Sew Let's Quilt Along Block 9: I Love to Quilt

My Version of I Love to Quilt Designed by Kathleen McCormick

Block 9 of the 2019 Mystery Quilt Along is I Love to Quilt by Kathleen McCormick @ Kathleen McMusing. The Sew Let's Quilt Along is brought to you by Partners in Design. Kathleen's block says how we all feel about quilting. I am so happy to include it in the quilt!

You can view and download Kathleen McCormick's pattern @ Kathleen McMusing. To learn more about the quilt along please see my Introductory Post or see my Quilt Alongs Page if you missed the previous blocks. Remember that the Partners in Design QAL Patterns are available free of charge until September 24, 2019 at midnight EST.

Quilters are a diverse group of people. My version of Kathleen's block reflects the tastes of one of the Salem Quilt Guild members. I have been using fabrics from Salem Quilt Guild by Meg Hawkey of Crabapple Hill Studios.  

My Hints and Suggestions for Making the Block​

• My first step was to make the center block with the quote, I Love Quilting. The pattern shows how to aplique the letters onto the center block. I decided that I wanted to print the quote on printable fabric, using an inkjet printer.  (Note: I have not found a printable fabric that can be used with a laser printer). I used this technique on my Quilt Along Mug block and on the Sew Let's Quilt Shop block by Abbie Danahy. When using printable fabric, it is important to follow manufacturer's directions, especially the directions to make the print colorfast.
• I used the placement drawing that was included in the pattern. It was to scale. I printed the entire page on the fabric and then cut it to an 8 1/2" square. When removing the paper backing, it is important that you do not stretch the fabric.
• The quote was actually in a printed box. However, it turned out not to be a problem because the lines were almost exactly 1/4" from the edge of the square. When I added the Stitching border, I just stitched along the box lines. This hid the lines in the seam allowance.
• See photos.​​

Page Printed on Fabric

Quote Trimmed to 8 1/2" Square

• Once I was sure that my printed fabric block would work, I cut out the other pieces.
• I could only print the letters in black because it was actually an image, so I chose my fabrics to coordinate with the black letters.
• See photos.

Cut Pieces

• The next step was to sew the patches for the stitches border. This was accomplished by using strip sets.
• The first strip set was cut in half and then resewn to make a longer (but narrower) strip set. 
• Then that strip set was cut to make the four stitches border.
• After each step, be sure to iron the strip sets as directed.
• See photos.

Sew Strip Set.

Cut Strip Set in Half.

Re-Sew Strip Set.

Cut Stitches Border from Re-Sewn Strip.

• It was easy to stretch the stitches border to fit the square. In fact, I was able to remove one of the purple rectangles from each strip so that there was white at each corner.
• I sewed the top and bottom borders first, then I added the side borders.
• See photos.

Sew Top And Bottom Border.

Sew Side Borders.

• Then I added the background border. 
• Finally I added the outer border with corner stones.
• See photos.

Sew Background Border.

Sew Outer Border.

My block was then completed!

Completed Block

Where Can I Find Other Versions of This Block?
We have eight hosts for Segment 2, and we all made our very own versions of the blocks. Be sure to visit us all! We all have tips and inspiration. We would love to see comments from you as well!

• Abbie Danahy @ Sparkle On!
• ​April (That's me) @ JANDA Bend Quilts
• Becca @ Pretty Piney Quilts
• ​Bobbi @ Snowy Days Quilting 
• Jennifer Fulton @ Inquiring Quilter
• Karen Thurn @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
• ​Sandy Maxfield @ SandyStar Designs
• Sherry Shish @ Powered by Quilting

How Can I Be Eligible for Segment 2 Prizes?
Block 9 is the last block in Segment 2. We will be awarding prizes for this segment. To find out more, go to Sew Let's Quilt Along Segment 2 Wrap-up.

This post was first published by JANDA Bend Quilts.