Friendship Quilt Along - Fun Block

It's the first day of the Friendship Quilt Along and I'm so excited!!! My friend, Amanda Herring, has designed the gorgeous Hello Lovely fabric plus the Friendship Quilt Pattern! 

The Friendship Quilt Along will release a new pattern/block (free) each week through August 31st. Each block contains a new technique and/or fun way to embellish it.  You can choose to sew the entire quilt or just a few blocks to make it your own! I chose to sew a tote with this week's FUN block! 

Supplies:
1. Friendship Quilt Along Templates
2. Hello Lovely Fabric
3. Heat N Bond Lite fusible adhesive (optional)
4. Friendship Quilt Along Kit
5. FUN block pattern

To make the tote- I used the recommended fabric amounts in the pattern PLUS
Tote Exterior- 1/2 yard
Tote Interior- 1/2 yard
Tote Handles - 1/2 yard 
Green Fabric approx 6.5" x 6.5"
Pellon Shapeflex SF101
Pellon Fusible Fleece

Extras:
1" Flower button - Riley Blake
Rick Rack

The finished Friendship Quilt. 
If you want to join in and sew the full quilt- I highly recommend the kit! Available here.

The first block is the Fun Block:

It was fun to add the Rick Rack for the flower steam and Flower Button as the flower center - I love adding the little extras! I used Heat N Bond Lite to fuse my shapes to the fabric then stitched along the edge with matching Aurifil thread.

 It's tote time- 

I didn't write a full tutorial for the bag, but can share the measurements I used for cutting my fabrics.

1. Bag Exterior 18" x 20" (2 pieces)
2. Green (grass) 6.5" x height to attach to FUN block to make height 18"
3. Handles 5.5" x 30" (2 pieces) I would've used 6.5" for the width, but didn't have enough fabric.

Add sashing to side of FUN block the same size as your handles plus optional rick rack.

To create tote front- I cut (1 piece) in half and inserted the FUN block.  Then trimmed bag front to 18"x 20".

Exterior pieces fuse to Pellon Fusible Fleece
Lining pieces fuse to Pellon Shape Flex SF101

To create boxed corners I cut a 2.5" square out of each lower corner of exterior and lining.

Sew together with favorite tote technique.  I added a zippered pocket as I always like to keep my phone safe.

Amanda has created this cute Best Buds pin that match the Friendship Quilt Along...love!

I hope you decide to join the Friendship Quilt Along and with sew us! Sewing with friends is the best! I love the flexibility of the Friendship Quilt as you can choose to make the entire quilt or just a few of the blocks.  Plus the Hello Lovely fabric is absolutely gorgeous!!! I have quite a few upcoming projects planned with Hello Lovely!

Have a great day and happy sewing!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @mellierc and here on my A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog for more sewing fun!

Melanie

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