Middle Sister Quilt SAL: Week 5
Week 5: Sew HST Blocks
Welcome to Week 5 of the Middle Sister Quilt Sew Along (SAL)! This week will be sewing our HST into 6 or 9 HST Blocks. Follow below to learn more about layout options, chain piecing, and more time saver tips. It took me about an hour to decide on my quilt top layout. And about four uninterrupted hours to complete my blocks. If this week seems overwhelming, I suggest you break the blocks into quadrants; each quadrant took me about an hour once I found my rhythm. You’ll sew 9 blocks per quadrant; three of those are the 6 HST blocks.
Time allocated: 4 hours
SAL Schedule
Week 1: Select Fabric & Gather Supplies - Jan 6th
Sponsor: Ollie Fabrics - $50 gift certificate - WINNER: @lynncycle
Week 2: Cut Fabric - Jan 13th
Sponsor: Lamb & Loom - $50 gift certificate - WINNER: @mtngalrn
Week 3: Sew Half Square Triangles - Jan 20th
Sponsor: Pasadena Quilt Studio - $75 gift certificate (US and CA only) - WINNER: @fallenleafcreative
Week 4: Sew Half Square Triangles - Jan 27th
Sponsor: Quiltfolk Life Book + String & Story Introduction to Free Motion Quilting Class ($85 value) - WINNER: @themodquilter
Week 5: Sew HST Blocks - Feb 3rd
Sponsor: Quiltfolk Yearlong Subscription + String & Story Introduction to Free Motion Quilting Class ($110 value) - WINNER: @melrainy.1
Week 6: Assemble Quilt Top - Feb 10th
Sponsor: Oliso - Grand Prize - Oliso Collection includes a ProPlus SmartIron, Mini Project Iron, Ironing Board Cover, and Felt Pressing Mat (US and CA only) ($400 value)
Some recommended products below may earn me a small commission.
Week 5 Assignment: Turn your HST into HST Blocks (total 36 blocks)
Tip 1: Favorite Tool for sewing HST Blocks
Tip 2: HST Blocks
We will make two different HST Blocks for the Middle Sister pattern. The 9 HST Block comprises three rows and three columns of HSTs. The 9 HST Block will measure 12 ½” square. Note the 9 HST blocks finish in a square; therefore, the orientation when sewing doesn’t matter (as long as all HST face the same way). The 6 HST Block comprises three rows and two columns of HSTs.
Tip 3: HST Block Layout
For the Minimalist version, the layout is pretty straightforward as long as you follow the orientation noted on page 8 of PDF (page 11 of paper) pattern. Looking at the Color Burst + Layer Cake + Scrappy versions, I suggest you lay out the whole quilt top before building your squares. Even if you use the color swatch guide in the pattern, I think the time spent laying out your quilt top is worth it. Using my Layer Cake, HST took me about an hour to lay it out and then figure out how I wanted it to look. Note that following the Color Burst version and knowing your Fabrics A - K will take maybe 20 minutes. Lastly but yet most important, TAKE A PICTURE of your layout.
Tip 4: Gather + Label Blocks for Chain Piecing
Next, I pile the HST into groups. Using the image on the left, I group them into the 6 or 9 HST Blocks. Tip! When piling your HST, place them in the same order so went you sew them, you won’t lose track of the layout. If you think you got them out of order at any time, refer to your layout photo. I did it a few times as I was sewing. Once HSTs are grouped, I place a number on them to match the number on the pattern (left image). When I made my Minimalist version, I was not this organized as it was much similar, only dealing with five colors.
Tip 5: Chain Piece Blocks
Learning the chain piecing method will save you time and thread while sewing patchwork blocks. It took me a while to grasp this concept, but now I love it and wish I had learned it sooner in my sewing journey. Try it a few times, and I think you’ll be happy you spent the time learning the concept as well. For this layer cake version, I focused on one block at a time; when I worked on my Minimalist version, I sewed three blocks at a time due to the easy colors.
Katie’s Week 5: Assignment
36 HST blocks
I tagged them so I could keep them in order. Probably not needed if you’re not working with the layer cake/scrappy version.
Enter Week 5 Prize
To enter the Week 5 prize, post a photo of 36 HST blocks on Instagram and use the hashtag #middlesistersal. Post by Thursday, February 9th, 11:59 pm MST, to be entered into the Week 5 prize.
Week 5 Prize - One lucky person will win a Quiltfolk yearlong subscription + String & Story Introduction to Free Motion Quilting Class ($110 value). Good Luck!
Sponsored by Quiltfolk and String & Story
Week 5 winner: @melrainy.1, congrats Melissa!
