Confetti Quilt-Along - March
Have you started your Confetti quilt? Background fabric chosen? Scraps at the ready? It’s nice that we don’t need to trim up scraps, isn’t it?!?
March is about getting started so I hope you’ve had a chance to read through the Confetti Quilt pattern and orient yourself. It is a bit different for a foundation paper piecing pattern, but you’ll see the payoff in efficiency and flexibility.
Questions? Do ask! You’re probably not the only one.
As you read over the pattern, let me know what worries you or what seems particularly challenging. Perhaps I can shed some light on that step here for all to see.
Progress
I consider it great progress to be sewing at all in my new sewing room! Today I sewed my very first quilt block in my new space - a Confetti quilt block on the aqua colored foundation. The aqua is probably my favorite foundation because it starts with the very smallest scraps. I love using my fabric crumbs!
Adding the already-pieced scraps is something I’m getting used to as well. This is not how I sewed my first Confetti quilt, which was entirely improv-pieced. This pattern method is much faster and easier since the foundation does the hard work for you. I’m enjoying how the patchwork comes out so straight and square.
Don’t forget that when you trim blocks, you’ll add a 1/4” seam allowance to the outer block lines. The pattern prints out actual size (8” square), but an unfinished block will be 8 1/2” with seam allowances added.
Why not illustrate the exterior seam allowance? I used to do so, but people found it confusing. To me it makes more sense not to illustrate them, since none of the interior seam allowances are illustrated either. Shrug. It’s something that could go either way.
Here’s block #2 for my new Confetti quilt. The pair look fun together, don’t you think? Time to start another!
Tip
Don’t be afraid to use scraps in other substrates. Usually I patchwork only with quilting cotton, to protect the integrity of the finished quilt. However, when you’re working at this super small scale, it won't hurt to mix in scraps of other substrates like flannel, corduroy, linen or voile. It’s also helpful that you’re sewing with a short stitch length for foundation paper piecing. That helps guard against unraveling tendencies from looser weaves like linen or flannel.
Community
I’m super excited to see the first Confetti quilts already inprogress! Here are three totally different takes that caught my eye:
Visit #ConfettiQuiltAlong on Instagram to see more from our community. You can share your photos with us by adding “#confettiquiltalong” to the image caption when you add a progress photo to your Instagram feed.
March Prize
Creativity is its own reward, and I know you don't need to be convinced to sew. Still, it is rather fun to win new fabric, which might ignite a fresh wave of creativity! Fenceline Fabrics is sponsoring our quilt-along with a fun fabric prize each month. They’re known for making lovely custom bundles, so that’s what you can expect to see.
This month the Ruby Star Rainbow Bundle is up for grabs! It’s a 6-piece fat quarter bundle, cut in generous 22” x 19” slices. I’m loving the colors and helpful-fabric flavor! This one’s a nice stash-builder.
Want to win? Each photo you share to Instagram of your Confetti quilt progress this March enters you to win. Make sure to tag the photos with #ConfettiQuiltAlong and check that you follow both @StitchedinColor and @FencelineFabrics.
I’ll announce the winner and contact them via Instagram messaging at the beginning of April. Prize ships free to the USA and Canada. An international winner will receive a gift certificate in the same value.
