We're nearing the end of the That Girl...That Quilt Along, which is a bummer because I'm really enjoying it but exciting because I can't wait to curl up in my special birthday quilt.  Especially after laying it out like this.  This is usually the part of quiltmaking where I feel like I tend to speed up because I want so badly to have the finished product.  I'm going to try my best to stick with the quilt along pace here, to try to teach myself to slow down and pay attention rather than make silly mistakes, as I often do when I speed quilt.




Speaking of speed quilting, I am loving chain piecing.  It's one of those tips or techniques that makes you want to smack yourself it makes so much sense.  Seriously, how did I not come across this and try this sooner?  It really does make the piecing process go more smoothly and quickly.




This is the first time that I put quilt rows together in this fashion.  Rather than just sewing block 1 to 2 and those merged blocks to block 3 and so on, you sew them together in pairs, leaving an odd block in the middle, used to join both pairs together and complete the row.  I've often ripped out stitches when it comes to making rows (and then later sewing the rows together) because they don't come together quite straight, but this method worked beautifully.  Have I completely confused you?  Jennifer explains it much better here.  Not a single ripped out stitch.  Yippee!




I can't wait to see how everyone else is coming along, that's half the fun of a quilt along, isn't it?  I love seeing all of the different fabrics that everyone is using.  It's funny how different fabric can make a pattern seem completely new and different.  I also can't wait to see the instructions on finishing up the quilt top tomorrow, we're so close to finishing up!!   By the way, if you're itching to join another quilt along that's just starting up, go visit Cara's blog.  Happy quilting along everyone!