FREE Summer Smoothie Block Tutorial

Even though it's still a few weeks away until it's my turn to be queen bee, I needed to get things prepared ahead of time for my fellow bee members since I have a couple pressing deadlines for the last part of June. Since I will be sharing the block construction with them anyway, I decided to share it with you too!

Start by printing the free drunkard's path template to actual size. Here's what else you'll need for the Summer Smoothie block:

Cut 4 - outer curve pieces (using A template)
Cut 4 - inner curve pieces (using B template)
Cut 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles
Cut 1 - 2.5" square

Just so we start things off on the right foot, let me just reassure you that if you've never sewn curves before, they really are not as scary as their reputation. The main thing to remember is to TAKE. YOUR. TIME... these aren't half square triangles, you know. There are so many methods, but I prefer the no pin/or ease method for sewing curves. (check out a few YouTube videos here) One major help, in my opinion, is sewing with a template that is slightly larger than the finished block size, so that one has room for error and can trim to the correct size.

With that being said, once you have your four drunkard's path blocks together, you will want align your ruler so it is1" from the curve, as shown below, and trim.

Rotate the block and trim to 4.5". Repeat with additional blocks.

NOTE: If you are using a directional print for the inner curve, you will want to make sure that you cut the print in the same direction on each set. Below you can see how the print is running horizontal on one block, and diagonal on the other.

Essentially this is a nine patch block, and the assembly comes together in a snap... just stitch the rows together, and then assemble the connected rows for your finished Summer Smoothie Block.

These blocks are super fun and look great horizontal or on point.

Have fun mixing up your Summer Smoothie just how you like it!

Linking up this week to Let's Bee Social.

Read More

Deck the Halls Free Christmas Tree Pattern!

 It would seem that when I like a particular designer's work, I can gush on, and on, and on ( and on) about them. One designer's work that I keep coming back to time and time again is Cori Dantini. Almost every fabric line that she has put out, as soon as I see it, I have about twenty project ideas that come to mind. When I first saw her Joy & Wonder collection for Blend Fabrics, that was no exception. As I was drooling over studying her collection, it hit me... a paper piecing pattern was staring me right in the face! So, I approached Cori earlier in the year and asked if I could adapt her design into a paper piecing pattern... and now in the spirit of the season of giving, I am turning around and giving it to you too... the Deck the Halls Christmas Tree pattern!

I also drew inspiration from other elements in Cori's fabric line, and added a house and tower. Her fabrics are absolutely perfect for fussy cutting, don't you think?

For the stars I used the reverse applique method because I wanted to have a very clean and finished look, but did not want to remove excess fabric from the back of the small stars as you would for a freezer paper applique star.

Much of my quilting was simply shadow and straight line quilting, and I really wanted the stars to be focal points of the quilting as if they were really shining. You can see a good bit of the work in progress on my instagram feed.

...additionally, I wanted to say a big thank you Jessica, for helping me get this into a nice, cleaned up pdf format!

Area you busy working on Christmas projects for yourself, as decorations, or are you part of Santa's team and making presents for others?

Linking up this week to WIP Wednesday and Let's Bee Social. 
 

Read More

"The House Where Kitty Lives" Free Pattern

When Kitty has first asked me to do a mini mini swap, it was if the heavens opened, and a big down pour of ideas (at least a 1001) were dumped on my head. I've actually been reading Kittty's blog for a while now, and we've e-mailed back and forth for almost as long, sharing not just a passion for sewing, but also exchanging fun stories about managing a creative life with kids. In reading her blog, you get the feeling of just how important her family with three vibrant little ones are to her.

I actually started making my first Mini Mini Sunburst with her in mind because I thought it would be spot on, but after finishing it, I somehow kind of felt like I didn't really want to stop there. So... would you like to take a visit with me to "The House Where Kitty Lives"?... my second free mini mini paper pieced pattern! (it's the perfect scrap buster!)

I chose to make a window to represent each of her three children, with a flower in the window for growth, new life, and an appeal to her love of gardening... and in that kind of home, isn't that the place where love and happiness reside?

If you think you might have seen and heard enough about the mini mini craze, then I'd suggest you buckle up!... I'm currently working on a least two more patterns that I can share with you. Be sure to hop on over to Instagram for more mini mini quilting inspiration.

Linking up this week to Freshly Pieced and Let's Bee Social.

Read More

Mini Mini Sunburst Free Pattern

When Kitty first e-mailed me to ask if I would like to participate in a mini mini quilt swap, I sat there for a bit having an inward discussion with myself: Would it be fun to join a swap? Do I have the time? Will I commit to this and end up having another WIP just lying around waiting to be finished? Can I really sew something that mini mini? After much debate, I decided to just do it!

I knew that in order to be able to sew something so teeny, tiny, I would have to paper piece. I have noticed that the smaller my fabric bits get, the more crooked my seams become. Once I started sewing on my paper pieced Facing East quilt, I've never looked back and have become a total fan!

I thought that it might be fun to get more people in on the mini mini quilt craze and share my free "Mini Mini Sunburst Pattern" to tempt others to hop on board. WARNING: Use with caution. Making mini mini quilts is extremely addictive. Even just one mini mini project could lead to additional and frequent use. Mind wondering may occur and finishing current WIP's may become increasingly difficult.

Picking colors was not hard for me since Kitty and I share the same passion for color and all things Alison Glass. But when I was working on additional mini's I decided that I really wanted to push my limits and work with colors that are not in my usual palette of colors. I've been sitting on a fat quarter pack of Cotton & Steel fabrics from Sarah Watts for a long time. The designs are fantastic, and I really like the colors, but I have a tendency to mix softer shades with fairly bold colors because I prefer a stronger contrast.

It was a challenge to think muted, soft, and delicate... basically the complete opposite of every one of my other projects! I am always amazed at how designer's like Carolyn Friedlander can take the most quiet and understated fabrics and turn them into WOW - it really is an art all of it's own.

  
What pushes you or is challenging when it comes to working with colors? Do you have your "standard color palette" and stick to it, or do you force yourself to step outside that comfort zone?

Linking up this week to WIP Wednesday and Let's Bee Social.

Read More