This post is part of the Dear Dottie Sew-Along! See all posts.

Over the course of five weeks, I’ll be cutting and sewing a Dear Dottie quilt alongside the sewing along. I’m so glad it’s time to get started!

Are you sewing-along? Please share your progress pictures, wherever you are in the process, on Instagram with #DearDottieQuilt. It really sustains momentum and spurs new ideas to see everyone else in the process. We can learn from each other, inspire each other and just generally have a good time!

Make sure you follow @FencelineFabrics, @StitchedinColor, and @TheMakingsofJoy in order to be eligible to win prizes. More on that at the end of this post!

Week 1: Cut Dots

Our task this week is super-simple. The goal is to cut out the dot shapes for your entire quilt. That’s the quarter-circle template shape, included in the pattern. Seam allowances are built-into the shape, so there’s no need to make adjustments.

My quilt will be a combination of scraps and yardage. Of course, I want to use as many scraps as possible, so I started by cutting dots from my scrap fabrics. This shape is really great for using up triangular or otherwise odd-shaped scraps. You don’t need a full 3.5” square to make it work.

After cutting scraps in the right colors, I cut my yardage fabrics into 3.5” strips. Now I’ll stack strips and cut multiple dots at once. Yay for efficiency! My colorful dot assortment will be complete in no time.

It’s fun to take a moment to arrange your dots as circles and see how things are coming. Snap a picture to share the “ooohhhh” moment with us all.

Here is my dottie collection from the baby-sized Dear Dottie, which I made last month. Color, color! After I make some more progress cutting my dots, I’ll do this with my holiday quilt fabrics to check that I like how all the colors are playing together. This is a good way to re-evaluate your plans, in case you want to emphasize one color or fabric style more than you originally realized.

Don’t forget to cut your white and dark assortment dots this week too!

This Week’s Prize

On Friday, November 8th I’ll select a random winner from among everyone who has posted to the Dear Dottie hashtag so far. Someone will win the ELEMENTARY FAT EIGHTH BUNDLE WITH HANDMADE JERUSALEM OLIVEWOOD SEAM RIPPER NECKLACE from Fenceline Fabrics.

Don’t be shy! Just add #DearDottieQuilt to your Instagram photo caption and you’ll automatically be in the running. There’s been lots of activity already, including a couple finished quilt tops. Wow!

Ok, back to the cutting!