Wow, that was the longest month of my life… and I’m thinking April is going to be a competing for that title! This global pandemic biz has had a bit of an impact on the Mini Masterpieces QAL, but we shall continue on! The first impact has been a few concerned messages and comments that some people are unable to finish their Abacus quilts during March due to the inability to access finishing supplies, and/or the time and space to sew due to the sudden stay home measures in place around the world and the resulting influx of people and change of daily routines. I get it! I’m snatching moments here and there to get the bare basic computer work done (as I type this on March 31st, my kids are now officially parked in front of the TV for a couple of hours because I have to get this done!).
As such, I made the decision to allow for completed quilt tops to also be valid entries for the quilt prize during March. And I will do the same for April too. Obviously, I do encourage you to push for a fully finished quilt so that you’re not left with a pile of quilt top UFOs, but I also understand the deep need for some grace and compassion on ourselves and each other at this time. In complete transparency, my Abacus quilt is still just a quilt top! I will actually be making it slightly bigger so that it can be a neonatal quilt for a local children’s hospital quilt charity. I will share the finished quilt later this month – I’m needing some grace in this myself!
You can find out the March block and quilt winners here, but here’s a quick snapshot of just some of the gorgeous makes shared on Instagram using #MiniMasterpiecesQAL:
You can find more in the Facebook group.
APRIL – HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLE BLOCKS
This month, we move into the triangles chapter, starting with my beloved half-square triangles, also known as HSTs.
The Half-Square Triangle sampler block is great for growing these skills:
- Accurate seams
- Accurate (careful) pressing
- Two at a time HSTs
Image by Page + Pixel for Lucky Spool
The Tropical Sunset mini quilt is also good for trying out:
- Eight at a time HSTs
- Colour gradient
- Fussy cutting
APRIL PRIZES
To enter, you can either post a photo of your month’s project in the Blossom Heart Quilts group on Facebook in this month’s photo album (not sure how to do that? Click here to find out how), or post it on Instagram using the QAL hashtag #MiniMasterpiecesQAL. Either method is acceptable, just be sure to do it by April 30th, 2020 (in your timezone). Monthly winners will be selected at random, and announced by updating this post + in the Facebook group on May 4, 2020.
For all the QAL details including prize eligibility, read this post here.
Block Prize
If you’re sewing along making the sampler blocks this year, that’s awesome! Each month, there’ll be a mix of patterns, notions, and other little goodies on offer. This month, the prize is a PDF pattern from Andrea at 3rd Story Workshop – Common Ground – her brand new pattern coming out later this month!
Quilt Prize
The other big impact of the pandemic has been on receiving the fabric for my Tropical Sunset quilt, and confirming the usual fabric prize for this month due to offices closed and all that jazz. As such, if you’re making mini quilts or some other type of fully finished product with the mini quilt pattern or turning the sampler block into a finished product (pillow, bag, zippered pouch, etc), this month’s prize is a $50 gift voucher to The Next Stitch.
WINNERS
Congratulations to Marieke for winning the block prize.
Congratulations to Amy for winning the quilt prize.
What you need
- A copy of Mini Masterpieces – you can buy a copy from these various stockists, signed copies from me are due back in stock this month
- A sewing machine (or hand sewing supplies!) and basic quilting supplies
- Your favourite fabrics – all the fabric requirements are listed on pages 39-40 for the block and mini quilt
Recommended
- Colouring sheet planner (download below)
- 6 1/2″ square ruler or Bloc Loc ruler
- Erasable fabric marker, or Diagonal Seam Tape (washi tape)
- Starch or starch alternative spray
There is a small errata for Tropical Sunset – see here for more details.
TIPS FOR HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLE BLOCKS
Over the years, I have written many blog posts devoted to HSTs! But this one will be the most useful – tips for HST accuracy.
HST Sampler quilt block by @3rdstoryworkshop
And also, just like with the snowball blocks last month, I strongly suggest grabbing yourself some Diagonal Seam Tape – you’ll continue to use it for the next few months for sewing triangles! Aussies – you can buy it from The Next Stitch here.
HST sampler quilt blocks turned into a cushion by @caitlinpolden
TIPS FOR TROPICAL SUNSET
The main tip for Tropical Sunset is to keep all your units and pieces of fabrics organised. I like to use a small design board – batting wrapped around some board – to layout my pieces to have next to me at my sewing machine and to transport to and from the iron.
I’ll be sewing along too and sharing as I go on Instagram – @blossomheartquilts – and in the Facebook group. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments and I’ll respond to you there.
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