2020 Wrap Up

 Now that we're looking at 2020 in the rear-view mirror, I thought it would be fun to look at what I accomplished this year. 

*I released 6 quilt patterns:

Cogs

Star Stacks

Ribbit

Opposite Directions

Star Crossing

Wonk Around the Block

Strippy Improv Holiday

*I finished 12 quilts.

Honestly, I would have thought this number would have been higher. It was a busy year outside of quilting, but it felt really productive. Still, one a month isn't too shabby!

*I pieced 6 more quilts that I haven't quilted yet. Guess those are going on the 2021 list! 

I have my first two quilts  planned out for 2021, and they'll both be released as quilt patterns, so keep an eye out for them! (More info to come). 

Happy New Year!

Star Crossing Week 6

Welcome to Week 6 of the Star Crossing QAL!

We're almost done--just the binding left. Woohoo! 

If you still need to purchase the pattern, you can find it here.

Week 6: Binding

If your machine quilting is done, it's time for the last step: binding! 

For me, choosing the binding for this quilt was a no-brainer. I love a good striped binding, and the rainbow stripe in this collection was the perfect fit. 

Let's talk about the actual binding process. 

There are a few different common methods---which do you use? 

For me, it depends on the quilt's purpose. If it's a gift, I use 2-1/4" wide strips, machine stitch to the front, and then hand stitch the binding to the back. 

If it's not a gift, and/or if I'm under a deadline to finish it, I will cut 2-1/2" wide strips and use one of the these two methods: 

Method 1: Machine stitch to the quilt front, press binding away from the front, flip quilt over and press binding around the quilt edge, and secure with binding clips. Then I'll use the blind hem foot on my sewing machine and stitch in the ditch between the binding and the quilt front, which catches the folded binding edge on the back side as well. (I use 2-1/2" wide strips for this because it gives me more binding to catch on the back side. If you're good at this technique, you can also use 2-1/4" strips.) Thanks to my friend Joanne for teaching me this method a few years ago when I was in a time crunch!

Using the blind hem foot to sew in the ditch.

Here's what the front and back look like using this technique.

Method 2: Machine stitch the binding to the quilt back, press binding around to the front, and secure with binding clips. Then I topstitch the folded edge of the binding on the front, which secures it in place and leaves a stitched line near my binding on the back. (Again, this can be done with 2-1/4" wide strips as well--I just prefer a little extra wiggle room). 

Stitching binding to quilt back.

Top stitching binding on the front.

After your binding is complete, don't forget a label! 

Sit back and admire your quilt. (And please send me a photo and/or tag me on IG!)

I'll be binding my scrappy Star Crossing quilt this week! And since I have all the time in the world, maybe I'll even hand stitch it! :) 

Thank you so much for being a part of this QAL. I really enjoyed it and I hope you did too!

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Quilt Along schedule:

March 12: Fabric selection
March 18: Cutting

March 25: Small and medium stars

April 2: Center star and assembly

April 9: Machine quilting

April 23: Binding

The downloadable version of the Star Crossing pattern is on sale in my Etsy shop, so grab your copy today!

Purchase the pattern (currently 20% off!) here.

*Bring a friend deal: Get a friend to sign up for the QAL and purchase the pattern, and you'll receive 20% off an additional pattern of your choice! 

Simply email me your friend's name and I'll email you the coupon.

************************************************************************************

Over the Rainbow fabrics

If you'd like to use the same fabrics, here are some shops carrying them (please contact me if you know of any others and I'll add them in!):

Sewcial Stitch

Fabric.com

Fabric Bubb

The Stitching Post

Star Crossing QAL: Week 5

Welcome to Week 5 of the Star Crossing QAL!

It's time to quilt!

The best part about assembling this quilt is how FAST it goes together. And if you're not to this step yet, no worries--you have time to catch up. 

 There's even still time to get started. 

If you still need to purchase the pattern, you can find it here.

Week 5: Machine Quilting

I love being able to photograph a finished top, but then comes the big question...how will I quilt this? If I'm machine quilting a quilt myself, part of that answer includes balancing what I'd like to do with what I'm actually capable of doing! 

First, basting: How do you prefer to baste? I used to be a dedicated pin baster. Then I switched to spray baste, but still on the floor, taping the backing down and working through the layers. After watching a video from Christa Quilts, I've switched to basting on my large ironing board. 

Let's walk through a few machine quilting options:

Option 1: Straight line quilting! For my first Star Crossing quilt, I went with straight line quilting using my walking foot. I don't mark lines, beyond the first one. I just use the walking foot width (or if I want it wider, that handy little L-shaped tool that came with my sewing machine--anyone know what it's called?). I chose diagonal lines to emphasize the diagonal flow of the stars. 

Option 2: Free motion quilting! For my second Star Crossing quilt, I had more time, so I free motion quilted it, using different designs in different areas. I find it easier to do on a smaller quilt like this one rather than a lap-sized quilt because gravity doesn't factor in quite so much, pulling on the quilt as I move it. 

Psst...do you love the mini rainbow backing fabric as much as I do?

 I quilted a square spiral in the center using my walking foot:

I "traced" the rainbows in the star block centers and did some back and forth lines in the star points (and an easier "outline" in the background of the small stars):

I did a lot of each quilting for the background, providing texture in the solid white. The part I'm most proud of is the outer border--I did diagonal lines and tried something new--changing directions partway through each side. I'm really happy with how it turned out!

And option 3: Outsource it! If you'd prefer not to tackle the machine quilting yourself, then I'd recommend taking advantage of the deal from Piece, Love and Quilting: 

Pam and Diane, the lovely ladies at Piece, Love and Quilting, are offering a special deal to QAL participants:

25% off computerized edge to edge long arm quilting 

(including batting) for Star Crossing quilts

Contact them via FB or IG to take advantage of this discount!

I can't wait to see what you decide! 
I put two weeks on the QAL calendar for machine quilting--let's compare notes then! 

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Quilt Along schedule:

March 12: Fabric selection
March 18: Cutting

March 25: Small and medium stars

April 2: Center star and assembly

April 9: Machine quilting

April 22: Binding

The downloadable version of the Star Crossing pattern is on sale in my Etsy shop, so grab your copy today!

Purchase the pattern (currently 20% off!) here.

*Bring a friend deal: Get a friend to sign up for the QAL and purchase the pattern, and you'll receive 20% off an additional pattern of your choice! 

Simply email me your friend's name and I'll email you the coupon.

************************************************************************************

Over the Rainbow fabrics

If you'd like to use the same fabrics, here are some shops carrying them (please contact me if you know of any others and I'll add them in!):

Sewcial Stitch

Fabric.com

Fabric Bubb

The Stitching Post

Star Crossing Week 4 Gallery + Border Tip

How is your quilt top looking? 

I finally sewed the outer borders on my scrappy version yesterday. For some reason, that's the hardest part for me--not hard, difficult, but hard as in needing motivation. Sewing on plain borders is so boring! :) 

Adding Borders 101

Anyway...if you haven't sewn your borders on yet, here's my tip: 

(And if you have already, keep this tip in mind for future quilts).

The "easy" way to add borders: cut strips, piece together as needed, and sew them on. Trim excess. No measuring involved, but also no guarantee that your quilt is as square as it can be. 

The "right" way to add borders: Measure your quilt top lengthwise in the center. Cut two border strips that length. Find the center of each border strip and the side of your quilt. Pin the border to the quilt edges, matching center pins and end pins. Ease the border fabric and quilt edge to fit as you sew. Repeat for the top and bottom borders. This will help keep your quilt as square as possible.

I admit I sometimes take the easy way...but it's good to know both methods! 

Star Crossing Quilt Top Gallery

It's been fun seeing some of the finished quilt tops on IG and by email. I wanted to share a few with you! I'd love to see yours - tag me on IG (@lisaerin1121) or email me a photo.

from Lindy S.:

@joejodub

@llarmold

 @suscald

On Thursday we'll start talking machine quilting!

Quilt Along schedule:

March 12: Fabric selection

March 18: Cutting

March 25: Small and medium stars

April 2: Center star and assembly

April 9: Machine quilting

April 22: Binding

The downloadable version of the Star Crossing pattern is on sale in my Etsy shop, so grab your copy today!

Purchase the pattern (currently 20% off!) here.

*Bring a friend deal: Get a friend to sign up for the QAL and purchase the pattern, and you'll receive 20% off an additional pattern of your choice! 

Simply email me your friend's name and I'll email you the coupon.

************************************************************************************

In addition, Pam and Diane, the lovely ladies at Piece, Love and Quilting, are offering a special deal to QAL participants:

25% off computerized edge to edge long arm quilting 

(including batting) for Star Crossing quilts

Contact them via FB or IG to take advantage of this discount!

************************************************************************************

Over the Rainbow fabrics

If you'd like to use the same fabrics, here are some shops carrying them (please contact me if you know of any others and I'll add them in!):

Sewcial Stitch

Fabric.com

Fabric Bubb

The Stitching Post

Star Crossing QAL: Week 4

Welcome to Week 4 of the Star Crossing QAL!

Today is a fun one because the quilt top comes together.

Welcome! And happy day after April Fool's. Any good jokes at your house? Scroll down to see what I did to my kids. :) 

The best part about assembling this quilt is how FAST it goes together. And if you're not to this step yet, no worries--you have time to catch up. 

 There's even still time to get started. 

 If you still need to purchase the pattern, you can find it here.

Last week I talked about working with directional fabrics. Those suggestions still apply for the large flying geese. (You can also still use the masking tape shortcut for these as well!)

Double check your direction before sewing your square:

It's time to put those medium size partial stars into action! The center assembles like a large nine-patch unit.

Pinning Tip: A tip for creating those long pieced borders when you add the stripe strip to the star point strip: Fold each strip in half to find the center point and mark with a pin. Match those pins and then continue pinning the rest of both strips together. Your strips will come together beautifully. 

Kinda pretty borders, aren't they?!

 I love seeing the star blocks pushing out from the center.

Add on your outer borders and the quilt top is complete! 

See you back here next week to talk about machine quilting! 
And if that's not your thing, don't forget the deal from Peace, Love and Quilting below--they'll do the quilting for you at a discounted rate! I know one person at least who has already taken advantage of this! 

As promised above, April Fool's Day mustaches!

Quilt Along schedule:

March 12: Fabric selection
March 18: Cutting

March 25: Small and medium stars

April 2: Center star and assembly

April 9: Machine quilting

April 22: Binding

The downloadable version of the Star Crossing pattern is on sale in my Etsy shop, so grab your copy today!

Purchase the pattern (currently 20% off!) here.

*Bring a friend deal: Get a friend to sign up for the QAL and purchase the pattern, and you'll receive 20% off an additional pattern of your choice! 

Simply email me your friend's name and I'll email you the coupon.

************************************************************************************

In addition, Pam and Diane, the lovely ladies at Piece, Love and Quilting, are offering a special deal to QAL participants:

25% off computerized edge to edge long arm quilting 

(including batting) for Star Crossing quilts

Contact them via FB or IG to take advantage of this discount!

************************************************************************************

Over the Rainbow fabrics

If you'd like to use the same fabrics, here are some shops carrying them (please contact me if you know of any others and I'll add them in!):

Sewcial Stitch

Fabric.com

Fabric Bubb

The Stitching Post