Strippy Improv Holiday QAL - Week 2

 Hello and welcome back for Week 2 of the Strippy Improv Holiday Quiltalong! 

This week we're talking block creation. 

And if you haven't joined the QAL yet, you still can! Grab the pattern here and sign up for my newsletter to get weekly updates.

This week I'm sharing piecing tips about some of the blocks; next week we'll cover adding the reverse applique background. 

1. Use the cut out background shape as a guide while you piece. Even though the shape is traced on your muslin, it can still be hard to envision how the piecing will look. For this ornament, I wanted to have light blue at the top and bottom, with a "band" of colored strips in the middle. Before I added in the gold cap, I laid the cut out background square on top to test placement.

2. Think about fabric choice before you piece. For the stocking, I knew I wanted one fabric to be the stocking cuff at the top, so I planned out placement in advance, and also made sure that the last strip (the cuff) went fairly "straight" across the top so it looked more cuff-like. 

3. Now is the time to embellish. Want to "trim" your Christmas tree? I did this using decorative stitches on my sewing machine. Any stitching you do should be before you add the background square. Same with the gingerbread "frosting" on the arms and legs - check out this week's YouTube video for specifics on how to apply those. 

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Join the Strippy Improv Holiday Quilt Along!

Get the pattern here. It includes all 11 blocks. If you've purchased the pattern previously, you can get the 6 new blocks for free - sign up for my newsletter here, and you'll receive an email with a link to download the new blocks. 

QAL Details: 

Sew along with me to create a holiday wall quilt or table runner before Christmas! I'll post once a week with tips and advice (plus that all-important accountability!) to keep us on track. These blocks are addicting...just wait and see! 

Purchase the pattern here.

Week 1: November 16th - Fabric and block selection

Week 2: November 23rd -  Making 2 blocks

Week 3: November 30th - Making 2 blocks

Week 4: December 7th - Assembly and Finishing