Mystery Christmas QAL and Tackle it Tues!

Introduction

Hi everyone! It's Pat Sloan here. Welcome to week three of the Christmas mystery—yay! Plus, it's Tackle It Tuesday, so we’re going to dive into lots of exciting activities. Let's get started.

Celebrating Cherry Day

Today is Cherry Day! Cherries in the summer are undeniably the best. My dad’s wife often buys a big bag of the first sweet cherries of the season and shares them with me. I stumbled upon one of my much older fabric lines with cherries on it, named "Eat Your Fruits and Veggies." It’s a charming reminder of the delicious fruit. I also want to showcase my Farmer’s Market quilt, featuring playful fabrics, including cherries. The quilt, beautifully quilted by Joanne Hoffman, adds a vibrant touch to Cherry Day celebrations.

Week Three of the Christmas Mystery QAL

Materials and Initial Thoughts

For this week’s part of the Star of Wonder mystery quilt, I’m using the Kitty Christmas collection, which involves some pink fabrics. This week’s block is a star unit with sides, extending from the central star block #1.

Originally, I considered using two tonal pinks for the star blocks but decided to add more pizzazz. After mockups and careful consideration, I chose to go with a patterned pink and a tonal. Ensuring the star stands out is crucial, so I evaluated the contrast against the background white fabric.

Cutting and Assembling

I folded some squares to approximate the block sizes and pinned them for an audition. This method helps visualize without wasting any fabric. The contrast between the white background and the pink fabrics worked well, so I proceeded with the sewing.

Assembly Tips

Assembling the stars requires precise positioning and careful measurement before cutting to ensure accuracy. Minor adjustments, like trimming uneven edges, help maintain block sizes. After sewing up the stars, I added the alternating red strips following the color diagram to avoid any mishaps.

Here are the completed blocks:

They look fantastic together and align perfectly with the mystery quilt’s color scheme.

Mail Time: Surprise Packages

Several thoughtful packages arrived:

1. Yeet from NJ: Sent adorable New Jersey text fabric.
2. Leanne from AL: Contributed a fabric matching my radio-themed material, with an added bonus of British flag prints and cute buttons.
3. Carol from MT: Provided Montana fabric featuring a quintessential state print.

Thank you, everyone, for these wonderful contributions.

Tackle It Tuesday: Progress and Plans

Scrappy Blocks

I made progress on my scrappy blocks from Shannon and Jason’s book, modifying the starting square size. I decided on a tiny red sashing (maybe 3/4 inch finished) for the final assembly.

Lemon Chiffon Quilt

For my lemon chiffon quilt, I have three sets of four blocks ready. The next set nearly completes another four-block group. Here’s a preview:

New Fabric Arrival

The latest "So Colorful" club delivery features vibrant yellows. Each fabric piece is a delightful addition to my lemon chiffon quilt:

These additions are perfect and will enhance my current projects beautifully.

Conclusion

For Tackle It Tuesday, I'll continue working on my scrappy blocks and the lemon chiffon quilt. Additionally, I'm planning to vacuum my workspace—it badly needs it! Let me know in the comments or in the community group what your Tackle It Tuesday project is.

I love you all. Thank you for being here in the Sloan Zone! See you online.

Keywords

1. Christmas mystery
2. Tackle It Tuesday
3. Cherry Day
4. Farmer’s Market quilt
5. Star of Wonder
6. Kitty Christmas fabric
7. Scrappy blocks
8. Lemon chiffon quilt
9. So Colorful Club
10. Quilt-along

FAQs

What is Tackle It Tuesday?

Tackle It Tuesday is a segment where I focus on making progress with specific quilting projects. It’s about tackling tasks that need attention, whether it’s sewing, organizing, or cleaning up the workspace.

How do I ensure accuracy while assembling quilt blocks?

Measure your pieces before making any final cuts and trim uneven edges to maintain block sizes. Using tools like design boards can help visualize the final assembly without wasting fabric.

Can I join the Christmas mystery quilt-along (QAL) now?

Yes, you can join the Christmas QAL at any time! Follow along with the weekly instructions and share your progress with the community.

How do I manage fabrics with large prints in quilt blocks?

For fabrics with larger prints, consider the size of the block components. Sometimes larger prints may not work well with smaller block pieces. In such cases, switch to fabrics with smaller or more consistent patterns.

Where can I find the products and tools mentioned in the video?

All product links, including design boards and fabric collections, are provided in the description box below the video. You can also visit the Fat Quarter Shop for more quilting supplies.

Remember to share your progress and projects. Join our vibrant quilting community and happy quilting!

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