Para Para Quilt Along – #2 – Tree Trunks

This post is a part of the Para Para Quilt Along.  Below is a list of all the posts and articles on this series.

• Announcement – Sign ups and Details
• Bundles + Supplies Video Chat
• Spirit Bundle For Para Para Quilt
• Scrappy Background Kit for Para Para Quilt
• Prizes and Giveaways
• Week #1 – Half Square Triangles
• Week #2 – Tree Trunks
• Week #3 – Finish Section 1
• Week #4 – Section 2 – Light of Mine Blocks
• Week #5 – Section 3 – Sweet Spot Blocks
• Week #6 – Section 4 – Fading Light Stars
• Week #7 – Section 5 – Bow Tie Blocks
• Week #8 – Section 6 – Girl in the Corner Blocks
• Week #9 – Finished Quilt Top

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Here we are again!  It’s time to make the tree trunks for the Trees of Paradise.  I’ll admit that this is the part that held up the pattern writing when I first designed the Para Para quilt.  You’ll remember where I first saw the Tree of Paradise.  In every traditional block I found to look at, they were all hand pieced and funky shaped and it took me several tries when designing to get all the snowball corners just the right size to make the trunk in a way that works for modern quilters.  On my first go round, while making the tree, I realized that some of the corners just didn’t work in real life the way they worked in Adobe, so adjustments kept having to be made.  All is good now, but there’s a bit of a seam line up there that you have to work for.  🙂  You should find help with this in the video tutorial included in the pattern.

 

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Product Spotlight

Whispers Low Volume Fabric Bundle

• 10 pieces
• Fat quarters or half yard cuts
• Extra yummy

Get your bundle here.

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This Week’s Task

We are making the (4) Tree Trunk 4-patches.  They aren’t going to take you a whole lot of time, but lining that seam up can be a bit frustrating.  Even when making this week’s blocks (my third go round of this quilt), there was one that kept giving me trouble that I had to seam rip twice before I got it right.

If this is a thing you don’t stress over in your own quilting, then forget I mentioned it.  If you are a bit anal like me, it can be done, but you’ll be working for it.  There’s help with it included in the video tutorial.

Tips

• Don’t forget to use starch.   Here is my starch recipe.  What I love about my starch recipe is the peppermint essential oil.  I like to take deep breaths when spraying it.  It’s soothing and calming.
• If you struggle with snowballs (sewing a smaller square onto the corner of a larger square), try pressing after you sew and before you cut.  It really makes a difference in my own work and getting those corners to be in just the right place.  I mention this in Instagram stories today.
• Many of us sew because we find it therapeutic.  Make it even more so by lighting a candle, putting on some music or an audiobook and making yourself a cup of tea or coffee.
• Here is the video tutorial.  The password is in your pattern.

 

 

 

Fabrics I’m using

I’m using Art Gallery Fabrics Spirited fabrics and Pure solid Macademia for my background.

• Spirited Kit
• Background Kit

Individual Fabrics

• Pure Solid in Sweet Macademia
• Calico Days Lavender
• Delicate Balance Alabaster

 

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[easy-image-collage id=23022]

Everything you need for Para Para in one place!

Shop the Kit Page

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This Week’s Giveaway

This coming Thursday, I’ll be choosing a winner for this week’s giveaway, which I’ll announce over on Instagram on Thursday and here during the next post.  All you have to do to be eligible to win is to post your progress over on Instagram using the #paraparaquiltqa.  You can post as many times as you want.  But be sure to tag me and the sponsors below.  The winner will be chosen randomly and is open internationally.

This week’s winner will get:

• Daylight Desk Lamp – You must be following @DaylightCompanyUSA
• One pair of Warm Crochet Scissors -You must be following @Warm_Crochet
• One Havel’s 45mm rotary cutter – You must be following @Havels_Sewing
• Ahmed Tea – You must be following @AhmedTea_USA

I’m so excited for this week’s winner and so happy to get to offer this to one of you, lovelies.  If you can, do reach out and thank the sponsors.  It helps me get them on board with prizes during the quilt alongs.

Discounts from the Sponsors Available to Everyone 

• Warm Crochet is offering 10% off all scissors when you use code PARAPARAQUILT at checkout.  Shop here.
• Havel’s is offering $7 off any purchase $25 or more when you use code SOUTHERNCHARM7 at checkout.  Shop here.
• JCoterie is offering 20% off any longarm quilting on any quilt if you are participating in the quilt along.  Sign up here.

Remember…

Meander + Make and Hillstitches are both holding “First Finish” contests.  Please read the rulers for that here.

 

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Visit My Youtube Channel

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I’m loving making this quilt with you all.  I was so excited looking at your progress and seeing the fabrics and color choices you are making.  Do make sure to like and comment on the progress post of other participants.  The best part of quilt alongs is the connection it brings.  As a quilter who only gets to sew alone, connection is something I’m always craving, and I’m sure there are plenty that feel the same way.

Hugs and happy sewing!