Mad Dash Sew-Along, Week 8

Posted on May 23, 2022 by prairiemoonquilts in Mad Dash

Are you ready to start a real section???

This is exciting!

We’re starting in the upper left corner and working our way across the rows of sections, so Section One is the upper left corner of our quilt, and we’re gonna get going!

Here’s my original pink/gray Section One:

Here’s my orange/low-volume version’s Section One:

While there are several partial blocks in this section, there are no partial seams yet, so we get to take this one step at a time, and deal with the partial seams later on. By then, you’ll have the hang of the partial blocks, and you’ll be ready to tackle that next challenge.

For this section, you’ll want to gather up all the blocks needed from your stockpile. There is a list of them at the beginning of the section instructions.

The next list in the instructions is the filler pieces you’ll need to cut that go in and around all the blocks and make them fit together. So be sure you get those all cut and ready. Here is my pile of filler pieces:

The next part of the instructions tells you what templates to use, which blocks to use them on, how to cut them, and get them labelled for use in the quilt.

To get that distinct diagonal between the background and the block, we’ll need to split some of the blocks up and make them part one color, and part the other color.

So I’ll walk you through one of those to hopefully make it a bit clearer. It’s explained in the pattern instructions as well, but I’ve included a few extra pictures here in case you need it to be clearer.

We’ll start with the first one in the instructions — cutting a small background block. My background is pink, so I chose one small background block that I’m willing to cut up (scary, right?). Choose the template indicated, and line it up on your block. Position your ruler along the edge that will be cut.

Holding it very steady, and cutting very carefully, cut along the edge of the template:

And be sure and label it immediately, so that you don’t lose track of it for use in your quilt.

The instructions for this one say we will need to use the smaller cut-off piece as well, so select the next template indicated, and line it up on the remaining piece of the block:

Cut along the edge of the template to get the piece the correct size, and again, label it immediately, so you will know where it belongs.

So now that you’ve cut one, you should feel a bit better about cutting some more, right? Keep following the instructions to cut up the blocks you need, and attach your labels as you go. This first section has the most blocks to cut, but lots of them are saved for later, which will save you cutting in some of the other sections.

Here’s my pile of labeled partial blocks, with the ones I don’t need right now all bagged up and saved for later:

OK, so now that they’re cut, what’s next? Well, the instructions will tell you which pieces you need and when, and how to sew them together. Once again, I’ll go over one of them here with you, so that you can get a bit clearer idea of how it works.

The first one you’ll come across in the instructions is Piece #1-1 and Piece #1-2 that need to be sewn together:

Match the cut edges up carefully, matching all the seams along the diagonal portion, and pinning carefully. Sew the seam to join them together. You’ll start sewing at the top pointed part, and continue down using a 1/4″ seam. Sew carefully where the seams meet up.

When you’re done, check to make sure that you’re happy with how everything has lined up. Sometimes, I am off a bit, so I un-sew it and try again to make sure it’s all matched up.

Once you have it the way you want it, press the seam open. There’s a lot of bulk along this seam, so pressing it open distributes that bulk a bit better and helps the block lay flatter.

And there you have your first partial block, all cut apart and sewn back together to have both colors in it! It wasn’t that hard, was it?

Now you have to keep going . . .

Just follow the instructions in the pattern in order — use the little bubbles to check off each step as you do it. This way, if you need to walk away from your project, you will know right where you left off and can pick it back up easily without getting confused or missing a step.

Next week, I hope to show you my finished Section One. Hopefully, I can get it finished up in another week. I’m still sewing on my block stockpile, as well, so I need to make sure I’ll have enough blocks for Section Two by the time it rolls around on June 6th.

Meanwhile, I think we all have plenty to work on! Happy Stitching!

4 responses to “Mad Dash Sew-Along, Week 8”

  1. Bev C. says:

    love how you organize!

  2. Becky Cogan says:

    I’m still working on my partial blocks and have to switch projects and do some sewing for Renee. With your detailed directions I’m hoping I’ll be fine. Anxiuos to work on it.

  3. Shirley Guier says:

    I have some more fabric and I’m shopping again tomorrow. I need to listen to Klonda when she says you can’t do them all! I have too many on my plate to do. I don’t know how you get so much done.

  4. Tanya says:

    I jumped in today and pieced section #1 together. It went together so easily. Thanks so much for the clear and concise directions! You are a quilt math ninja. Can’t wait to get the other 8 sections together.
    Tanya

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