Modern Fans Quilt Sew-Along: Week 9 – The Grand Finale!
We've done it, Curvettes! We set a goal and by golly, through grit and sheer force of will, we accomplished it. We are now primed and ready to attack the final week of our Modern Fans Quilt Sew-Along – Week 9. All that is left is sewing those chained up rows together.
Weeks 3 - 7 had us repeatedly sewing blocks in preparation for chain piecing them into rows during Week 8. But Week 9, ooooh Week 9. We piece those rows together and have a finished quilt top! Key word is FINISHED, people! This week is for aaaall the peanuts. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The BIG GRAND PRIZE!! The winner of Week 9 gets a brand new BERNINA 350 PE sewing machine! AHHHH!!!
At this point in the blog post I typically tell you that it's not too late to join the sew-along and if you really put some speed into your sewing, you'll get caught up in a jiffy. Well, my fellow quilters, this might be the week where I can't say that with any conviction in my voice. I think your ship has sailed in this sew-along. BUT! That doesn't mean you can't make the quilt using the great resources we created here through multiple blog posts, tutorials, videos and Facebook entries.
You can very easily recreate your own version of the sew-along. And, like always, if you get stuck at one point, leave a comment here on the blog or in the Suzy Quilts Patterns Facebook group and I'll/the SQ community will answer.
Here's a blog post with all of the info you need and below is a quick recap of the schedule. If you ever feel lost and want to know what's going on with the sew-along, click the Sew-Along tab underneath the BLOG category in the toolbar.
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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!
Supplies
- Modern Fans quilt pattern
- Fabric as required in the pattern
- Basic Quilting Supplies
- Temporary marker
Extended Supplies
- Plastic template sheets (The Suzy Quilts Patterns Facebook group has come with some really unique alternatives to these plastic template sheets. Some of them include cardboard from frozen pizza boxes and these flexible cutting boards.)
- 7 ½" square ruler (this is really going to help you square up your blocks)
- Starch (I starch my fabric before cutting and then use steam and a Tailor's Clapper when pressing blocks.)
- Small rotary cutter (makes cutting curves easier)
- Rotating Cutting Mat
- Magnetic pin bracelet (cause it's awesome)
I want you to know that I tried my best to take a photo of my Modern Fans quilt top sans Scrappy...
This is just the face she gives me and I melt into pudding...
In this next picture I actually thought I'd scooted her off long enough to snap a shot. But do you see that little leg on the right side? She still managed to sneak in...
If you're interested in knowing more about my fabric choices, check out Week 1 where I talk about my color inspiration. (Hint: it's this beautiful Nani Iro double gauze fabric I'll be using as the backing.)
Sew It All Together
Unlike Week 8, I don't have a tried and true speedy trick for sewing rows together. Some people have reported that they like to keep the thread connecting the rows intact and simply flip right sides together and sew from there.
I, on the other hand, can get a little persnickety about ironing and seam matching. I wouldn't say I'm a perfectionist, because in most cases I won't rip out a "mistake." However, if I can get my block seams to match up precisely, I'm going to take the extra time and do it. Few things give me more satisfaction that perfectly matching seams!
I work closely with a little dog who, let's just say, likes always be close – especially if there is a quilt in progress on the floor. Because of this, I usually snip one row at a time, iron the seams in opposite directions as its neighboring row, flip right sides together, pin and sew. This process takes longer than chain-piecing rows, but that's just because ironing and some precision needs to happen. It wouldn't be a quilt if ironing and precision didn't happen at some point, amiright?
If you're like me, and have a little one puttering about your sewing space, this might be the technique for you too. Taking it one row at a time also helps me stay organized. It never fails that if I iron a few rows at once I somehow get the out of order and then the dreaded seam ripper is forced to make an appearance.
The Week 9 GRAND PRIZE!
Throughout this sew-along we have passed out some amazing prizes, from free fabric, to quilt books and thread, to now...a sewing machine! Before getting to the nitty gritty of exactly how to win this grand prize I want to remind you of a couple great offers going on for everyone participating in the Modern Fans Sew-Along.
- Threaded Quilting Studio is offering 15% off your first edge to edge quilting service. Mention that you read about this discount here at Suzy Quilts to be eligible. Offer may expire at any time, so act fast! Read more about Jessie Zeigler and her work here on the blog!
- Trace Creek Quilting is offering a 25% discount on edge to edge quilting for anyone participating in the Modern Fans Quilt Sew-Along. They offer a flat $10 return shipping fee and guarantee a 4 week turnaround through February on this special.
The grand prize for Week 9 is a brand new BERNINA 350 PE. This machine originally retails at $2,000!
How to Win the Week 7 Prize:
Since this is a hefty prize, there is some fine print. Make sure you read all of it so you know how to correctly enter the giveaway.
- Photo prompt for Instagram: Post a picture of a finished Modern Fans quilt and use #ModernFansSA. The quilt top must a throw size or larger. (In past weeks we've been really loose on what you have to post to qualify for the giveaway. This week, however, you must post a quilt top that is fully sewn together. It can also be a finished quilt that is quilted or a finished quilt top that is partly quilted. The key here is that all 64 of your quilt blocks must be sewn together.)
- You must have a public Instagram profile to participate.
- You must follow both @suzyquilts and @berninausa on Instagram.
- Each photo posted is an entry and you can enter as many times as you want in a single week.
- Your photo must be posted between 12:00 a.m. CT on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018 and 1:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018.
- The winner will be picked randomly from all qualifying posts and announced on Instagram at approximately 4:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018.
ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older. The following individuals are not eligible to enter or win a prize: employees, contractors, directors, and officers of BERNINA of America, LLC. (“Sponsor”), its parent, subsidiaries and affiliated companies, and the web design, advertising, fulfillment, legal, judging, administrative, and Sweepstakes agencies involved in the administration, development, fulfillment, and execution of this Sweepstakes (collectively, “Sweepstakes Parties”), and the immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and spouse or “step” of each) and those living in the same household of each such person (those persons whether related or not who live in the same residence for at least three months during the twelve-month period preceding the start date of the Sweepstakes). SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD: The Sweepstakes begins November 7, 2018, at 12:00 a.m. Central Time (“CT”) and ends on November 13, at 1:00 p.m. CT (the “Sweepstakes Period”). The Application server is the official clock for this Sweepstakes.
How did you like the Modern Fans Quilt Sew-Along? I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Leave a note in the comments. xo
And even though she never cooperates during a photoshoot, it's impossible for me to get mad. Just look at that little paw!
Buuut, then she gives me her "don't touch my quilt" look and I realize I was never the one running this photoshoot in the first place. Oh scrap....
Can’t believe its already over! So sad! When I post the picture, does it need to show every single block, or is it fine to post as long as you can see it’s a throw size and it’s finished?
Your pic works just fine as long as it “alludes” to a finished quilt top. haha 😉
Loved this sew along, along with the cute snazzy chick that put it on! You’ve taught me that not only can I do curves I actually love doing them! So much I’ve made a throw & finished a baby size quilt!
I wish you all the best with your pregency & can’t wait to met the little one in a post.
I can’t wait to see what you have in store for the future and looking forward to doing Bohemian quilt sew along!
Well I only ever got as far as doing a fabric pull but I’ve seen so many exceptional versions of this quilt on instagram. I count it as a resounding success for inspiration and I may never use another quilt pattern again!
It has been so much fun and I feel like I have some new quilty friends. I know you have some other big things 🙂 on your plate, but I look forward to the next one. Thanks so much!
Unrelated, but I have a nomination for your Fiber Artist series. Harriet Powers, a folk artist who captured oral history and supported her family through quilting.
https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/pictorial-quilt-116166
Oh awesome! I will look into her. Thanks, Ashley 🙂
Wow I can’t believe it is the last week. I made my huge quilt out of my stash and didn’t make a dent even though it is about 84 x 84. I guess that means another quilt in my future….or maybe two!! Thank you so much for hosting this QAL and having great prizes. I pressured a friend to do this qal with me because she needs a new sewing machine so here is hoping. I can’t wait to see what you cook up next….besides a baby that is!!! 🙂
I have love this sew along. One of the best parts was seeing everyone’s talent and the support everyone gives each other. The quilt community is amazing! Thank you again for hosting. I would love to do another sew along
This SAL was fantastic! I loved every minute of it! I can’t believe I wasn’t going to do it, then, FOMO hit and I decided to make a baby size (cause curves freaked me out). After a glass or two of liquid courage and a few blocks into it, I realized…hey! I can sew curves! It was cause for more wine and a little dance! When I saw what others were creating, my baby size quilt grew to a lap (another FOMO moment). Then, once again, when I saw more snapshots of the cool borders people were adding…I drooled a bit and thought, why not?! Now my baby quilt will accommodate triplets, easily. I’m definitely making this one again…maybe a baby quilt?! Thank you for a wonderful SAL!
Hahaha! Kathy you are too funny! I’d love to spend an evening sewing and drinking liquid courage with you! 😉
I entered to learn more modern ways. This was my first quilt pattern ever. And of course the idea of possibly winning a sewing machine helped a little bit. Haha.
Thank you, Suzy, for a great pattern and sew-along!
I’m sorry this is completely off subject but here’s my question. You advertise Oliso irons on your site and I’m thinking of asking for one for Christmas. It looks like there are a couple of different models. Do you have a preference?
I think they are all great, and if I were buying I’d get the cheaper one, but if someone else is buying, I’d ask for the TG1600. lol! The main difference is the TG1600 (the more expensive one) has higher watts (gets hotter faster) and has a 30-minute shut off rather than a quick 8-minute automatic shut off. That can be kind nice if you get sidetracked doing some sewing and then can come back to a hot iron…but if you leave the room for the night, it won’t burn down the house.
I’ve confused myself – can it be a finished quilt top only? Or does there have to be some quilting done already?
A finished quilt top only is perfect 🙂
My top is done!! It’s been a wonderful sew a long. Thank you Suzy.
Good luck to everyone for the prize.
On another note… I have signed up for emails a few times and have not received any?
Oh yay! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying the sew-along!!
I just checked in on your newsletter status and it looks like it’s “Pending Confirmation.” Which means after you signed up, mailchimp sent you an email asking if you’re sure you really wanna sign up. That email gets sent to a Promotions or Spam folder 100% of the time…sigh… So, basically, you’ll have to do a search in your email for Suzy Quilts to find that email, then say “yes you wan to sign up,” and then drag and drop the next newsletter you get from me into your Inbox and out of your Promotions/Spam. Once you do that, Gmail will ask if you want to make that change permanent – so you can say YES, DANG IT!. haha! It’s all very frustrating and annoying, but I don’t know how to get around it. Thanks for your patience!! xo
I absolutely loved the sew along!! I wish there had been quilting time built in but everyone quilts differently so that could be difficult. Thank you Suzy for putting on an amazing 2 months of fun!
Thank for all your answer to all the question to people on your website.
I love the new website format! I’ve always wished it was easier to find sal blog posts in order, and now I can!
I’m so happy to hear that! Making the sew along posts easier to find was a top priority in this redesign.