Sparklers Quilt-Along: Week 5
Welcome to Week 5 of the Sparklers Quilt-Along! Can you believe we’re already to week 5? And if you’ve hung in this far, I’m so proud of you! I hope you’re enjoying sewing your beautiful swap fabrics into a special quilt, and that you’re able to learn something (even if little) along the way. If so, I’d love to know what it is.
Recently I’ve been enjoying kale salad kits for lunch. I buy them from the grocery store or Sam’s Club, and then buy extra bags of craisins and pepitas seeds, cause I like a bunch on my salads! For protein I add a can of tuna on the top – it’s so good! I’ve honestly been eating this every single day for the last month! Are you the kind of person who can eat the same thing for awhile till you get tired of it? That’s how I am.
But back to the quilt-along…
Here’s a few photos that some of you have shared on Instagram or Facebook. I love getting a peek into your sewing rooms and of your projects. It feels like a show and tell!
You’re at such a fun stage now — this is where things start to take shape – and fast!
Here’s what we’re focusing on this week:
- Lay out your blocks (let’s talk about design walls!)
- Sew your blocks into rows (have you tried web piecing?!)
- Sew your rows together into your quilt top (adding your borders will be next week!)
Laying Out Your Blocks
Start by laying out all of your pinwheel blocks so you can see your full quilt design.
Step back every once in a while to look at the overall layout. You may want to move a few blocks around to balance colors and fabrics — this is a great opportunity to make sure everything feels evenly distributed.
Once your blocks are laid out, try taking a quick photo on your phone and switching it to black and white. This makes it much easier to see the value of your fabrics — especially your darker ones — so you can spot areas that feel too heavy or too light and adjust as needed.
There’s no “perfect” layout — just aim for a mix, and go with it!
And while we’re talking about laying out our blocks into quilt tops, if you don’t have a designated design wall in your house, here are a few simple options that work really well:
• Portable design wall
This is what I use most often now. I love that they’re movable and easy to set up — although I will say, they can be a little bulky. I made mine using two pieces of rigid insulation (cut down to about 4′ x 7′), painted one side white, sprayed it with adhesive, and wrapped it in cotton batting (I used Warm & White), then secured the back with duct tape.
(I’ll include links to the supplies below — and if I have time this week, I’ll put together a quick video showing how I made mine.)
• Tablecloth or batting on the wall
You can use push pins to secure a cheap vinyl picnic tablecloth (flipped to the back side), a large flannel sheet, or even a piece of cotton quilt batting directly to your wall (pin along the ceiling). Your quilt blocks will stick right to the surface, creating an easy, budget-friendly design wall.
• Bed or floor layout
For many years, this is exactly what I did — I would lay everything out on my living room floor (or bed if it was big enough). It’s quick, simple, and still works beautifully.
• Short on wall space?
If you don’t have wall space for batting or don’t want to store a portable design wall, this is a great option. Hang a curtain rod over whatever is currently on your wall (like bookshelves), and attach a large flannel sheet to curtain rod rings, or use 2 binder clips like Tracy did in this Facebook post ( or see photo below).
Then when you’re ready to use it, simply pull the flannel sheet down over the space, and back out of the way when you’re done.
(See photo below, credit to Tracy Novak, from this post in a Facebook group called Sewing ROOM Ideas (it’s a fun one!)
See how she hung her curtain rod with binder clips and nails? (anyone could do this!)
Sewing Your Blocks into Rows
Once your layout is set, begin sewing your blocks together into rows.
If you haven’t tried the web piecing method, I would really encourage you to give it a try. I resisted it for the longest time, but once I wrapped my brain around how it worked (and gave it a try), I’ve never gone back — it’s such a great way to keep everything organized and moving smoothly.
I’ve put together a short series of videos that walk you through exactly how it works. (Linked HERE.)
In the photo below you can see that I used the web piecing method to sew together my quilt top. (See those tiny little chain stitched threads holding the rows together? It helps keep you on track and blocks don’t get mixed up.)
As you sew:
- Keep your blocks in order (I always take a quick photo on my phone, and pin a little piece of paper to the first block in each row, with the row number written on it!)
- Let your seams nest together (I usually pin at the beginning of the block and the seam intersections!)
When pressing your rows, follow the pattern and press all seams in one row in the same direction, then press the next row in the opposite direction. This will help your seams nest nicely when we join the rows together.
Sewing Your Rows Together
Now it’s time to sew your rows together — this is where it really starts to feel like a quilt!
When sewing your rows, even if you don’t typically like to pin, I would encourage you to pin at each seam intersection. This helps keep everything aligned so your points match up nicely from row to row.
Next week we’ll finish things up and get your quilt ready for borders, quilting and binding.
You’re almost there!
Julia
