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!


Sunday, June 3, 2018

Easy LOVELOUD Block

Today I'm sharing a block pattern with a cause.

My friend Johnny of Big City Quilts has organized a heart block drive in conjunction with the upcoming LOVELOUD Fest that will be held in Salt Lake City on Saturday, July 28th.


Johnny's plan is to make as many heart quilts as possible. The quilts will be auctioned off to benefit Encircle in Provo, Utah. Check out his original post out HERE.

Encircle is a resource center for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. One of their goals is prevention of suicide amongst LGBTQ+ teens. Each life is precious, so I know that this is a cause that we can all get behind!

Encircle house is a place of love and acceptance, where everyone is welcome. Last month Johnny (@johnnybarfuss), Marion (@myquiltdiet), Emily (@simplegirlsimplelife), and I, had the opportunity to teach a beginning quilting class at Encircle. It was definitely an experience where I gained so much more that I gave.

So are you ready to get sewing?!



Make sure to print it the actual size.



I made my sample blocks with bright, beautiful colors, using low volume fabrics in the negative space. How will you make yours?  I suggest digging into your pile of scraps and going crazy! These blocks go together quite quickly and are so much fun. And you get such a sweet feeling knowing that you are helping others.

When you're finished with your blocks, tag them with #easyloveloudblock so that I can see your results!

Please send your blocks to Johnny Barfuss.
You can message him directly through his Instagram account
to get his mailing address.

Enjoy!


P.S. If you need a tutorial on how to paper piece, here is a video by David Gilleland that has been really helpful for me.


Friday, April 27, 2018

Fat Quarter Cubes Quilt


Spring has finally sprung here in Utah, which means brisk mornings that turn into beautiful afternoons and evenings. This fresh Fat Quarter Cubes quilt it perfect for the changing of seasons. The low volume squares resemble the blossoming trees throughout our neighborhood.


When I was asked by Fat Quarter Shop to participate in this quilt along, I knew immediately that I wanted to use Modern Backgrounds Color Box by Zen Chic for my quilt. I had my eye set on this bundle before it was released, and I have to say...it's every bit as wonderful as it appear in the pictures.



We all know that everyone needs a pattern that they can fall back on when a quilt is needed in a hurry. Fat Quarter Cubes is just the ticket. The big 18" blocks go together so quickly that your quilt top will be done before you know it!


Hop on over to Fat Quarter Shop's post to see more Fat Quarter Cubes quilts by other makers. You'll also find a video tutorial showing how quick and easy this quilt truly is.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Clementine Quilt Along :: Coconut Cross


One of the things that I love about quilting is the way in which you take several different units, sew them together, and you get a beautiful block. This month's Clementine Quilt Along Coconut Cross block is a prime example.

For each section of the block you use two square-in-a-square units, two flying geese, and four half-square triangles. Don't you just love the look of the four blocks pieced together in alternate directions? The look is so creative and unique.

Are you participating in this fun quilt along with Fat Quarter Shop? It's been so fun creating a new block each month. And the fact that your participation and donations benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital makes this quilt along that much more meaningful.


Sunday, March 25, 2018

Clementine Quilt Along :: Peaches & Plenty


This is the third month of the Clementine Quilt Along hosted by Fat Quarter Shop, which benefits research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The Peaches & Plenty blocks use a great combination of half-square triangles and flying geese. It can be a little tricky getting all of the points to line up, but I found that using pins when stitching the pieces together was a huge help.


I'm really happy with how this quilt is coming together. I'm really enjoying the Moda Bella Solids that I selected for my blocks.

If you have not yet joined the quilt along, it's not too late! You'll end up with a wonderful quilt and will have the opportunity to donate to a worthy cause.


Monday, February 26, 2018

Summer Plans :: Moda Bake Shop


Today on Moda Bake Shop I'm sharing my Summer Plans quilt tutorial. This is a fun buzz-saw quilt that I have made several times using different variations. This time around I made the traditional block with the bright, contemporary Grunge Hits the Spot fabrics by BasicGrey.


The background fabric is from BasicGrey's upcoming Meraki line. I love the positive affirmations of this simple black and white print.



The playfulness of the dragonfly quilting gets me every time I look at it! It reminds me of the summer evenings I'm longing for. Quilting was done by Utah Valley Quilting.




This is my first buzz-saw quilt which I made in 2007, using 1930's reproduction fabrics. It's just 12 blocks with a 1" white border and a 6" outer boarder. The perfect size for a baby quilt!

Clementine Quilt Along :: Broken Berries


Today I'm sharing the block two in the Clementine Quilt Along by Fat Quarter Shop. I love that the Broken Berries blocks are made from a few of my favorite sub-blocks: square in a square, flying geese, and half-square triangles.

It's been fun to follow the #clementinequiltalong hashtag on Instagram. It's also great to know that the donations for the block patterns help to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Clementine Quilt Along :: Watermelon Wheel


I'm so excited to be part of Fat Quarter Shop's Clementine Quilt Along, benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This is the second time that I have participated in the the annual quilt along. It's such a fun way to work on a large quilt, little by little, and to help a worth cause.

Although the patterns are free, FQS asks that you donate a small amount each month in lieu of paying for the pattern. You can click on the above link for more information on how you can participate.

This year I decided to make my quilt using Moda Bella Solids. I'm eager to see how it all comes together. These Watermelon Wheel blocks are made using Gray, Mango, Buttercup, and French Blue. I love the way that the colors pop agains the freshly fallen snow!

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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Saguaro Quilt Tutorial



I've been promising a tutorial for my Saguaro Quilt for quite some time, and today I'm finally going to deliver! I actually had the idea for this cactus quilt rolling around in my head for several months before I put pencil to paper, and it was last October that I made my first block and posted it to Instagram. You can see more pictures of this quilt on my blog post HERE.

These Saguaro blocks are a good way to make a dent in your green scraps. For more variety, I recommend swapping some 2.5" green squares with your friends! I'm SO grateful for my friends who donated their scraps when I made my quilt! 

Keep in mind that this isn't a quilt pattern...simply a tutorial, so you may have to do some figuring out on your own. But you're smart, so I'm sure it won't be a problem. I will give you measurements assuming that your seam allowance is a perfect scant 1/4" and all of your blocks measure a perfect 12.5"x 20.5" (unfinished). Please measure your completed blocks before cutting your sashing and borders. You may need to adjust the lengths to fit.


FABRIC REQUIREMENTS FOR QUILT

3-1/2 yards PINK BACKGROUND
Lots and lots of GREEN SCRAPS

BLOCK CUTTING GUIDELINES

ColorSize1 Block12 Blocks
Green2.5" x 2.5"30360
1.5" x 1.5"224
Pink8.5" x 4.5"112
6.5" x 4.5"112
12.5" x 2.5"112
10.5" x 2.5"112
4.5" x 2.5"112
2.5" x 2.5"112
1.5" x 1.5"224
1" x 1"672
P/G HST2.5" x 2.5"224

P/G HST = Pink and Green Half Square Triangles. Use your favorite method to make 24.

These cactus quilt blocks have ten "stitch and flip" corners. Placement is shown in the diagram (typed in BLACK) and photo below. Place the square on the corner of the fabric, right sides together. Stitch diagonally, press back to check for accuracy, then trim.

The unfinished block measures 12.5" x 20.5".

NOTE: You will need to make SEVEN blocks as diagrammed below, and FIVE that are opposite.


You may notice that the 1' x 1" squares aren't added to the bottom of this saguaro.
This was my prototype, so they were added later.


SASHING AND BORDERS

Horizontal Sashing1212.5" x 4.5"
Vertical Sashing372.5" x 4.5"
Side Borders272.5" x 4.5"
Top and Bottom Borders258.5" x 4.5"

Assemble the cactus quilt blocks as diagrammed below.


I'm so eager to see your Saguaro Quilts! Will you use a pink background or do you have another color in mind? Please use the following hashtags when you share your pictures on social media.

#saguaroquilt
#cactusquilt

Saguaro Quilt



Now that the holidays are over and I'm done traveling for a while, I'm finally able to blog about my Saguaro Quilt. The idea for a cactus quilt has been been rattling around in my brain for almost a year now, but it wasn't until I was at a quilt retreat last November that I actually made my first block.

A year and a half ago I made a pineapple quilt, using a tutorial by Jackie Padesky. Two and a half-inch squares and half-square triangles are the basis for the pineapple blocks. These saguaro blocks are similar. Thirty 2.5" squares, a couple of half-square triangles, and a handful of "flip and stitch" corners. When chain pieced, these big blocks go together quite quickly.


I knew from the beginning that I wanted to make this cactus quilt with a pink backing, but these cute note cards from the Dollar Spot at Target reconfirmed my decision! I used the 2017 Kona Color of the Year, Pink Flamingo (AKA the perfect pink!), as my background choice.


I was somewhat uncertain which fabric I wanted to use for the binding. I ended up going with this green gingham, which I cut on the bias, even though most people chose a green and white bias when I posted a poll on my Instagram story. But I'm very happy with my decision!

This awesome Kaffe Fassett backing was purchased at The Quilter's Lodge (Thanks, Robyn!) and the modern loops quilting was done by Utah Valley Quilting.


As promised, you can find a free tutorial for the Saguaro Quilt HERE.

A big shoutout to my daughter, Kirsten, who was my quilt holder. We made several stops in the desert on the way home from California last week. Mother Nature gave us a run for our money, but we won in the end!







#saguaroquilt
#cactusquilt