It’s FINALLY here! The first block for Maggie’s First Dance Free Block of the Month was sent out a short time ago. If you are signed up, please check your email for your pattern. (Please note- sometimes it can several hours for the email to reach your inbox. If you don’t have it yet, please be patient and check back a little later.)

If you can’t find your email, please check your spam folder, and Gmail users please check your “Promotions” folder. If you still can’t find it, please email me comments@JacquelynneSteves.com  As this is the first month, and there may be a few “kinks” to work out, it may take us a little while to get back to you, but we will do our best to answer as soon as possible. PLEASE do not comment here to tell us that you can’t find your email- you comment will be deleted! Please email for assistance. Thank you!!

For technical questions, like how to download/save a PDF, etc. please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

If you are NOT signed up yet, please fill in the box in the upper right side bar of THIS PAGE to get your FREE block patterns! NOTE- THE PATTERNS ARE NOT ON MY WEBSITE OR BLOG- YOU MUST SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THEM BY EMAIL.

Just ONE MORE THING- Please download and save the files to your computer immediately, so that you can find them when you need them. Don’t rely on trying to find the email with the links later- As many have found, emails tend to get lost, even when you put them in a special folder :)  As this event grows larger with more and more participants, it gets more difficult for me to reply to emails requesting that I re-send the patterns. THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH!!!!

So… HERE. WE. GO!!!

Read through to the end of this post to find out how you can win a really great prize :)

I made the sample quilt using machine applique. I love machine applique because it’s fast- that means I can get on to my next project! This quilt was made with Hometown Girl fabric by Pat Sloan for Moda Fabrics.

I’ve been doing machine applique for years, and after lots of trial and error, I have found that my favorite fusible web product is Heat n Bond Lite by Thermoweb*- It’s lightweight so it doesn’t add a lot of bulk, but it’s not so thin that you can’t peel that paper backing off (that can be so frustrating!)

I also started working on some embroidered blocks. For these, instead of solid white I used a pretty print with a white background. I also substituted a coral colored fabric for the white/red print, and dark pink for red. I love how it came out! I used 3 strands of Aurifloss #2630 embroidery floss by Aurifil. I also used Lightweight Fusible Interfacing* on the back of my embroidery. I didn’t used to use interfacing on the back of my embroidery, but I like how it gives a little more body to the fabric, and adds an extra layer so any extra threads on the back don’t show through to the front.

These blocks will also look great with a novelty fabric or pretty print in the centers, instead of the applique or embroidery. The patterns have directions for all 3 options, so you can choose your favorite! In the past, many people have made more than one BOM quilt, using different techniques.

Lots of people tell me that their favorite part of the Block of the Month is seeing all of the different fabrics people choose- and I agree! Amazing how different a block can look with different fabrics! Please show us your blocks!! You have lots of ways to “show-off”!!

~~Sew Quilty Friends Facebook Group– we’ve just started a new Facebook group about a week ago and it’s already so much fun :) Lots of quilty chatting going on and new friends being made. It’s also a great place to ask questions about the BOM, or any quilt related questions. Join here and post your photos.

~~My Facebook Page– post your photos to my Facebook page. You can use hashtag #MaggieQuilt and mention me @JacquelynneJostSteves

~~Instagram– post your photos to Instagram and tag #MaggieQuilt and mention me @JacquelynneSteves

~~Pinterest– you can pin your photos to our group Pinterest board. Please email me comments@JacquelynneSteves.com for an invitation to pin to the board.

~~Linky Page– this is brand new- you can post your photos right here on my website!! We haven’t done this before, so I hope it works OK, lol. Please click here and follow the instructions at the top. You don’t have to have a blog or website to add your photos. This is great for those of you who don’t use other social media (such as Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.)

***Even if you don’t choose to post your photos, please visit the sites above to see everyone’s work! It’s really a lot of fun!

(If you need buttons for your blog, please click here, images are at bottom of page.)

And now…. the really FUN part… the prizes!!!

We have a FABULOUS prize this month to kick off our Block of the Month! Each of our featured bloggers will be giving away a box of Aurifil Designer Threads!! The retail value of each box is $46 US. AND it is open to US and international readers!!

Please visit the featured bloggers to enter the giveaway over on their blogs- that’s 7 chances to win! (There is no giveaway here on my blog, you must visit the blogs below to enter).

• The Quilting Nook
• Lilypad Quilting
• My Go-Go Life
• Eva Paige Quilts
• The Crafty Quilter
• Farmhouse Quilts Blog
• Grey Dogwood Studio

You will love visiting the bloggers above- not just to enter the giveaway, but also to see their fabric choices and see which techniques they’ve used. We have examples of piecing only, applique, and embroidery. “Sew” much inspiration!

We will be having FABULOUS giveaways this year! I am really excited about the prizes we are offering, you are going to LOVE them! Here are our sponsors- please visit their websites and see all the quilt-y and sewing goodness that they have to offer!

This month’s Sponsor! Italian company Aurifil makes gorgeous threads for all of your sewing needs and wants! They also have a blog with free block patterns, sewing humor, and more.

OK peeps- It’s time to go make some blocks!!

*This page contains affiliate links, which means that if you decide to make a purchase, I will receive a small percentage at no extra cost to you. This income helps me to pay for my website, email service for sending out the block patterns, groceries, mortgage…. all that fun stuff! Thanks!