Fall into a Quilt Along: Hedgehog
Welcome to week one of Fall into a Quilt Along! We've been planning behind the scenes for months, and I couldn't be more excited to share the first block with you. If you're just now joining us, my introduction post will tell you everything you need to know, and my fabric options post will help you pick your fabrics. There's also a handy quilt along page that I'm keeping updated with all of the links as we go along.
Block one is this adorable hedgehog by Vanda Chittenden at Quilting with Vanda. Vanda is no longer running a quilting blog, so she has given me permission to share the pattern on my blog. Click here to download the pattern.
Tips for Success
I had so much fun making this block. One thing I was concerned about was that it would be really stiff with multiple layers being fused on top of each other. To avoid this, I cut the center out of the large body and head pieces before fusing them to the fabric. I just made sure to leave about 1/2 inch of fusible inside the traced lines. It worked like a charm.
I found it really helpful to label the little pieces as I traced them onto the fusible. That way I didn't lose track of which pieces went where.
Sometimes it's challenging to get the paper to peel off the small round pieces. If you score them with a pin and fold along the score line, the paper will pop right off.
The darker inner ear isn't part of the pattern. To make those pieces, I simply traced about 1/8 inch inside the C and D pattern pieces. I used the existing C and D pieces for my lighter fabric, then fused the darker fabric on top of them.
I recommend placing all of your pieces how you want them before fusing. Once everything is in position, carefully press to fuse it all in place. It's important to just press the iron down on top of the fabric without sliding it back and forth so your pieces don't shift.
To secure my pieces, I used a straight stitch just inside the edges. I used brown thread on the face and body, and black thread on the eyes and nose. If you prefer, you could use a zigzag or blanket stitch to hold everything in place.
An Array of Hedgehogs
Fun fact - A group of hedgehogs is called an array or a prickle. And we have a full array to inspire you! Each of the quilt along hosts has made her own hedgehog and written a blog post full of helpful tips. Be sure to check them out!
Abbie Danahy at Sparkle On
April Adams at JANDA Bend Quilts
Bobbi Bridgeman at Snowy Days Quilting <--- That's me!
Jennifer Fulton at Inquiring Quilter
Karen Thurn at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Sherry Shish at Powered by Quilting
Vanda Chittenden at Quilting with Vanda
Prizes
Everyone 18 and older has a chance to win a prize! To be entered in the drawing, simply share your finished hedgehog block by 11:59 pm Eastern time on May 28, 2018. You can share on Instagram with the hashtag #fallintoaqal, in the Partners in Design Facebook group, or in the linky party on Vanda's post.
Our prize sponsors this week are Vanda Chittenden at Quilting with Vanda and Craftsy. Vanda is providing a free PDF pattern of your choice from her pattern shop. Craftsy has donated some Boundless solids. The winner will get 4 cuts of fabric that are 1/2 yard each.
At the end of the quilt along, we will have a grand prize drawing for anyone that has made a complete quilt top with all 12 blocks. No need to have it quilted for the drawing. To be eligible to win, finished quilt tops must be posted by 11:59 pm Eastern time on November 12, 2018.
What will you name your hedgehog?
It seems to me that such a cute little hedgehog just has to have a name! I'm thinking mine will be either Henrietta or Hugo. How about yours?