Starting my Summer Moon - tips and tricks

(Let's get business out of the way first, ok? Some of the links in my blog posts are affiliate links, and if you click on them, I will earn a small commission, but your purchase price won't change a bit! Thanks for clicking through!)

Are you hopping on the Summer Moon train?

I hope so; we are already having sew much fun! Here at the Lilypad, I'm using all kinds of great orange prints and low volume neutrals for the backgrounds:

If you would like to see what Carrie Nelson is making, check out this Jolly Jabber blog post: CLICK HERE. She's using a modern Christmas palette, and it looks like it will be gorgeous!

In the blog post, you will find information on the bloggers who are participating in the Block of the Month.......they will be featured both on their blogs and on the Jolly Jabber, and the schedule is there for you.

 
 

Now, the whole reason that I wanted to do this particular sampler quilt is that I'm a sucker for punishment, er, I wanted to really stretch my "precision" muscles. (Grin)

If you've gotten your Summer Moon book, you will see that we are making three of each block pattern. We make them in small (5 inch square), medium ( 6.5 inch square) and large (8 inch square). Those little five inch blocks are going to be tough for me!

But I'm loving how the borders are added to the smaller blocks so that you end up having all the same size to assemble into your quilt top!

As I struggled, er, worked diligently to have precise quarter inch seams and lovely points and corners, I found some things that helped me get things right . . .

The first block I tackled was the album block. I found it quite helpful to make certain that the pieces were centered. Some of y'all may be better at "eyeballing it" than I, but this is the process I used:

First, I folded each piece to find the true center (above). Then, matched up those creases with right sides together:

I found that pinning them with going twice through the fabrics made them stay put a little better:

Here, you can see more of the block going together:

And I also found it helpful to grab something to help keep seam allowances from rebelling as they went under the needle . . . those little guys have a mind of their own! You may have a favorite seam ripper or a stiletto that helps you - be sure to grab it for this smallest album block!

I love my results! Pretty blocks -- small, medium, and large album blocks:

I'm really happy with how the background fabrics are working -- not stark white, but some interesting tone on tone and tiny prints!

I'm not sure which size is my favorite! The eight inch blocks really are nice:

Hope you have your copy of Summer Moon! Let me know in the comments if you are sewing along with us! If we have enough peeps playing along, we can have a linky party!

Love,

Summer Moon quilt along - join us!

(Let's get business out of the way first, ok? Some of the links in my blog posts are affiliate links, and if you click on them, I will earn a small commission, but your purchase price won't change a bit! Thanks for clicking through!)

Have y'all checked out this book? Summer Moon is a new book by Carrie Nelson, and the Fat Quarter Shop has big plans ahead! In October, they showed us the book and tantalized us with two different colorways: vintage and modern.

So, this month, the fun will begin -- there will be blog posts, and tutorials, and even videos! Here's a YouTube from the Jolly Jabber that tells you all about it!



Recently, I cajoled my dear sister and my sweet niece into joining me on the Summer Moon journey! Yay!

We are going to join in the fun and have a quilt along here at the Lilypad! Each month, you will have an opportunity to show off your progress on the quilt.

I love how clear the instructions are in this book - lots of information on fabric requirements, cutting instructions, and more!

I also love how there will be three of each block -- one small, medium, and large version of each pretty block! Whimsical? Yep! And here is how we will make all the blocks play together nicely: 

Different "frames" for each one, and then we'll assemble!

We are an easy-going bunch here at the Lilypad, and we are not going to try to do it in true Block of the Month style -- but you can if you like! Remember, that's the beauty of a quilt-along; you can go at your own pace!

I probably will do one block each month, instead of following the three-blocks-each-month schedule in the book. . . . I still work for a living (or to buy fabric!) so I am not going to stress, just have fun!

My colorway?
I went in my (re-purposed) cookie jar . . . . 

All oranges with low-volume neutrals for the backgrounds!

My sis chose these adorable fabrics:

So you see, you can choose the fabrics that float your boat and hop in and play!
Won't you join us?

Grab a book at this link, put together some fabrics that you just love, and let's get started! (If you need some assistance, like I did, call our buddies at the Fat Quarter Shop! Tell them what you are trying to accomplish, and they will suggest fabrics and even send swatches!)

I'll be posting some tips from my first block soon!

Love,