Dot + Dashalong Week 3

Hi friends and welcome to week 3 of the Dot + Dashalong!

This week we finally start sewing up our first set of blocks. If you downloaded the printable schedule you will see that we are sewing up blocks using fabrics 1 - 2 - 3, or if going scrappy we are sewing up the following blocks:

• (2) 2.5” blocks

• (1) 4.5” block

• (5) 10.5” blocks

Blocks for Fabrics 1 - 2 - 3

If you are working with specific fabrics for fabrics labeled 1 - 2 - 3, we will be sewing those into a total of 8 blocks this week. To carry along with the color pattern in my Dot + Dash pattern I chose to use my red / orange fabrics for these blocks.

Scrappy Blocks

If you are using a Jelly Roll or scraps for a scrappy version of the Dot + Dash I have a few extra helpful tips for planning your layout (since planning on a coloring sheet doesn’t work as well).

Again for our scrappy blocks this week we are making the following number of blocks - totaling 8:

• (2) 2.5” blocks

• (1) 4.5” block

• (5) 10.5” blocks

For my scrappy version quilt I chose to use a jelly roll. When we cut up our fabrics last week I sorted mine into similar color groups - light blue, aqua, pink and dark blue.

To make a scrappy quilt - I like to go by block style and layout the needed fabrics for each one in little piles. this lets me visualize the layout before I go to my machine and also ensure that I evenly space my fabrics and do not end up with all light blue fabrics at the end.

After sorting my 2.5” pieces into groups of 9, I now have nice little stacks to take to my machine to work on without worry of fabric combinations.

Continue this for your other bock types - here I have my 4.5” blocks sorted into groups of 6.

Last but not least, my 10.5” blocks sorted into groups of 3.

Sewing Blocks Together

I like to lay out my blocks in order next to my machine to keep them visually in order before I begin sewing. This helps keep everything in order - especially if you are using fabrics that are not in a “color order” like the ones I am using.

Chain piecing helps with the repetitiveness of some of the smaller squares. I go thru and sew all of the first squares - then continue adding to the rows keeping it all connected. I then trim the thread, press seams and then add the middle sashing.

As far as pressing goes - I really say stick to your personal preference. I tend to press open my seams for most of my quilt projects because I feel like I get a bit more accurate piecing, but if you do not back stitch at the beginning and end of your section it can tend to be less secure as pressing to one side. Definitely do what you are most comfortable with and what you feel works best with your quilt blocks. I made a few blocks pressing to one side - since you are connecting to a straight piece you do not really need to worry about which direction you are pressing since you will not be nesting seams.