Practice Blocks: Why To Make Them And What To Do With Them | Episode 10

In this video, The Opinionated Quilter explains why it is important to make a practice block before beginning a new quilt project. In her typical no waste fashion she shows you how to use the blocks. This works for orphan blocks as well.
Instagram: quiltershea...

[@dorothyyoung8231]

You can make a sampler quilt with your random blocks: pick a few fabrics, then always use those fabrics for your learn-a-new-technique blocks. Eventually you’ll have enough blocks to make a sampler quilt. You can, for instance, use all Christmas fabrics, or all 30s fabrics, or all bright fabrics for this sort of collection.

[@angelikaimnaehglueck]

good tip

[@tonitoland846]

This. I learned to swatch when I learned to knit, so practice blocks when learning to quilt makes perfect sense. Thank you!

[@gigiontube]

The “donut” block you said is humongous… it is perfect for a center piece. I love it ❤️ Oh… I wrote my comment before I reached the end of video. I see you call them “candle mats”. Great !

[@loraineleuschke4186]

All of the blocks are lovely and could be pillows, framed wall art, framed and on a stand as a decor piece. Table topper for the very large ones, use as a center piece on a runner.

[@kathrynfountain894]

Love your examples of what might go to waste if we don’t use the most efficient cut to accomplish our project. I enjoy precuts for many reasons, and I save my leftovers ( they’re not really scraps) from each project individually. But it’s very helpful to learn to look at things from a different view point. Thank you! Happy quilting!

[@helenpeddycord2241]

I love practice blocks for the reasons you described. Also, it enables us to confirm accurate cutting and accurate quarter inch stitching!🧵

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Hello! I finally get to sit with my hand quilting today and watch your video. I hope you have a delightful week ahead! Thank you for posting this video and sharing your time.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

How much hand quilting do you do? We need to get you to machine quilt, so much faster.

[@AnitaSouthall]

​@@theopinionatedquilter trust me Brenda will tackle anything

[@lizreynolds4554]

I've been binge watching your videos, again. I really get so much from them. You are so articulate and intelligent. You explain so well "the how and why," of all your opinions and tips. I don't know what it is about your voice or your calm demeanor, but I hear forthright confidence in your instructions. It lowers my anxiety, and fear of messing up. My mother and older sister were and are so very competent, if they didn't like how I was sewing . . . They would take it from me, comment on my inability to do darned near anything, and finish it. Leaving me incomplete in my desire to learn and make something MYSELF!! HELPFUL INSTRUCTIONS AND positive criticism, could have been so much better for me. You are that calming, confident building voice.🌞 I know you didn't need to hear me whine, or be my therapist, but THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ☺️💖🍀🌹 You are becoming the positive voice in my head that I hear, while trying to do my projects. 🎉 Keep being that voice of reasonable instructions, please. We, I need it. Blessings and Huggles Always to you.🦓 **Where may I get the giraffe and Zebra pattern? My Mother in law loves giraffes 🦒. I have a genetic condition that causes us to be called ZEBRAS.🦓 PLEASE, I NEED TO MAKE THE BAG LIKE YOURS, AND A QUILT FOR ME! THANK YOU AGAIN.**

[@theopinionatedquilter]

thank you for your kind words. The giraffe and zebra are in Ellizabeth Hartman's Spectacular Savannah pattern.

[@esperansaloughran693]

Just love your attitude and so far you are right about the first 3 videos I saw, now I wish I felt that way about Mr. Grumpy.

[@notesfromleisa-land]

Practice blocks are a must...for a quilter at every level. Fabric and thread combos have different properties. So when they are pressed, it may lay differently than you expect. Sometimes you need a scant, sometimes not. I am a two ruler cutter. I have a Quilter's Slidelock that is a cutting aid, not a ruler. I always work right to left. I use my fav ruler to measure, and my Slidelock butts against it and I use that for slip free cutting. (also very safe). It saves futzing about turning fabric about etc. And I love Hunter's Star (and LeMoyne). Your quilt is beautiful. I left a comment on Deb's channel that made her laugh: I said that it was a good thing that she was not an evil genius! She would be formidable. Her tools are very well done, and I have several of them.

[@m53goldsmith]

Thank you for pointing me to Deb Tucker, her stuff is magic! And your tips and opinions are very helpful, as well! I tend to make my practice blocks with my supply of neutral cotton scraps, so I can see how the pattern goes together without getting distracted by fabric patterns or colours. Cheers from Derbyshire, UK.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

You are so welcome!

[@beccachurch]

Your advise is SO appreciated! Enjoying your videos!!

[@priscillalancaster3234]

Enjoy your tutorials and your opinions. Looking forward to visiting your shop when I’m in Illinois at the end of June.

[@suer666]

I love your practical no nonsense approach. Thanks 😊

[@franpatzcraig6713]

I've made several practice blocks into pads for under my appliances/bowls/etc. on my scratchable kitchen counters. It also gives me a chance to practice free-motion quilting.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Great idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@Bushelman]

I do too!

[@abeullah03]

I learned the hard way, cut out all the fabric for a quilt pattern. They realized their mistake too late for me. The material became pillow stuffing for my cat and dog. Expensive pillows. Thank you for the tutorials

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Depending on the error in the pattern, sometimes you can resize the pattern and still make it work. Or, even make a totally different block and use most of the cut fabric.

[@AnitaSouthall]

Ouch

[@kerryl4031]

I have some Deb Tucker's tools - they are fantastic! No more wonky flying geese! I've made a practice block with the Hunter's Star tool - I think it may be a cushion eventually. Thank you and I'm enjoying your opinions - very refreshing. I have to say I've winced at people's instructions and then I saw you were saying exactly the same as I had been thinking, because I know I'd have problems with stretching if I tried their method! xx

[@lizm4557]

I am loving your videos so much! Love your opinion section also!!!

[@leonanowland3017]

I turned in 21 project Linus quilts for Uvalde this morning. I love making quilts for project Linus Glad you do too.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

21!!! Amazing. You are most generous.

[@omisfavorites1054]

Great information. I have a Bernina so I really appreciate seeing the feet in action! I don’t think I have ever used my 10D foot, but surely will from now on. Thanks for the video!

[@AnitaSouthall]

You just solved my Hexies binding issue, way to go

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Thank you so much.

[@Bushelman]

I often use orphan or practice blocks to make a storage bag for quilts that I give away at Christmas time. It’s a great way to use up those practice blocks or the orphans.

[@suekelly840]

I'm a new subscriber. I noticed that your selvages are staggered. Why is that? I thought the selvage edges should line up before cutting strips.

[@Bushelman]

I love your opinions and I completely agree with you. 🙂

[@tessrichardson4085]

What a great shout-out for Project Linus! I would love to get my hands on bags of unwanted pieces for PL quilts.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Where do you live?

[@tessrichardson4085]

@@theopinionatedquilter Central Missouri

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Dm me on Instagram, quiltersheaveninc, with your address. I am happy to share.

[@tessrichardson4085]

@@theopinionatedquilter Done! Thanks so much.

[@AnitaSouthall]

The quilting community is so awesome

[@milu9099]

I think people who cut their fabric with the ruler mostly outside of the fabric use the cutting mat measurements and not the rulers mesurements. I personally don't have the eye for it and I always end up making stupid misstakes when I try, but I still think it's a valid method for cutting straight if you just know how to count your inches that way.

[@gigiontube]

My question on this video is : Is any reason you rely only on the ruler to cut different dimensions ? Why don’t you use the cutting board’s marks to cut ? For instance on your example of cutting 8 inch strip using a 6 inch ruler… why don’t you line up the fabric on the board vertical line and the ruler at 8 inch mark to cut ? I verified my inches on cutting board with the rulers I use, by placing the ruler over the board, and they are the same.

[@matthewmosher3712]

Great video! Always love your content. You are the best!!!

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@janeahrens572]

She’s great!

[@angelikaimnaehglueck]

Thank you for this very informativ video.

[@angelikaimnaehglueck]

5:35 just genial - I say: If you don´t have a ruler, use the lines on the mat. I watch dozends of videos people don´t use theire mats and spend a lot of money for many rulers.

[@VoxUrania]

Possible opinion topic: Is there a way to sharpen, reuse or recycle rotary cutter blades? Both machine needles and blades will end up in landfills if they can’t be diverted. Are there ways to lengthen or improve the life of blades? Thank you for the cutting tutorial. Too important to miss.

[@shawnaleewhitney6630]

Good idea! I've found that our local knife sharpening shop will sharpen rotary blades.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Thank you for watching. I have tried so many products for sharpening blades and so far I have not found anything that works. I am not aware of anywhere to recycle them but I will email Olfa and ask.

[@prayntongues]

I get new blades from Harbor Freight. They are made for cutting carpet but they fit my rotary handle. They are lots cheaper and last too!

[@AnitaSouthall]

​@@prayntongues any link for shopping for those?

[@AnitaSouthall]

​@@shawnaleewhitney6630 might go ask my local knife sharpening workshop

[@janeahrens572]

Have you taught the Tucker university?

[@mambakind]

Joe Cunningham has a great technique for facing. He doesn't much care for bindings either.

[@kathryndukes1060]

Saw the same and had a ? Moment

[@paulaneary7877]

Hi new subscriber here. I make quilts for homeless people in my area. There are many, many homeless where I live in California. Would love any extra fabric you could spare also. I do not have an instagram account is there another way to contact you? Maybe an email or something? Thanks. Love your channel.

[@theopinionatedquilter]

Great cause. My concern is the shipping cost. What is your zip code and I’ll see what the amount would be.

[@paulaneary7877]

@@theopinionatedquilter Thanks for responding. My Zip Code is 93117. I would be happy to pay the shipping. Let me know approximately how much. If it doesn't work out, or you are too busy I understand. I just want to help others but do not have much of a budget to buy the beautiful batiks and good fabric that I like to use. Thank you for at least trying. I went to a parade downtown yesterday and there were so many homeless people, way more than I remember when I was younger and living here. Just makes me sad so I try to do something.

[@AnitaSouthall]

I'd pay shipping if I was in the USA and the fabric was free. Going to be a long while before I can visit the states and go on a quilt shop binge tour lol

[@AnitaSouthall]

I'm Australian

[@janeahrens572]

Those are some crazy instructions on cutting at the beginning of your video! My opinion? STOP WATCHING THEM!!! They’re giving wrong/bad advice!