Rhythms Quilt Along Week 3: Block 2 & 3
This week, we are tackling Blocks 2 & 3 of the Rhythms Quilt. These blocks utilize strip piecing and inset circles to create a stunning portion of the Rhythms Quilt design. Both techniques are challenging in their own way, so this is a great opportunity to improve your quilting skills!
This week, we are tackling Blocks 2 & 3 of the Rhythms Quilt. These blocks utilize strip piecing and inset circles to create a stunning portion of the Rhythms Quilt design. Both techniques are challenging in their own way, so this is a great opportunity to improve your quilting skills!
Just like last week, I recommend you give yourself plenty of time to do it correctly. This block can cause a lot of headache if not approached with focus and attention to detail. The steps are not individually hard, but each builds on the previous step so if one is missed, it can cause problems down the road.
Step 1: Strip piecing
- To begin, lay out the steps in order. Pair them into sets of 2. It may seem easier to sew the strips together 1 at a time, but sewing in pairs will minimize distortion in the final block.
- Pin strips using at least 3 pins — at the beginning, middle, and end of the strips.
- Sew together, paying careful attention to your scant 1/4” seam.
- Press strip pairs. If you have a wool pressing mat and/or a tailor’s clapper, they are helpful in creating crisp, flat seams. Do you know the difference between “pressing” and “ironing?” Ironing utilizes a back and forth motion to remove wrinkles from fabric — this can warp and stretch delicate quilting cotton. When pressing, firmly set the iron on the seam, press into the fabric, then pick up the iron and move it to the next section. This will maintain the integrity of your fabric.
- Sew the strip pairs into the complete block.
- Square up the edges of the completed block.
- Cut the block in half and trim the two halves to the measurements listed in the pattern.
Step 2: Use templates to cut curves
- Fold blocks in half twice (right sides together).
- Take your adhesive spray (this is the one I use) and lightly coat the back of the template. Align the template with the folded edge. Use your 6” x 6” ruler to guide and stabilize the rotary cutter as you cut along the template.
- Repeat until the curved pieces for both Blocks 2 & 3 have been cut.
Step 3: Sew curves
- The key to successfully sewing curves is preparation. Be sure to prepare the blocks with adequate, but not excessive, pinning. Fold the blocks in half, then in half again (as shown in photos) to create another set of creases.
- Align the creases of a background curve to the creases of the circle. Align the edges and pin the corresponding creases together. If desired, add a few more pins in between the creases. Always pin the outer arch to the inner curve, so the background fabric is on top when feeding the curve through the machine.
- Begin stitching slowly along the edge, lightly arranging the fabric as you go. Do not pull on the background piece, it will distort the final shape. A video is provided below to demonstrate sewing a curve. This is a slow process! My high school basketball coach used to say, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when are you going to have time to do it over.” This is SO TRUE of sewing curves. You will never regret taking the extra time to do it right the first time, rather than rushing and earning a date with your seam ripper.
Step 4: Piece the rest of Blocks 2 & 3
- Follow the instructions and diagrams in the pattern to piece the blocks together.
- A scant 1/4” seam is so important!
- Do not trim blocks until you have reached the end of the block! If things are not lining up correctly, go back and re-read the pattern or phone a friend to verify you have followed the instructions correctly. If you trim and/or square-up too much along the way, the final block will not align correctly.
- It is more important to match the seams than it is to have an even edge. The edges can be trimmed, but a misaligned seam will cause this design to lose a little of its shine.
Blocks 2 & 3 are complete! How are you feeling so far? This block is such a great opportunity to expand your sewing skills and become a more proficient quilter. As always, I am accessible through email (wellspringdesignsco@gmail.com) or Instagram, so feel free to reach out with any questions or comments. I am excited to start seeing your Rhythms Quilts come together. Remember to post a photo this week of Block 1 and use the hashtag #RhythmsQAL to be entered to win the grand prize at the end of the QAL. And this week, one lucky quilter will win a Rhythms phone case!
