Loves Me, Loves Me Not

I'm so excited to share my latest two finishes - Loves Me, Loves Me Not!.  

And even more exciting, the pattern for the quilt will be available on January 16 and I'll be hosting a quilt along on the Quilt Fiction website.

Have you heard about Quilt Fiction?  Frances @offkilterquilt has been sharing quilt stories for a several years and has a two brand new quilt novels she will be reading.  Loves me, Loves Me Not was designed to coordinate with Friendship Album: Forget-Me-Not.

This quilt was so much fun to make.   This throw size finishes at 60"x60".  It was quilted with a edge to edge pattern called Marmalade. 

Moda Fabrics supplied the fabric - a fun modern line called Filigree by Zen Chic which will be available in your favorite fabric stores very soon.

There are six unique blocks in the pattern - make one of each block for a sweet baby quilt which finishes 42" x 42".  The baby-sized quilt was made with prints from Filigree as well as another Zen Chic line called Dance in Paris.  It was quilted on my domestic machine in a overall loopy meander. 

A fabulous group of companies are sponsoring the QAL - Aurifil, Famoré Cutlery, Fat Quarter Shop, Moda Fabrics, Oliso, Quiltfolk, and String & Story - and there will be multiple giveaways along the way plus some grand prizes.

The fun starts soon with new posts - sign up here to be notified when the pattern is available and to learn more about the QAL!

And while you're there, make sure you explore all the wonderful story telling Frances is doing!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Book Club - A Hand Pieced QAL Pattern is now available

Are you excited to start hand piecing? 

The pattern for Book Club for the Hand Pieced QAL is now available!  (Did you miss the QAL announcement?  You can find more information here!)

If you have any trouble ordering the pattern, please don't hesitate to email us at handpiecedqal@gmail.com - we'll be happy to help!

For this year's Hand Pieced QAL, we are making the quilt pattern available as a PDF download for a fee of $10. 

Each week we will be offering tips and tricks to help you be successful with that week's block.  You are welcome to sew along with us each week or make the blocks at your own pace!  There will be weekly link-ups and chances to win great sponsor prizes for each block you finish in a given week.

The Book Club: Hand Pieced QAL pattern download package will come in 3 parts:

• All the instructions for each of the QAL blocks and final quilt top settings
• All the templates for each QAL block
• Coloring page for each quilt top setting

The pattern will feature 9 unique blocks each which finish at 9'' and will offer 2 settings - a wall hanging or a throw sized quilt.  Quilt top fabric requirements are shown below.  More information on backing and binding fabric requirements will be in the pattern.

If you have any trouble ordering the pattern, please don't hesitate to email us at handpiecedqal@gmail.com - we'll be happy to help!

 (Download a copy of the coloring pages and start planning your fabric placement!)

Each block will feature a pattern page with step by step piecing instructions plus a page of templates for that block.  If the pieces can be cut by a rotary cutter - like the example shown - the measurements for each of the pieces are also given.   (Never used templates before?  A tutorial on templates will be available on March 9.)

Purchase the Book Club pattern here!

If you have any trouble ordering the pattern, please don't hesitate to email us at handpiecedqal@gmail.com - we'll be happy to help!

Need some tutorials to get you started? Brush off your hand piecing skills by making a block from our very first hand Pieced QAL and our hand piecing tutorials (including video) plus my suggested list of tools to make hand piecing successful.

We 💗Our Sponsors - more coming soon about the amazing prizes!

Stay in touch and join our community so you don't miss a thing! 

• Join our Hand Pieced Quilt Along Facebook Group.  

• Subscribe to our newsletter 

• Follow Simply Everyday Handmade and Elm Street Quilts on Instagram

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Out of Formation

I love participating in QALs and especially enjoy the one that  Cheryl @ Meadowmist Designs hosts each year.  I often put my own twist on them.  This year I both downsized the blocks (more on that in a minute) and changed the layout slightly.

The original layout (minus some of the piece that belong along the edge) looked like this.  While I really like this layout, I still couldn't resist making some changes.  (The fabric colors in  the photo below is more true to color than the other photos.)

But I wanted to play with it a bit and see what happens when some of the stars start to fall out of formation.

My downsized version measures about 27'' x 40''

My method for downsizing any block is simple - look at the finished block size in the pattern and divide it in half and then add 1/2'' to each dimension to get your unfinished size. 

 For example, a square that finished at 4'' is downsized to 2'' for which I would cut a 2 1/2'' square.   Or a flying geese which finishes at 3''x 6''is downsized to be 1 1/2 '' x 3'' finished or 2'' x 3 1/2'' unfinished.   When units get really small, I draw them up in EQ7 and paper piece!

I'll be linking up here.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Mosaic Mystery QAL - November blocks

While most of the quilts I make are my original design, I still really love participating in QALs.  It is fun to be sewing along with other people.  Plus it is nice to just sit and sew without thinking too much!

The Mosaic Mystery QAL is being hosted by Cheryl from Meadow Mist Designs.  I've done her mysteries in the past - in fact for this years quilt, I'm using the leftovers from the 2017 QAL (see that quilt)!

I'm also downsizing the quilt.  How?  I take the finished size of the block in the clue and make a block half that size.  For example, this month's units were to be 6 1/2'' unfinished or 6'' finished.  Therefore, I've made mine so they finish at 3'' or 3 1/2'' unfinished. 

I put together a quick paper pieced pattern to help with overall accuracy of those compound HST units - that FPP pattern is 2" square!  I did the same thing for last month's square in a square units.

I'm loving my blocks so far!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

My Next Hand Piecing Project

I love having handwork waiting for me when I want to sit and slow stitch.  I've learned that hand piecing is my favorite slow stitch past-time so I started a pillow size double wedding ring hand stitching project.

I'll need 4 of these blocks - each finishes at 10'' x 10''.

The fabric I'm using is all scraps from my tiny piecing project.  My first block is done but I think that dark purple really stands out (and not in a good way!)   I need to make sure I incorporate it quite of dark purple in the other blocks to balance things or unpick and insert another square in this first block..

I'm very happy to have a project at the ready when I want to sit and stitch!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Mosaic Mystery QAL

While most of the quilts I make are my original design, I still really love participating in QALs.  It is fun to be sewing along with other people.  Plus it is nice to just sit and sew without thinking too much!

The Mosaic Mystery QAL is being hosted by Cheryl from Meadow Mist Designs.  I've done her mysteries in the past - in fact for this years quilt, I'm using the leftovers from the 2017 QAL (see that quilt)!

Fabric is Painter's Palette solids and the colors are Frolic, Cadet, and Aluminum.

The September blocks were the little 'house' blocks shown above.

For October, the clue was to make some Square in a Square blocks.  I had fun playing with possible layouts below.

As always, I am downsizing the blocks to end up with a wall hanging instead of a larger quilt.  Because my version of the SiaS block needed to be 3 1/2'', I actually paper pieced them for greater accuracy and less frustration!


Have a wonderful day! Patty

Kinship flimsy

I was excited to assemble my Kinship blocks to see if my master color plan worked.  The Kinship QAL is this year's #100Days100Blocks2019 QAL hosted by Angie at GnomeAngel.

I am very happy with this!

In total, I made 13 blocks.  The patterns has blocks that finish 4'' and 8'' which gives you the opportunity to play and create your own layout.  My quilt measures 24'' square.

I created my color plan ahead of time by redrawing the 13 blocks in EQ7 so I could play with layout and color. 

As you can see, I deviated a bit from my original plan.  After all the blocks were made, colors mapping to my plan, I really didn't like the color balance of the blocks in the lower right corner.  So I remade them, retaining just a little bit of the purple.

I want to continue to experiment with quilting and am planning a combination of hand quilting and machine quilting.

This year's event is based on a pattern called Kinship 100 Block Fusion Sampler written by GnomeAngel and Skyberries.  I highly recommend this pattern - the blocks are fun, usual, and the instructions are very well written.  More information here on the overall QAL page.)  (affiliate link)

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Kinship QAL - Blocks 81, 91 and 94

My goal for the  #100Days100Blocks2019 QAL hosted by Angie at GnomeAngel was to tackle a subset of the 100 blocks.   I decided to make blocks that feature flying geese.

I also decided to really play with color.

Here are my final 3 blocks - 81, 91 and 94.

They join all these other colorful blocks -   4, 12, 25 and 27...

...... 41, 44, and 46........

and 57, 64, and 65.

This year's event is based on a pattern called Kinship 100 Block Fusion Sampler written by GnomeAngel and Skyberries.  The pattern is very well written and I'd recommend you check it out!

For more information, visit the overall QAL page.  (affiliate link)

Now time to assemble the flimsy!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Kinship Blocks 57, 64, and 65

You've likely see blocks flowing through your Instagram feed as part of the #100Days100Blocks2019 QAL hosted by Angie at GnomeAngel?   I'm making a subset of the blocks - those with Flying Geese!  Loving my colorful palette  paired with some low volume fabric.

Here are my latest blocks - #57, 64, and 65.

This year's event is based on a pattern called Kinship 100 Block Fusion Sampler written by GnomeAngel and Skyberries.  (There are some absolutely amazing prizes available from this QAL so check it out on the overall QAL page.)  (affiliate link)

My quilt with 13 blocks will measure 24" x 24".  These new blocks join blocks  4, 12, 25 and 27...

and blocks 41, 44, and 46.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Kinship blocks 41, 44, 46

You've likely see blocks flowing through your Instagram feed as part of the #100Days100Blocks2019 QAL hosted by Angie at GnomeAngel?   This year's event is based on a pattern called Kinship written by GnomeAngel and Skyberries.  (There are some absolutely amazing prizes available from this QAL so check it out on the overall QAL page.)

I decided to make a subset of the blocks - namely most of the blocks that have flying geese.  I've chosen a very colorful fabric palette paired with some low volume fabric for the geese.  In my final layout, hopefully this coloring will work. 

Here are my latest blocks - #41, 44, and 46.

They join the other blocks with geese - 4, 12, 25 and 27!

If you are just joining, today is the halfway point - the 52nd day of the QAL so you've got 52 blocks to catch up if you make them all or maybe just pick a subset!  These blocks are either 4 x 8'' or 8 x 8'' and the once I've chosen are the more complicated ones!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Kinship blocks 4, 12, 25, 27

You've likely see blocks flowing through your Instagram feed as part of the #100Days100Blocks2019 QAL hosted by Angie at GnomeAngel?   This year's event is based on a pattern called Kinship written by GnomeAngel and Skyberries.  (There are some absolutely amazing prizes available from this QAL so check it out on the overall QAL page.)

I decided to make a subset of the blocks - namely most of the blocks that have flying geese.  I've chosen a very colorful fabric palette paired with some low volume fabric for the geese.  In my final layout, hopefully this coloring will work. 

Here are blocks 4, 12, 25 and 27!

If you are just joining, today is the 29th day of the QAL so you've got 29 blocks to catch up - still doable!  These blocks are either 4 x 8'' or 8 x 8'' and the once I've chosen are the more complicated ones!

Very fun!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

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

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

The Selfie

(Click here for the One Monthly Goal link-up and click here for the Hand-pieced QAL link-up)

My daughter is a big, big time fan of the Harry Potter books.  She has read the series through cover to cover at least ten times.  When I saw Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts Harry Potter QAL, I knew I'd be making the Harry block.

It was so much fun, so I had to make Hermione  - Harry needs his BFF!

Don't they look cute together?

(And I am totally giving the Harry block a bit of surgery.  The glasses on the left need to be turned 90 degrees so those patches go the same way.  Didn't notice it until I looked at the photos!)

I'll be linking up at Brag about Your Beauties,  Freemotion by the River,   WIP Wednesday's,  Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers.  Needle and Thread Thursdays,  and Finished or Not Friday.

Have a wonderful day! Patty