Positively Spring :: Modern by the Yard

It's that time of the year again!  Springtime!  I love this time of the year because it starts to warm up, flowers are growing and blooming and it's just feels fresh and new!  

Which brings me to the latest edition of Modern by the Yard Issue #13 E-Zine!  For those who aren't familiar with the magazine, it's published through Benartex.  Each issue offers several patterns from quilts to table runners and you know what the best part is?!!  It's free!  While many of us are staying home these days this might be the perfect solution to save your sanity!

MODERN BY THE YARD ISSUE #13

I just happen to have a Spring inspired table runner inside these virtual pages!  

POSITIVELY SPRING

The fabric is from the 'Choose to Shine' collection by Cherry Guidry.  It's a lovely print that has a fresh mod vibe.

These are the three main prints I used.  Springy, modern and fun!

55" x 15"

The runner is 55" x 15".  Not only does it include 'Choose to Shine' prints, I also added yellow and white Superior Solids.  



The goal was to keep it fresh and modern and I think I accomplished that.  There's a hint of a Plus block (positive) along with a bit of a woven feel with the yellow.  



For the quilting I added 1/2" straight lines using a pale yellow thread.  I even attempted a flower-ish design in the remaining white spaces.   



The possibilities are endless with this design regarding color, fabric and quilting.  



When I design, and especially when it's for publication, I like to make an extra one using completely different fabric.  I'll share that very soon, for now I hope you go check out the latest issue of Modern by the Yard! 

Here is the E-Zine link again:  MODERN BY THE YARD ISSUE #13

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING 
MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF ● WHOOP WHOOP FRIDAY

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY  

Free Motion Fantasy Blog Hop + {GIVEAWAY}

I was asked to participate in a Blog Hop featuring a new line of Benartex fabric, 'Free Motion Fantasy' by Amanda Murphy.  Once I saw the fabric designs and colors...I promptly threw my hat in the ring!  

SEW IN LOVE BLOG HOP

The fabric is a mix of all things we love in free motion quilting.  Swirls, pebbles, paisley and bricks!  From large scale floral and geometric designs it hits all the high notes for me.  One of the best parts of the fabric are the colors.  The fabric comes in four colors: Autumn, Summer, Winter and Spring.  Which basically means there is a favorite color for everyone! 

STARLIGHT
36" x 49"

My normal inclination has always been to get one of every color and design, but this time I restrained myself!  I wanted to show that I can control myself, so I choose wisely!

1. Paisley Blue, 2. Paisley Lime, 3. Pebbles Teal, 4. Swirl Feather Aqua and 5. Flying Geese White 

Teal, lime and blue...what's not to love?!

This quilt wasn't at all what I had first designed.  At the very last minute I came up with something completely different and I couldn't be happier!

I started by picking a block, which turned out to be the 'Ohio Star' block.  For a star block, this is a good one to have in your back pocket!  It can easily be sized and in this case I needed three different sizes.  I went with 12", 8" and a 6" blocks.

With plenty of stars and color, the bright white back ground lets each one sparkle!  

I'm excited to have a design I can make over and over again, but the best part is I can pick any block as the sizes are the same as the original.

Quilting ideas don't come easy for me, and even though the fabric is called Free Motion Fantasy I still had to go with my favorite geometric/straight line quilting.  

I kept the star theme with the quilting by drawing a partial star starting on one side and having it radiate across the quilt using 1" lines.  The inset portion of the star is quilted with 1/4" lines to create a diamond pattern.   

  

The White Flying Geese fabric is placed around the center square and in the hour glass blocks.  I know it's hard to see! 

The binding is the Blue Paisley fabric which was so nice to hand stitch to the quilt!  My needle went through the fabric like butter!

I enjoy these challenges!  It let's me explore prints even though they are not my comfort zone!

For more 'Free Motion Fantasy' inspiration be sure to visit the other Sew In Love Blog Hop participants!  I'm pretty sure Laura, Sandra and Lisa will knock your socks off!  

Wednesday: 

Jayne from Twiggy and Opal; @twiggyandopal

Laura from Slice of Pi Quilts; @sliceofpiquilts

Thursday: 

Sandra from MMM Quilts @mmmquilts

Lisa from Color My World @lisaerin1121

Friday:

Amanda's Virtual Trunk Show

If you made it this far, you most likely would like to know about the fabric giveaway?! 

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!!

FABRIC GIVEAWAY!!

Benartex has generously donated a fat quarter bundle of 8-10 Free Motion Fantasy prints to giveaway!  To enter the giveaway leave a comment a comment below!  Any comment is fine, but if you want to tell me your favorite quilting design...that would be awesome too!

I'll pick a winner Sunday August 26th using the Random Number Generator, and notify the winner via email.  SO, be sure you include your email address if you are a no reply blog commenter...and please tell your friends too!

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING ●  LINKY TUESDAY 
LETS BEE SOCIAL  

MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD  ● TGIFF ● CAN I GET A WHOOP WHOOP 

Printology :: Plus A Giveaway!

I was asked if I would like to join the fun in showcasing a new fabric line from Benartex called Printology.  The fabric is the newest collection from Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr (Modern Quilt Studio) and was inspired by their recent trip to Japan.  The Sew In Love blog has a wonderful interview with both of them where they talk about their inspiration and thoughts about this collection.

The collection offers a fun and modern mix with loads of color!  When I first saw the collection I felt it had a funky retro vibe to it.  Which drew me in and got my wheels spinning!  

REVIVING RETRO
37" x 48"

Which brings us to the quilt I made using the Printology Collection:  'Reviving Retro'.  Retro basically means 'style, fashion or design' from the recent past.  The fabric and a classic Grecian block bring both worlds together, yet still has a modern vibe.

These are 22 different prints in the collection, I only used 13 along with white and grey solids!  The prints in row two, Blocks, is where I got the retro vibe from.  They would make the perfect center squares for the block.

GRECIAN SQUARE
9" BLOCK

I like how the graphic Sketch Gray frames the centers.  I added 2" sashing and a 3" border in Gridwork Red.  It adds a big pop of color without over powering the other prints.

I quilting the center blocks using different widths of straight lines in grey (surprise!), depending on which way the lines are going in the 'Block' print.  Again, straight lines in the sashing and border using red thread.



I used more Gridwork Red for the binding and really like the look of the white corner squares framed by the skinny binding.  The fabric feels amazing, by the way!  The 'proof in the pudding' as they say, has to be the ease in which the needle glide through the fabric while had stitching the binding to the back.  Like butter!



It makes for a pretty package don't you think?!  Which brings me to the giveaway!  Who would like to receive a pretty fat quarter package all their own?!  



Benartex is generously donation a bundle of 8-10 prints from the Printology collection to one lucky person!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

To enter, leave a comment on my blog...any comment is fine, but if you'd like to tell me your favorite classic block...that would be good too!

Using the Random Number Generator, I'll pick a winner on Sunday May 13th and notify the lucky person via email.  So be sure you include your email in your comment if you are a no reply blogger!

For more inspiration using Printology,  check out Heather at Quilt-achusettes and Alison at Little Bunny Quilts!  

LINKING:

Oh Scrap

Main Crush Monday

Let's Bee Social
Mid Week Makers

Needle & Thread

TGIFF

Crazy Mom Quilts

Modern By The Yard :: Table Runner

I can now share my publication news!  I am forever grateful for the opportunities I have been given to share my craft.  Modern By The Yard E-Zine Issue #4 is out!  It is aptly named 'Color Infusion', full of color and fabulous projects for everyone!  Oh and its free to everyone! 

Modern By The Yard E-Zine Issue #4

I guess you could say I'm a Cover Girl!  Well, my table runner is!  'Technicolor Rainbow' is bursting with bright and bold colors.  

Originally when I designed this runner, it was with a totally different line of Benartex fabric. When I found out that line was not quite ready to be released it was scramble time!  I ended up going with 'Dreamscape' which has everything I love...color, texture and depth.  Plus, it had the perfect assortment of rainbow colors to work with.

I wish I had pictures of each step, but it was a very tight timeline and I needed to get it done! I'll share my one picture and promise to do better next time!

This is a quick and easy project for beginners or for those who would like to have a quick finish. The pattern is right there between the virtual pages of Modern By The Yard E-Zine!

I was really shocked and jumping for joy when I saw the photo shoot pictures!  They couldn't be more perfect.  Squeal!!

As always I would love to see your take on this design.  What fabrics would use use? Would you take it in the rainbow direction?  Feel free to email a picture: twiggyandopal (at) gmail (dot) com or tag me on Instagram: @twiggyandopal

One last thing, there is still time to enter my giveaway hosted by Needle & Foot!  Click here to enter:  

Needle & Foot Blog Hop Celebration + GIVEAWAY!

LINKING:

Oh Scrap!

Main Crush Monday

 

Benartex :: Placemats :: E-Zine Tutorial

I am happily and humbly proud to share my latest published design and tutorial.  Benartex Fabrics has been very kind to let me be a part of their E-Zine publication for the second time. This time was a bit of a whirlwind!  Tight on time, but worth the extra stress!

Modern By The Yard E-Zine features several projects and introduces you to their newest fabric lines.  

TABLE ART
18" x 13"

For issue #3, I designed placemats using the Color Weave collection.  Simple, easy and a fun way to express yourself through your table!  I love how the placemats are shot in this photo! Why didn't I think of that?!

    
Please check out the newest issue of Modern By The Yard and if you ever make a set ... let me know!  I would love to see what you do with the design! 

LINKING:

Needle & Thread

TGIFF

Crazy Mom Quilts

Finished or not Friday

Me & Modern By The Yard E-Zine

I have kept this big news under wraps for a while now, but today I can share it with you!  

If you haven't heard or seen, Benartex Fabric has a FREE E-Zine (yes, I said FREE) called 'Modern By The Yard'.  

I was contacted and asked if I would be interested in making a project for Issue #2.  I needed to use a newly released fabric, make a project and write a tutorial.  It was an opportunity I couldn't refuse!  I am so thankful and beyond thrilled!

Check it out!

The fabric I used is called 'Circle Play' by Ann Lauer.  A mixture of circles, geometrics and loads of color!  I picked four prints to highlight from this collection.  The prints are totally out of my comfort zone, but pairing them with solids is a good way to get over the fear while still having that 'comfort blanket' next to you.

Here is 'Twisting Tiles'!  I wanted to keep it open and airy, yet controlled and modern. The squares remind me of tiles and once I decided on the quilting design, Twisting Tiles was born!  I quilted pebbles in the very center, with fans in the corners.  Adding the concentric circles around the center medallion seems to have been a great option.  It adds the perfect amount of flow and keeps with the 'twisting' of the tiles.

I'm so happy with how my quilt looks in this picture!  It is so pretty above that gorgeous teal table! Honestly, I need some help in the staging department.

I wish I had had more pictures of the process to share, but it was a very, very tight deadline for me!

I hope you take the time to check out the new E-Zine - MODERN BY THE YARD and maybe even make a project or two! There are some really great ones include in issue #2 and not just from me!  

LINKING:

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop

TGIFF