We Are Family FREE Block for the Block Mania Blog Hop

Hi there! We're back with another great block for the monthly Block Mania Blog Hop. If you're not familiar with the Bog Hop, each month a group of top designers in the quilting industry create a free downloadable pattern for a 12” block that fits the month’s chosen theme and color palette. 

We post all of our blocks on the first Tuesday of the month, and then you get to hop from blog to blog and learn more about each designer while collecting your free block pattern. This month’s theme is “Family” for which we created the We are Family block just for you. The pattern is available on our website here.

Both of our most recent blocks, "Study Buddy" from August and "Batty and Happy" from September are still free to download this month on our blog. However we do recommend downloading these soon, since they will soon be listed as a pattern for sale. We love being able to consistently provide you with new, tested, and fun patterns to create with. In order to keep offering these free block patterns, our Blog Mania Blog Hop patterns will now be available for free download starting the day they're released, up through the following two months. Come the third month, they will be offered as a digital download at $5.00 each. 

Now, let's get into our October block, We Are Family:

In this month's video, we cover how to assemble the block using a placement drawing (below) and an Appli-Fuse Pressing Sheet. I also go over how to finish the edges on these tiny pieces. 

Next, here are the lovely fabrics we were finally able to settle on (there's so many great options to choose from). They are all basics from Benartex Fabrics. A huge thank you to our friends at Benartex for sending these gorgeous goodies to us!

One we select our fabrics, the next step is to get all the pieces cut and ready to assemble. Though the pattern is written for traditional cutting, I did cut my pieces using an SVG file compatible with a Cricut Maker. The SVG file we use is available for purchase, but is not required for completing the block.

Here's a fun in-the-middle image of our cute friends coming to life. It shows us using an Appli-fuse mat to make easy work of the assembly step. Did you know we also have these available on our website? Appli-Fuse Mat

Now that we have the block assembled, it's time to pick your favorite Aurifil threads for the finishing stitch, and move on to the sewing machine.

In the video, we included all of my favorite tips for working with small pieces when finishing the edges. We also cover a trick I've developed for using a machine stitch that looks like embroidery.

We are family, we come in all shapes, sizes and colors. What do you think of the finished block?

I hope you've enjoyed this month’s free block! Make sure to visit all the other designers on the Blog hop to collect your free family blocks from them as well. And don't forget to come back next month for another round of Blog Hop Mania!

Warming by the Fire
Paper Chain Family at Slice of Pi Quilts
Family is Love
Family Quote Pineapple Block by Blockofthemodotcom
Family Pumpkin Pickin' Day
Family Crest at Always Expect Moore
Old Rocking Chair at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Love@Home at Stash Bandit
Sisterhood by Michelle Renee Hiatt
Glimpse of Home at Scrapdash
We Are Family by Heidi Pridemore
Family Trees at Pretty Piney Quilts
Family is the Heart of Home by QuiltFabrication
Gathering by Blue Bear Quilts
Sister's Choice at Perkins Dry Goods
Every Family Has One at Patti's Patchwork
Orange Blossom Quilt
Wonky Nesting Hearts
Family Photo Block
Celtic Trinity Knot by Appliqués Quilts and More
Scarecrow
Family Ring at Devoted Quilter
Tartan Block at True Blue Quilts
FindSewingStuff.com
Flying Geese Family by Tacy Gray
Family Heart by Amarar Cracions