Quilt Block Exchange

Look at the lovely mariners compass block made by Tanya from Spool and Thimble.

Such striking colors she chose.  I am impressed by all the intersecting points too.  She tells me the secret is in foundation piecing the block. Tanya sent the block to me as part of a block exchange hosted through the  Quilts, Quilts, Quilts team on Etsy.

I will be sending a 12" block to another member of the team by the end of the month. Whoops, that is tomorrow!  

Off to my sewing machine....

Happy Quilting♥

EQ7 Summer Drawing Series

Electric Quilt is hosting a Summer Drawing Series teaching the fundamentals for several drawing styles available in EQ7.  I participated in the first lesson of the series, which was to draw, print, and then actually make the block below.

I found the block easy to draw.  EQ's directions were very clear.  I printed them out, and then just followed the instructions.  Here's one version of the block: 

The little triangles were a bit of a challenge, and the entire block ended up a little skewed.  I used a few kona solids and fabrics from Hoffman's Bouquet Beauties.

I think my second scrappy block came out better.

For this version, I used scraps from one of my scrap tins.

I have a couple of these big tins filled with small scraps

If you have EQ7, I hope that you will try this series.  By the end of the summer we will have drawn and made four different blocks.

We've also been working on a Winnie the Pooh baby quilt for one of my daughter's co-workers.

We have been enjoying playing with chevrons lately

 Happy Quilting ♥

I've linked up with Fabric Tuesday, and Sew Much Ado.

Pincushion and Dancing Spools Block

Kim of Persimon Dreams is sponsoring My Favorite Block Quilt Along through the month of April.  There will be a total of 20 blocks, in two sizes available during this quilt along.  The best part is that each block is presented by a different quilter, and a number of the blocks are original designs.

Today is my turn.  I am sharing a sewing themed block - Pincushion and Dancing Spools.

I had a lot of fun designing this block.  It is available as a PDF file for you to download and make either as a 6" inch block (pincushion center), or the full 12" block with border and dancing spools corner stones.

For a 6" block, make only the center pincushion applique block

 The directions are rather lengthy, with lots of pictures.  You can access them as a printable PDF file here.

You will also need the pattern templates, which can be accessed here:
Pincushion Block
Dancing Spool Block

The 3" dancing spool block can be used as a center or sashing cornerstone in other blocks

 I hope that you enjoy making it as much as I did.  Thanks again to Kim of Persimon Dreams for hosting this fun quilt along.

Happy Quilting ♥

Pincushion Block in Two Sizes

Here's a sneak peak at a new pattern I've been working on.  

This version is a six inch block that I've made into a mug rug.

I will also be offering it as a twelve inch block with thread spool cornerstones.  

Check back in a week or so for the finished block, and instructions on how to make it.

Happy Sewing ♥

Block of the Month #8

This is the eighth block in the Block of Month series.  This block, sometimes called "Broken Dishes," is simple to make, and versatile enough to use in many projects.

Below are two quilts and a table runner you can make using this block.

 I have a PDF file of cutting and sewing directions for you. Access the PDF file here. 

I also offer this block as a pre-cut kit in my shop. The colorway shown is available, or you can custom order the block in any fabrics you like. 

Coming Up: Watch for a tutorial of a project you can make with eight of these blocks. 

Happy quilting ♥ 

Block of the Month #7

 This is the seventh block in the Block of Month series.

Below are two quilts and a table runner you can make using this block.

I have a PDF file of cutting and sewing directions for you. 

Access the PDF file here.

 I also offer this block as a pre-cut kit in my shop.

The colorway shown is available, 

or you can custom order the block in any fabrics you like.

Coming Up: Watch for a tutorial of a project you can make with seven of these blocks. 

Happy quilting ♥

Block of the Month #6 - Reversible Stroller Quilt

If you saw last month's project for the block of the month blocks, you may notice that I am on a grey kick. This reversible stroller or carseat quilt  uses six windmill blocks in solid cotton konas and bella solids.  The main body of the quilt is in grey, and there are six windmill blocks in solid colors from light yellow to pomegranate red.  It is 36" square, (a handy size for travel, or to stick in a diaper bag) and works up quickly.

SEWING

Follow the instructions to make six windmill blocks.  Join three of the blocks together in a strip.  Then add a solid piece of the background fabric 36 1/2" by 24 1/2" to the long side of the three joined squares.

Make Two (using different colors for the windmill blocks)

Repeat these steps for side two.

Sandwich batting between the two quilt layers, putting the windmill block opposite of each other.  

QUILTING

I had fun with the quilting.  First I outlined the windmill blocks on both sides of the quilt.  Then I joined the quilting lines in the middle third of the quilt with a ruler and chalk and stitched a chevron pattern.  I used a walking foot and a long stitch, so it didn't take long.
To finish, bind with a patterned fashion fabric.  I used a an organic cotton in strawberry.

I love that the quilt is reversible, fits a stroller or car seat perfectly, and has a clean, modern appeal.  

 

Happy Quilting ♥

Block of the Month #5 - Baby Quilt

Time to use those hourglass blocks you made for block of the month #5.

This baby quilt was made using five of them. 

I used fabric from Amy Schimler's Fly Away Collection. 

Access the PDF File here.