Welcome!! I’m so excited that the quilt along has finally begun! I think some of you guessed that the first block would be a sewing machine, well, here it is and I hope you love it!
Constructing the Block
I want to reassure you that although there are a lot of pieces, this block is not as complicated as you might first think! The instructions break the block down into different segments and it comes together quite easily so please don’t be put off! You can contact me and the other designers on the Facebook group if you have any questions.
The sewing machine block is created out of four different sections as shown below.
At a finished size of 18″ x 24″ you will notice that this block is larger than the others in the qal which will finish at 12″ square. It could be used as a central point in a quilt top or a wall hanging or you might want to add a border and use it as a mini, it’s totally up to you!
Before you begin . . .
I know some of you are complete beginners and we are delighted to have you joining in with us. Before you start, I would strongly recommend you sew a quick test block to ensure your seams are coming out with an accurate 1/4″ seam allowance. Read my test your seam allowance post if you’d like some tips on how to do this. With so many different pieces, you need to sew accurately to get the best results with this block.
Cutting Out
Start by cutting out all your pieces. Each piece should be labelled with a letter or a number as per the instructions. This will make it much quicker and easier to assemble the block. I cut up a sticky note and used that to label each piece. Below are all the background pieces for my sewing machine block.
Stitch And Flip Corners
The sewing machine block uses several ‘stitch and flip’ corners. These are simple to do.
- Place a square over the corner, right sides together.
- Using an air-erasable fabric pen, rule a diagonal line across the square.
- Stitch along the ruled line.
- Trim off the corner leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance.
- Press the corner upwards.
This is the reverse of the block showing the seam pressed open which gives a nice, flat finish to the corners.
Appliqueing the Control Dial
After the block has been pieced, use your favourite method of applique to add the control dial. If you are new to applique, I have a guide to machine applique. Personally, I used blanket stitch and fusible web to quickly add my dial.
Adding the Embroidery
Using silver embroidery thread, stitch in a ‘needle’ using back stitch. If this fills you with dread, then you could always draw in a needle with a permanent fabric pen.
I embroidered a row of stitches close together with the same silver thread I used for the needle to form a thread guide.
With ten strands of brown embroidery floss, I sewed one large stitch to add the tops and bottoms of the cotton reels. Depending on what you plan to do with your sewing machine block, you may want to anchor this big stitch with a number of small stitches using the same thread to invisibly anchor the threads. Alternatively, you could use back stitch to securely stitch in the spool ends. A square of interfacing fused over the knots of thread at the back of your block, will help to keep knots secured.
Stitching in The Thread . . .
I used a removable fabric pen to draw in the swirly thread. After turning the stitch length down, I sewed along the drawn line using a double stitch setting on my Pfaff machine. Before sewing, I reinforced the background with a removable tearaway stabiliser.
As you finish off your sewing machine block, let your creativity run riot! I’m so looking forward to seeing your creations.
I’d love to know your thoughts on this pattern, so do add a comment below as I love to hear from you! Follow me on Facebook and Instagram or sign up to my blog to see my latest patterns and tutorials.
Giveaway!
This year we are organising the sew along differently. Rather than a prize draw for completing each block, there will be a prize draw for completing each segment. This is to facilitate those who just want to use the blocks to make small projects rather than a full quilt.
Giveaway entries will be accepted from 12 am May 7 to 11.59 pm May 20, 2019 (Eastern time). You can enter through Facebook, Instagram or the linky party in the segment’s final block post. (You can read the full details on my introductory post.)
For our first segment, we have some great prizes:
- A Large Folding Cutting Kit from Omnigrid® including an 18″ x 24″ folding cutting mat, a 45 mm rotary cutter, and a 3” x 18” Omnigrip ruler.
- A 20 piece 2 1/2″ strip pack from Timeless Treasures Tonga Treat Strip Jr. “Orchid”.
- Two Shabby Fabrics Vintage Blessings printed table runner patterns and a packet of Sunflower laser-cut appliqués.
- And not one but THREE PDF patterns of your choice from our ‘Partners in Design’ designers.
Hosts
Check out all the gorgeous versions of the sewing machines made by the ‘Partners in Design’ team.
Abbie @Sparkle On
April @JANDA Bend Quilts
Becca @Pretty Piney Quilts
Bobbi @Snowy Days Quilting
Jennifer @the Inquiring Quilting
Karen @Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Kathleen @Kathleen McMusing
Sandy @SandyStar Designs
Sherry @Powered by Quilting
How to Join Us
We’d love to have you quilt along with us. If you like what you see, join our Facebook group and tag your friends. Through the group, you will get access to the patterns as they are released and you will be able to see all the different interpretations of the blocks.
Sponsors
Finally, a very big thank you to our generous sponsors. Check them out below.
Bluprint
Dear Stella
Everything Mary
Island Batik
Paintbrush Studio Fabrics
Prym
Shabby Fabrics
Timeless Treasures
Warm Company
Thanks for such a fabulous design! This really is the perfect sewing machine. I was impressed that you were able to come up with something so perfect and still use relatively few pieces.
Many thanks, Bobbi, your lovely comments have made my day!
Beautiful design. I am so excited to start this. I wasn’t expecting the largest block to be the first, but I am glad that it is.
Thank you! We wanted to make sure no one felt under pressure with time so we thought releasing it at the start of segment 1 made sense.
Love it!! Thanks for such a lovely design! xx
You’re very welcome, Joy! I’m delighted you like it!
Wow, Sandra! This is great. I am glad I haven’t picked my fabrics yet. Now to put on my thinking cap and get started. I appreciate all of the tips. They help prove that even this old dog can learn a few new tricks. Happy Sewing, everyone!
Can’t wait to see your finished block! It’s so exciting that the QAL has finally begun.
This is a great design. Thanks for the helpful tips. I have been looking forward to making a quilt that has a sewing theme.
So pleased you like it, thanks for taking the time to let me know!
Okay, I admit it. I always wait until a mystery quilt is revealed before I start it because I’m never sure if I’ll like it enough to want to spend the time and fabric. However, you got me with this first block! I can’t wait to get started!
I’m delighted to hear that, Tammy! I’m so pleased you like the block. I’ll look forward to seeing your sewing machine.
Sandra, I plan to digitize the two circles for machine embroidery. I would be happy to share the file if you want it. Just let me know.
Thanks, Tammy, that’s a very kind offer.
estou encantada Sandra. com sua delicadeza em ensinar os detalhes! eu amei ser a máquina de costura o bloco inicial. como já disse no outro comentário, antes de começar meu bloco vou ler os posts das outras colegas e entender bem as sugestões. quero ser uma aluna bem aplicada!
Obrigado. Estou tão contente que goste do quarteirão. Mal posso esperar para ver sua máquina de costura acabada.
Thank you. I’m so pleased you like the block. I can’t wait to see your finished sewing machine.
This is perfect for National Quilting Day! I think it’s what I’ll sew on Friday! Your tutorial here makes it seem easy, and I know from past QALs your directions will be easy to understand. Thank you!
Ah, thank you, your lovely comments have made my day. I’m looking forward to seeing your completed block. It’s so great you’re joining us for another QAL, we very much appreciate our returning customers.
Love this block! So perfect for a sewing quilt. I wish I’d thought of pressing those seams open on the flip corners. Looks like that’s just the thing for getting it to lay flat. I had so much fun making your block.
Many thanks, Jennifer, for your kind words. It’s great to get the QAL started after all the preparations. I’m looking forward to your block release too!
Great pattern and thorough directions!! You sewing machine block looks great.
Many thanks, Karen, looking forward to your block release!
This is a great start. Thanks for the details and tips.
Thank you, KJ, I can’t wait to see all the different versions.
Hi Sandra, Congratulations on designing a wonderful block! It’s so exciting to start the QAL with your sewing machine. I loved making mine. 🙂
PS: I enjoyed reading and viewing your post.
Thank you, Abbie, for your lovely comments. My daughters were very impressed with your gorgeous pink sewing machine!
Oh, that is so sweet! Thank you for sharing that with me 😊
Hi Sandra,
What a great block! and directions! Thanks for designing and sharing !
Easy to follow, step by step the block comes together! Wow! I’m loving the sew lets quilt long so far! Just finished sewing the sewing machine. looking forward to adding the details and a bit of bling!
Take care,
Joanne
The Netherlands
Hi Joanne,
I’m so pleased you enjoyed the block and thanks for taking the time to let me know.
I’m looking forward to seeing your sewing machine.
Sandra
Thanks so much for the great block, I just love it! It was easy to do despite the many pieces. Great work!
Thank you very much, Karrin! It’s made my day to read your kind comments!
Wow fantastic! I’ve looked at a couple of these posted on other blogs and I love the creativity on your version! Especially what you did with the thread spools – wow!!!
Thanks so much, Tierney, for your kind words. I’m delighted you like the block.
I’m wondering about using a fabric pen to fill in the thread and perhaps the ends of the spools of thread.
I would think that would work well, Elizabeth, I’ll look forward to seeing your finished block.
This block was so FUN to make! I just need to finish the embroidery (threads) but am so excited with my {almost} finished block! Your instructions were great!
I’m delighted you enjoyed making your sewing machine. Thanks for letting me know, it’s great to hear.
Love this block, have been wanting to do a Quilt As You Go quilt and I think that’s where I’m headed. Tagging your pieces after cutting was so helpful in putting it together. Thank you, it was so much fun!
I’m delighted you enjoyed the block, Beth! Thanks for letting me know. I’m looking forward to the next block release on Tuesday.