An introduction to floating your quilt block

A song popped in to my mind the first time I used the Monster Block Maker.  The block was “floating” at the machine and I found myself singing quietly to myself: “It floats through the air with the greatest of ease…”

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While it’s certainly novel, you might be wondering, why would you want to float a quilt block?  The answer:  You’ll save fabric and batting!

The Monster Block Maker is designed to work with the 8” x 8” Snap Hoop Monster.  It is available for single needle and multi-needle machines.  The kit includes:

• 4 reusable plastic templates for 5″, 6″, 7″ and 8″ blocks
• 60 yards of ¼” wide double stick Monster Block Maker Tape
• Instructions for how to use the product
• 12 Downloadable embroidery designs (C2S, PES, JEF formats)

Here’s a look of the product in use:

The photo shows the 5” template attached to the bottom frame of the 8” x 8” Snap Hoop Monster frame.  I’ve been using the template for multiple uses (hence the fibers on the double stick tape).  The tape has enough adhesive to still adhere a few more blocks.  Of course, when the tape has lost it’s stickiness, I can peel it away and apply new strips of tape.

The bottom fabric of my quilt sandwich is adhered to the back (underside) of the Monster Block Maker template as shown.

Next, a piece of batting is adhered to the top of the Monster Block Maker template.

Last, the top fabric for the quilt sandwich is placed on top of the batting.

Note, the magnetic frame from the 8” x 8” Snap Hoop Monster is not used with this product.

Now it’s time for the embroidery machine!  The first stitch sequence secures the fabric.

Now the machine stitches the decorative elements.

The block is complete.  The hoop has been removed from the embroidery machine.

Now just peel away the block from the Monster Block Maker template.

Trim any excess fabric around the block with a ruler and rotary cutter.

For more information on the Monster Block Maker visit the Designs in Machine Embroidery website.  Two product links available:  Single Needle Machines and Multi-Needle Machines.

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Update/Correction:  The video the batting is cut to the same size as the front and back fabric – the batting should be smaller and fit within the hole in the block maker, only the front and back fabric should get stuck to the tape!