QAL addiction continues

I saw a post by Yvonne (here) recently about motivation.  For me, motivation in my sewing comes from having multiple projects in flight - so there is always something that appeals - plus participation in QALs - where someone is telling you what to do! 

Here are the blocks from September and October of Cheryl's Magnolia Mystery.

I'm downsizing the blocks by using the instructions for the lap size quilt but making the blocks smaller.  For the October units - which Cheryl calls partial geese - my units measure 1 1/2'' x 2 1/2''.  When working with pieces this small, I just put together a paper piece pattern.  It just makes it so much easier to get things accurate. 

Not sure how true to color my picture is so here are swatches which are being paired with a white background fabric.  These are Paintbrush Studios solids.

For Mellissa's Roundabout.  I'm making a 2 x 2 quilt and have my geese all done and linked up.  Next step will be out this week.  (The fabric line was designed by Amy Ellis for Moda.)

Cutting instructions for Yvonne's Wayward Transparency quilt will be out shortly.  My current fabric choice are these three solids from American Made Brand although I've still time to change my mind.  I'm planning to make the darkest color my primary color.

Are you sewing along?

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Bag It Featured Designer - Fat Quarter Gypsy

Have you seen these cut pop-up bag kits in your favorite quilt store?

I was quite excited to give them a try and am thrilled to introduce you to today's featured designer, Joanne Hillestad.

Joanne, owner of The Fat Quarter Gypsy Designs, started her sewing journey at the age of 5. Hooked instantly, the love of playing with fabric only grew over the decades. 

After 20 years as a database analyst in Corporate America, Joanne decided to follow her dreams and pursue a career around her love of all things fabric. While designing quilts, one chilly Minnesota day inspiration hit! Combining Joanne’s fabric and her husband Mike’s wire forming ability the Fat Quarter Pop-Up was born! This handy, collapsible container became an instant hit leading to a fun line of Dress Up Your Pop Up patterns. 

Visit thefatquartergypsy.com for more information.

I made two of these pop-ups.  First up is Fat Quarter Pop-up which is the smaller size.  I used a solid red fabric for this one and dressed it up with measuring tape ribbon.   Construction was easy and Joanne's directions are filled with illustrations and photographs are easy to follow.  

The tips for inserting the spring form were perfect.  I used the enclosed elastic for this pop-up so it is ready to be folded up and taken with me to quilt class.

My second pop-up is the medium sized one.  For this one, I sewed together all these scraps to make a piece of fabric big enough for the pattern directions.  The medium one sits next to my cutting table and has become the home for my small cutting scraps.  I made ties for this one instead of using elastic.

I thank Fat Quarter Gypsy for the kits I used to make my pop-ups.

Want to make some yourself?  They would make great gifts for really anyone on your list.  Make a pet themed one for someone special.  Or make one with to celebrate a favorite sports team!

You can find these at local quilt stores and at Fat Quarter Gypsy.  Fat Quarter Shop also carries these.

Fat Quarter Gypsy has provided a prize package for one lucky randomly chosen Bag It participant. The pattern package includes the supplies you need to make your own Pop-ups plus her latest pattern called the Wingman!

See overall schedule and links to all tutorials on the Bag It event page 

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Bag It Participant Guidelines

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

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Freedom - My Cobblestone Quilt

(Click here for the October One Monthly Goal link-up)

Welcome to my stop on the new Fat Quarter Shop Cobblestone QAL! 

I had a great time using this beautiful FQ bundle of Moda Sweetwater Freedom for my quilt supplied to me by Fat Quarter Shop.

I wanted to make the quilt sized for a baby quilt so I downsized the pattern by adjusting the size of the blocks.  This is very easy to do and worked very well with this pattern.

To downsize, start with the finished dimensions of the block and cut those in half.   For example, if the pattern tells you to cut a rectangle 5 1/2 '' by 10 1/2 '', this means your finished dimensions (minus the seams) would be 5 x 10''.  Cut this in half to be 2 1/2 x 5'' and then re-add back in the seam allowance and cut your block to be 3 x 5 1/2 ''.

Make sense?

I personalized my quilt with the work 'freedom'  - how fun it would be to personalize with the name of the new baby.  The word was paper pieced using my Chunky Alphabet pattern.

I also choose to face my quilt instead of binding it.  I just LOVE the way it looks.  (See my prior post on facing which includes links to the tutorials I used.)

To quilt, I did fun star design that included a few loops along the way.

My finished quilt measures roughly 30 by 40''.

For more information on the Cobblestone quilt pattern and to see what other bloggers have made, visit Fat Quarter Shop's blog The Jolly Jabber.

Thanks for stopping by to visit.  Make sure you check out the Bag It 2017 kick-off post - the excitement begins.  Come join the fun!

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

Have a wonderful day! Patty