WINTERTIME MAGIC ROW BY ROW SEW ALONG: WEEK FOUR

Welcome back, everyone!

We are already in our last week of blocks. Can you even believe it? I am always surprised how quickly these sew alongs go when we are all sewing and sharing together.

Its really great to sew with you all in our quilting community!

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WEEK FOUR: BEAUTIFUL BOW

This is our last block of this series [and all we have left coming up is checkerboards and assembly] and I definitely left the most intricate/complicated block till the end. Remember that I added this one in technically as an “alternate” just in case someone didn’t want the overtly “seasonal feeling” of a holly block.

So here are ways that you can use it:

• Don’t use it at all. Go back to last week’s HOLLY BLOCK and make more of that one for your feature row. Follow the full amounts for the row on the HOLLY BLOCK.
• Alternate it with the HOLLY BLOCK and follow the info we provide on the bow pattern. The BOW and the HOLLY have been created to be exactly the same height so they will work beautifully in a row together.
• If you love it more than the HOLLY BLOCK and want to feature this, use your HOLLY BLOCKS for something else entirely and make your full row of BEAUTIFUL BOWS instead.
• OR… if you love them all… make extra rows but then you are on your own for finishing 🙂
• I will give you guys finishing instructions for each of these 3 options next week so no worries there. The choice is 100% up to you!

As far as the block itself, don’t be intimidated at all! I think its important to remember that even if something is a bit on the harder side, it is doable if you are only making a few of them and not a whole quilt’s worth. The instructions take you through how to make it one step at a time, one side of the bow at a time, and I know you can do it!.

As you can see, we used both of our red fabrics for our bows but you could of course add in other colors too!

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TIPS/HINTS/SUGGESTIONS

A few things to think about as you are making this one:

• As you follow the BEAUTIFUL BOW pattern instructions, you will work from one side of the bow and then move to the reverse image. Be sure to follow the diagrams closely to ensure your units match the side you are working on. Work one side at a time to avoid confusion!
• No matter how few (or many) bows you will create for your project, I highly recommend completing each one by one. There are quite a few pieces to these smaller blocks, and it will help you not feel too overwhelmed.
• If you are new to SEW AND FLIP, you won’t be new after mastering this block as you will use it in several different permutations! Sew slowly and carefully and you will be good!
• Remember to press well in between each step. Pressing your SEW & FLIP all the way out is one of the most sure fire ways to succeed at this method.

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IMPORTANT BOW QUANTITY NOTE:

As you can see we only have 3 blocks on the photo and not six…

As mentioned above and noted in your pattern, this week and last week’s blocks are both the same height and can be alternated [which is what we will be doing on our final LAP THROW version].

So if you like the sound of that option, you will be making just 3 GIFT BOW blocks like we are and then combine those with the 3 HAPPY HOLLY blocks from last week.

Alternatives are mentioned above and the world’s your oyster!

So once you decide on your quantities, you can get started on this week’s block!

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FIG TREE FRIENDS PROGRESS

Be sure to join our FIG TREE QUILTS FRIENDS FACEBOOK GROUP for lots of member inspiration!

Here are some fabulous pics of some of the HAPPY HOLLY blocks from our FACEBOOK GROUP from the past week. You guys are so creative and I absolutely love all of the variations and combos!

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REMINDER

Next week we will start on our quilt assembly. Be sure you have picked out a neutral or coordinating print and have some extra background on hand, for our setting checkerboards!

[PATTERN UPDATE: If you missed out on our WINTERTIME MAGIC ROW BY ROW Sew Along, don’t despair! We hope to make the sew along series into a pattern in time for next winter.]

Happy Sewing,

-Joanna