Color Weave Quilt Along Week 3 – Completing the Blocks

Now that you have your Color Weave units sewn, you can join them into blocks. The key to the woven design is careful color placement as you sew your blocks. Be sure to refer to the block chart in the quilt pattern that shows you exactly which piece goes where in each block. Although the block structure is the same for all of the blocks in the quilt, the color placement varies for each column of blocks.

Rainbow Weave Blocks

Color Weave blocks in progress

Notice that some of the blocks have darker gray strips across the top whereas others have a lighter gray strip across the top. Pay close attention to the pattern so that you make the correct number of each type of block. If you are using different fabrics, make notes in your pattern so that you can substitute your fabrics in the correct location.

Rainbow Weave Blocks

I love stacking up the blocks into pretty piles!

The key to the success of the design is seam accuracy. Because the woven lines are made up of smaller pieces of fabric, accurate fabric joins will ensure that the design flows smoothly across the quilt. You want the finished size of each strip to be 2″ after sewing together, so it’s a good idea to make a test block to check your seam accuracy and pin generously.

Rainbow Weave Quilt Block

It’s important to keep the seam lines straight across the entire quilt to create the woven look.

To ensure that the fabric pieces line up across from each other, layer the pieces wrong sides together, then flip up the top piece to ensure that the lines match up across the piece. Once you are happy with the seam alignment on both sides, pin (or use a stiletto) to keep everything in place as you sew.

Create the center block unit from the subunits sewn last week along with a colorful center rectangle for each block. (See the pattern instructions for the exact number to make.) Here’s a short video showing how I line up the rows of each block so that the seams will align:

Once the center block units are all sewn, join the outer pieces to complete each block, ensuring that the gray units continue to align accurately.

Rainbow Weave Block

Ensure accurate fabric placement according to the Color Weave pattern.

Continue to press your seams open and sew with a smaller stitch length (or backstitch) to secure the seams. What I like to do is chain piece a whole bunch of sections, then stop and press them all at once. It gives me a sense of accomplishment that I’m actually getting something done.

Seams Pressed Open

Pressing Seams open gives more accurate results and a smooth, flat block.

Keep sewing and pressing all of the blocks in the same manner until they are finished. In the next step, we’ll sew them together into rows and assemble the quilt top.

Rainbow Weave Quilt Blocks