"Let's Do a Sew-A-Long!" [HST Sew-A-Long 2018 1/18]

Let's Do a Sew-A-Long

I am so lucky to be surrounded by many enthusiastic makers, both online and local to me.  We have daily cheeky chats and sometimes we talk about sewing (or stash collecting haha). This community has made this whole process so enjoyable for me. 

A couple of weeks ago, I received a little message from my friend, Colleen Fifield of Sewing for Sawyer, asking my opinion on starting up a little online, local, general, sewing group. This has been something I had been hoping for, so of course I was all for it. "Sew Ottawa!" was created. 

The group has been an incredibly positive space, full of creativity and enthusiasm. Many members have had an interest in quilting. A few days after the launch of our group, Colleen reached out suggesting we do a Sew-A-Long on the basics of the Half Square Triangle Quilt. 

So here we go folks! We've put together a sew-a-long tutorial that will give you enough blocks to make a lap-sized quilt. We have selected an assortment of 16 half square triangle (HST) quilt blocks, that when assembled, will give you a lap-sized quilt top. You may choose to do less blocks for a baby quilt, or more blocks for a larger sized quilt but the principles will remain the same. The inspiration for our design (to be released next week), is based on Larissa Coleman's tutorial.

How Does it Work?

There are 16 blocks to complete and two collaborating bloggers. Colleen of Sewing for Sawyer and myself will alternate each week with a new demo for 16 weeks until all blocks are covered. Beginning January 11th, we will post a HST tutorial on our blogs, alternating between Sewing for Sawyer and Poppy Monroe. You can subscribe to our blogs on the left hand side to get an e-mail notification to follow along easily.

BONUS: We are working on weekly giveaways for everyone who completes their block before the following blog post is released! "Photos or it didn't happen" rules apply!

Preparing for your HST Quilt Sew-A-Long

You will need:

- 8 Fat Quarters, or 2 yards of light coloured fabric

- 8 Fat Quarters, or 2 yards of dark coloured fabric

- Corresponding thread

- Appropriate piecing needles

- Pins

- A seam ripper (if you don't have one ready, Murphy's Law suggests you will end up needing to use one)

- A yummy snack

- A camera to post your progress, genius ideas and finished blocks

You may choose to connect with a buddy to make sister quilts. For example, Colleen will make 2 blocks for each week she completes a tutorial. I will make 2 blocks for each week I complete a tutorial and then we will share the blocks so that half of the blocks in each quilt are made by each of us. 

Curious how those little triangles are made? 

Check out Colleen's first blog post here for a quick demo. Next week we will start our first block!!

Meet back at Sew Ottawa! if you have any questions or need some suggestions on where to get fabric.