
Whale Dance, Row by Row 2018 Block by Marie Noah, was inspired by the 2018 theme “Sew Musical.”
Humpback whales are known for their haunting and melodic songs and for breaching the water with amazing acrobatic abilities. This year’s block is a tribute to these graceful giants. The scene depicts a pod of humpback whales as they joyfully frolic to the beautiful sounds of the deep.
This combination of piecing and applique creates the illusion of intricate detail, yet it’s achieved with basic sewing skills. The block can be made without borders and combined with other row patterns for a larger quilt project or finished with the border to make a single art quilt. The choice is yours.
No Need to Cut Whale Dance Applique Pieces
If tracing and cutting all the intricate little pieces in Whale Dance isn’t your thing, our laser cut, pre-fused kit options are the way to go. All you do is piece the background, remove the backing paper from the appliques, place them in the scene and fuse with an iron. Finally, add borders or additional blocks and quilt as desired. Basic sewing skills are all that are needed to complete this project.
What is “Row By Row 2018”?
It’s like a shop hop, but it’s not… no fees, no passports and all summer to play! Simply visit any participating shops across the nation and receive a free pattern for a block in a quilt. Combine your blocks in any way to create a unique quilt that represents the fun you had traveling throughout the summer. Travel with friends, discover new quilt shops, and have fun collecting blocks!
The 2018 theme is Sew Musical, and each shop is working with the musical theme in their row. The Northern Threads row was designed by Marie Noah, depicting a pod of humpback whales dancing in the deep blue ocean. The pattern techniques are simple piecing and fusible applique. Fabric pre-cut, pre-fused kits and patterns are available in store. Our pattern is a complimentary gift to shop visitors between June 21 – Sept. 4. Limit one per person.
A new twist for 2018 is more block sizes. Participating shops choose one of four sizes, 9″ x 36″, 6″ x 54″, 12″ x 27″ and 18″ x 18″. This gives you the chance to be more creative with your finishing layout.
Travel and Collect Row by Row 2018 Patterns between June 21 – Sept 4, 2018
First, create a quilt using at least 8 different Row by Row 2018 blocks from 8 different 2018 participating RxR shops. Then be the first to bring your row completed quilt into a participating shop to win a stack of 25 fat quarters (6-1/4 yards of fabric!). If you use that shop’s row in your quilt, you’ll win a bonus prize!

Bring in a completed quilt for a prize: June 21 – Oct. 31, 2018
ONLINE ORDERING FOR 2018 ROW AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1ST, 2018
All other row patterns are available online now!


Row by Row 2018 Collectibles
Collect fabric plates and lapel pins available at many of the participating shops across the country. Our Northern Threads, Row by Row 2018 phrases are “Arctic Stripr” and “Polar Piecer” Fabric plates and lapel pins are available. Quantities are limited, so order now!
Whale Dance patterns and kits are only available locally to walk-in customers from June 21st, 2018, thru October 31, 2018. Online sales begin November 1, 2018.
Whale Dance combines traditional piecing with fusible applique. Very simple to make. Available in 3 easy options.
Finished Size Row Only: 6″ x 54″
Skill Level: Basic Sewer
LASER CUT KIT (Free pattern included thru Sept. 4, 2018)
Includes complete full-color instructions for piecing and “Easy Fusible Applique” Techniques. Laser-cut, pre-fused appliques, fabrics to complete row. During the Row by Row 2018 event, June 21 – Sept. 4, the Whale Dance kit won’t include the borders & binding.
Border & Binding Kit (available thru Sept. 4, 2018)
If you want to make your Whale Dance kit into a single wall quilt, I’ve made an easy kit for you to do just that. The Border & Binding Kit comes with full-color instructions for the finishing steps along with fabrics to complete the top.
Includes: Applique Pieces, laser-cut, and pre-fused. (Free pattern included thru Sept. 4, 2018)
If cutting out fabric pieces isn’t your forte, or you want to get started on your project right away, our laser-cut appliques are a perfect choice. We’ve done the hard part for you!
PATTERN ONLY
Includes Complete full-color instructions for piecing and “Easy Fusible Applique” techniques.
Shop Row by Row Designs by Marie Noah
Please share your thoughts or comments on this post. We value your feedback
Previous Row Patterns:
Moose Lake – Row by Row 2015
Borealis Ridge – Row by Row 2016
Raven’s Throne – Row Pattern, Released June 2016
Night Watch – Row Pattern, Released April 2017
Morning Stroll – Row Pattern, June 2017
Caribou Crossing – Row Pattern, May 2017
End of the Row – Row Finishing Pattern, June 2017
Aurora Run – Row by Row 2017, Available Online November 1, 2017
I will want this come November and probably your previous kits too to put all of them in a quilt together. So can I get a reminder come November?
Yes, I will email a reminder to everyone. Be sure you have signed up for our emails.
Please sign me up for your email ! I love all your rows !
And I would love to get the new one in November as it is
My birthday month .
I want the kit !
Thank you !
I signed you up for our email.
Love this row – will be ordering in November for sure. Wish I could get there in person to pickup but just too far. Have most of the previous rows, so this will be a great addition.
OMG…..Marie, you have outdone yourself again. This is truly beautiful and I will have to have it!
Patsy Williams from Ninilchik.
So glad to hear you like it. Thanks!
Very clever, to jump in with blocks of each size and a quilt design. Keep up the good work. Kathy in colo
Love, love, LOVE using the whale song for music!!!! So clever! I wish I was there to get the pattern!
Marie I love your designs. I agree with Pam Hancock. I Would also like to be notified when whale dance is available. I would also like to put together a pattern set of your other designs to create a quilt. My son would love it. You are very creative. Just lovely.
Thank you, Pennie. I will send a reminder in October about Whale Dance. You can order my other patterns online anytime.
Love your rows how much do they run? Would be interested in previous rows if available.
Barb, Thank you! Yes, all the previous patterns are available. You can the pricing and order here, https://www.northernthreads.net/shop/Kits/Row-by-Row.htm
Beautiful design, but sooo far away. Looking forward to November.
I would like to purchase your 2018 row by row if you still have any left. Thank you