The Kristen Quiltalong Week 4 - Block Construction
Welcome to Week 4 of the Kristen Quiltalong! 🎉 This week, we are making magic happen by assembling our blocks. Seeing everything come together is such a satisfying step, and I can’t wait to see your Kristen Quilt progress!
Step One
The first step in block assembly is sewing your half-square triangles (HSTs) to your accent strips.
🧵 TIP: If you’re making a scrappy version (like I am!), I recommend attaching all of your HSTs to their accent fabric before pairing them with feature fabrics. This helps prevent tiny pieces from getting lost in your sewing space and makes the process more organized.
Once your HSTs are attached, you’re ready for the next step!
Step Two
Now that your HSTs and accent strips are ready, it’s time to pair them with feature fabric squares and sew them together to complete your blocks.
If you’re making a scrappy version, this is the fun part—choosing which fabrics go together! Keep in mind that contrast is key to making each block stand out.
Tips for Pairing Accent and Feature Fabrics
To create balanced, eye-catching blocks, here are a few guidelines for pairing your accent fabric with your feature fabric:
✔️ Pair small-scale prints with large-scale prints – This creates contrast and visual interest.
✔️ Use value contrast – Your accent fabric should be noticeably lighter or darker than your feature fabric for definition.
✔️ If values are similar, create contrast with color – For example, pair blue with orange or pink with green to make the fabrics pop.
✔️ Avoid pairing two visually busy prints together – If both fabrics have intense patterns, they might compete rather than complement each other.
🎨 TIP: Lay out your blocks before sewing to make sure you’re happy with the combinations. Taking a quick photo on your phone can help you see contrast more clearly!
Troubleshooting
Even with careful sewing, sometimes things don’t go quite as planned! Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:
Issue: My Blocks Are Coming Out the Wrong Size
✅ Check Your Seam Allowance:
If your blocks are slightly too small or too large, you may need to adjust your scant 1/4” seam allowance. Using a seam guide or marking your machine’s plate can help ensure consistency.
✅ Press, Don’t Stretch:
Press your seams gently instead of moving your iron around on your fabric. If you are having issues with stretching, starch can help.
Looking Ahead: Next Steps
Once your blocks are fully assembled, you’ll be ready for Week 5, where we’ll start laying out and piecing together the quilt top! But don't worry if you are moving slowly — next week is all about catching up.
Share Your Progress!
I’d love to see how your blocks are coming together! Share your progress using #thekristenqal on Instagram and tag me @kitchentablequilting.
If you have any questions or run into challenges, drop them in the comments below, reply to this email, or join me for an Instagram Q&A on Tuesday at 2 PM PST. I’ll be answering common questions and troubleshooting any assembly issues live!