TS12 Quilt-Along Wrap Up! Block 12 and Final Layout

Another double feature today! The TS12 quilt is officially finished. It took a lot longer than I originally expected but we push forward! Firstly, I have attached the printable pattern for the Speak Now block. Inspired by the Era's Tour rendition of Enchanted, I made a dress shaped like a cupcake (if you squint, that is!) .

I found three different scraps of purple for my tiers and a coordinating lilac embroidery floss. My two foundational fabrics are batiks (something I like to add to almost every project)- the final layer is an iridescent dress fabric, it shifts from lilac to magenta. My background pick has a little texture to add more visual interest.

This applique is needle turn. Tuck your edges under while stitching. Start with your background and move closer to the foreground. You can choose to stitch your decorative stitches before your pieces or at the end. If you're feeling ambitious, you could add beads, metallics or other embellishments.

Speak Now TS12 Quilt Block by MadebyYou Quilts.pdf

Download PDF • 401KB

To finish off this quilt, I chose a simple and satisfying technique. Wingin' it! My layout is the order of the albums from Taylor Swift to TLOAS. Stitch the squares together into rows of three. Then stitch the rows together so you have a layout of 3 x 4 blocks. I made a quilt sandwich and backed it with a solid from stash. I used Aurifil Dove to meander randomly around the quilt. I outlined some of my favourite blocks (like the Boot and Black Dog) and wandered across the rest, making sure to densely quilt the Mirrorball.

The quilt will gain some structure and stiffness and once it feels firm enough to hold it's shape when hanging, you can trim the edges and prepare your binding.

I needed 3/8ths of a yard to make my binding. I cut 5 strips at 2 1/2 inches and attached them on a diagonal to minimize the bulk. I use a very standard technique for binding. I fold the strip in half and press, then stitch it down to the back of the quilt. Press towards the front and stitch down, making sure to carefully hold the mitred corners. A quick search for a video tutorial will help if you are unfamiliar with machine binding your quilt.

Alternate ideas for layouts could incorporate sashing, cornerstones or alternating solid squares. All of these would help increase the size of the quilt top from a hanging to a lap blanket.

I learned a lot about pattern design, imposter syndrome, and the roadblocks one faces when converting their absentminded crafting into repeatable instructions for others. I regret my impatience and wish I had done more test blocks before coming online. I definitely underestimated the time it would take! Instead of stitching along week by week, I will have the next sample completed before our first stitch! What can I say! I got excited. Thank you for your patience and your interest in my work.

That's a wrap, lovelies! Thank you!

Nix