every step of the way
without putting pressure on yourself.
Making a quilt is fun!!!
If you want to see what others are doing
with their progress be sure to
follow the hashtag
and bee sure to use it when you are
posting your photos on social media.
As always I have designed a
page for taking notes
from each of my tutorials.
You can copy off as many of these pages that you would like to include in your binder...
a page for each block might be fun!!
to download the notes page
And there is a page of Flea Market Clip Art
as well so that you can
decorate your binder...
and use for bookmarks and tags.
to download the clip art page
Okay...
let's chat a bit about week one!
I will be doing a video tutorial
for one of the blocks on my
for week one only.
The rest of the block tutorials
will be here on my blog as usual
and will of course be
very detailed and step by step.
I did that for my
PRIM Sew Along
and I think that worked out well.
Block M
is the one that I
will be filming for week one.
I chose this block to start with because
it is unique for the fact that it is
the only one that has a patchwork center
and it also has both sizes of leaves
and so it's a perfect choice
to begin with in my opinion!
Block L is also on the schedule for week one
and my tutorial will be here
on my blog during week one.
Okay...
so I think that is all the info
that I have for you today so that you can
"BEE PREPARED"
I simply cannot wait to get started making
Flea Market Flowers...
I'll meet you right back here on
Monday January 25th!!
xx
Lori