A Simple Heart--tutorial

We have been hither & yon the past month camping (more about that in another post). 

Anyway, I needed to make a simple 12.5 inch unfinished heart block for a comfort quilt and didn't have any patterns with me. So I pulled out my paper & pencil and got to work.

I thought you might like to see how I made my block, and if the need ever arises, I hope you remember this tutorial and come back! ;-)

I used a red FQ and cut-

3- 3.5 inch x 6.5 inch rectangles

1- 6.5 inch x 12.5 inch rectangle

From a white on white print I cut-

10- 3.5 inch squares

Mark 8 of your squares with a diagonal line.

Then, sewing just to the outside of that line, sew two to two corners of the 6.5" x 12.5" rectangle.

With the remaining 6 we will make flying geese by sewing them to the 3.5" x 6.5" rectangles.~~

**When sewing the squares to the rectangles I find it very helpful to start in the center of the rectangle as opposed to the corner.  If your machine has a tendency to 'eat' corners (and you have put in a new needle), try this and see if it helps. Also hold onto your thread tails when starting. ;) 

Trim off the excess fabric leaving a quarter inch seam allowance. Then press the seam allowance on the large rectangle toward the rectangle. Press the seam allowance on the smaller rectangles away from the rectangle. 

Add the 3.5 inch squares to the other half of your flying geese rectangles. (2nd photo above)

I pressed the seams of the flying geese away from the red EXCEPT for one seam.. the one that will match in the center of the heart, needs to be pressed toward the red so the seams will lock together.

Sew those two flying geese together and press the seam open.

Use your remaining two 3.5 inch squares and sew them to either side of the remaining flying geese unit. Press toward the 3.5 inch squares.

Finally sew the three rows together. :-) And you have one 12.5 inch square heart block~

Easy peasy.  

Until next time~

Happy Sewing!

Yay for Finishes!!

Hello, how are you today?

I am happy to report two finishes! :-)

first is the Olivia Quilt by Kitchen Table Quilting

This was not a pattern test. I made it because I thought it would make an adorable little boy quilt~ and I still think it does! I used a layer cake of prints with rescue vehicles and signs. I am hoping to order some backing and get quilting this summer! My tops are starting to pile up! ;-) I think if you click on the photo it will get larger.

Next I finished a pattern test. :-)

This is the Ginger Crossbody Bag designed by Jessica of Sallie Tomato. 

It is a deceptively easy pattern but has some really nice features.

 It was designed for beginners.  

So what are you working on? 

I have another quilt in pieces and then some smaller projects.

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!

One More Trip~

Hmm, my friend called me a 'gad-about' when I told her I was headed off

 to another retreat center. LOL  :-)

This time I wasn't so much retreating as helping a friend in a couple classes. We went to Sew N Go in Vancouver, WA (sorry no website..yet)

But we did get to sew in our free time and I did manage to get another pattern test done. Pix when I am allowed. ;-)

I was way too busy to take pix during classes, but I did get photos of one classroom~

I loved all the quilts on the walls!! 

In the main house, every bedroom had at least 3 quilts on the bed, and the walls were covered in quilts! Eye candy all around!

I couldn't take pix in the actual rooms because people were staying in them, but I did snap this shot of our room. I remembered it when packing up my camera, so I just took a wall shot~

Quilts were everywhere! It was such a treat!

This week I am back to work on my BOM and other projects~

More pix soon!

What are you working on?

 

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!

Sewing Along~

Spring has sprung here and I am itching to go out and play in the dirt! LOL

Our DD & family came down on Sunday and DD and I made teacher key fobs in the afternoon. she has a number of teachers under her in her job and wanted to gift them a little something to show her appreciation~

It was a fun little project :-)

I also finished a bag pattern test recently.

The Sally Midi tote by Yanna of Bag Options

This is a fun size, smaller tote but is loaded with pockets!

Yanna sews primarily in leather, but I chose to make the body from quilted cotton and added faux leather accents.  I really like the divided center zipper pocket.

I just finished a quilt top, but won't be able to show that until later next month.

Tomorrow I am off with a friend to teach a bag making class.  I am excited for it!

Until next time,

Happy Stitchin'!!

More Pix

One of the things I love about going to a retreat is the generosity of other quilters. When I asked if I could take a photo of their work they were always happy to allow it. I don't have makers names, or even pattern names, but these were some of my favorite design walls~

If you click on the pix, they will open larger. ;-)

I am planning a unicorn quilt in my future, that pattern is by Elizabeth Hartman

There were design walls all around the gym, even on the floor~

That's it for today~

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!

I'm Baaa-aaack!!

Wow! Where did the past two weeks go?

I have been hopping, have you?

I have done a lot of pattern testing and more will be revealed on that later. 

I also went to a 4 day retreat. :o  And had an absolute blast!

This is the back of the van before retreat~

Yes, two sewing machines are in there. I always take a back-up.

Plus we had a repairman come in and for $50 he would clean your machine.

My old Pfaff now purrs like a kitten. :-)

I take my own table & chair also.

The retreat is held at a Salvation Army camp and we set up in their gym.

They do have some tables, but not a lot and we had 110 retreaters this time! I never take a chance on them having an available table. ;-) 

I also take 2 suitcases~ one with my clothes, the other with my projects. :-)

As for what I accomplished?

I will be back with that, but I'll leave you with this photo~

We do a block challenge and in your registration there is a 6 inch square; you need to use the majority of it in your block, and your block should tie into the theme in some way-- that one is a very loose interpretation.  This wall is 50 of the blocks, by the time it was time to vote, there were 60+ blocks. 

You vote for your top 3 favorites.  We have tried in years past to vote for most creative, best applique etc and it was too hard to count the votes, so it was simplified this year. 

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!

Never A Dull Moment Here!

From bags to quilts, my machine just keeps hopping! :-)

Happy April!

 Have you gotten pranked today? So far, I have not, but hubby has been busy, so I don't think he has thought much about it...yet. I will let you know if he gets me! :-) 

I have autumn quilts, but nothing for Halloween. And I wanted a Halloween quilt. So when I saw this pattern test by Erica of Kitchen Table Quilting I just knew it was 'the one'!

This is The Tessa Quilt and will be available on her website soon.

 Although the fabric in the sashing looks white in the photo, it is really a white with tiny orange dots surrounded by a ring of red. :-) It was chilly and breezy and you would not believe how many shots I had to take to get just this one! And still the side curled a bit. :-)

I plan to quilt it with a minky back so it will be all snuggly come fall.

What are you working on today?  I have another quilt pattern test and a bag test on my cutting table, so I must get back to the fun! LOL

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!!