Maui - My Pineapple Quilt

Happy Pineapple Day!

Today, June 27, is National Pineapple Day! 

To celebrate, Fat Quarter Shop is hosting a Pineapple Block QAL - you can find a free pattern and video tutorial on their blog  plus see a lot of quilts from other bloggers on today's Jolly Jabber post.

I'm sharing photos of my pineapple quilt top that I'm calling Maui.  When my husband and I were married, we spent 10 days in Hawaii for our honeymoon.  Our favorite island of the 3 which we got to visit was Maui.  

To photo my quilt top, we visited Duke Gardens and searched for the most tropical looking settings.  The big leaves on this bush/tree really suggested tropical plant to me!  (My husband was the champion quilt location spotter on this trip.  Temps were in the 90s and the humidity quite high - what we do for that quilt photo!)

Pineapple blocks are really another version of a log cabin - similar construction techniques but the squaring up of the block before adding the next round of fabric is a bit trickier.  That is why I really like using Fat Quarter Shop's new foundation papers!   The foundation paper is available in a 6'' finished block size and a 12'' finished block size.

I used the 6" paper for my quilt and made 33 pineapple blocks using all the glorious colors from Zen Chic Spotted.

There are 8 partial blocks included as well.  I really like the effect of these blocks bring to the layout.

The blocks were then set on point and a large border added all around the quilt.  The quilt top measures 63" x 63".

Another quilt has taken priority so it will be into August before I get this quilted.  I can't wait to have it all done!

Aloha.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

One Monthly Goal - June Finish Link-up

Ready to link up your June finishes?

Don't panic - this link-up is open until June 30 at 11:55 pm ET.

My goal for June was to make 'a bunch' of Pineapple blocks and get them assembled into a quilt top.  Success!  More photos coming soon.

Now its your turn to link-up.

There will be three winners this month - Fat Quarter Shop is offering a $25 gift certificate, Make Modern is offering a 6 month subscription, and our feature designer Holly Anne Knight from String & Story is offering 3 digital patterns!

Congratulations to Vicki, Nann & Edith - our lucky winners for June!  (updated 7/7)

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:  

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - June Finish Link-up

Sign up to receive email notifications when the One Monthly Goal linkup is open.  Think of it as a helpful reminder!  Joining the link-up from Instagram -see the tutorial.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Thanks for linking up!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Pineapple Progress

Did you know that June 27 is Pineapple Day?

To celebrate, Fat Quarter Shop is hosting a Pineapple Block QAL - you can find a free pattern and video tutorial on their blog!

Pineapple blocks are really another version of a log cabin - similar construction techniques but the squaring up of the block before adding the next round of fabric is a bit trickier.  That is why I really like using Fat Quarter Shop's new foundation papers!   The foundation paper is available in a 6'' finished block size and a 12'' finished block size.

My quilt top is done - I made about 35 full pineapple blocks and then some partial ones.

I really love how it turned out - more photos coming soon ........ on Pineapple Day!!!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Beautiful Grays

My oldest nephew is getting married in August and I've been planning on making him and his fiance a quilt as a wedding gift.  I've been trying to come up with a design for quite some time, getting a bit frustrated and then inspiration hit!

This is a closeup view of the small table on my back porch.  I've had the table for about ten years and never saw a quilt pattern .....until I did!

I've made the first couple of blocks - they went together rather well although I do have to pin to get those intersections to line up better.

I'll be using different shades of gray - all Painter's Palette Solids.  These are my absolute favorite solids - I love how the fabric feels in my hand and the range of colors - including the grays -are inspiring and just gorgeous.

I don't really think my nephew reads my blog but just in case, I'll be going dark on this project until it is done and gifted!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Quilt Facing - A tutorial

At my first QuiltCon in 2017, I discovered quilts that were finished with facing instead of binding.  I really loved the finish look it gave to smaller quilts. 

There are several good tutorials out in blog land that I learned from - this is how I do it.  (I'm writing this down for my benefit as much as yours!)

Let's get started!

• Measure the dimensions of your quilt.

• Cut 2 strips 3'' x height measurement.  Press in half, wrong sides together

• Cut 2 strips 3'' x width measurement.  Press in half, wrong sides together

It doesn't matter if you attach the strips to the top and bottom first or to the sides.  In my example, I am starting with the sides.

Pin a side strip on the right side of the quilt (just as you would a binding) aligning it to the top and bottom edge.  The raw edge of the facing strip is aligned with the raw edge of the quilt.

With a 1/4'' seam, attach all 3 edges.

Fold to the side and press as much of the facing strip as you can - the part sewn to the top and bottom will be a bit restrictive.

Top stitch on the facing strip as close to the edge as you can securing the raw edge of the quilt to the facing strip.  This helps to get a crisp edge.   Again, the top and bottom edge will make it hard but just catch as much of the side as you can.

Repeat for the other side facing strip.

Pin bottom facing strip to quilt.  Once it is aligned, TRIM off about 1/2'' from each end.  This helps to reduce bulk.

As you did with the side facing strips, flip over, press and then top-stitch as close to the edge as possible.  This will be easier to do than the side facing strips.

Repeat steps to attach facing strip to top of quilt.

Flip over the facing strip on the top of the quilt and finger press to get a nice edge.  Secure with binding clips.

The photo on the left below shows the quilt on the back, the one of the right is the front view of this same step. 

Secure facing strip to the back of the quilt in the same manner you would secure a binding strip.  Repeat for the facing strip on the bottom of the quilt.

Carefully clip corners of facing strips at side of the quilt.  Flip the facing strips to the back creating a nice finished corner.

Secure with binding strips and attach by hand.

Here what your corners will look like from the back of the quilt and the front of the quilt.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

(Gift) Bags

I've a niece and nephew (twins) set to graduate from high school and move onto college.  I decided to make them each a zip bag - something that they could take to college.  I typically make these in their college school colors (or some facsimile) but I hadn't nothing in my stash that would work so I made these!

My nephew loves the outdoors - fishing, hiking etc.  The fabric looks like tree bark!

My niece loves pastels - pinks especially.  I found this fabric in my stash and spiced it up a bit with a brighter zipper.

Finally, couldn't help myself and made one more - this one for my sister.  They are about to move a long distance and figured she might enjoy a bag for their trip.

I followed my tips for boxy bags.  There is 2 layers of fusible batting so the bags have some structure.


Have a wonderful day! Patty

100 Day Project - on the Home Stretch!

Have you heard about the 100 Day Project?  While it officially kicked off on April 2, you can certainly start your own 100 days of creativity anytime you want.

My original goal was to hand piece one drunkards path block each day starting on April 2.   I've since modified the goal to hand piecing 100 of these blocks in 100 days.  This gives me 'permission' to make more than one in a sitting and not worry about missing a day here and there.

As of this posting, I should have 72 blocks and much to my surprise when I laid them out - I have 72 blocks!

There are some days where I don't stitch any blocks and other days where I make time to do several of them.   I wasn't certain about the reverse blocks at first - where the 1/4 circle is the low volume fabric - but I am really loving it now.

This isn't necessarily my final layout.  There is much to be decided!

If you'd like to give it a try, checkout my tutorial on hand piecing curves.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Coasters - A tutorial

Aren't these fun?  They are a great way to use up scraps and they go together quite quickly.

Want to make some of your own?

For each coaster, you will need:

• 4 print squares, each 1½'' x 1½'' 
• 2 small background pieces, each 2 x 2½''
• 2 larger background pieces, each 2 x 5½''
• 1 backing piece, 5½'' x 5½''
• 1 piece fusible fleece, 5'' x 5 ''

Sew the 4 print squares together - given the tiny pieces, I shortened my stitch length a bit.  Your center is now 2½'' x 2½''.   Sew each of the smaller background pieces to the top and bottom of the print square and then attach each of the larger background pieces.  Your unit (which magically changed colors!) will be 5½'' x 5½''.

Iron the fusible fleece carefully to the wrong side, leaving a ¼'' seam.   Place the backing square on the coaster unit right sides together and sew  ¼'' from the edge leaving a gap for turning.

Carefully clip corners and turn right side out through opening.  Press unit making sure to fold the fabric at the opening to create a nice edge.  Pin or baste opening closed and then stitch around edge of coasters very close to edge.

To quilt, stitch in ditch around center square and then continue to spiral out echoing the previous line.   It is ok if your lines are not perfectly echoed - this is meant to be a bit wonky and playful!

Have fun!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

May temperatures

Summer temperatures are officially here - even had a few days in May that crept very close to the 100 degree mark. Humidity, in general, feels lower that past years.

The first column is January 1 - 15 and the last column on the right is May 16-31.   It only takes a minute to add each square so I've been able to keep current or quickly catch up.  These are 2'' squares and hand pieced.

Always Interesting to compare to 2018 - I've circled May from last year - more days in the 70s this year but also more days in the 90s.

Here is a mapping of the colors.

There are so many temperature quilts popping up and I love them.  I wrote up a tutorial on a temperature quilt if you are interested.  In addition, Anina is running a 2019 QAL!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

MQG Riley Blake challenge quilt

The MQG challenge for spring involved a fun set of fabrics from Riley Blake.

My goal for my mini was to try for an improv minimalist quilt, using just a little bit of each of the fabrics.   I like the little navy shapes on the white print and am in so in love with the 1/8'' stripe that I only wanted to use a little.  (Not sure what I'm saving it for but I love it!)  I used denim as the primary color.

For the quilting, I did a lot of improv big stitch quilting, basically just had fun adding texture!

The actual color of the denim is somewhere between these two photos!  The quilt is faced and I finished that up last week while we were at the beach

Have a wonderful day! Patty

A Favorite Block

I've made many star quilts.  I like making flying geese and this is a great way to use those units!

For my latest star quilt, I wanted to try one of the modern quilt techniques of placing the block so it is cropped off the edge.

The quilting was the best part - straight lines mixed with some FMQ wavy lines to give it a bit of a star burst.

This quilt is my entry for Curated Quilts latest challenge!  My mini is 15'' x 15''. 

(updated 6/7) I'm also adding it to the Pantone challenge for 2019 in the mini category. 

Have a wonderful day! Patty

One Monthly Goal June Link-up

Welcome to June!  We had 96 goals linked up for May - lets see what this month brings!  (Did you see the overall announcement for the sponsors and featured designers for 2019?  It will blow you away!)

New to One Monthly Goal?  Welcome!  To join, share a photo of your project, some words about what you want to accomplish in a blog post, an Instagram post (tutorial) or a post on Flickr and add that photo to the link-up.  Return at the end of the month and share your results.  You can read about the event and the rules on the main event page.

We have wonderful sponsors this month - three (3) winners will be randomly chosen from those that link up in both the goal and the finish event.  

Fat Quarter Shop offers a tremendous selection of fabric, notions, books and just about anything you will need for your project. Consider their Sew Sampler box to receive a monthly surprise delivery of fabric and fun.  Fat Quarter Shop is offering a $25 gift certificate to one lucky participant.

Make Modern is a digital magazine launched by a collaboration of quilters based in Australia. Their magazine is filled with modern quilt designs and a wonderful source of inspiration. Make Modern is offering a 6 month subscription to one lucky participant. 


I'm excited to announce that Holly Anne Knight from String & Story is our featured designer for June.  Holly Anne is a teacher, a quilt designer and a FMQ enthusiast!  String & Story is a place for women to quilt and live with confidence.  Holly Anne believes that creativity and wellness are beautiful twins.  She promotes both through free motion quilting and color theory classes, quilt patterns, and wellness education, including esstneil oils, healthy eating and gentle yoga.  Most recently, Holly Anne began creating the Rockstar Quilting Guild in order to offer guest speakers, deeper community, and more.

Image credit - Holly Anne Knight

Holly Anne is offering 3 digital quilt patterns - Dogwood Blossoms, Polaris, and Perfect Fit - to one lucky winner.  Visit Holly Anne on her Blog, on Instagram, on  Facebook, and in her Shop.

My goal for June is make lots of pineapple blocks and get them into a quilt top!

Now it is your turn to link up - what is your goal for this month?  (A goal could be to finish a quilt but it could also be to attach a binding.  Whatever it takes to help you move forward and make progress on your projects!  And as long as the project involves making something with a needle and/or fabric, you can link up!)

Make sure you visit the One Monthly Goal event page for the specific requirements for links and social tags.  Your blog post (or Flickr post) must contain a photo of your project, a clearly stated goal and a link back to Elm Street Quilts.  Your Instagram post must include a photo of your project, a clearly stated goal and the tag #onemonthlygoal.  (Entries which don't contain the required information may be disqualified.)

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.   (The One Monthly Goal accomplishment linkup will be available on June 24.)

Make sure you add a link to this OMG post so others can find the OMG link-up from your blog.  Let's make that easy -  just paste this into your post:  

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal June Link-up.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Thanks for linking up!

Have a wonderful day! Patty