I’m blaming Trish. You see, just before Christmas I shared a tutorial for a Dala Horse block on the Moda Bakeshop, as part of their fabulous Countdown to Christmas (you can download a printable PDF pattern here). The lovely Trish - on Instagram - suggested a sew-along and I think I knew then and there that it was going to happen. Especially when I was staring at the scraps from my Sailing By sampler: hello Swedish blues and yellows. Also, I have no willpower.
A casual, in-between-other-projects sew-along seemed like a good idea, so I made a start this afternoon. I'm making the smaller size* - the Countdown to Christmas blocks came in 12" and 6" versions - as 6" blocks can be made from scraps, although you'll note that there are a couple of extra pieces on my cutting directions, as I've decided to add a border to my blocks so that they finish at 8" square. There are directions below for cutting the pieces from left over 10" squares, which is what I've been using...
The cutting for the background - if using the lighter Layers - is shown on the left. {EDIT: I've updated the diagram as, in my excitement to post, I'd managed to leave a couple of pieces off...duh}
The cutting for the Dala Horse is shown on the right. You can cut two sets of pieces from each Layer, unless you'd like to try fussy cutting the body piece to suggest the traditional painted decoration.
I'm toying with the idea of reversing some of my blocks to make pairs of horses and I'm looking forward to embroidering some of my blocks, too: a nice project to take on holiday this summer, perhaps. I've also toyed with buying - OK, I've ordered - a Layer Cake of Amy Smart's Gretel fabric, because it's just so perfect for this quilt, and I have a Fat Quarter of Bonnie & Camille's Olivia fabric set aside, because it's one of my favourite prints ever (and when I saw Hildy's Dala Horse block at Christmas I was consumed with jealousy). So, basically, I'm already a bit obsessed with this quilt.
This afternoon's blocks...
I'll be sharing on Instagram as I go and posting a round up here when I have a paddock-full. It goes without saying that I'd love you to join me. I'll be putting some thought into a suitable setting - little flags? pine trees? a log cabin or two? - so please leave a comment on this post if you have a suggestion. And if you want to share what you're making tag your posts with #dalahorsequilt
Go on...you know you want to...
I'm linking this post to Archie the Wonder Dog's fabulous monthly Furtle around the Blogsphere. If you love reading craft blogs, go and take a look :-)
Nicola xx
*EDIT: If you want to make the large 12" blocks you can download the Moda Bakeshop PDF here. Remember you will need to cut extra border strips if you are using them.