Summer 2023 Scrap Along Challenge - Sewing Blocks
Welcome to the Summer 2023 Quilt Along Challenge. This summer I’m challenging myself to empty as many of my scrap bins of fabric as I can and make quilts for charity. I'm challenging you too!
Check the previous posts below for more information.
Are you ready to start putting things together?
Start by grabbing a large 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" square, two 6-Patch units and one 4-Patch unit. Check them to make sure you aren't too heavy with one fabric. We are going for a scrappy look after all.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8d0bd5_1b569aa6c9f844f4b3cd14d0c7415b3a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_146,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/8d0bd5_1b569aa6c9f844f4b3cd14d0c7415b3a~mv2.jpg)
Flip everything over and look at the seams. Re-arrange the units so any seams will nest with those beside them.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8d0bd5_e3fdb552d4694b428ab70c2fd48f1916~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_142,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/8d0bd5_e3fdb552d4694b428ab70c2fd48f1916~mv2.jpg)
Sew a 6-Patch unit to the side of the large square and a 6-Patch units to a 4-Patch unit.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8d0bd5_796f07d6e31543d0aea9ee4a94cafca4~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_49,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/8d0bd5_796f07d6e31543d0aea9ee4a94cafca4~mv2.png)
Press the seams using previous seams as a guide and the following pictures to spin the seam allowances.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8d0bd5_22c878f91c4e479fb1e4141a9b1161a9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_154,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/8d0bd5_22c878f91c4e479fb1e4141a9b1161a9~mv2.jpg)
Join the 2 units together, nesting the seams and press the seams following the arrows.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8d0bd5_a9b35c241e014d6eb040600dc6138aa2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_143,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/8d0bd5_a9b35c241e014d6eb040600dc6138aa2~mv2.jpg)
Once you have a few blocks done, you'll notice a little hiccup with the direction of a few seams. Don't worry. I'll show you a trick for later.
You will need to repeat the above steps for all 35 of your blocks.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8d0bd5_f96fe0fe4b0d4a08b09975f4c7546a9e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_146,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/8d0bd5_f96fe0fe4b0d4a08b09975f4c7546a9e~mv2.jpg)
Tip
I don't have all my units sewn together yet. I am an assembly line piecer. I'll sew a whole bunch of single units into pairs. Press them and sew them into 4-Patch units. When I run out squares, I'll stop and cut more. When I run out of sewn pairs, I'll stop and sew more pairs together. I'll keep working on the next units until I run out and then start over again.
I've got a whole stack of pairs sewn that need to be pressed. That will be my next "leader and ender" sewing as I work on another project.
Remember, this isn't a race. Just work when you can and have some fun and a great sense of accomplishment for emptying a scrap container.
Next up.....putting it all together!
Don't forget to share your work by using #summer2023scrapalongchallenge in your social media posts.