JOIN US FOR THE CELEBRATE WITH QUILTS SEW-ALONG!
We are going to use Piece & Quilt Sampler from Celebrate with Quilts by Lissa Alexander and Susan Ache for our upcoming Sew-Along.
Why this quilt? First, we simply loved the quilt on the cover! But we also loved the versatility the book offers. With its wide variety of traditional blocks and multiple block sizes, there are plenty of opportunities to play with color, fabric and placement. Best of all, the cutting and piecing directions are already right there in the book.
And here’s another reason we liked it: there’s no appliqué, no curved piecing, and relatively few points to match. The blocks rely primarily on straightforward traditional piecing, making this a quilt that quilters with a wide range of experience can enjoy.
The Piece & Quilt Sampler includes 22 different blocks, surrounded by a Saw Tooth border. The finished quilt, including borders, measures 72½” × 91¼”.
Celebrate with Quilts Schedule
Here is a suggested schedule for the Celebrate with Quilts quilt blocks. Remember, there is no such thing as behind—work at a pace that is comfortable for you. (And if you’re faster than the rest of us, can we borrow your blocks as samples?)
Some of these blocks may look overwhelming at first, but don’t let them intimidate you. They’re really combinations of familiar units—HSTs (Half Square Triangles), plain squares, and Flying Geese. Once those units are made, the blocks come together as Nine Patches, Four Patches, or simple rows.
Most of all, let’s have fun with this! We can’t wait to see the colors and fabrics you choose to make this quilt your own.
September, 2026: Choose your fabrics, find your copy of Celebrate with Quilts, and come sew along with us. We can’t wait to see what you create!
October, 2026: Framed Star Block, p.154
Hopefully, you have access to Celebrate with Quilts by Lissa Alexander and Susan Ache. Now it’s time to get started!
The October Blocks consists of twelve 3″ Shoo Fly blocks (p.70) and one 6″ Dandy Star block (p.27).
The Shoo Fly blocks will form a border around the Dandy Star.
Important: Follow the pressing directions given in the book for BOTH BLOCKS. Press the Shoo Fly blocks as shown on p.70 so the seams can be nested neatly when the blocks are joined. Press the Dandy Star block following the directions on p.27.
NOTE: Twelve Shoo Fly Blocks (page 70)
The cutting instructions for the 3″ blocks specify cutting TWO 1⅞” squares from both the background and print fabrics.
My recommendation: Cut the squares at 2¼” instead, then use the Tucker Trimmer I to trim the completed half-square triangle units to 1½” square.
This method allows for greater accuracy and makes it easier to achieve perfectly sized blocks.
Remember – You are making twelve 3″ Shoo Fly Blocks and one 6″ Dandy Star block.
November 2026: One 9″ Hovering Hawks Block, p. 42 & One 12″ (F) Album Star Block, p.6
9″ Hovering Hawks Block
This block was much easier than the Dandy Star Block bordered with the Shoo Fly blocks, which I found a bit tedious. Follow the directions on page 42 to make ONE 9″ Hovering Hawks block. Remember, 9″ is the FINISHED size of the block (9½” unfinished).
Cutting Tip: The pattern calls for 3⅛” squares, which will produce HSTs measuring exactly 2¾” unfinished. If you prefer to make your HSTs slightly oversized and trim them for accuracy, cut 3⅝” squares instead. Trim the completed HSTs to 2¾”. The Tucker Trimmer II is especially handy for this, with markings in both ½” and ¼” increments.
Don’t Forget the Borders! To complete the block for our quilt, you must add four border strips—a step I almost missed! This is just for this Hovering Hawks block. The completed block, including borders, will measure 12½” UNFINISHED (12″ finished).
Cut the following border strips:
- 2 strips: 2″ × 9½”
- 2 strips: 2″ × 12½”
Sew the 2″ × 9½” strips to the sides of the block, making sure you have the correct sides. Then sew the 2″ × 12½” strips to the top and bottom.
12″ Album Star Block
This block looks much more complicated than it actually is. In fact, it’s even easier than the Hovering Hawks block!
Read the directions carefully. The 5¼” squares are cut twice diagonally to create the triangles used to make the FOUR hourglass units needed for the block.
Once all the pieces are cut, the block goes together in a snap!
The completed block will measure 12½” UNFINISHED (12″ finished).
Looking Ahead:
- December 2026: One 9” Tulip Lady Fingers Block, p.86, Four 9” Evening Hourglass Block, p.33
- January 2027: One 6” Texas Puzzle Block, p.82, One 9” Texas Puzzle Block, p.82, Six 6” Wagon Tracks Block, p.91
- February 2027: One 6” Dandy Star Block, p.27 , One 9” Dandy Star Block, p.27, Four 9” Avenue Block, p.11
- March 2027: One 9” Maple Leaf Block, p.52, Nine 6” Eight Point Star Blocks, p.32
- April 2027: Four 9” Scrap Basket Blocks, p.64, One 12” Rosebud Block, p.62
- May 2027: One 12” Broken Dishes Block, p18, Four 6” Tulip Lady Fingers Block, p.86
- June 2027: One 12” Arizona Block, p.8, One 12” Eight Hands Around Block, p.30
- July 2027: Four 9” Aircraft Blocks, p.4, One 9” Album Block, p.6
- August 2027: No meeting, no new blocks – a good time catch up
- September 2027: One 12″ Building Blocks Block, p.20, One 12” Union Square Block, p.88
- October 2027: Make and Join Rows
- November 2027: Make borders as desired – book has a sawtooth star border made from 140 Half Square Triangle Blocks
- December 2027 – The quilt tops are finished!