NOTE: This quilt-a-long has wrapped up. If you are looking for the full set of embroidery patterns and quilt assembly instructions, please visit the final post {here}.

Hello again my quilty friends! Back again for block 6 of our quilt-a-long, aptly named Bee Sweet. This block is among the most simple to complete in this quilt, and yet it is nothing short of adorable.

Because of the simplicity of this block, there's no video again. Just a PDF for you (click here to download), and some pictures of my completed block.

However, because this quilt-a-long has become so popular, I'm going to take a moment to address some of the questions that are being frequently asked, and if you've joined our Facebook group (which is inching closer to 800 members -- wow!), I will also have these FAQ's pinned to the top of our page. So, without further ado. . .

When will the next blocks be released?

The blocks are released every eight days, and they're being piggy-backed. So block 6 was released today, July 2nd. Block 7 will be tomorrow, July 3rd. And then blocks 7 & 8 will be released on July 10th and 11th, respectively.

When does the QAL wrap up?

The QAL is tentatively scheduled to wrap-up on August 25th, which is the only deviation from the every-eight-days schedule.

I've seen others posting blocks that already have borders and/or sashing. Did I miss something?

Nope! Those smart cookies have just figured out the quilt math on their own. I will release the instructions for cutting and piecing the quilt once we've finished the embroidery.

I'm new to embroidery. Do I need to pre-wash my embroidery foundation fabric?

That's entirely your decision. There are varying opinions in the quilt world as to whether or not you should pre-wash your fabrics. I personally have never pre-washed my fabrics, and I have yet to have an issue. I always wash my quilts once they've been quilted and bound (before putting them to use), and I always use a Shout Color Catcher.

What about threads showing through?

I used regular old Bella PFD Bleached White. I didn't back mine with muslin or a stabilizer, and none of my threads are showing through. If you're concerned, feel free to back yours with a lightweight stabilizer or a layer of muslin. It certainly won't hurt, but it's by no means necessary.

Why isn't there a list of DMC floss colors/numbers?

Can I be honest with you? I started hand embroidery a year ago and fell in love. Little did I know, when I started collecting floss, that I would start designing embroidery patterns. So I just wound my floss onto the cute little bobbins, like I did when I made friendship bracelets way back when, and discarded the paper caps that contained all the numbers. I really, really contemplated taking my quilt to my local craft shop and matching the colors on the quilt with their DMC numbers. But in all honesty, with four kiddos home with me all day (it's summer vacation for most schools here in the U.S.), it was just a little too overwhelming a task for me. If I could go back in time and save all those papers, I would! And if, in the future, I make more embroidery patterns, I'll be sure to get numbers to go along with the pattern.

Well, there you have it! I think I got the most commonly asked questions. Please feel free to ask me any other questions not addressed above via the Facebook group discussion board or in the comments section below. Enjoy block 6 and I'll be back tomorrow (with a video, too!!!) for block 7. As always, if you share on social media be sure to use the hashtags, #beeutifulQAL, #beesweet, and #summersewingcamp.

Happy Stitching!
Pamela

{Sweet Little Stitches}
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