Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Follow the Leader

(Trying to ) Follow the Leader

In the beginning of May, I  saw a pretty quilt block on  Blossom Heart Quilts , made by Alyce.  It is called Follow The Leader, and is made with flying geese . Alyce is an awesome quilter and paper piecer.  I am always in awe of her projects!

She wrote  that  And Sew We Craft  is hosting a Modern Blocks Quilt A Long, using the book,  Modern Blocks, compiled by Susanne Woods. The  'Follow the Leader' block came from this book. And it hit me.... I HAVE THAT BOOK!  yay!


The book used for patterns in the Quilt A Long

Modern Blocks Quilt Along hosted  at And Sew We Craft  


This is the schedule of the blog posts for each block:


May- Follow The Leader with And Sew We Craft
June- Spool with The Crafty Mummy
July- Megan’s Star with Anorina of Samelia’s Mum
August- Quatrefoil with Alyce of Blossom Heart Quilts
September- Escalator with Cate of Life Behind the Purple Door
October- Best Friends with Anorina of Samelias Mum
November- Pogo Stick with Ros of Sew Delicious
December- Crosswalk with Amy of Actually Amy
January- Everything Equal with Alyce of Blossom Heart Quilts
February- Parisian Star with Tonya of Crafty Mummy
March- Binary with Cate of Life Behind the Purple Door
April- Stacked Squares with Ros of Sew Delicious

Each month, they  will be sharing a tutorial for the block as well and  a linky  will be open all month for you to link up your blocks. Plus,there will be prizes each month.

Since I have the book (and fabrics stacked stocked up)...
I took that as "a sign" to hop in, and sew along with this group to learn some new quilt block techniques.  :)


I like this kind of Sew Along, because it gives me ideas I would never have thought of before, it gives me deadlines  , and  I can get inspiration from  other talented quilters. Another important benefit is that I can get tips and help from their blog posts.  I just can't understand some sewing terminology on my own.  (I am a late-starter quilter.)

Just "sew " you know....I am stepping WAY out of my comfort zone in doing this , so I can learn to piece some blocks that I have ran shied away from in the past.
I am admittedly a BEGINNER.  I won't be able to "light a candle" next to these talented quilters in the group.....
My  blocks in this sew along will never be "perfect",
and  many seams will not line up properly.  Things will be a little uneven, I am sure. 
And I know I will be late some months.  (We all know that, "Life happens."  )

So, here we go on my journey of learning and practice...




Fabrics I am using
Fabrics:  FQ bundle of Stitch Floral Square  by Michael Miller
              Happi   by Dena  Fabric Traditions
            White-    Garden Pindot  white  by Michael Miller
Happi       not sure if for backing or sashing or binding yet....



May Block :  Follow the Leader    design by Sherri Mconnell


Chain piecing the flying geese
I picked 4 colors to make the flying geese with.




Follow the leader  block

Some of my "better" geese




Notes to myself:  
  •  Try to get all triangles the same size
  • One improvement- I got the top points of all of the triangles pointed.  (Last year, on my first attempt of flying geese,  a lot of the top points were  caught in the seams.) 
  •  I did not use steam to press them.  
  • I think I will use starch on the block pieces in June.

There is a linky hook- up for blocks being made at:  And Sew We Craft Modern QAL Block One.

 I am excited to learn new blocks and join in with a new group of talented quilters!  I can't wait to "Follow the leader" on this journey into sewing!  I need the practice, that's for sure!
I'm off to my sewing room!


8 comments:

  1. Great way to get your feet wet, Susie! Your block looks great. I am a big fan of starch, especially when working with pieced triangles and such.
    Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

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  2. Oh, I just really really love that block! I think it was a brilliant idea to use the fabrics in that way! Awesome!

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  3. Your block is gorgeous! Thanks so much for joining in with the QAL! Glad you are stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things. That is the exact reason why I started this QAL, to learn new skills that I usually wouldn't try.

    Amy x

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  4. Ooh, I love your fabric choices! You could use the print as a pop of "colour" in every other block too if you wanted, add a little surprise for the eye for when the quilt top is finished.

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  5. I love the fabrics you have chosen! I'm always a sucker for a rainbow

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  6. Good for you getting out there and learning new techinques!! I think your block turned out beautifully!! And your fabric choices are gorgeous. I'm really looking forward to watching you grow and learning some pointers myself! I tend to stay in my own little comfort zone. I won't lie...my new machine scares me a bit and I am starting to force myself to try new things with it. LOL Good luck, Susie! I have NO doubt you will be amazing!

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  7. That looks such a happy block!

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  8. your block looks great, love the fabrics!

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