Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Half Way to 100


It a bit tough to fit 50 blocks together in a photo but here they are!


For my project, I am using this FQ bundle of Pastel Pop by Michael Miller which was sitting in my stash. These fabrics are the ONLY yellow I've got in my stash other than a bit in a solid.



Read more about the QAL here and follow along on Instagram with #100Days100Blocks2017.  You can find the 100 Modern Quilt Blocks book on Amazon.

http://amzn.to/2qJW0ph
Photo credit to Angie

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Monday, June 26, 2017

Rin along progress


Happy dance!

I've finished my second Rin block.  I just love this pretty blue fabric and really like how things lined up between the inner and middle circle.


Those inner circle bumps almost did me in but I managed to get it done.  I don't think I am always clipping seams the way I am support to so that will be my focus for the next one.

Yes, I'm making another!

Here are the two I've made so far.


My favorite part is the background fabric peeking through as a circle between the blue inner and middle circles.



I'll be linking up my Rin blocks with  Freemotion by the River,   WIP Wednesday's,  Let's Bee SocialMidweek Makers.  Needle and Thread Thursdays, Finish it Up Friday and Finished or Not Friday.

Saturday, June 24, 2017

One Monthly Goal - June Finish Link-up

Ready to link-up your June finishes?  And don't panic, link-up is open until 11:55 pm EDT on June 30!


New to One Monthly Goal?  Welcome!  You can read about the event and the rules on the main event page.

Sign up to receive email notifications when the One Monthly Goal linkup is open.  Think of it as a helpful reminder!
My goal for June was to finish the hand applique on at least two of the circles in my Rin block.  I managed to get all three done thanks to some unplanned extra airport time.


Now it is your turn to link up - share your goal finish for June.

Please only link up if you finished your goal and if you also participated in the June Goal Setting Link-up.



There will be three winners this month - Fat Quarter Shop is offering a $25 gift certificate, Green Fairy Quilts is offering a $15 gift certificate.  Cheryl from Meadow Mist Designs  is offering two (2) PDF patterns from her Etsy shop to one lucky winner.

Congratulations to Kat, Lisa & Peggy - our winners for June! (updated 7/2/17)



Visit the One Monthly Goal event page for the specific requirements for links and social tags. 

And remember, to be eligible for the prize(s) by random drawing you must linkup at both the goal setting and the accomplishment linkup in a given month. (June Goal Setting Link-up)


Make sure you add a link to this OMG post so others can follow where you are linking.   Let's make that easy -  just paste this into your post:  










Thanks for linking up!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Friday, June 23, 2017

Snail Trail and my FMQ journey

Fat Quarter Shop is releasing yet another fun pattern today for a Snail Trail quilt as part of their Classic and Vintage Series.


I love the chance to make a new to me block and dipped into my stash to make a wall hanging with my two favorite colors.



You can find information about the pattern on the Fat Quarter Shop blog The Jolly Jabber.   My quilt measures 24'' square.

I used 4 different Sweetwater prints from my stash for this quilt and had a lot of fun with my FMQ.

In my April newsletter, I wrote a bit about my adventure in FMQ.  (Subscribe to the newsletter - see sign-up box on right.)

I choose to make pebbles in the white background and then chose a different FMQ motif for each fabric.  I'm just loving my feather!


Gaining more practice and experience with FMQ is one of my goals for this year and this quilt proved to be the perfect size for experimenting.   There is much room for improvement - stitch length isn't consistent, my ability to travel back over quilting lines needs work - but I am so proud of what I was able to accomplish on my domestic machine!


Check out the The Jolly Jabber for instructions and links to other bloggers who are sharing their Snail Trail quilts today!   I just love this version in various shades of gray fabric.

Quilt and photo credit to Fat Quarter Shop



Have a wonderful day! Patty

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Father's Day pillow

I had the opportunity to spend Father's Day with my dad this year.  I don't remember the last time that has happened - certainly not since we moved to NC more than 20 years ago.

It was great to spend the weekend with him and my mom.  I made him a pillow for Father's Day.  Old photos were printed on fabric via Spoonflower.   I did some straight line quilting echoing around the photographs.


The back is an envelope fold. I used my machine's embroidery stitch to put a world's greatest dad message along the fold.

He loved it!

I found this Allison Glass print in my LQS and though it looked wonderful with the black and white photos.  (Some of the original photos were in color and some weren't so I used my computer to make them all black and white.)

My dad really liked it - who knew he had such good taste in modern fabrics!

Since I was flying up, I ordered a pillow insert and had it delivered to my sister's.  When she handed me the package, I had a bit of a nail biting moment because the pillow insert was so much bigger than I had expected it to be.  Thankfully it fit inside but this is one big fluffy pillow, a bit fluffier than I had been expecting!

Anyone have any good tips on sizing the pillow for the pillow insert?  Or a recommendation on pillow inserts? I need to make another pillow for a guild swap.  It seems difficult to size these things correcting.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Monday, June 19, 2017

Orange Peel finish


(I need a to name this quilt something other than 'orange peels'.)

I really enjoyed appliqueing these orange peel shapes - I am very much into slow stitching right now.


For the quilting, I choose to echo the shapes of the peels and quilted on the background fabric with my FMQ foot.  I left the peels themselves un-quilted and I like how they pop off the quilt top.


The fabric I used for the orange peels is from Michael Miller. - Painter's Canvas in colors Lime, Lagoon, Indigo and Mermaid.



This quilt finished at 20'' wide by 17 1/2'' tall.  I auditioned each side of the quilt top as a possible 'up' before selecting the orientation show in the photos.

I'll be linking up my wall hanging with  Freemotion by the River,   WIP Wednesday's,  Let's Bee SocialMidweek Makers.  Needle and Thread Thursdays, Finish it Up Friday and Finished or Not Friday.  

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Friday, June 16, 2017

40 done! (60 to go)

I've really been enjoying making all these blocks!  Working from a fairly limited (i.e. I am using a FQ bundle) fabric stack makes choosing the fabric reasonable straightforward.  Block #40 makes me happy.

The first 20 blocks -


and blocks 21 through 40 -



For my project, I am using this FQ bundle of Pastel Pop by Michael Miller which was sitting in my stash. These fabrics are the ONLY yellow I've got in my stash other than a bit in a solid.


Read more about the QAL here and follow along on Instagram with #100Days100Blocks2017.  You can find the 100 Modern Quilt Blocks book on Amazon.

http://amzn.to/2qJW0ph
Photo credit to Angie


Have a wonderful day! Patty

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Now everybody knows my name.....


I needed a name tag to wear to my guild meeting.  Just in case you need to make one too, I thought I would share how I put mine together - think of it as a mini quilt on a lanyard!

First, I made a mini quilt using some tiny blocks that I had assembled several months ago.


I ironed on fusible fleece onto the wrong side of my mini quilt.  I embroidered my name and did some straight line quilting with only the fusible fleece as a backing.

Once quilted, I trimmed to 5 1/2 '' wide by 4 1/4 '' tall,

For the back, I created a pocket.  First I cut a piece of backing fabric the same size as the front.  Then I cut the pocket fabric 5 1/2 " by 3 1/4''.  I folded over the raw edge of the pocket. Placing the mini quilt right side down, I placed the backing fabric right side up and then positioned the pocket.  I ran a line of basting stitches around all four sides at 1/8''.


I bound the mini using a single fold binding inside (tutorial) and I really liked the way it framed the name tag.

I used the same fabric for my lanyard as I did for the binding  Using a bias tape maker, I cut a strip of fabric at 1 7/8'' WOF.   Cut one end of the strip into a point (see 1) and then feed it into the bias tape maker with right side facing down (see 2).  Using a hot iron, slowly pull the bias tape maker down the fabric strip holding the bias string maker at an angle.  Iron the folds as you go.  You can hold the iron even closer than I show in the photo below (see 3).   Once you've pulled and pressed the entire strip, fold it in half again and press. (see 4).  Top stitch about 1/8'' from edge.


The final width of your lanyard is 1/2'' which is the perfect size.  Decide on the final length for your lanyard depending on how low / high you want it to hang.  I turned the ends of the lanyard under and attached by hand.

My lanyard ended up at 32'' with and additional 1'' turned under at each end.  


Isn't that & fabric fun?  This was part of the Sweetwater Pure fabric line.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Monday, June 12, 2017

The World needs more Mermaids

I have a good friend who loves mermaids.  Hoping to visit her later this summer so I decided to make her a gift.


I really enjoyed this pattern.  Some of the paper pieced bits were a little difficult but the pattern went together really nicely.  I had a lot of fun quilting organic wavy lines in the blue water and went to town on her mermaid hair!

I took her with me yesterday when I went to the pool for my daily swim.  I was there early enough that the pool wasn't crowded.  It was just me, a bored teenage lifeguard and just two other swimmers.

The money shot would have been if I stood in the pool and holding the mini.  Maybe I'll try that some day!


I'll be linking up my mermaid with  Freemotion by the River,   WIP Wednesday's,  Let's Bee SocialMidweek Makers.  Needle and Thread Thursdays, Finish it Up Friday and Finished or Not Friday.  This mini is my 26th finish for the year.

Information about the pattern can be found here.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Friday, June 9, 2017

Being Productive in My Sewing Space

Being productive in my sewing studio is not about running the sewing machine pedal to the metal. Its about making progress on projects as time presents itself.  I've gathered together my tips on my sewing productivity and I'd love to hear what you think.



Make a list.  To keep my projects on track, I start each month with a list of all the projects I'd like to make progress on.  The steps left to be done are listed and then crossed off once accomplished.  For example, if I'm working on finishing up blocks for a quilt, I will list out the steps: blocks, assemble, borders, backing, baste, quilt, bind.



Cut in batches.  My goal is to always have something to sew when I have a few minutes available.  To help with this, I will cut the fabric I need for various projects and create kits, clipping things together with clothespins or binding clips.  This works particular well for long QAL projects where sometimes choosing the fabric takes longer than sewing the blocks!  I carry this same thought into pressing and block trimming. 



Variety.  Everyone tires of a project at some point in the process.  As I result, I have more than one project going on at any given time.  If I am tired of making blocks for a large quilt, perhaps I'll make a mini to gift a friend.  Each project uses very different fabric and that variety keeps me interested and motivated.  I may take that to a bit of the extreme - I'm busy working on four different QALs right now.  

Go portable.  You can make progress on some steps outside of your sewing space.    Bring a batch of HST that need trimming, for example, and work on them in the kitchen while you are waiting for the pot to boil.  Keep a hand sewing project in the car ready for car pool line or doctor office waiting rooms.  (Note,  no HSTs were harmed in this photo. I don't usually put the cutting mat so close to the stove top!)



Motivate with music.  Have a task that you don't enjoy as much?  (For me, that is piecing and pressing the quilt back.)  Put on your favorite playlist and sing away.  It will be done before you know it.

Take breaks.  Marathon sewing sessions can be great but stand up and stretch every once in awhile. Position the ironing board so that you need to stand up in order to press your blocks.  It may take a few extra seconds but you will feel better!

Stay organized.  I keep a relatively clean work surface and use project boxes to keep everything together.  I'll store all the fabric necessary along with any kitted blocks in a project box.  It is nice not to have to hunt through my fabric stash each time I want to work on something. (See my project boxes post.)



Small steps.  This tip is straightforward.  Don't try to make 100 blocks in day.  Break the project down into smaller manageable steps.  Your quilt may need you to make 300 HST but that isn't so bad if you make them twenty units at a time.

Sharing.  Sharing is motivating.  Whether it is an upcoming guild meeting or even just a blog post, wanting to share a completed projected is sometimes enough motivation for me to sit down and tackle the step I've been postponing.  Participating in One Monthly Goal and publicly declaring your goal is another way to make progress.  Joining regular weekly sharing link-ups can also be good.

I hope you've found these tips to be helpful.  What do you do in order to keep yourself on track?

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Project Bags

                                         Click here for One Monthly Goal post for June

Now that I've turned into a needle-applique junkie, I wanted to make a project bag to keep everything I need at hand for working on my project.  (See my Rin blocks here.)



For this bag, I used the smallest of scraps I had left over from the Riley Blake Challenge to piece together the inside of the bag.  (See my entry quilt.)   My project fits nicely inside along with my fun tin which has my thread, needles and scissors.  The clear vinyl keeps everything visible.



For the last two years, I've hosted an event on my blog called Bag It.  During this event, I've shared different bag tutorials (you can find the tutorials here) and welcomed people to share the bags that they've made.  Sponsor prizes were awarded randomly to participants.

I am planning a Bag It event for this fall and have been working on some tutorials for new bags as well as some new fun things for the event.   This was my first attempt at making my project bag design.  I'm pleased with how it turned out but I am going continue to refine in order to simplify construction.

Interested in getting email updates on the Bag It event?  Sign up for notifications. 

I'll be linking up my project bag with  Freemotion by the River,   WIP Wednesday's,  Let's Bee SocialMidweek Makers.  Needle and Thread Thursdays, Finish it Up Friday and Finished or Not Friday.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Monday, June 5, 2017

First Rin block is done!

                                          Click here for One Monthly Goal post for June

I did it!

I finished my very first Rin block.


I very much enjoyed this block although those bumpy bits in the center circle almost did me in!  I've picked out my fabric for the second one.


And have gotten it all basted.  I'm trying a different set of templates than I did the first time - there will be three circles of fun and plenty of bumpy bits.


I was a bit more careful on where my basting stitches went which will hopefully improve the experience on this one.

Cheryl and Cindy have kicked off a new QAL to make Carolyn Friedlander's Rin pattern.

I have really been enjoying needle-turned applique since being introduced to the technique at a guild meeting.  If you are interested in learning more, check out Carolyn Friedlander's class on CreativeBug. I learned so much while taking that class.

Have you tried needle turned applique?


Have a wonderful day! Patty

Friday, June 2, 2017

Jelly Roll Railway - a new pattern from FQS


Fat Quarter Shop publishes quite a lot of patterns and tutorials.  (If you don't already follow their blog, you should do so to see all the fun!)

I've been enjoying working my Bella Basics and had fun trying their latest one called Jelly Roll Railway.





The blocks go together quickly and the instructions are clear and easy to follow.  For my quilt, I pulled a long horded precut of Sweetwater Pure from my stash set with other fabric from that line.

This was a fun and fast quilt to put together and I can't wait to quilt it.  I'm thinking of straight lines along the 'railway' and then some fun FMQ in the background space.


My quilt holder was very helpful until immediately after the photo shoot was done - and it was a quick one - he rolled the quilt up into a big ball.  "I just ironed that!" I said but it looks like it will need to be ironed again.

I am really trying hard this year to use my fabric stash.  When I do purchase something, it is for a project I am working on right then  As a result, I'll be piecing the back out of some other Sweetwater large scraps.

Find more information about the pattern on today's Jolly Jabber blog.   (And when you visit their blog, you'll find a coupon code for your very own jelly roll.)

The photo below is true to color.  This was a fun quilt!







Have a wonderful day! Patty

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Skill Builder QAL - Half Square Triangles



Hurrah!  It is month 5 in Fat Quarter Shop's Bella Skill Builder QAL.     You can find the pattern and a video tutorial for this month's Half Square Triangle Blocks here.







I really enjoyed working on both of these blocks with a pop of different color to keep things interesting!


I'm enjoying all my blocks together - blocks 1 through 5,  There are 4 blocks to go.




This quilt was designed by Sherri from A Quilting Life.  I'm looking forward to assembling the quilt top.

photo credit to Fat Quarter Shop
Lots of wonderful quilters are quilting along - check out all these wonderful versions -

Paula from The Sassy Quilter 
Leanne from She Can Quilt
Erin from Sew at Home Mummy
Erin from Why Not Sew
Lisa from In the Boon Docks
Marni from Haberdashery Fun
Natalia from Piece and Quilt
Julie from 627 Handworks
Kim from Persimon Dreams
me --> Patty from Elm Street Quilts
Denise from Pieced Brain Quilts
Kaye from Miss Print
Melissa from Happy Quilting Melissa
Charise from Charise Creates
Dana from Old Red Barn Co.
Kristen from Three in the Nest
Vickie from Spun Sugar Quilts





Have a wonderful day! Patty