I Love Home-Block One and a Giveaway!

Good Afternoon, Quilters!

Welcome to all the quilters joining us from the I Love Home blog hop!

Today is the first day of the Jacquelynne Steves Block of the month project.  There are eight quilters participating–a great chance to see one quilt completed eight different ways as well as an opportunity to meet 8 new bloggers!  WIN-WIN!

Speaking of WIN–each month YOU will have an opportunity to win great prizes by visiting new websites.

All of the patterns are offered at Jacquelyn’s’ website FREE!  Just sign up at The Art of Home HERE.

BLOCK ONE

When you sign up you will receive the pattern for Block One today.  (The other blocks will be available FREE each month).

As you can see, I changed the color way.  I used a medium blue fabric in the center because I plan to machine quilt (with a Aurifil 28wt cotton thread) the motifs in the center of each block– (most quilters are appliquéing the houses in the center).

AURIFIL THREAD GIVEAWAY

Aurifil Thread is sponsoring the  Block One giveaway!  Thank you, Aurifil! Aurifil 50wt cotton is the perfect thread to use in both the bobbin and on top when piecing this lovely quilt.  When we begin quilting it, my choice is 28wt cotton by Aurifil–the heavier weight shows our quilted line better!

Win one of the thread collections by leaving a comment at an of the designers who are participating in the blog hop.  YOU have eight chances to win!  You must leave a comment by August 14!

• The Crafty Quilter
• The Inbox Jaunt (me)
• Designs by Sarah J
• Farmhouse Quilts
• Penguin and Fish
• Podunk Pretties
• The Quilting Nook
• The Sewing Loft

A FEW TIPS

Time Saving Techniques

The center of the four blocks are all the same, so it will save time if you stitch four at once.
The corner squares are all the same as well--so stitch all 16!
PIECING TIPS

Thread:

I always piece with Aurifil 50 wt in both the top and the bobbin.  We will use the heavier weight-Aurifil (28wt) cotton when we begin machine quilting. (More on that to come)

Machine Set-up

For best piecing technique, be sure to use a single hole throat plate.  The smaller hole helps support the fabric from below and the needle can pierce the fabric more readily–less jamming and better stitch formation.

A Favorite Tool

Have your stiletto handy–it really helps feed the pieces through the machine–especially as you feed each new piece under the presser foot.

When you’re done, give the block a quick pressing and admire your work!
Be sure to check back frequently-

We will be doodling some options for the center block quilting–to make our quilts look like HOME!

Happy Homemaking!

Lori

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!