Strippy Improv Halloween QAL Week 1 - What fabrics should you use?

 Hi! I'm excited that it's Halloween season, and time for the Strippy Improv Halloween QAL!

If you still need the pattern, you can order it here.

We're talking fabric in week 1!

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! For this year's Quilt Along, I'm using the Glow-O-Ween fabrics from Benartex. Aren't these fun? I'm so grateful to whoever decided at some point that purple and lime green are Halloween colors. It really adds variety to the idea of a Halloween palette.

Here's one of the mock-ups I'm considering for this year. 

Yes or no on the purple background? 

Have fun choosing your blocks and fabrics! Meet me back here on Thursday, October 3 where we'll talk about making the blocks. 

Here are a couple more finished quilts so you can see fabric combos I've used:

Medium gray background so the black cat and witches' hat pop:

Busier tonal prints on two different gray backgrounds (psst...these prints glow in the dark!)

Black backgrounds so the orange and gray letters and ghost pop:

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!

Need the pattern? Order it here. 

Strippy Improv Halloween QAL

Spooky ghosts, pumpkins, flying bats, candy corn...it's that time of year! The Strippy Improv Halloween Quilt Along starts Thursday, September 26th. (Psst...the pattern is $2 off through 9/27 using this link.)
Here's everything you need to know: 

Just what is Strippy Improv? 
It's a technique that combines piecing strips improvisationally (it's easy...I promise!) with reverse applique to create blocks featuring recognizable shapes. 

What's in the Strippy Improv Halloween pattern?  

This pattern includes 9 different Halloween blocks (you choose!) to create a 4-block wall hanging or table runner. 

How do I join the QAL? 
All you need is the pattern, which you can purchase in my Etsy shop here ($2 off coupon good through 9/27). Choose your fabric, choose your blocks, and you're ready to go! Each week during the QAL, I'll be sharing tips, tricks and recommendations both here on my blog and in my email newsletter. We'll all sew together and be done before Halloween! If you're on IG, follow me @quiltyzest for more inspiration as well. 

What is 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!

Since this design is just 4 blocks, it's easy to finish in just 4 weeks!

Here are the fabrics I'm using to get started - Glow-o-ween from Benartex.

Here's the pattern: 

And a little more finished project inspiration: 

What blocks will you sew?

Don't forget, the pattern is $2 off through 9/27 using this link or code SPOOKY2024.

I hope you join me! 

Back to School - Pencil Case Tutorial

Tonight I'm sharing how to make Fabric Notebook Covers in a Facebook Live on the Thermoweb Craft Room. (Click here to join and watch!) Benji and I also sewed a new pencil case for him to use this year - you can never have too many pencil cases! 

Here is the tutorial for making your own. This pencil case measures 5-1/2" x 9"--perfect for holding newly sharpened #2s! 

 Pencil Case

You'll Need:

1 fat quarter each of (4) pencil prints and (1) blue dot print

(1) 12" zipper in a coordinating color

(1) 10-1/2" square of HeatnBond Fusible Fleece 

Cutting:

From each pencil print:

(1) 3-1/2" x 10-1/2" piece

From the blue dot:

(1) 10-1/2" square

(2) 1-1/2" x 3" pieces

Make the Pencil Case:

Step 1 Sew the (4) 3" x 10-1/2" pencil pieces together lengthwise.

Step 2 Fuse the 10-1/2" batting square to the back and quilt as desired. We stitched 1/4" on each side of the seams.

Step 3 Press in 1/4" on both short ends of the 1-1/2" x 3" blue dot pieces as shown. Fold and press the piece in half. 

Step 4 Tuck the zipper pull end of the zipper into the center fold of a blue dot piece. Stitch across the zipper to secure both sides of the blue dot piece to the zipper as shown. Align the zipper with the pieced bag square and trim the opposite zipper end 1/8" in from the end. Be careful not to pull the zipper apart! 

Step 5 Tuck the raw end of the zipper into the second folded blue dot piece and stitch to secure. Your zipper with tabs should be the same length as the pieced bag square.

Step 6 Trim the blue dot tabs even with the zipper width. 

Step 7 Lay the zipper right side down on the pieced bag square as shown and pin into place.

Step 8 Layer the 10-1/2" blue dot square right sides together on the zipper. Pin into place and stitch, using a zipper foot. 
Step 9 Press the pieced bag square and blue dot square away from the zipper. Topstitch 1/4" from the edge of the zipper. 

Step 10 Align the opposite end of the pieced square with the other side of the zipper, right sides together, and pin. 

Step 11 Fold the blue dot lining square back onto itself and align with the zipper. Pin in place and stitch using a zipper foot. 

Step 12 Turn the case right side out. Topstitch along the second zipper edge is a little trickier. You'll need to manipulate the case so the zipper edge where you're stitching is in the zipper opening, and ensure that the rest of the case doesn't get in the way. 

Step 13 At this point, your case should look like this.  Press it flat so the zipper is centered.

Step 14 Turn the case wrong side out. Make sure the zipper is open! Stitch along each end using a 1/4" seam allowance. Use a zig zag stitch to finish off the raw edges. 

Step 15 Turn the case right side out and fill with pencils. 

(This tutorial originally appeared on the PBS Fabrics blog.)

Introducing Find Your Way

I have some exciting news to share! I have a fabric line (my first) coming out with Benartex! 

The collection is called Find Your Way and here's a look at it. 
One of the most exciting parts - seeing my name on the selvedge!

I'll be sharing more about this collection over the coming months, but in the meantime check out this introduction video that tells you the story behind Find Your Way. 

This fabric line ships to quilt shops in Dec '24/Jan '25. If you like what you see here, please ask your local quilt shop to order it! 

See the full collection on Benartex's website here.

And then of course there are quilt patterns! Here are the patterns I've designed to go with the fabric line. They'll be available from quilt shops carrying the fabrics as well as in my Etsy shop. 

Postcard Views

(raw edge applique wall hanging trio - each measures 20" x 24")

Quadrangles

(64" x 72" - free quilt pattern)

Trail Map

(58" x 62-1/2")

Travel Together

(77-1/4" square)

Follow the Sun 

(40" square)

I can't wait to get these fabrics in my hands so I can start sewing these quilts! I hope you like the collection as much as I do! 

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If you're new here, welcome! I hope you'll stay and look around a bit. 

If you like what you've seen here, you can also find me:

To find all of my quilt patterns, visit my Etsy shop. 

Find me on IG here.

Sign up for my newsletter in the right-hand sidebar or here. 

(You'll receive a free pattern for my Diamond Drama quilt (below) as a thank you!)

                                            

How I recreated the beach at home

Our family just returned from a week at the beach in NC. Besides a little sunburn, a lot of sand, and great memories, I came back with a few beach sunset photos.      I decided I wanted to try to recreate these beachy sunsets in fabric. I went for an abstract look - I wasn't trying to recreate the exact photos, but more the color scheme with clear sky, water and beach sections. Here's what I came up with - a pastel version and a bold version.

These were so fun to make - the part that took me the longest was picking out the fabric! If you want to make your own, I'll be sharing a live tutorial on Thermoweb's Craft Room Facebook page Thursday, July 11 at 7:30 pm CDT. You'll need to join the page to see, so pop over there early and get set!

Hope to see you there!