Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Dash Along Sew Along :: Round Two



Three years ago, Jen at Heritage Threads, and I hosted the first Dash Along. We devised a super easy Churn Dash block using a 10" Layer Cake and we used it for a Christmas in July sew along. I made my quilt in Christmas fabric, and Jen made hers in non-Christmas fabric, as an option to give as a Christmas gift.


This year I wanted to make another Churn Dash quilt using Halloween fabric. Unfortunately, Jen won't be sewing along, as she already has a plate full of other obligations, but I'd love for you to join me if you can! I've got some fun prizes to give away each week for those who participate!


One of the things that you'll love about this quilt along is how simple it is to cut these 12" Churn Dash blocks using 10" fabric squares and some yardage for the background. There are two size options, so you get to decide what size quilt you're going to make. 

I've already got a few test blocks made and I love how they're turning out. This go-around I'm using a Kitty Corn Layer Cake by Urban Chiks for Moda Fabrics. I'm also using Moda Crossweave in Graphite for my background.


You're probably wondering what you'll need. Well, here you go! For the QUILT TOP you will need:

72"x 84" QUILT (42 Blocks)
One (1) Layer Cake
3-1/2 yards background fabric

60" x 72" QUILT (30 Blocks)
One (1) Layer Cake
2-2/3 yards background fabric

Below are links for easy to read instructions with cutting guidelines, and directions on how to assemble the Churn Dash blocks. (A big shout out to Jen's husband for his graphic design skills!)

Click HERE for a printable PDF.

Click HERE for a mobile download.


The DashAlong will begin on Monday, June 21, and we'll be following this time frame:

Week One: Cut the fabrics and sew the "bar" pieces together.
Week Two: Sew and trim the Half Square Triangles.
Week Three: Sew the blocks together.
Week Four: Assemble the blocks into a quilt.


Should we start with a little giveaway? I think so!!! You could win this cute Moda tote bag and a Smoke & Rust Layer Cake from Lella Boutique. Please go to my Instagram feed for all of the details.

I'm really excited and hope that you are, too! 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @kairleoaks
for all of the sew along updates.

And please use the #DASHALONG hashtag
so that I can see your progress!

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Double Dip : Double Four-patch Quilt



Classic Quilts

I've always been drawn to classic quilt patterns, particularly two color quilts. A few months back I saw a beautiful double four-patch quilt on my friend Stephanie's Instagram feed (@stuphfromsteph) and I knew immediately that I wanted to recreate it in green and white. So I got out a pencil and some paper and, with only few mistakes, I figured out the cutting and piecing for the quilt.





I started cutting and sewing fabric, and 240 four-patches later, I was on a roll! One of the obvious benefits of making a two color quilt is that they come together quite quickly, since most of the sewing involves chain piecing. That's my kind of sewing!







It's amazing how quickly four-patches turn into double four-patches, which then turn into 12" blocks. The next thing you know the blocks have turned into quilt top. It's quilt magic, I tell you, and I'm here for it!




It only makes sense that I would send this quilt to Stephanie for the quilting, since it was from her that I first got the idea for this quilt. She quilted it up using the Ginger Snap design and I'm totally in love with how it turned out. I bound the quilt using the same green fabric, trying to keep that classic quilt feel.



Quilt Along

I was touched by all of the positive feedback on my Instagram account as I worked on this double four-patch quilt, and with a little pressure I decided to write up the pattern and do a quilt along for those who would like to join. The pattern is free and the schedule is loose, but here's what I have in mind...

Quilt Along Schedule (April 2021)

April 1 - Cut fabrics
April 5 - Make four-patch blocks
April 12 - Make double four-patch blocks
April 19 - Make 12" blocks
April 26 - Assemble quilt top

I hope that you will join me as I make this quilt again in another color...yet to be determined. I'll be sharing tips and tricks on my Instagram account (@kairleoaks), which I'll save to my highlights. You can get the free Double Dip pattern by clicking on the link below.


When sharing on social media, please use the hashtag #doubledipquilt and tag me @kairleoaks.







Monday, December 10, 2018

Jolly Bar Meringue Quilt :: Fat Quarter Shop


There's something comforting about having old familiar skills you can rely on when quilting, but every once in a while it's nice to step outside of your comfort zone to learn something new. That's exactly what happened when I was asked to make this fun new pattern from Fat Quarter Shop.

This Jolly Bar Meringue quilt is made using half-rectangle triangles. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the blocks were to make, using Jolly Bars and a special ruler. I'm so happy with how cute it turned out using these American Jane fabrics by Moda.

For more information and video tutorial for how to make this adorable quilt, pop on over to the Fat Quarter Shop Blog.



Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Project Remix :: Kimberly's Sac


Have you been following the Project Remixes over on the Fat Quarter Shop blog? Last week they featured Kimberly's Sac, which I totally love! This was such a fun bag to make and you can make one using 10" squares or fabrics from your scrap bin. I made my bag using a Desert Bloom Layer Cake by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda Fabrics.


There are a few things that I did in the construction of my bag that varies a little from the pattern. First, I used hardware and cotton webbing, purchased from my local fabric store, to make the shoulder strap. Second, in place of the small fabric loop to go around the button, I used a pony tail elastic that I purchased at the drug store. It stretches easily around the big button and was a simple addition.


I think I might actually be getting excited that fall is finally arriving. I can tell that this is going to be by "go to" back this season!

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Clementine Quilt Along :: Finishing Up


It's hard to believe that the Clementine Quilt Along, hosted by Fat Quarter Shop, is coming to an end. Each month has been an adventure leading toward my beautiful finished quilt! I'm absolutely thrilled with how this quilt turned out. Even better than I had hoped.

Choosing solid fabrics from a computerized swatch is pretty risky, but I'm so happy with how well these colors all play together. And I like how the soft sea foam green pulls all of the fabrics together.


I'm so happy that this quilt along benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which helps advance cures for childhood disease. I also love that Moda Fabrics will match up to $20,000 of our donations. Click HERE to see how you can help!


I couldn't be happier with the modern loops quilting done by Utah Valley Quilting. Charlie thinks it really makes my quilt shine. And for those of you who have cats, you know it's good when you get their approval!

Have you been participating in the Clementine Quilt Along? If so, leave a comment below. I'd love to check out your quilt on your blog or Instagram.

Monday, June 25, 2018

Clementine Quilt Along :: Strawberry Stars


It's hard to believe that we're almost halfway through the year and that we're on our sixth and final block for the Clementine Quilt Along to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It has been such a joy to work on these beautiful quilt blocks each month. And I think Fat Quarter Shop actually saved the best for last!

I simply love these star blocks. Each block is made using one four-patch, four flying geese, and four corner squares. The really go together quickly and easily. I'm pretty certain that I'll be using this block in a future quilt.

It's going to be so fun and exciting to assemble these blocks into a quilt next month. I'm really loving the Moda Bella Solids that I chose and hope that they come together to make a beautiful quilt. I have a feeling that they will!

Hop on over to Fat Quarter Shop's blog for this pattern and all of the details on how you can donate to St. Jude!


Monday, June 18, 2018

Christmas in July :: #DashAlong


Are you one of those people who loves to give handmade gifts during the holidays, but always puts off making them until the last minute? Well, Jen Van Orman of Heritage Threads and I are here to help! We're joining forces again for our second Christmas in July quilt along.

This year we're excited to announce that we will be sharing the instructions for a Churn Dash quilt. I'm making my quilt in Christmas fabric, so that I'll have a cute quilt ready to put on my bed once the snow starts to fly, and Jen is making hers using non-Christmas-y fabrics, so that she has an option to give her quilt as gift that can be used all year long.


One of the things that you'll love about this quilt along is how simple it is to cut these 12" Churn Dash blocks using 10" fabric squares and some yardage for the background. We're giving you two size options, so you get to decide what size quilt you're going to make!


You're probably wondering what you'll need. Well, here you go...

72"x 84" QUILT (42 Blocks)
One (1) Layer Cake
3-1/2 yards background fabric

60" x 72" QUILT (30 Blocks)
One (1) Layer Cake
2-2/3 yards background fabric

Below are links for easy to read instructions with cutting guidelines, and directions on how to assemble the Churn Dash blocks. (A big shout out to Jen's husband for his graphic design skills!)

Click HERE for a printable PDF.

Click HERE for a mobile download.


The DashAlong will begin on Monday, July 2nd, and we'll be following this time frame:

Week One: Cut the fabrics and sew the "bar" pieces together.
Week Two: Sew and trim the Half Square Triangles.
Week Three: Sew the blocks together.
Week Four: Assemble the blocks into a quilt.


We hope that you are as excited as we are! This is going to be so much fun!

Be sure to follow me and Jen on Instagram, as we'll be having giveaways for those who are quilting along with us!


And please to use the #DashAlong hashtag
so that we can see your progress!