Friday, November 30, 2018

A New Fall Table Runner


Just have to document this fall runner before we switch over entirely to Christmas and winter. It's so simple and pretty. I really like it!


One of my teenage daughter did the bulk of the work (I just did cutting and designing and helped iron binding a bit). So proud of the attention she gives to piecing. It was so straight and square when she finished. : ) Good young quilter she is!


She tried out my version of freehand "wavy" quilting using the walking foot. Pulled it off like a pro!


Out of a couple 1/4-yard cuts we got two runners - one gifted and a shorter one for ourselves. Love this pumpkin print.

Pretty metallic-tinted binding.

Don't you just love a nice long rolled quilt?!?!

Well done, Alena!

Quilt Stats:
Fabric: Fall Foliage by Timeless Treasures
Batting:  Flannel
Size:  14.5"x55.5"

Friday, November 16, 2018

Mini Charm Fun - Mini Wreaths tutorial

Excited to be joining you all today with Mini Charm Fun - Mini Wreaths tutorial link-up for Fall 2018 Tips and Tutorials Festival hosted by Meadow Mist Designs and Quilting Jetgirl
https://fresh-dew-drops.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html


It was a lot of fun designing and making this small quilt with a mini charm of Snowfall by Minick and Simpson for Moda that my children gifted me last Christmas. They know my fabric likes quite well : ) 



Simple designs are still very appealing to me even though some times I feel I should be doing harder/more complicated piecing. Then I remember I'd rather finish a quilt sooner than later and not add to the busyness of life. Simple piecing and quilting help me find calm and peace. I need to remember that. Quilting is my fun time. There is no reason for me to ruin that with assumed expectations. : )


Love the fifth "little wreath" in the center.

It is a little surprising to me to be able to make a quilt this size at 26"x26" (nice size for wall hanging or table topper) from just a mini charm pack and a little over one-half yard of background fabric. Love it! Cute quilt without a lot of expense : )  Although this might be a little large for a mini quilt, I'm also checking off November's mini quilt for #12minisin12months hosted by Knot and Thread.


The piecing of this mini charm quilt is very simple and straightforward with cute little four patches and sashing. Add some borders and voila! Little quilt top finished!


There's still plenty of time to make a fresh little quilt for the coming holidays - there are so many cute Christmas lines this year!


Simple diagonal crosshatch quilting for the win. It was either this or straight crosshatch quilting. Diagonal won the vote.

Sweet little quilt!


Quilt stats:
Fabric: Snowfall by Minick & Simpson or Moda Fabrics
Background fabric: Moda Bella Solids #9900-97
Binding: Moda Marbles
Batting: Dream Cotton
Piecing and quilting thread: Aurifil
Size: 26"x26"

Monday, November 12, 2018

Hopeful - a Jelly Roll Quilt pattern


Today, after hours of tweaking and testing and editing, I'm thrilled to introduce 'Hopeful', my first digital PDF quilt pattern. 

(Now available as a download on Etsy)

The seeds for this quilt design started to sprout summer of 2016. Oh dear! Over two years ago! The idea kept nagging in a corner of my quilty mind and wouldn't go away; however, at the time, I didn't know how to bring it to life. Then for Christmas 2016 my husband surprised me with EQ7! Like, totally surprised me! I had no idea!!! I don't usually appreciate surprises but this surprise I was excited about. After several months of playing around I started putting together the beginnings of Hopeful: a Jelly Roll Quilt pattern.


By the time the first #nationalsewajellyrollday came around September, 2017, I was ready to open up my precious jelly roll of Farmhouse by Fig Tree & Co for Moda. But, I didn't get far before Christmas/Winter sewing set in and my Hopeful quilt pattern had to be set aside.


But not forgotten. Never forgotten. As fall 2018 and the second #nationalsewajellyrollday approached I decided it was time to get this quilt top and pattern finished.


All you need to make up Hopeful is a jelly roll of at least 40 2 1/2" strips some background yardage and a bit of accent yardage.


Block construction is fairly simple and straight forward. Strip sets are creating via strip piecing strips and then slicing. About half of my flip corners I did the usual way as outlined in the pattern by stitching corner-to-corner across corner squares then trimming off excess and pressing out. Then I remembered the little Simple Folded Corners ruler by Antler Quilt Design that I purchased on a whim at my LQS. Sweet little ruler! I wasn't sure at first but after a few blocks my blocks were more accurate and went a little quicker. Highly recommend this handy little ruler!


With a little twisting and turning the accent 'diamonds' are formed along with sashing.


I love simple yet striking quilts and that is what I tried to bring to my Hopeful Quilt pattern. Simplicity does not need to be boring : )


You can grab a copy of Hopeful: a Jelly Roll Quilt pattern as an instant download on Etsy.


Quilt stats:
Main Fabric: Farmhouse by Fig Tree & Co for Moda
Accent Fabric: Moda Marbles Black
Background: Moda Bella Solid 9900 97
Piecing thread:  Aurifil
Size: 60" x 80"

Happy quilting!