Strippy Improv Halloween QAL Week 2 - Let's make some blocks!

 Welcome back for Week 2 of the Strippy Improv Halloween QAL! 

It's block making week! What blocks have you chosen to make? 

The beauty of a 4-block quilt is that once you have 2 made, you're halfway done! 

Here are my first two blocks:

You can see that I've used Halloween prints in my blocks, so the prints show up a little more. With tonal prints, you'd see the overall shape more quickly. Neither way is wrong or right - they're just different!

Which blocks have you decided to make? Let me know in the comments. 

I've got 4 block making tips for you today: 

Tip 1: 

If you're using a non-symmetrical block (like the pumpkin with its stem, for example), make sure that when you trace the shape onto the fusible web, it's reversed from when you trace the shape onto the muslin. If you're using a symmetrical shape (like the spiders 🕷️) don't worry about this.

Tip 2:

I recommend placing an iron an cutting mat adjacent to your sewing machine for block making. These blocks assemble with a press and cut after every seam, so you'll enhance your efficiency if everything you need is together. 

Tip 3: If you accidentally cut through the muslin when you're trimming strips, don't worry! I've done it as well. Just keep sewing - the hole in the muslin will be covered. 

Tip 4: 

If your fabric marking pen erases with heat, consider using pencil to trace your templates onto muslin. Otherwise your traced shape on the muslin will disappear as you add strips. 

What comes next: 

If you've completed the strippy improv piecing part and wondering if your blocks look "right," here are what mine looked like after piecing. After you cut out the reverse applique background and fuse in place, you can trim the excess. Note that for the bat, I pieced the strips on an angle. Choose your strip direction based on how you want the final block to look. 

If you learn better by video, I have a YouTube video showing this same technique used for my Holiday pattern. You can find it here. I have also shared a reel showing me making the pumpkin block on Instagram (@quiltyzest).

Have fun making your first two blocks! Meet me back here on Thursday, October 6 where I'll be sharing my other two blocks. 

Here's the QAL schedule: 

Thursday 9/26: Fabric and block choices

Thursday 10/3: Make 2 blocks

Thursday 10/10: Make 2 blocks

Thursday 10/17: Assemble and finish!

I hope you'll join in the fun! I'll be posting here on the blog and also sharing posts on IG (@quiltyzest). If you're going to sew along, use the hashtag #strippyimprovhalloween to share your block and/or fabric choices!

Ready to join the fun? Order just the digital Strippy Improv Halloween pattern here. 
The pattern includes 9 block choices plus both a square wall hanging and table runner option.

Strippy Improv Halloween QAL - Week 1

Hello! I'm so excited that you'll be sewing along with me for the Strippy Improv Halloween QAL! If you still need the pattern, you can order it here.

It's Week 1, so let's talk fabric! 

But really, before that, let's talk block choices, because the blocks you decide to make will steer your fabric choices. 

The pattern includes 9 different blocks (yes, I got carried away when I created the pattern, but what could I leave out?!?). I'm showing all 9 here - you can use this as an overview, and you can also refer back to them as you read the fabric choice section below. 

Pumpkin

Black Cat

Ghost

Spider

Candy Corn

Bat

Witch Hat

B-O-O

Select 4 different blocks, or use all the same block, or maybe 2 and 2. It's up to you! 

Here's where color factors in. 

Block background:

Your block background should be dark (or darker) so the pieced strips don't show through the reverse applique. If you choose appliques that are typically black or very dark (like the bat, cat, spider, witch hat), you'll want to pick a block background that is light enough to create contrast (but not too light, like white!). I wouldn't go lighter than this light gray below.

Strip colors:

These blocks are great for using scraps, particularly leftover strips. I recommend paying attention to the value of your strips - for example, for the pumpkin, you want your oranges to have enough variety that the individual strips stand out. Otherwise, you could just use one piece of orange for the whole pumpkin. 

I personally prefer prints that are more tonal, because I don't want individual prints distracting from the overall applique. But if you are making four pumpkin blocks, a little more variety might be fun! In my B-O-O blocks, I used more variety because I knew the letter would pop off the background. 

A note on whites and blacks - these can be tricky, because so many black prints read as black. Look for some darker grays as well (as long as they're darker than your block background). For whites, definitely raid your low volume stash! 

Whatever strips you choose, audition them by laying the strips together to see if you like the look. 

And finally, take advantage of all the fun Halloween prints in quilt shops for the border! 

Have fun choosing your blocks and fabrics! Meet me back here on Thursday, September 29 where we'll talk about making the blocks. 

Here's the QAL schedule: 

Thursday 9/22: Fabric and block choices

Thursday 9/29: Make 2 blocks

Thursday 10/6: Make 2 blocks

Thursday 10/13: Assemble and finish!

I hope you'll join in the fun! I'll be posting here on the blog and also sharing posts on IG (@quiltyzest). If you're going to sew along, use the hashtag #strippyimprovhalloween to share your block and/or fabric choices!

Press the easy button and order the kit here.

Choosing/using your own fabrics? Order just the digital pattern here. 

Strippy Improv Halloween Kits + QAL!

Halloween is right around the corner, but guess what?! 

There's still time to create a Halloween wall hanging! 

And...there's a kit available! I worked with Sit 'n Sew Fabrics to choose the fabric for this Strippy Improv Halloween kit. Can I just say, I LOVE that border print! 

But the best part of the kit is that the reverse applique shapes come pre-fused AND pre-cut. No time-consuming, careful cutting to create the bat, ghost, pumpkin and candy corn shapes. Woo hoo! 

The fabrics: (includes backing and binding)

Those cut-out reverse applique shapes I mentioned! 

Now is the perfect time to grab a kit because starting Thursday, September 22nd, I'll be hosting a QAL to sew a Strippy Improv Halloween project. The main goal? To help you finish yours before October 31st! 

Here's the schedule: 

Thursday 9/22: Fabric and block choices

Thursday 9/29: Make 2 blocks

Thursday 10/6: Make 2 blocks

Thursday 10/13: Assemble and finish!

I hope you'll join in the fun! I'll be posting here on the blog and also sharing posts on IG (@quiltyzest). If you're going to sew along, use the hashtag #strippyimprovhalloween

Press the easy button and order the kit here.

Choosing/using your own fabrics? Order just the digital pattern here.