Today we’re continuing with the second block of The Ultimate Beginner Quilt. It’s called Nine Patch, and we are sew excited to show you how to make it!
The Ultimate Beginner Quilt is a free quilt pattern series with video tutorials designed just for beginners. Even if you have zero sewing experience, this is the free quilt class for you! If you’re ready to get sewing, gather your fabrics and sewing tools and watch the free quilting tutorial below!
In the Block 2 tutorial, Kimberly covers the basics of making a classic nine patch block, from cutting fabrics to chain piecing the units for easier sewing and pressing. Learn best practices pinning the fabric for better accuracy and nested seams. Download your FREE pattern for Block 2. For the full video and pattern release schedule, please visit the introduction post.
If reading this in email, click this link to watch the video.
Kimberly made her version with Bella Solids by Moda Fabrics, and we even have The Ultimate Beginner Quilt Kit with all the fabrics and backing included to make it easy for you. The quilt can be made in other colors and fabrics. You can refer to this downloadable PDF for Fabric Requirements & Coloring Sheets to plan yours.
For those just starting out, we’ve collected some of our favorite top-quality notions in The Ultimate Sewing Notions Kit to give you a good start on your quilting journey. The kit contains some must-haves that are always at our sewing table.
Sewing Safely
Needles and pins and rotary cutters – oh my! Sewing has so many joys – and potential dangers – it’s important to cut and sew with caution. We have a few safety tips and tools that can help you along the way. The first tool is your mind. Be alert and sober when you sew. Focusing on the hand at task and working at a steady pace can help to avoid slip ups (and trips to the ER!).
On the Cutting Mat
When using a rotary cutter and quilting ruler, only cut away from yourself, with your hand firmly on the ruler and no finger tips over the edge. For extra safety, you can don a cut-resistant Klutz Glove to protect your ruler hand or use a Gypsy Gripper to get your fingers up and out of the way.
At the Machine
We typically use our left hand to guide the fabric along and under the needle. Keep that left hand on the left side of the needle at all times and you’ll be fine. If you feel like you need to hold fabrics up close, try a pointy object like a stiletto to keep your fingers from harm.
Tracie of Riceford Streams gives tips for sewing with children: adjust the sewing machine speed to low if that’s an option, and consider cutting fabrics for them until they’re old enough to do so safely. Try the Clover I Sew for Fun Presser Foot, which has tall sides to protect fingers from the sewing machine needle.
At the Pressing Station
The hot iron is an obvious danger, but did you know the steam can get you, too? Steam can cause burns, so be careful around it. Again, a stiletto or pointy object can come in handy. Thermal guards or a hot pad can help, too.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s check out this week’s blocks!
Here are the Stripes blocks made in different colorways by our wonderful FQS staffers.
Click on the photos below to enlarge the image:
We have some awesome quilty friends quilting with us!
Check out their blogs and follow them on social media for inspiration and tips.
| Pat Sloan | Mister Domestic | Carrie Nelson |
| Gina of Thread Graffiti | Tracie of Riceford Streams | The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch Priscilla & Chelsea |
| Karin of Blue Pip Designs | Linden of vinelines | Rebecca of OneWeeBird |
| Ange of A Little Patchwork |
Keep up with The Ultimate Beginner Quilt Sew Along!
If this is your first time participating in a sew along, it’s easy. You can follow along at home with us as we sew the quilt. With each new video and pattern release you can sew those elements, too. Be sure to follow along with The Ultimate Beginner Quilt Sew Along on Facebook, and Instagram, and share your progress on Instagram or Facebook with #ultimatebeginnerquilt and #myfirstquilt, or comment on our blog or video with your quilting questions.
Subscribe to our Beginner Quilt Newsletter for occasional updates and special offers created for the beginner quilter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss a video.
Take the Challenge!
We’re offering a special prize ($50 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop) to one person who posts the graphic below to their social media account (either Instagram or Facebook).
Prize entries and details:
- Share it to Facebook or Instagram (Sorry, but sharing within a Facebook group does not count!)
- Your account(s) need to be public so I can see it
- Use the #ultimatebeginnerquilt hashtag with it
- Tag @fatquartershop so we can easily find it
- Prize entries open between August 1 and August 25, 2019 at 11:59 PM CST.
- Winner announced September 5, 2019.
- Prize open internationally
Do you have any sewing safety tips you go by? Leave a comment below to let us know those are.
Stay tuned for next week’s blog and video! On Thursday, August 22, we’ll cover Block 3, Picture Window
Happy Quilting!
Stay connected to FQS!
4 comments
I didn’t start with easy block quilt, I started with a star. Proud it turned out so good.
Safety Tip: Close your rotary cutter before you put it down. You or someone else may unknowingly touch the blade. And as we know some quilters have cats that like to help.