Welcome to Week 2 of the Modern Fans Quilt Sew-Along! If you're popping in late, no need to feel left-out or stressed, we are keeping a slow pace with this sew-along so everyone can have a chance to gather any extra supplies or take that extra time to practice sewing curves.
If you need a quick recap of what a sew-along is and how to join, check out this blog post, Modern Fans Quilt Sew-Along. If you're interested in seeing some of the many varieties of layouts and options this pattern has to offer, read this post – Modern Fans Sew-Along: Color & Layouts.
Sew-Along Schedule Recap
- Week 1, Sept. 12: Pick fabric, gather supplies, choose your pattern layout
- Week 2, Sept. 19: Cut and chain piece strips, cut out all templates
- Week 3, Sept. 26: Sew 14 blocks
- Week 4, Oct. 3: Sew 14 blocks
- Week 5, Oct. 10: Sew 12 blocks
- Week 6, Oct. 17: Sew 12 blocks
- Week 7, Oct. 24: Sew 12 blocks
- Week 8, Oct. 31: Chain piece rows together
- Week 9, Nov. 7: Sew rows together for a finished quilt top!
Video Help in the Suzy Quilts Patterns FB Group
Week 2 of this sew-along is finally getting us into the making of this quilt. This week we're all about slicin' and dicin' that fabric. If cutting templates makes you nervous and you would like some extra guidance, I highly recommend checking out the Suzy Quilts Patterns Facebook group. I recorded a video on how to reference page 3 of the Modern Fans quilt pattern to cut your templates. (I'm also 17 weeks pregnant in this video and still suffering from sever nausea...so forgive my frequent breaks for crackers. haha!)
If you are not on Facebook, you can see the video here in IGTV.
If your layout includes strip piecing, like mine, you will need to do a little extra cutting and a bit of sewing this week. I recorded a video in the Facebook group on this as well. (It's shorter and with no crackers. I think the nausea is getting better! Yippee!) Check out the public video here in IGTV. (You do not need an Instagram account to watch this video.)
Trending patterns!
Starch
If you are choosing to use starch, I suggest starching your fabric before you start cutting, especially if you pre-washed. Pre-washing removes the starch set into the fabric from the manufacturing process, so you're left with buttery-soft threads. Nice for cuddling, but not the best for cutting and sewing lots of curved edges.
Click here for more info on starch, great brands to buy as well as a recipe to make!
Chain Piecing
When sewing these strips together, I suggest laying all of your pieces in stacks next to your sewing machine and then chain piecing them together. If you're unfamiliar with that method of sewing, I have a quick video showing what I mean. Basically it is when you continually sew pieces of fabric together without trimming the threads in between each strip set.
Pressing Seams
Since the seams from these strips do not need to nest together with other seams, there is no right or wrong way to press these seams. I like to iron toward the dark side, when possible. This is also a great time to use your Tailor's Clapper!
Tracing Templates
If you are feeling bold with your rotary cutter, go ahead and skip the tracing and jump straight into the cutting. I, on the other hand, like to trace my templates with a water soluble marker, then cut them out.
Since these templates are symmetrical, you can keep your fabric folded and cut out multiple templates at a time. The only time this wouldn't work is if you are trying to keep your printed fabric directional or if you prefer to fussy cut your fabric.
You can shift Template B around on top of your strip set until you like the ratio of each strip. These strips fans are meant to be wonky, so there's no wrong way to do this.
Once you trace the template, you can either use a rotary cutter or a pair of fabric scissors – whichever you're more comfortable using.
Week 2: The Prize!
We just gave away $100 to Cottoneer Fabrics to the lucky winner of Week 1. Way to go @modernquiltlab!! We're all a bit jealous, so spend that money wisely. 😉 Ready to move on and see what prizes are offered this week?
TheQuiltMate is giving away 1 large Classic ironing pad AND Sulky Threads is also giving away your choice of Cotton + Steel thread pack. Aren't they all so pretty??
And here is a pic of TheQuiltMate. It's so convenient you'll never have to leave your sewing table again! haha! This pad has a 100% silicone back so that is protects any surface and prevents sliding. Great for sewing retreats or traveling.
How to Win the Week 2 Prize:
- Photo prompt for Instagram: Post a picture of your cut templates and use #ModernFansSA.
- You must have a public Instagram profile to participate.
- Each photo posted is an entry and you can enter as many times as you want in a single week. Once the week is over, those posts do not count in the next week's giveaway. Every week we start fresh.
- This prize is only open to residents of the U.S.A., excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
- Your photo must be posted between 12:00 a.m. CT on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018 and 1:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018.
- The winner will be picked randomly from all qualifying posts and announced at approximately 4:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018.
Just a reminder that the grand prize for finishing your quilt top by the final week is a BERNINA 350 PE sewing machine! See this post for more details.
In addition to awarding one prize winner, TheQuiltMate is providing a coupon for all sew-along participants! Use coupon code SUZY15 to get 15% off any purchase.
Are you enjoying the Modern Fans sew-along so far? Do you have any questions about cutting templates or chain-piecing strips? Let me know in the comments!
So excited for this week! My hair smells like starch from all the ironing I’ve been doing 😂
So bummed the prizes are only for the USA… 😞 Hoping there are more open internationally for the rest of the SAL! Thanks for hosting, Suzy
There definitely will be. Most of the week’s prizes are gift certificates, and those are open to everyone. 😉
I’m so excited! Thanks for the videos, they are so helpful! 🎉🎉🎉
Do you cut your pieces out with scissors or a rotary cutter after you have traced them? I am having cutting mine with a rotary cutter after I remove the template—I can’t seem to keep the cutter from wobbling without the edge of the template to guide it. Is there a secret? I’m thinking I’ll give up and just use scissors even if slower.
After I trace my template, I use a 28mm rotary cutter to cut. I think the smaller blade and grip makes it easier to make those curved cuts. Whenever there is a straight edge (like with Template B, for example) I line up the trace mark with a ruler and let that be my guide. However, LOTS of people switch to fabric scissors after tracing their templates. It can be a nice thing to do in front of the TV! 🙂
Are your videos available anywhere else besides Facebook? I’m still not a Facebook convert and trying to keep it that way. ;o)
They are also posted to IGTV. Are you on Instagram? You can see them from my profile – @suzyquilts.
What do you use to cut your templates out?
I use regular, non-fabric scissors.
Is it necessary to remove the bits of blue fabric marker along the edges of the cut-out pieces? It’ll be hidden in the seam allowance… but can it bleed or show through at all?
If it’s a water soluble marker it’s not necessary to remove it. It will rinse out as well as get hidden in the seam allowance. However, it never hurts to run a quick test. Mark a bit of fabric, run an iron over it, then see if it still washes out.
Where does one get the tempplate?.
You can get it here – https://suzyquilts.com/shop/modern-fans-quilts-pattern-download/