“QAL By the Sea” Block 11 Release!

Hello and welcome to the release of Block 11 of the QAL By the Sea! “Ab the Crab” was designed by Abbie Danahy of Sparkle On, that is me!

This is a 12″ x 12″ finished applique block with a simple two-pieced background.

“Ab the Crab”

Click the button below to download the free pattern!

When our group, Partners in Design, started planning this QAL and we finalized on a Nautical theme, I knew I wanted to create a crab block. Why? Well, I identify with my Cancer “the crab” astrological sign and also because as a kid if I was in a “mood” (which was like exceedingly rare ;) I was called “Ab the Crab.” Hence the Ab the Crab block!

If you have been sewing along with the Partner’s in Design’s QAL you are an experienced appliquer!

Here are some tips and ideas for making my pattern.

After you print the templates be sure to check that the 1″ square is actually 1″, to ensure that your templates are the correct size.

Check that your background fabric does not show through the applique fabrics. For best results, put darker fabrics on top of lighter ones.

I use therm-O-web’s Heat-n-Bond iron-on adhesive for all my appliques.

Scraps are great for applique shapes and the pieces can be larger than the minimum fabric sizes provided.

Make sure you iron the adhesive paper to the wrong side of the fabric.

Cut out drawn applique shapes by color groups, then cut them out individually after adhered.

How do these look Ruthie?

“Purrrr, pretty good I say!”

Sometimes adhering and sewing on applique pieces tightens or pulls the fabric so for extra give cut the background pieces larger than the pattern measurements and trim the block down to 12 ½” x 12 ½” after you have finished.

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After removing the adhesive paper backing, I laid out the entire crab according to my pattern and ironed it all down together. Start at the top and slowly press section by section going down to bottom.

Applique as desired! I used the Raw Edge technique which is simply sewing a top stitch around each shape as close to the edge as possible. I used thread colors that match the fabric.

It’s easier to see from the back!

Enjoy making and naming your own crab! I’m excited to see your blocks!!!  

To see this block in a variety of different colors and fabrics as well as get tips for construction, please visit these talented QAL hosts:

Becca Fenstermaker of Pretty Piney

Jennifer Fulton of  The Inquiring Quilter

Karen Thurn of Tu-na Quilts, Travels and Eats

Laura Piland of Sliceof Pi Quilts

Sandy Maxfield of SandyStar Designs

Sherry Shish of Powered by Quilting

Prizes!

We have some great prizes for Segment 3! To enter, complete all four blocks and post one photo of them by 11/9/2020 to our Facebook group, IG #qalbythesea, or the host’s blog linky party. *Please be sure to include in your photos post if your are a US or International resident. Thank you!

US

A Fat Quarter bundle of Kismet by Tamarinis for Island Batik 
and
A 60″ x 60″ batting of Quilter’s Dream Angel. 
A heavenly Batting made with 100% flame retardant fabric.

International

A one year Premium e-subscription to the Online Quilt Magazine. 
You will gain access to more than 50 pages of great Quilting Stories, Hints and Tips, How To’s and Bonus Patterns each and every month.

>>>Bonus for all of our participants!!! Online Quilt Magazine also offers a free standard edition! Please visit them to sign up.

and

Becca Fenstermaker’s Madras About You quilt pattern.

Kathleen McCormick’s Blooming Desert quilt pattern.

*In order to include all eligible participants in our prize giveaway, we are having two separate prizes for each QAL Segment and for the Grand Prize;  one for our USA participants and one for our International participants. Due to the demanding cost to ship to Canadian and International addresses, these prizes will typically be patterns and/or an e-magazine that will be sent in electronic format.

Eligibility for Prize Entry for all Participants:

Segments: Participants can enter the prize drawing by sharing a single photo with all the completed segment blocks on our Facebook group, IG #qalbythesea, or the hosts blog linky party provided at the end of each segment.  

Grand Prize:  Share one photo showing all 12 of your completed blocks, as above.  

Entry is limited to one per person per prize. You must be 18 years old to enter.

Block patterns are free during the duration of the QAL after which pattern designers may charge for their individual patterns.

Next Tuesday is our 12th and final block designed by Karen Thurn of Tu-Na Quilts.

~Abbie 🌞