The Shape Family Challenge ~ A Pillow!

I've been anxiously awaiting this finish!  It all started with an envelope of shapes and a little imagination!  The Shape Family Design Challenge is being hosted by Jodi @Tales Of Cloth and it couldn't have come at a better time for me.  I was in need of a EPP project and this one struck my fancy! 

The Hexie Shape Family packet  made it so easy to come up with designs.  All the pieces work together and there is no end to the possibilities!  

20" x 20"

The shapes went together easily and semi-quick.  You know how hand sewing is, slow and steady.  The design was always destined to be a new pillow for my couch. The center was the perfect size and let's be honest...it's Anna Maria Horner fabric!



The background is two different shades of grey, Kona Silver and Kona Shadow.  After deliberating for a good while, I decided a neutral would put all the attention on the center...the center of attention!

After the extra row of hexies and squares, I still needed to fill out the corners.  I ended up making a large corner piece based on a hexagon.  It was a weird shape, but worked perfectly.



As you can see I went with hand quilting and machine quilting.  I love the combination. Geometric, orange peel and big stitches, what's not to love?



You can see the quilting better on the back.  I stitched in the ditch around each interlocking circle, ditch stitching...not my favorite thing to do!



One of my favorite photos... 



...and my favorite way to finish my pillows.  The good old hidden zipper!  Here is a great tutorial I use all the time:  s.o.t.a.k Handmade ~  Hidden Zipper.  

Surprise, surprise!  I found another WIP my daughter started and 'gifted' to me.  Back story: Britt use to quilt and had many projects in various stages.  We shuffled and moved them around until I had enough!  Over the years I have picked up where she left off and finished a few of her projects.  

So, while in the middle of my EPP, I found one of her EPP's!  Perfect timing?  Divine intervention?  I don't know, I do know it's hexies, it's Anna Maria Horner and it was mostly finished!

20" x 20"

I added half a dozen linen hexies to increase the size and done!  Took me long enough to finish her WIP!



I kept the quilting simple opting for triangles.  It's so easy to achieve with straight lines!



In case you are wondering, the scarf used as my photo prop, was a birthday gift from Britt. Dare I say I can't wait for cooler weather so I can wear it? The color is amazing and the 'dingle balls', one of my favorite accessories!



That drab couch at least has a little pizazz now!  For someone who loves bold and bright, my decorating is sorely lacking in that department!



The Shape Family Design Challenge Link Up ends the 30th. On October 1st, viewers can vote on their three favorites and a winner for the grand prize will be crowned!  Prize...oh yeah!  85 fat eights, Aurifil thread, more EPP templates!  So, if you feel like checking out the entries and voting, you can do it here:  Shape Family Design Challenge!

LINKING:

Tales of Cloth

Let's Bee Social

Needle & Thread 

@talesofcloth and #shapefamilychallenge and #talesofclothEPP

Orphan Adoption ~ Quilt Blocks Looking For A Home

We all have a stack or two (or 4 or 5) of blocks we made that never see the light of day. They hover in limbo, get shoved to the back...neglected and forgotten.  It sounds so sad!  

There is a solution, actually a couple.  One is to make a quilt.  Seems logical, but we sometimes lose interest and can't seem to take that step.  The other solution and a very good solution at that, let some one adopt them!

Cynthia @Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework has her Fall 2016 Fall Quilty Orphan Adoption Event happening right now!!  It seems like the perfect time to offer up a couple stacks, don't you think?!  

You can check out what others are putting up for adoption by clicking here:  Quilty Orphan Adoption.  The rules are simple:

The blocks must be free.  Define the criteria.  Shipping, blocks used in a charity quilt, how you will selected the winner and how long the adoption will last.

I'll show you what I have first and at the end I'll give the details for adopting the blocks!

First up is a stack of 22 ~ 12" Plus Blocks.  I've had them far to long and it's time they get the love they deserve!  They are a rainbow delight that would make a gorgeous quilt!

Polaroid Blocks!  Cute as can be...look at that Ninja!  The blocks are 3 1/2" x 4" and there are a total of 23.  

If anyone is interested in either batch of blocks, my criteria is very simple:

• The blocks are free.
• I'll pay shipping anywhere in the US.
• You can use the blocks anyway you want.
• Leave a comment telling me if you would like the Plus or Polaroid (or both).
• I'll use the Random Number Generator to pick a winner on Monday (Sept. 19th)

Make me happy...ask for these blocks...make them happy...make a quilt!

Don't forget to check out other adoptions happening now! 

 Quilty Orphan Adoption

A Pattern Comes To Life

As with the past New Block Blog Hop blocks I've made, I always try and make a 'real' thing from the block.  It reassures me that the design really does work!  Star Thistle was no exception.  This time I didn't make a quilt, but a table runner.  Since this block was paper piece, it would have taken far longer than I had time!

STAR THISTLE12 1/2" UNFINISHED

The block is available in my new Craftsy Store if you'd like to download it!

16" x 43 1/2"

Making three blocks was very doable for a test project!  I was itching to use these colors! I love how graphic this combination is.  The fabrics are Kona Black, White, Lipstick and Ash.  



Deciding how to quilt it seemed daunting at first.  I ended up letting the block dictate the design.  There were a lot of threads to bury!  I used my walking foot for all of it.  Much to my surprise, it was so easy!  

  

Yes I did!  I used red and black thread!  And white and grey.  I thought it would make for an interesting back, and it did.



The inside black border is 1", the same size as square in the block.  The outside border is 1 3/4". I'm wondering what it would look like if the binding had a red flange added to it?!  Next time perhaps!



I don't know if anyone will use my paper pieced block pattern, but if you do I hope you share it with me!  It's always exciting to see what the possibilities are!



That being said, I put a call out for pattern testers on Instagram.  I was stressing!  Because this is my first paper pieced design, I wanted to be sure my pattern was correct...instructions and templates.  If you ever need a tester....Instagram is the way to go!  

Here are what they came up with for me!  I was so thrilled that anyone would want to test for me, thankful that they did and amazed at their blocks!  I can't really thank them enough!



Katie @Katie Quilts did this one!  We had the same 'red' idea!  I really like the patriotic vibe...it works so well!

Tish @Tish's Adventures In Wonderland picked prints, which I was excited to see.  I tend to shy away from prints, but wondered how they would look in this block.  I do believe I like it!



Isabelle (Instagram @southbaybella) did a beautiful print too!  Alison Glass fabrics never disappoint!  Having the dots on the blue print all going the same direction is such a great idea!

Before I left on a quicky trip to Atlanta to visit IKEA, I made a smaller version of Star Thistle. Hopefully after I get my furniture assembled from said visit...I can finish this little one!

6 1/2" STAR THISTLE

 Another pretty combination to inspire you...and me!

LINKING:

TGIFF

Fabric Frenzy

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop

Star Thistle ~ Cloud 9 New Block Hop

Welcome to the last day of the 2016 Cloud 9 New Block Blog Hop!  If you have been following along, you no doubt have seen some amazing blocks!  If not, you can check out all the beauties on my Pinterest Board!  

A huge thank you to Cloud 9 fabrics for sponsoring this Blog Hop and to Yvonne @Quilting Jet Girl, Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs and Stephanie @Late Night Quilter.  It's always a pleasure to participate in this event and pushing myself to create a new block!

This year I tried something new!  Star Thistle is my first paper pieced design!  You can get the free download with templates at my newly opened Craftsy store!

Let's get started!

STAR THISTLE
12 1/2" UNFINISHED

Template #	Color	Size	Quantity	Subcut
A 1	Pink	3” x 2”	4
A 2 - A 3	Dark Blue	3” x 3”	4	Cut Diagonal
A 4 - A 5	Light Blue	2 1/2” x 3 1/4”	8
B 1	Dark Blue	6 1/2” x 3”	4
B 2 - B 3	Grey	5 1/2” x 9”	4	Cut Diagonal
C 1	Pink	3" x 3 1/2”	4
C 2 - C 3	Grey	2 1/4” x 4 1/2”	8

Print four (4) copies of the template.  (Download template)  Using paper scissors, cut around each section about 1/4” from the outside line.

SECTION A - MAKE 4

Using the cutting chart from above, prepare your fabric for piecing.  

***If you are using a print fabric, the first piece will be face up on the back of the template, all other pieces will be stitched together right sides together.

Starting with Template A, center A1 fabric on the backside of the A1 section.  Using a dab of glue on the first piece is helpful.

Align fabric A2 on fabric A1,  1/4” over the seam line.  Holding the template up to a light source helps.  Note:  a little more than 1/4” is advised.  The seam will be trimmed.

Shorten your stitch length, stitch along the line between A1 and A2, back stitching at the point.   ***I back stitch at points and inside seams when I paper piece.  All other lines are from one side the the other.

Fold the paper back, and trim your seam to 1/4”.  Unfold the paper, flip the fabric open and press.

Repeat steps 4, 5, 6 for the A3 section.

Align fabric A4 on A3 fabric, 1/4” over seam line and stitch from one side the the other.  Trim and press.  Repeat with section A5.

SECTION B - MAKE 4

Center B1 fabric to the backside of the B1 section.  Glue in place.

Align fabric B2 on fabric B1, 1/4” over seam.  This section is a little tricky!  Flip your B2 fabric making sure it covers the template.  Pin in place to avoid shifting.

Stitch along the line between B1 and B2, back stitching at the point.  Fold the paper back, and trim your seam to 1/4”.  Unfold the paper, flip the fabric open and press.

Repeat for section B3

SECTION C - MAKE 4

Center C1 fabric to the backside of the C1 section.  Glue in place.

Align fabric C2 on fabric C1, 1/4” over seam.  Stitch along the line between C1 and C2, back stitching at the point.  Fold the paper back, and trim your seam to 1/4”.  Unfold the paper, flip the fabric open and press.

Repeat for section C3.

TRIM FINISHED TEMPLATE SECTIONS

For one (1) block you will need four (4) of each template.

Trim your templates 1/4” from the dark line around all the templates.  

Your pieces will look like this.  Neat and tidy and ready to assemble!

Join A and B sections, stitch together.  The hope is everything fits together perfectly.  If you are unsure, stitch along the seam using a longer stitch length.  Check alignment and re-stitch using a shorter stitch length.  

After stitching, press seams open.  ***I like to remove the paper in the seam after stitching and before pressing.

Join section C to B, stitch together.  Press seams open.  You will have four (4) blocks like 

this.

Arrange the blocks according to the diagram below.  Stitch blocks together and press seams open.  

 

 

And there you have it!  Your Star Thistle Block is complete!  Carefully remove the paper, this is where tweezers come in handy!

There are Helpful Hints for paper piecing attached to the pattern on Craftsy, along with a color sheet!

I made a table runner using this block and it turned out great...sharing that in a couple days!

There are options in terms of color and layout with this block:

                  

 

Here is the list for today's New Block Blog Hop:

Wednesday, September 14th

Host: Stephanie @Late Night Quilter

Kathy @Kathys Kwilts and More

Paige @Quilted Blooms

Mary @Strip Quilts Pass it On

Allison @Woodberry Way

Seven @The Concerned Craft

Olusola @Alice Samuel’s Quilt Co.

Ann @Brown Paws Quilting

Jodie @Persimmon + Pear

Vicki @Orchid Owl Quilts

Kitty @Night Quilter

Francine @Mochawildchild

Shelley @The Carpenter’s Daughter who Quilts

Jayne @Twiggy and Opal

Geraldine @Living Water Quilter

Velda @GRANNYcanQUILT

Shannon @Shannon Fraser Designs

Lisa @Sunlight In Winter Quilts

Jessica @Quilty Habit

Cassandra @The (not so) Dramatic Life

Deanna @Stitches Quilting

Denise @Craft Traditions

And again, all the blocks can be seen on my Pinterest Board!

LINKING:

Let's Bee Social

Needle & Thread