I am”in stitches” and so pleased to be the designer of this month’s block – In Stitches. We have had so many gorgeous blocks and I hope you enjoy making mine. It is hard to believe we are at block 9. I have missed hosting these last few weeks but it was good timing for a break as I had more schedule interruptions.
I wanted to represent stitches so I made a mini quilt. There are two ways to make the block included in the pattern, so, please read through the entire pattern before you make your choice. The template pages are included, along with a full set of the alphabet, in case you want to write something else on your block.
With pieced stitches 
With fused stitches
Here is the Pattern! Click on file name below.
Hint 1: Starch!
Now, we have really gotten you into shape with the small piecing and well, this block builds on those skills. The hints we have used before help – but especially starching. My go to starch is Mary Ellen’s Best Press Unscented*. We don’t use many fragrances in our house due to allergies, so this works perfectly. My technique is to WET that piece of fabric and let it air dry a bit or dry completely. Either way you will get a nice stiff piece of fabric that won’t shift quite as much for you.
Hint #2: Put pieces across block to check size (if piecing your stitches).
Even with starch, this can be a little stretchy and you may be able to remove one or two of the last patches. Keep those in case you need them for the longer sides.
Hint #3: For Fusing (letters & stitches)
I sometimes find it easier to give a little fuse with the tip of my iron before the final securing of the pieces so they don’t move. Also, I used a ruler to help line up the stitches, 1/4″ from seam and 1/4″ apart. Finally, These pieces are small so having a tweezer can help move them (especially on a humid day).
Hint #4: Place template page under block
This will help you place & keep your pieces where they belong. Even on an ironing board I can see through my background. I do urge you use a release or teflon sheet* when first pressing to keep from getting on your iron. Once you have done that you may want to make sure pieces are attached but the glue should be all facing the background so you can secure any looser pieces.
Hint #5: Use a new needle
I used a new, smaller 75/11 needle and clear thread (Superior MonoPoly or YLI Invisible are my go to threads).
You should check out the other hosts for this block and segment. They will have fabulous ideas. We are at the end of segment 2 so at the bottom you will find the linky for your completed blocks (4 this segment).
- Quilt Hosts
- April Adams @ Janda Bend Quilts & segment 2
- Becca Fenstermaker @ Pretty Piney Quilts & segment 2
- Bobbi Bridgeman @ Snowy Days Quilting & segment 2
- Sherry Shish @ Powered by Quilting & segment 2
- Small Project Hosts
- Abbie Danahy @ Sparkle On! & segment 2
Jennifer Fulton @ Inquiring Quilter & segment 2 - Karen Thurn @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats & segment 2
- Sandy Maxfield @ SandyStar Designs & segment 2
Segment 2: May 21st to July 16th
May 21st – Block 6: Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter
June 4th – Block 7: Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
June 18th – Block 8: Sherry @ Powered by Quilting
July 2nd – Block 9: Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
and Segment Project Suggestions
July 16th – Segment 2 Prize Winner Announced!
Segment 3: July 16th to September 10
Full Time Hosts:
- Quilt Hosts
- April Adams @ Janda Bend Quilts
- Becca Fenstermaker @ Pretty Piney Quilts
- Bobbi Bridgeman @ Snowy Days Quilting
- Sherry Shish @ Powered by Quilting
- Small Project Hosts
- Abbie Danahy @ Sparkle On!
Jennifer Fulton @ Inquiring Quilter - Karen Thurn @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
- Sandy Maxfield @ SandyStar Designs
Segment 3 Host: Kathleen McCormick @ Kathleen McMusing
Sandy @ SandyStar Designs
Abbie @ Sparkle On!
Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Segment 3 Host: Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
July 16th – Block 10: Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts
July 30th – Block 11: Becca @ Pretty Piney Quilts
August 13th – Block 12: Sandy @ SandyStar Designs
August 27th – Block 13: April @ JANDA Bend Quilts
and Segment Project and Quilt Setting Suggestions
September 10th – Segment 3 Prize Winner Announced!
September 24th – Grand Prize Winner Announced!
Here is the Linky Party!!
To be eligible to win a segment prize, you need to make all of the blocks from that segment. You just need one picture with the last 4 blocks finished to enter. Share a photo or photos of your blocks (in a single post) to be entered. Entries will be open from 12:00 am July 2 to 11:59 pm July 15, 2019 (Eastern time). There are three places you can share your blocks to be entered in the drawing:
Coming Up on My Blog:
Rainbow quilt – waiting for thread
July Island Batik project
Goal setting for July/3rd Quarter
August secret Island Batik project
August Island Batik challenge
Linking Up With:
Wednesday Wait Loss
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?
Friday Foto Fun #91
Main Crush Monday
I cannot find the pattern download. Can you help please?
Push the button next to the file name, under the two pictures of the patches.
Hello, I love your block but i cannot download. If I push the button I can only save the picture on Pinterest. Thx for your help.
Try this. https://kathleenmcmusing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/I-love-to-quilt-7_1.pdf
Thank you. The link works 🙂
I love the little ‘mock’ stitching look!
Thanks, Vicki!
Hi Kathleen! What a cute block and oh so fitting. Great tips you shared as well. I especially love using the ruler to make sure all those dashes line up nicely. Those really push the piece over the cuteness edge for me. ~smile~ Roseanne
That ruler is the way to go, and a little push with the tweezer, they all lined up pretty well. Its cute … maybe a little too much for me but I am pleased with them.
Thank you for a challenging and inspiring block. I have yet to sew any of the blocks, pleading “too busy with other sewing jobs,” but just got inspired to give this a try. I think I’ll work backwards from the last block.
Thanks, Jane! I am thrilled to hear this is inspiring you!!! Working backwards is an awesome approach – like when the kindergartners do backwards days. Hope you do it and have some fun. I often do little pieces at time (cut – then piece – then assemble) and then its done before I even scheduled it!
I love the stitches around the outside, Kathleen!
Thank you, Nancy.
Ha! the penny dropped as Mum would say… I am catching up on posts and DrEAMis…. Now I now what bags you were talking about! These blocks are awesome Kathleen!
Clever! I think it will be perfect don’t you?
Wow, I love this block! So versatile! The timing of this QAL hadn’t been good for me so I’ve not been sewing along (first one I’ve missed from partners in design!) but I’m saving this block for later for sure!!!! Thanks for a great design!
Glad you like the design. Are you saving the patterns in case they are no longer free? That way you can make when you want to!
Hi Kathleen, I adore your block! I’m so happy with the one I made, thank you for a great pattern.
You are welcome, Abbie!
I really like this block! I appreciated the starch tips for piecing some of these blocks. It makes a BIG difference when working with small pieces. Thanks to All of you for creating this fun QAL!
Thank you! It is fun to think of new designs and I am so glad you liked this one! I love a good tip and sharing them with other quilters.
What a fun little quilt…and don’t we all just love to quilt!
We do love to quilt, don’t we?
Love your block. So cute and so versatile. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.
And thanks so much for hosting it!
Terrific process pictures. Love the slightly crooked stitches 🙂
There are always a few askew – even if all done by machine! Thanks, Preeti.
This is a really cute block, Kathleen. I like the font you used for the letters. Do you find the heavy starching interferes at all with the ability of the fusible to really hold the pieces?
Thanks for a great design.
Great design! Words are popular these days, and these are the best words. LOL Thanks for the pattern!
Thank you for stopping by! I love the way this lettering looks and agree they are the best words.
These are really cute blocks, and I love that they have the look of stitching. So creative!
Thanks, Beth, they were fun to make and design. I have done some with buttonholes, too, but that is for another post!