Wednesday, December 29, 2021

A Charming Barn Quilt for Christmastime


My favorite little spot at Christmastime.
Setting up my Willow Tree Nativity set collection is always the highlight of decorating for Christmas. 
I love its peacefulness and joy.
This year I made and added the Joy to the World wood sign. Perfect finishing touch!


My favorite quilt to feature in this spot is my A Charming Barn Quilt featuring Return to Winter's Lane with Kate & Birdie for Moda Fabrics.
It just "fits" so nicely.


Sunday, December 5, 2021

New pattern: Star Blossom

This pattern has been percolating in my head for a while, and when I saw Christmas Morning by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics for the first time I knew it was the perfect match.


Star Blossom finishes at 30" x 30" and is written for yardage or fat quarters. Grab 1/4 to 1/3 yard cuts of six prints or 6 fat quarters, add some background, binding, and backing and you are all set to whip up a quick little quilt to use as a wall hanging or table topper.  

How about this center? Isn't the pinwheel within the star so striking?!


The diagonal grid straight line quilting is just perfect for a Christmastime quilt.


Not sure what it is about this diagonal straight-line quilting, but it just "feels" like Christmas, the perfect touch of cozy.


The Star Blossom quilt pattern is quick enough to finish up before the holidays. 


Happy quilting : )






Monday, November 29, 2021

Star Compass Barn Quilt: Cozy Up version


There are so many versions of this Star Compass Barn Quilt patterns on my list.
Since one of my daughters really likes this fabric line Cozy Up by Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts for Moda Fabrics, I made this quilted wallhanging up quick before switching to Christmas sewing.


One of the many reasons I like sewing with a charm pack is because it's so easy to make up something quick. Add in a bit of border and background fabric and in a couple of sewing sessions you can have a new wall hanging or quilted table topper. 


Is there anyone out there who doesn't like a good text print? The text prints in Cozy Up are perfect! I love all the tree names!


And the check prints are spot on, too! Not too tiny and not too big.


The yellow (my daughter's favorite color in this fabric line) is lovely - warm enough for fall without being too dark.


Another shot of the text prints and some straight line quilting. This quilt hangs really well. I think I have the spacing of my straight-line quilting just about perfect. (too close/tight = a quilt that doesn't hang the best)


Who likes a nice star quilt? 
Now all I need is a Christmas/winter version of the Star Compass Barn Quilt pattern and I think all the seasons will be covered.



Happy quilting, everyone : )
      Anna

Monday, October 25, 2021

New Quilt Pattern: Star Compass Barn Quilt


Four and a half years ago the design seeds for Star Compass Barn Quilt sprouted and the original version was made with Avalon by Fig Tree & Co for Moda Fabrics.


This simple quilted wallhanging is one of my absolute favorites! I look forward to hanging it every spring, and it changes locations but remains up until fall. Enter Pumpkins & Blossoms by Fig Tree & Co. I wasn't sure about this fabric line for Moda Fabrics, but my husband really likes it so I started playing with my different patterns to see what one it looks best it. Star Compass Barn Quilt for the win! I wasn't loving it with the initial green placement, but at a suggestion from a daughter and a little switheroo, voila! I truly love it now.


We now have a fall version of Star Compass Barn Quilt that can stay up until Christmas. (and yes, I have a Christmas version planned, too. Stay tuned. I'm thinking Christmas Morning by Lella Boutique : )


The Star Compass Barn Quilt pattern offers four sizes and four design choices. The wall hanging size fits comfortably on width of fabric so no piecing a backing if you choose the wall hanging quilt option. You can make this simple precut quilt pattern using either a charm pack/5" squares or a layer cake/10" squares.


Is this a beaut? There's something about the pattern that the background fabric makes of the center that catches my eye. And that star isn't half bad either : ) 


Initially I was going to do a grid quilting on this quilt, but after doing simple straight-line at .75" it seemed perfect so I left it alone. It seems happy and I think it really lets the design shine.


Naming this quilt pattern was easy. My youngsters have always referred to this quilt as the "Star Compass" quilt. It has stuck. Star Compass Barn Quilt it is. 
(They wouldn't know which quilt I was talking about if I changed names now : )


Happy quilting : )
Anna



Friday, September 17, 2021

New Quilt Pattern: Star Cross


Inspiration for the Star Cross quilt pattern struck as I was working on what was supposed to be my next pattern, but I really wanted to sew with Sunday Stroll and it was such a good match with Star Cross that I just went with it.


The center star is the focal point of this simple quilt...


...and it expands out utilizing most of the darker/striking charm squares from the charm pack.
The pattern is written to utilize a charm pack (5" squares) or a layer cake (10" squares). 
It also includes yardage requirements if you wish to make with one color.
The Star Cross quilt pattern offers four sizes and three different border options.
My quilt wall hanging sample features the triple border option that I was so excited to try.
It's so striking! 
(and features my favorite print from Sunday Stroll.)


While I did make my charm pack version of Star Cross to be a wallhanging, I tried it on the table to take pictures, and I love it! It's an eye-catching pattern and adds just the perfect touch of welcoming warmth and coziness to our breakfast nook. Now if I could just convince the family that we really don't need to use this table : )


Border option #2.

  

Border option # 3.


Crosshatch quilting at about 3/4" for the quilting win. Halfway through I was wondering if it was such a good idea, but in the end, I really like the texture.


From its simple piecing beginnings at Lake Ada, Minnesota...



...to its current spot of leisure in our home...


...I really, really like how this quilted wall hanging turned table topper turned out. 
It evokes feelings of sunny blue skies, warm breezes, and a Sunday afternoon stroll through the local apple orchard.

This is a quilt pattern that is suitable to make a quilted wall hanging, table topper, baby quilt, or queen size quilt.

Happy quilting, everyone : )
Anna


Sunday, July 25, 2021

Simply Done quilt pattern: Patriotic version

When I saw this Red, White and Bloom fabric line from Kimberbell for Maywood Studio, I knew it would be awesome made up in my Simply Done quilt pattern


And it is!
The simplicity of Simply Done quilt pattern is perfect when you want to showcase prints.
It is also the perfect pattern when you are determined to have a patriotic quilt done by the 4th of July and you are short on quilt making time.


So many good moments and memories already wrapped up in just the making of this quilt.
Every female in the family had a hand in the making - each of my four daughters and myself.
Turns out the Simply Done quilt pattern makes a great group quilt project.


The prints in this Red, White and Bloom collection for Maywood Studio are perfect for summer.
I mean really, does it get any better than the watermelon and lemonade?


 And no patriotic fabric line would be complete without fireworks.


This yellow floral and dot fabric print has my heart - THE perfect summertime yellow.


Love the jar filled with flowers and the truck, birdhouses, and cherries.
Like I said, Red, White and Bloom is just perfect for a patriotic summertime picnic quilt.

Pst! Don't tell the other prints, but I think this little daisy print is my favorite : )


Found the best soft blue sheet at Target for the backing. Yay! No piecing the quilt back.

Quilt details:
Fabric: Red White and Bloom by Kimberbell for Maywood Studio
Batting: Hobbs Tuscany wool
Binding: Moda Bell Solid

Happy quilting, everyone : )

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Mini Charm Fun Table {Pattern}


Our table needed a fresh new runner for spring and I was itching to stitch with Spring Brook by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics so I picked my favorite blue text print, a fun stripe border and a cute little mini charm pack and paired it with my Mini Charm Fun Runner pattern.


This sweet little quilted runner is a fun, super quick quilt to make.
With a little polish and an additional size and layout the Mini Charm Fun Runner is now a full pattern offered in my shop. (You can still reference the free tutorial for the runner size here on my blog.)


The full pattern makes up this cute runner and also a square quilt table topper or wall hanging.
All you need to make Mini Charm Fun - Runner is a favorite mini charm pack (or 2.5" squares), a little bit of background, a fun border, and a few strips of binding, and you are all set to make up one of two simple and fun quilts for your table or wall.


Crisscross diagonal quilting for just the perfect touch of coziness to this quilted runner to add some simple spring charm to our dining room table.


At first I wasn't sure about the multi-colored stripe for a border, but now, oh my! It's perfect - spring and fun! Yes, I really like how this table runner turned out and all it took was a mini charm pack and a very little yardage. 

On a side note, I just have to share this little metal windmill. So pleased with it as it is so finely crafted. 
Purchased from MudDauberMtg
So glad I found this shop and purchased USA made.


Quilt stats:
Fabric: Spring Brook by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics
Batting: Flannel
Size: 14" x 42"

Happy quilting, everyone : )
   ~ Anna