Awesome Ocean Block 2

The octopus is just so much fun to do. This block is a little more challenging but take your time, you will enjoy it! Also, you are in for a treat….Barb has done an octopus quilt too. Can you sing “in the octopuses garden with you”? I am right now!! Check out her full version of Awesome Ocean if you didn’t already. It is so much fun to see these coming together and have friends sew along. I am using Island Batik fabrics for this quilt and love the way they work together.

This is the most important thing to do! I make little labels before I cut my fabric, including Letter, Size and # of Pieces. For cutting your pieces remember:
1. Cut your fabrics for both pieces at the same time.
2. Double the amount of the background.

I put my pieces in order on the mini design board. It works like a charm and helps me be sure I have things lined up. Sew your “eye unit” together.

Then we begin adding pieces with angles. You will either draw lines OR do what I am doing, which is pre-trimming before I sew.

I interrupt my hints to bring you an infomercial.  USE this tool!   It makes sewing and trimming the folded corners a snap.  I was like oh yeah, another tool but what the heck, I’ll try it.  I am so glad I did; it is invaluable.  Trust me.  It is called the Simple Folded Corners Ruler*.  You can use it two ways, for this pattern I used the “No Trim/Exact Measurement” method.  There may be other tools that do this, but I am so impressed with how this speeds up everything.  There is still time to add this to your quilting wish list.

Here is how you line it up to trim.

Here is the perfect corner – see what I mean! You may not want it, but I would never be without it when doing this again. Here ends the commercial.

NO matter how you choose to do this, I keep things lined up this way. Either for placing the squares on the fabric with lines drawn or trimming before you sew. I line up my book and fabric on my cutting space so I can see it all! It really helps me keep it in the same direction.

I take my time and make sure everything is going in the right direction. I sewed the left side and the right side separately. I could have paired them up but I know I would have confused things. Slow and steady wins this race.

I am really happy with how the octopodes look together. Notice, I used two fabrics to unite them. I sometimes think this is a fun thing to do with a group of blocks like this.

Please feel free to email me with questions! kathleen@kathleenmcmusing.com. There is a linky party for each block, please put your pictures in as you get them done. Block 1 is here.

It is not too late to join. All prior posts can be found here or use the Awesome Ocean tittle at the top to link to it.
1. Get the pattern from my amazon affiliate link*
or from  the designer directly or in your local store.  
2. Link up your finish – Llinky parties open for a year!

Here’s the calendar of dates, when blocks will be presented by me and a few friends!

November 23, 2019	Block 1	Kelp
December 7, 2019	Block 2	Octavian the Octopus	Barb
December 21, 2019	Block 3	Puffy the Puffer Fish
January 4, 2020	Block 4	Angelica the Angel Fish
January 18, 2020	Block 5	Chuckles the Clown Fish
February 1, 2020	Block 6	Preppy the Whale	Rose
February 15, 202	Block 7	Tony the Turtle
February 29, 2020	Block 8	Mr. Manatee	Wendy
March 14, 2020	Block 9	Sally the Seahorse
March 28, 2020	Top
April 25, 2020	Parade of Quilts

Special Notice – Guest Host/Blogger:
Thank Barb for this week’s guest blogging. If anyone else wants a week, you can see which ones are left!

Here’s the linky party!

Coming Up: 
Awesome Ocean SAL Block 3– 12/21
Tutorial on Converting Picture to Mosaic in EQ8
Island Batik Challenge December

Linking Up:
Finished Or Not Friday
Friday Foto Fun
Midweek Makers

Disclaimer: *Links with asterisk indicate an affiliate link and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your price is not any different, but a small percentage of the sale will go to supporting my blog.