Gifts For The Family!

Busy time of the year, right?!  It happens every holiday.  Same time every year.  Sneaky, sneaky holidays ready to bite you in the butt!  I usually don't make many gifts for the holidays, just enough to put me in a slight panic!

Yesterday while sitting around wondering what I should do, I decided I wanted to make a Mini Quilt for my Mom.  Something sweet and pretty.  She lives in Minnesota and can't get around very well.  Damn age (that sneaks up on you too)!  I thought a 'little pretty' with color for those cold winter days was in order.  Plus, she would think of me and how much I love her every time she sees it!!  Win, Win! 

Last year I received a gift from my daughter Britt's best friend since kindergarten, Anne.  I blogged about it here:  A Sweet Surprise.  What better than a heart full of color and love?!

16" x 16"

I used all hand dyed fabrics, including the gray linen border.  I love the variations of color. Love the straight line quilting.  This is a quick project to make.  I think it may have taken me a couple hours.

The formula is simple.  Decide on fabric for the heart, and fabric for the background.  

20 ~ 2 1/2" squares for the heart
10 ~ HST's half background, half heart fabric
6 ~ 2 1/2" squares background fabric        

2 1/2" border strips

I'm pretty sure she will love it.  If nothing else it will make a wonderful LARGE mug rug!

This is the one Anne made for me!

Last minute gift ideas and gift giving runs in our family.  My husband is the same way. Last year a couple of weeks before Christmas he blurts out that he wished he had thought about it earlier to have me make place mats for his Mom & Step Dad.  It just was not going to happen at that time!  This year I surprised him and made a set!  Yep!  I'm thinking ahead this time!

12" x 18"

Paper pieced Hummingbird blocks (AKA Periwinkle Star).  I used this tutorial from Rita at Red Pepper Quilts.  I was so happy to have found this tutorial!  

I enlarged the pattern so the blocks would be large enough to make place mats and not have to add a border.  

I love how these seams meet!  So very cool to me!  I'm pretty easily amused, I suppose! 

It's time to get back to quilting!  I have a twin size HST quilt and my Vice Versa BOM waiting in line.  

I have another project that needs to be quilted, but I can't share it yet!  It's a Secret Santa gift for a Music City Modern Quilt Guild member.  I would hate to ruin the surprise if she should see a blog post before!  But I cannot wait to share it!  And make another something, something like it!

How is your holiday gift making coming along?  Are you ahead of the game, behind the eight ball or right on target?

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Paper Piecing - Hummingbird Block, (aka Periwinkle Star)

I like to think of myself as a Modern Quilter.  Being a modern quilter is subjective.  The Modern Quilt Guild gives a great description of what Modern Quilting is about.  We each have our thoughts, twists and turns on Modern.  

That being said, every once in a while I love to 'go back' in time!  Try something traditional, use fabric I don't normally use or learn a new technique.  I have always wanted to try paper piecing.  Having seen so many gorgeous blocks lately, it only fueled my curiosity.  

Paper piecing, foundation piecing or flip and stitch is a traditional method that has been on rise lately.  Fabrics are sewn to a foundation, either temporary or permanent creating perfect blocks every time. 

I was asked if I could make a couple pillows using a Periwinkle Star block.  After looking at the picture and with the help of Google, I decided this was the perfect time to stretch myself.  Jump in.  Go for it.  This block appeared to be the perfect start of my paper piecing adventure.  I watched a video...I could do it!  Well, I likely would have figured it out after many, many attempts.  It wasn't exactly detailed or easy to follow.

Hummingbird Block (aka Periwinkle Star)

When I saw that Rita from Red Pepper Quilts had just written a tutorial for the exact block, I was jumping up and down with relief and excitement!  I downloaded the template and soaked up the tutorial information.  The Hummingbird block and Periwinkle Star are one and the same.  Good for me and my new found paper piecing confidence! 

 

I began the process by printing the template and trying a couple test pieces.  

Make sure you print the template at 100%!  I didn't for my test pieces and I ended up with blocks that were 1/2" smaller.   

Knowing that I was going to be using a variety of feedsack prints, I paired those with a good selection of coordinating solids all surrounded by a bright white.  

I pieced the first part and was so pleased with the results!  Its time consuming, but there is something very rewarding about the entire process!

Perfect Seams!

Another good thing to remember:  when sewing your fabric on to the paper, use small stitches.  It really makes removing the paper so much easier.  

When done correctly, this is what your seams look like.  I seriously never thought I could make cute 'little squares' like that!  

I ended up quilting 1/4" on the inside of the white.  I was provided a picture of a vintage quilt, and wanted to stay as close to the original as I could.

I made two 18" x 18" pillow covers with a classic envelope closure.  Because the blocks were going to be 5" when finished, I added a 2" border around the center panel.  I think they turned out great.  I think they will be well loved when they make it to their new home.  

I love these pillows.  I can't wait to make this block again or even try something else!  I need to start looking for my next project in paper piecing.  I think I am kinda addicted now! Learning to paper piece isn't so bad.  I would highly recommend finding a great tutorial (like the one above) if you are new to the process like I am.  It totally save me and covered every single detail from start to finish.  

 

Paper Piecing.  Using a block drawn or printed and sewn on paper