Hey quilter bees! We're diving into week three of the Thin Air Quilt Along, and this week we're making our blocks. If you're just joining us, head back to week one for the introduction and cutting, and week two where we sewed our smaller pieces together. You'll need the pattern from jitterywingsquiltco.com to follow along.
When we left off, we had all of our two-two pieces sewn together. Now it's time to think of everything in terms of A's, B's, C's, and D's, and get them sorted so we can build blocks.
Sorting your pieces
Start by sorting each letter group lightest to darkest into four value groups, one through four. Keep the two-color pieces (like the AA and A pieces) separate while sorting, since it makes grabbing pieces easier once you start sewing blocks.
This part isn't exact. Some pieces will feel like they fall between two groups, and that's fine. Lay pieces next to each other to compare if you're unsure, and don't stress if a piece ends up in a slightly different group than intended.
Two-color pieces are trickier since you're judging where the overall piece reads on the value scale rather than a single color. As a rule of thumb, lean toward the darker of the two colors when deciding which group a mixed piece belongs in.
Once you've sorted your A's, repeat the same process for your B's, C's, and D's. Trays work well for keeping each letter's four value groups organized and ready to grab from.
Building the blocks
With everything sorted, it's time to build blocks. Pick one piece from each letter, A, B, C, and D. Mostly keep pieces within the same value group, but mix in some crossover pairings (a one with a two, a two with a three, and so on) just like you did when sewing the smaller pieces in week two.
Review the pattern to confirm how many blocks you need for the quilt size you selected. Some will have a single 2/2 in it, and some will have two.
If you want to speed things up, you can chain piece by sewing every A to one other piece, either a B, C, or D. Then add the next piece to each pair, making sure you aren’t picking an A or a second of the piece you just sewed to A. It works well; just double-check you're grabbing the right piece each time to avoid mismatched sets.
When assembling, pay attention to how your seams were pressed. If two "2/2" pieces land next to each other in a block, make sure their pressed seams face opposite directions so they nest properly and your points match up when sewn.
Press all the seams for each block open or in the same direction.
Sorting the finished blocks
Once all your blocks are sewn, the last step for the week is sorting them into three or four piles from light to dark. It doesn't matter whether a block has one or two "2/2" pieces; focus on the overall value. Turn your seams to face the same direction as you sort. Some blocks will read lighter or darker depending on the size and placement of their pieces, even if they share the same colors.
That's a wrap for week three! Next week we'll cover the full layout process, from arranging your sorted blocks to sewing the quilt top together. If you still need the Thin Air pattern, grab it at jitterywingsquiltco.com.
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