Slea Head Quilt Along - Week 3

July 14, 2025

Week 3 is all about the fabric placement layout. You have three options, all of which are bound to produce stunning results.

You can let your fabric placement layout be completely random. Just mix up your fabric and grab as you sew, no need to make any decisions before hand.
You can lay all your fabric out before hand. This will allow you to make changes and swap around fabrics before sewing anything together (this is how I like to do it).
You can follow one of my carefully crafted fabric placement layout options provided in the pattern. This works like a paint by number, just follow the numbers and sew to your hearts content.

There are no wrong answers here. Whichever option you decide is going to look beautiful.

Would you rather watch the video? Click here.

Do you still need the pattern? No problem. You can grab it here.
Use coupon code: SHQAL2025 (expires August 3, 2025)

Here are two quilts, two different fabric placement layouts, two stunning results.

Choosing your own fabric layout

Start with the large A squares and find a color distribution that you are happy with.
Start adding in your B rectangles.
Now add in all the smaller C and D rectangles.

Tips

Don't be afraid to swap colors around until you are happy with where your fabric is placed.
Take photos along the way. I often find I can more easily see trouble spots in a photo.
Step back from your layout and look at the whole picture. Are there spots that have color clusters or that dominate the quilt top?
Keep rearranging until you are happy with the results.
If you want to see my process watch the video here.

Stacking your fabric for easy sewing

Once I have decided on my layout I like to stack my fabric in pairs per block, this allows me to chain piece my blocks while still keeping my layout intact. From left to right I have my A square, my B rectangle paired with a C rectangle, a pair of 2 D rectangles, and a pair of 2 C rectangles, all for a single block. I then stack these up and keep them together to start sewing next week.

Behind the Scenes

I like to layout my fabrics before hand. I don't have a design wall so I usually end up doing this on my bed or the floor because they are the only surface in my house big enough to layout a whole quilt. Here is my final final fabric placement layout. I can't wait to begin sewing next week.

Schedule

Week 1: Pick your size and your fabrics
Week 2: Cut your fabric
Week 3: Decide on your layout
Week 4: Sew your blocks
Week 5: Assemble your quilt

Pattern

Do you still need the pattern? No problem. You can grab it here.

Use coupon code: SHQAL2025 (expires August 3, 2025)

Thank you!!

Thank you for being here! I would love to see your progress. Comment below and tell me all about it. Or tag me on Instagram @StitchingAcrosstheGlobe and use the hashtag #SleaHeadQAL.