September 18, 2013
September 15, 2013
Modern Stash Bee - September
September greeted me with another chance to do a block with HST's. I have recently decided that I like these and have 4 projects going with them now. Kelleighz is our queen this month and she requested this block so that she could put them together and make a quilt for herself. She left it open to us on the color scheme and requested a low volume background.
My favorite HST method is to sew all around the 4 sides and then slice it twice. That didn't really work on this one as a variety of prints was more important, so....I cut out triangles one by one and did it the old fashioned way.
My favorite HST method is to sew all around the 4 sides and then slice it twice. That didn't really work on this one as a variety of prints was more important, so....I cut out triangles one by one and did it the old fashioned way.
It's in the mail to you Kelleigh - Enjoy!
September 10, 2013
Blog Hop Stop #1 - Pull up a Chair
and let me tell you about this pattern! It is called Grandma's Lawn Chair created by the talented Diane over at From Blank Pages.
If you are a value shopper, then this pattern is for you! Diane really out did herself on her inaugural pattern as it includes so much!
*3 sizes (baby, toddler and lap)
*Cutting Diagram (useful so you don't have a lot of unused fabric)
*Advanced notes on fat quarter vs. fat eighth fabrics (you can use your stash!)
*Advanced notes on directional prints (this is valuable!) Typically I just don't use directional prints because I don't want to have to think about which way to cut and sew, but this pattern guides you through and makes it easy to accomplish.
*Coloring Page for each size
*Color Variations
So many details that don't always come with patterns, but she has them all. There isn't one extra thing that I would ask for in a pattern. She will be selling these on Craftsy if you would like to pick one up, but......just keep reading, it could be worth your while - I promise!
Have you ever looked at a quilt and wondered how it was put together? That was my first thought when I saw this pattern and it looked complicated. When it "looks" complicated {to me} then I don't do it. I move along to another one but I assure you it is easy to make. Plus, I know Diane, personally and am happy for her as creating patterns has been on her goal list for a little while. It is encouraging to see your friends meet their goals - yeah Diane!
Let's get to it!
I decided to tackle the baby quilt as I had an event coming up for a little one and this would make the perfect gift. The first version of the pattern (for this size) had 7 rows and 5 columns (not counting the background). The newest version has 6 rows and 5 columns. That is one of the great things about this pattern - you can easily add or remove a row or column to suit your project, if necessary.
Printing out the entire pattern is what works best for me so I can mark it all up with fabric choices.
Then on the cutting instructions I also list out which fabrics they apply to. This is really helpful for me to remember which column or row corresponds with which fabric. Especially for this pattern, I would encourage you to do the same.
Once I got everything cut out I was ready to lay it out on my design board. For some reason this step took me a while. I think at this step it would be better to have your phone/tablet in front of you with the colors to use as a guide. What worked for me was to only do one row at a time and cover the remaining rows. After that, it was a breeze to stitch up!
Are you still with me? Remember I said to keep reading. So...do you love it? You have a chance to win it as Diane is offering a free pattern to one of my readers (thank you so much)! All you have to do is comment on this post and answer the following question: What color scheme would you like to make this in?.
I'll pick a random winner this weekend and the pattern will arrive to your email inbox courtesy of Diane Bohn.
Giveaway is now closed - See this post for winner details!
Check out the other posts this week from other testers too!
Ginny @ Fishcreek Studio
Kelleigh - guest blogging at from blank pages
Sara @ Sew Sweetness
If you are a value shopper, then this pattern is for you! Diane really out did herself on her inaugural pattern as it includes so much!
*3 sizes (baby, toddler and lap)
*Cutting Diagram (useful so you don't have a lot of unused fabric)
*Advanced notes on fat quarter vs. fat eighth fabrics (you can use your stash!)
*Advanced notes on directional prints (this is valuable!) Typically I just don't use directional prints because I don't want to have to think about which way to cut and sew, but this pattern guides you through and makes it easy to accomplish.
*Coloring Page for each size
*Color Variations
So many details that don't always come with patterns, but she has them all. There isn't one extra thing that I would ask for in a pattern. She will be selling these on Craftsy if you would like to pick one up, but......just keep reading, it could be worth your while - I promise!
Have you ever looked at a quilt and wondered how it was put together? That was my first thought when I saw this pattern and it looked complicated. When it "looks" complicated {to me} then I don't do it. I move along to another one but I assure you it is easy to make. Plus, I know Diane, personally and am happy for her as creating patterns has been on her goal list for a little while. It is encouraging to see your friends meet their goals - yeah Diane!
Let's get to it!
I decided to tackle the baby quilt as I had an event coming up for a little one and this would make the perfect gift. The first version of the pattern (for this size) had 7 rows and 5 columns (not counting the background). The newest version has 6 rows and 5 columns. That is one of the great things about this pattern - you can easily add or remove a row or column to suit your project, if necessary.
Then on the cutting instructions I also list out which fabrics they apply to. This is really helpful for me to remember which column or row corresponds with which fabric. Especially for this pattern, I would encourage you to do the same.
Once I got everything cut out I was ready to lay it out on my design board. For some reason this step took me a while. I think at this step it would be better to have your phone/tablet in front of you with the colors to use as a guide. What worked for me was to only do one row at a time and cover the remaining rows. After that, it was a breeze to stitch up!
Are you still with me? Remember I said to keep reading. So...do you love it? You have a chance to win it as Diane is offering a free pattern to one of my readers (thank you so much)! All you have to do is comment on this post and answer the following question: What color scheme would you like to make this in?.
I'll pick a random winner this weekend and the pattern will arrive to your email inbox courtesy of Diane Bohn.
Giveaway is now closed - See this post for winner details!
Kelleigh - guest blogging at from blank pages
Sara @ Sew Sweetness
September 2, 2013
Inspiration from the Dishwasher!
You know they say, you never know when inspiration is going to strike. Well it jumped up and hit me in the face the other day, as I was unloading the dishwasher. These were the last thing for me to put away, but I stopped for just a minute and you know what, I like this color combo. So much so that I got a photo so I could remember it. I do think I need to have one more color in there (cause even numbers aren't good for fabric choices) but as a base, I love it. And yes, even the chartreuse green. {Note: for my newer readers, I don't like green, at all, ever - just don't}. But....with the navy blue, white and coral, it looks good!
What do you think the 5th color should be to blend this out into a new quilt color scheme?
August 29, 2013
Simply Solids - September
Although I've been quiet, I've been busy and my sewing machine has been a humming so stay tuned for updates in the near future and hope you are enjoying this last week of August - this year is flying by!
August 27, 2013
Simply Solids - August Bonus
The Simply Solids Bee is one that I am happy to say, I am still loving! Sometimes after a few months, it's a chore to get the fabric in the mail and make another block.
Not the case with this bee! In fact, one my friends is also in Simply Solids, but another group and she asked me to make a couple of blocks for her so she would get more variety, because, you know---you only have so many solids and I think she is making an extra 8 blocks to go with the 11 from her bee mates, so of course I said yes! She's my friend and that is what friends do.
Not the case with this bee! In fact, one my friends is also in Simply Solids, but another group and she asked me to make a couple of blocks for her so she would get more variety, because, you know---you only have so many solids and I think she is making an extra 8 blocks to go with the 11 from her bee mates, so of course I said yes! She's my friend and that is what friends do.
August 19, 2013
Modern Stash - August Another Supernova
My girl, January, is in the Modern Stash Bee with me, but we aren't in the same hive.
Funny thing, we are both the Queen Bee this month and doing the exact same thing as last time.
You see, for the first half of the year, I asked for the Octagonal Orb Block (and they turned out so pretty) and for this second half, I asked for the same thing, so I can have a good sized quilt with these blocks.
January did the same thing! She started with yellow and gray Supernova blocks and is adding to her collection to make a large and awesome Supernova quilt.
Here is my second contribution to her quilt. You can take a peek at the first one I did. You can tell I really like the Groovy fabric for this block! (I think it's the color combo).
Funny thing, we are both the Queen Bee this month and doing the exact same thing as last time.
You see, for the first half of the year, I asked for the Octagonal Orb Block (and they turned out so pretty) and for this second half, I asked for the same thing, so I can have a good sized quilt with these blocks.
January did the same thing! She started with yellow and gray Supernova blocks and is adding to her collection to make a large and awesome Supernova quilt.
Here is my second contribution to her quilt. You can take a peek at the first one I did. You can tell I really like the Groovy fabric for this block! (I think it's the color combo).
August 16, 2013
Simply Solids - August
Teressa, this month, asked for the Churn Dash block in my Simply Solids Bee.
You know, funny thing, this churn dash. I have never liked this pattern but in the last couple of months, I have done a 180 and it's lovely. It was great to make this for my bee mate.
As a matter of fact, I have a special project where I owe a block and I made a....guess it...churn dash!
For my special project I had to utilize my math skills to make it into a 9" block (finished). Always remember the seam allowances!
The easiest tutorial I have ever seen for this block, was presented by the lovely Jenny at Missouri Star Quilt Company. She makes everything seem so easy, and really it is! Check them out when you need some inspiration and if you have any pre-cut bundles laying around, she'll be able to inspire you to whip it up into something fabulous in no time at all.
You know, funny thing, this churn dash. I have never liked this pattern but in the last couple of months, I have done a 180 and it's lovely. It was great to make this for my bee mate.
As a matter of fact, I have a special project where I owe a block and I made a....guess it...churn dash!
For my special project I had to utilize my math skills to make it into a 9" block (finished). Always remember the seam allowances!
The easiest tutorial I have ever seen for this block, was presented by the lovely Jenny at Missouri Star Quilt Company. She makes everything seem so easy, and really it is! Check them out when you need some inspiration and if you have any pre-cut bundles laying around, she'll be able to inspire you to whip it up into something fabulous in no time at all.
August 14, 2013
Make Up Bag for the Sista!
When my sister got married earlier this summer, her make-up bag left a lot to be desired.
The zipper was broken and it was stretched out and frankly, she just needed a new one. I loosely measured it with my flip flop to remember the dimensions she wanted and told her I would stitch one up for her.
Well.....that didn't work as I had envisioned. It being a "loose" measurement combined with losing quite a bit of space when I boxed the bottom corner meant the first bag was just too small. One other "whoops" was that I used the duck cloth I had bought locally and it just wasn't heavy enough so the bag couldn't stand up on its own. Luckily, my stash includes 4 yards of very heavy duck cloth (from an online supplier) so I started over to make another, larger, one.
The lining is a whimsical, happy cupcake pattern that I hope makes her smile each time she opens it.
She is going to get both of them as I'm sure she can use them.
Happy Birthday Sis - I love you and wish you many more!
Additionally, this project was on my Q3 Finish-A-Long List so I can check it off! Yeah!
The zipper was broken and it was stretched out and frankly, she just needed a new one. I loosely measured it with my flip flop to remember the dimensions she wanted and told her I would stitch one up for her.
Well.....that didn't work as I had envisioned. It being a "loose" measurement combined with losing quite a bit of space when I boxed the bottom corner meant the first bag was just too small. One other "whoops" was that I used the duck cloth I had bought locally and it just wasn't heavy enough so the bag couldn't stand up on its own. Luckily, my stash includes 4 yards of very heavy duck cloth (from an online supplier) so I started over to make another, larger, one.
The lining is a whimsical, happy cupcake pattern that I hope makes her smile each time she opens it.
She is going to get both of them as I'm sure she can use them.
Happy Birthday Sis - I love you and wish you many more!
Additionally, this project was on my Q3 Finish-A-Long List so I can check it off! Yeah!
August 12, 2013
My Oh My
Summer has been busy, but let's jump right in so I can share with you what I have been working on lately.
In the Modern Stash Bee, our Queen, Jana, requested pieces for a row quilt. She left it pretty open and said a 48" row of whatever block you choose, using a low volume fabric for the background. Now you know, you'd think it would be easy but giving us all that design choice/freedom was tough for me. I pondered for a while and then remembered the Summer Sampler I had finished earlier this season and decided on the popsicle.
She got 8 popsicles and a wonderful variety from our "Las Vegas Hive".
There were whales, swimsuits, pinwheels, hourglass and that is going to be one fabulous quilt! I am honored to have contributed to it.
(Sorry the pic isn't better, it's quite wide and I've no idea how to compensate for that)
In the Modern Stash Bee, our Queen, Jana, requested pieces for a row quilt. She left it pretty open and said a 48" row of whatever block you choose, using a low volume fabric for the background. Now you know, you'd think it would be easy but giving us all that design choice/freedom was tough for me. I pondered for a while and then remembered the Summer Sampler I had finished earlier this season and decided on the popsicle.
She got 8 popsicles and a wonderful variety from our "Las Vegas Hive".
There were whales, swimsuits, pinwheels, hourglass and that is going to be one fabulous quilt! I am honored to have contributed to it.
(Sorry the pic isn't better, it's quite wide and I've no idea how to compensate for that)
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