Creative articles about quilting

Sail-Along, Part 4: Shark

Hey, sailing crew, how are you doing?

How far along are you guys with all your blocks? Were you able to sew along? Are you ready for the next block?  Today we will carry on with the predator of the ocean. We’ll be sewing the shark quilt block .

shark quilt block pattern

Who of you has ever seen a shark in real life? I never have, but my husband and son claim to this day that they encountered a shark while snorkeling off the coast of Malaysia, of course not a white shark like in the one in the movies, but a smaller reef shark. Either way, I wasn’t as relaxed about swimming in the ocean after that.

Inspired by this encounter, I incorporated a shark into our quilt, and this one looks a bit dangerous too, don’t you think?

You are new here?

You are reading about the Sail-Along for the first time? Or you have been thinking about participating for a while and have only just decided? No problem, you can always come on board and sail with us! Together we will sew a quilt with FPP  (Foundation Paper Piecing) blocks in nautical designs.

 

sail away with me quilt pattern

 

All the quilt blocks appear block by block on the BERNINA blog. With the shark we have created part four. Already published are the starfish, the small sailboat and the dolphin. Here you can find an overview of the articles so far:

Sail-Along in the BERNINA Blog

The best place to start is by reading my first Sail-Along article, in which I put together the most important informations: Welcome to the BERNINA Sail-Along.

There is no time pressure at the Sail-Along. Basically, you can follow your own rhythm and cruise along at your time frame. There is only one date to keep in mind: If you want to participate in the final draw, you have to show a picture of your finished quilt top on social media or in the community section of the blog by 07/14.

You want to sew just the shark?

That’s not a problem at all either, because all the patterns in this quilt are available as single patterns, including the shark:

Shark Quilt Block.

Let this tutorial inspire you! Maybe your summer patio needs some nautical pillowcases?

The fabrics for the shark quilt block:

Below you will find my fabric choices for the shark. As always in the Sail-Along, you are free to work with your own fabrics.

C 12982 orange media (background)
Cq12983 chive media (shark head and fins)
C 12983 denim media (underbelly)
C 640 denim media (back and fins)
C 120 white solid (teeth)
C 610 black media (eye)

Let’s go! We’ll sew the shark

shark quilt block pattern pieces

1. Now you already know that we only print the parts of the pattern that have letters and numbers. The shark quilt block will be sewn in the size 12 “x 12”. Again, this means that two segments need to be glued together. You will need to join segment A and B.

Please, as mentioned with the other patterns, use a craft glue and not scotch tape. You will have to iron the quilt block often and the tape will stick to the iron guaranteed!

shark quilt block pattern pieces plus fabric selection

2. I always lay out the individual parts of the pattern exactly as they appear on the numbered overview. I recommend this, just because it just makes your life easier – you see all the parts and can sew them wonderfully one by one.

I like to start with the pieces that have no seams. These are here with the shark pattern, the parts M, G and F. As already described in the previous patterns, I use a fabric glue pen. With those pieces you only glue the fabric wrong sides together (that is, wrong side of fabric against wrong side of pattern, unprinted side of the pattern). Then cut the fabric back to the seam allowance line.

Now sew the other segments using the foundation-paper-piecing method, just as you did for the starfish and the other patterns. The shark’s teeth are a labor of love, but you will be rewarded with a beautiful ‘sharky’ smile, right?

 

shark quilt block finished segments

 

3. When you have sewn all the segments, lay them out again as shown on the overview. You can also lay out the pieces with the wrong side facing you, whichever way is easier for you. 

You will find the order of joining the segments in the assembly instructions of the pattern. After joining two segments, as always, remove the paper from the seam allowance only and press the seam allowances open. Don’t forget the Tailor’s Clapper if you have one, it will just give you much flatter seams.

 

As I mentioned earlier, I like to use the Patchwork Foot #97  patchwork foot on my BERNINA 770 QE PLUS Kaffe Edition when piecing the individual segments together. Thanks to the 1/4″ markings on the sole of the foot, joining the segments is nice and easy.

Image of Patchwork Foot #97.

Patchwork Foot #97

For patchwork projects with seam allowances of 3 mm (1⁄8”), 6 mm (¼”) and 7.5 mm (1/3“) ✓  Three notches on the side for precise guidance ✓  For 9 mm machines ✓ 

Learn more

4. Wow, the shark is finished. What do you think? Dangerous or just cute?

shark quilt block pattern

Show me your sharks!

Is everything ok, are you caught by the sharks jaw? And can’t stop foundation paper piecing, haha? I hope you were successful with the shark. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.

I’m excited to see pictures of your blocks. Show them on social media or in the community section of the blog! On Instagram and Facebook, always use the hashtag #sailawaywithmequilt. In the community section of the blog, don’t forget to select the “Sail-Along” giveaway.

See you next time,
and as always happy sewing
Ingrid

 

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  • nina88 EditEditing comments on the BERNINA blog is only possible after logging in with a blog user account. Sign up now or create a user account if you do not have one yet.

    English:Don’t know if I put the pictures in correctly. I put the in by creating a new projekt, is it done correctly? otherwise my shark looks like thisDanish:Ved ikke om jeg ligger billederne rigtigt ind. ligger dem ind ved at create a new project, er det rigtigt gjort? Hvis ikke ser min haj således ud

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