Sewing PLUS Sub-Blocks - LolliPlus Quilt Along
Okay, Quilty Friends, it is getting real! Welcome to Week 3 of the LolliPlus Quilt Along!
This week, we sew together our PLUS Sub-Blocks so next week we will be ready for the most exciting part - the layout!
In the video below, I go through a couple of things with you.
First, I talk about how to lay out each block and sew them efficiently so you don’t get your blocks mixed up.
Second, I walk through how to press your sub-blocks.
Finally, I do a short piece on how to begin laying out your sub-blocks in a way you will be using them in your final quilt - ROYGBIV. I will be doing a more in-depth video on that for the layout.
Follow Up Note: If you want to cut 1.5” stripes from your longer fabrics, sew them together, and then sub-cut your blocks, you can do that. I purchased some extra fabrics from Alison Glass and did that with some different blocks.
The video will go live on February 17, 2024…If you are here before that, be sure to sign up for the quilt along.
Tips and Tricks
All of my PLUS Block pieces stacked up by block.
Here is a picture of my tray of blocks next to my sewing machine so you can see how I keep them organized.
This is how I lay out my PLUS block to sew. Each “row” is a sub-block. Laying them out like this helps me ensure the fabric is turned right-side-up. It also helps confirm I have enough for the entire block. Finally, because I like my pieces to be sewn in the same order for each sub-block (not required), I can set them up that way before I sew them.
I like to chain piece the first two pieces of each sub-block and then go back and add the third piece to each of them.
When I sew the third piece of the sub-block, I like to have it on the bottom so the one seam (which is close to the new seam), is on the top and doesn’t snag or bunch.
I like to press my seams with the seam closed first to “set the stitches” with heat into the fabric. Then I like to press them open. You can press to the dark-side if you’d like.
I like to finger-press the seams open before I press them with the iron. While they are still warm for the setting press, I feel like they press better.
LolliPlus Quilt Along Schedule 2024
Week 1 - February 3 - Select Fabrics by Today
Week 2 - February 10 - Cutting Fabrics
Week 3 - February 17 - Piecing PLUS Sub-Blocks
Week 4 - February 24 - Layout
Week 5 - March 2 - Top Assembly + Quilting Ideas