I Wish You a Merry QAL Block 6 Tutorial

Ta-dah! Block 6 of ‘I Wish You a Merry QAL’!
I’ve been excited to show you all my angel block and I hope you’ll love it!

This pattern includes all the fabric requirements, cutting instructions and full-size applique templates.

Preparing the Fabric

Start by cutting out the pieces for your block background.
You should be looking at something like this!

Making the Block Background

Take three of your 3 ½” squares and join together. Press seams as desired.
Attach the joined squares to the right side of the 9 ½” square, like this.

Join the remaining four 3 ½” squares and press seams. Attach to the lower edge of the block to complete the background. Press, see below.

Adding the Applique

If you’ve not sure machine appliqué is your thing, check out my beginner’s guide for detailed tips and instructions.
As you trace the applique shapes on to the fusible web, mark the points on the face where the eyes will be embroidered.

(I’d already fused the hair to the angel face before I thought a photo of the different appliqué pieces might be helpful!!)
Using an air-erasable fabric pen or something similar, copy the eye markings onto the right side of the fabric. You may need to use a light-box or window to help with this.
DO check that you can remove the fabric marker before you begin!
Remove the paper backing from each piece (this works best if the pieces have had time to cool after the heat of the iron. Otherwise the glue is still tacky and sometimes comes off with the paper.)
Referring to the main photo and the applique template carefully position each piece. When happy with the placement, fuse the pieces in place.
When sewing the pieces in place, I reduced the stitch size when sewing around the angel’s face as I wasn’t going for a bearded angel look.

Finishing Off

Nearly done now!
Use six strands of black embroidery thread to add French knots for the angel eyes. If you’re not sure how to do this, then check out this Sublime Stitching tutorial.
(Btw I don’t wish to fall foul of any embroidery police, but I’ve never had any bother doing these knots without using a hoop!)
To secure the knots on the reverse of the block, I fuse a tiny piece of interfacing over them. This helps to prevent the knots from unravelling.
If French knots are really not your thing, you could use an indelible black fabric marking pen (like the ones you use for marking names on kids’ uniforms) and draw them in. Or just leave them out altogether.
Depending on what your quilting plans are, you can either add the button to the angel’s hair now or after quilting.

I hope you have enjoyed making Block 6 of I Wish You a Merry QAL! I know what a creative bunch you are and I can’t wait to see your angel blocks!

Prize Giveaways

In addition to the giveaways below, until midnight on 25th October, I’m offering a 20% DISCOUNT on all patterns in my online shop for all the Merry quilt alongers. Use discount code MERRYQAL20 at checkout.

To be entered into the prize giveaway, upload your completed block to our Facebook group or Instagram with the #iwishyouamerryqal tag before 11.59pm Eastern time on October 9, 2017.
You can also enter by uploading your block to the linky party at the end of this post.
The prize for the lucky winner is a fat quarter bundle from the Blushing Blooms collection from Island Batik and a PDF pattern of your choice from my little shop !

If you wish to enter the grand prize draw, then enter a quilt top using all twelve blocks of the QAL by 11.59 pm on January 16th, 2018.
Please note that all patterns may not be offered for free after this date.

Before you start stitching, check out all the other inspiring versions made by the QAL hosts! Have fun!

Abbie @Sparkle On
April @JANDA Bend Quilts
Becca @Pretty Piney
Bobbi @Snowy Days Quilting
Diane @Cwilt
Jennifer @Inquiring Quilter
Karen @Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Laura @Slice of Pi Quilts
Sandy @SandyStar Designs
Sherry @Powered by Quilting
Vanda @Quilt in Piece

If you’re new to this quilt along, then join the Facebook group and don’t miss out on all the quilty fun! We’d be delighted to have you quilting along and you can find all the links to the previous blocks there.

Be in with a chance to win! Link up your block here!