My last finish for 2021 was 4 years in the making and I'm so glad I completed and gifted it!
My last finish for 2021 was 4 years in the making and I'm so glad I completed and gifted it!
If you're just joining in, this is a very loose sew along--see the schedule at the bottom of this post--I'm making four different blocks and then talking about assembly.
Need the pattern? Find it here.
I've got two wall hangings to quilt. I finished this top earlier this week--still with a week to go before Christmas!
The question I'm most commonly asked about quilting is what color thread to use, particularly for an allover design. Which can be tricky with a variety of colors, like in the block below. My best advice? Audition your thread colors by stretching them across the quilt. You might just be surprised what colors work.
These blocks stitch up so quickly - you still have time to make something before the holidays! The pattern comes with templates for five different blocks (ornament, snowman, tree, star and candy cane), as well as two layout options--a four-patch style wall hanging and a table runner.
Purchase the pattern here. |
Strippy Improv Holiday Sew Along Schedule:
Thursday, November 18th - Intro and Fabric Selection
Tuesday, November 23rd - Make a block
Tuesday, November 30th - Make a block
Thursday, December 2nd - Make a block
Tuesday, December 7th - Make a block
Thursday, December 9th - Assembly
Tuesday, December 14th - Alternate options
Thursday, December 16th - Finishing
********************************************************************
If you're just joining in, this is a very loose sew along--see the schedule at the bottom of this post--I'm making four different blocks and then talking about assembly.
Need the pattern? Find it here.
Need a small gift (or only have time to make a small gift?)
Sew a block, quilt it, and bind it! Instant mini quilt, pot holder or mug rug! These two blocks, yet to be bound (hey, I still have 10 days!) are destined to be gifts. Cute, easy, and made with love. (Note: If you're going to make a hot pad, use two layers of batting or even better, a heat-resistant batting layer plus batting).
For the star, I echo quilted the star itself with gold thread, using my walking foot edge for spacing. For the background, I did the same in a dark blue thread.
Inspired yet? I have about four more orphan blocks to finish and gift this season--I can't wait to see what they become!
These blocks stitch up so quickly - you still have time to make something before the holidays! The pattern comes with templates for five different blocks (ornament, snowman, tree, star and candy cane), as well as two layout options--a four-patch style wall hanging and a table runner.
Purchase the pattern here. |
Strippy Improv Holiday Sew Along Schedule:
Thursday, November 18th - Intro and Fabric Selection
Tuesday, November 23rd - Make a block
Tuesday, November 30th - Make a block
Thursday, December 2nd - Make a block
Tuesday, December 7th - Make a block
Thursday, December 9th - Assembly
Tuesday, December 14th - Alternate options
Thursday, December 16th - Finishing
********************************************************************
It's assembly time for the Strippy Improv Holiday pattern! If you've been keeping up, you should have four blocks done. If you haven't been keeping up, no worries! You still have time.
If you're just joining in, this is a very loose sew along--see the schedule at the bottom of this post--I'm making four different blocks and then talking about assembly.
Need the pattern? Find it here.
Let's look at the quilt assembly:
(Wait? What about the ornament block? It didn't get a day in the sew along! That's true...I just scheduled four days because you only need to make four blocks for the runner or wall hanging. But I've filled today's post with ornament blocks for inspiration. The ornament block has so much potential--different colors, different prints...you can really have fun with it!)
The pattern offers two assembly options--a square wall hanging, which is also perfect size for a door, and a table runner. I've made one of each so far, and have two more to make - hopefully before Christmas!
For either lay out, you're going to be adding contrasting strips to frame the block. I originally added these to create some definition between my black background blocks and my black sashing and border fabric, but I really love how these skinny strips make the blocks pop with any fabric combination.
I used these brightly colored ornament blocks to make a table runner:
And then these red and green ornament blocks to make a square wall hanging.
These blocks stitch up so quickly - you still have time to make something before the holidays! The pattern comes with templates for five different blocks (ornament, snowman, tree, star and candy cane), as well as two layout options--a four-patch style wall hanging and a table runner.
Purchase the pattern here. |
Strippy Improv Holiday Sew Along Schedule:
Thursday, November 18th - Intro and Fabric Selection
Tuesday, November 23rd - Make a block
Tuesday, November 30th - Make a block
Thursday, December 2nd - Make a block
Tuesday, December 7th - Make a block
Thursday, December 9th - Assembly
Tuesday, December 14th - Alternate options
Thursday, December 16th - Finishing
********************************************************************
Need the pattern? Find it here.
So what makes this block trickier than the others is trying to make the stripes "swirl" on the diagonal like an actual candy cane. Feel free to just sew "straight" (but still wonky!) stripes and not worry about the diagonal angle.
But if you do want to create a "swirled" candy cane, here are my tips:
1. "Audition" the placement of each strip before sewing. You'll need extra length on the outer edge of the candy cane; otherwise when you fold an angled strip up, it won't extend past the sketched line, like this:
2. So test every time before you stitch!
These blocks stitch up so quickly - you still have time to make something before the holidays! The pattern comes with templates for five different blocks (ornament, snowman, tree, star and candy cane), as well as two layout options--a four-patch style wall hanging and a table runner.
Purchase the pattern here. |
Strippy Improv Holiday Sew Along Schedule:
Thursday, November 18th - Intro and Fabric Selection
Tuesday, November 23rd - Make a block
Tuesday, November 30th - Make a block
Thursday, December 2nd - Make a block
Tuesday, December 7th - Make a block
Thursday, December 9th - Assembly
Tuesday, December 14th - Alternate options
Thursday, December 16th - Finishing
********************************************************************
Everyone has heard of Sudoku, but are you familiar with Colorku? My sister-in-law introduced this game to our family six years ago, and I'm completely and totally hooked on it. Find the game here.
What is it? It's Sudoku in colors. Perfect for quilters, right? Exactly.
I've long thought it would be fun to create a Colorku quilt, and when the December theme for Quilt Block Mania was toys, I knew it was time to put my idea into action.
Yes, you can make this block with simple appliqued circles on a beige-colored wooden background. I gave it my own twist.
First, I used a variety of grays for background squares to create a more modern, dynamic look.
Second, I used a reverse applique technique to create the circles. If you're intrigued by this technique, be sure to check out my Strippy Improv Holiday pattern, which uses the same method to create festive holiday-themed blocks. (psst! There's a Halloween version too!)
Strippy Improv Holiday blocks |
The tutorial for making this Colorku-themed block is on my subscribers only page - if you receive my newsletter, you'll find the link in the latest email. If you don't yet, you can subscribe to the newsletter in the right hand sidebar and you'll receive an introduction email with the link. I hope you enjoy making it!
Make sure you catch all the other toy-themed blocks shared today as part of Quilt Block Mania! Use the links below:
Puzzle Cube Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Swirlybirds by Scrapdash
Rocking Horse by Appliques Quilts and More
Old-fashioned toy by Blockofthemo.com
Wooden Toy Blocks by Penny Spool Quilts
Xylophone by QuiltFabrication
Stacked Rings at Patti's Patchwork
Toy Truck at Blue Bear Quilts
Bullseye at Pretty Piney Quilts
Toy Plane by Mom and Me Quilting Co
Nutcracker by Inquiring Quilter
Water Colors at Perkins Dry Goods
How to Theread a Book by Craft Towards Joy
Sling Shot by Faith and Fabric
Candyland at EvaPaige Quilt Designs
Shape Sorter Block at Patchwork Breeze
Colorku at Love to Color My World
Toy Wagon by Cristy Fincher
Baboushka dolls by Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Baseball by Masterpiece Quilting