Ombre Sewing Studio minis Linky Party day!

Back at the end of May, I put out a call for pattern testers.  And what an amazing response!  There were a total of 37 people who volunteered to help test.

Through this experience, I met a lot of new friends and got to know a few old friends a little bit better.

This amazingly fun project was sponsored by my good friend Pam of Mad About Patchwork.  These patterns are listed for sale in both my Etsy and Craftsy shops.  And the kits, included all the fabrics for the top and binding, are available for sale here at Mad About Patchwork.

I showed my finished quilt top of the SEW version back in this post.  And then showed the QUILT finished top in this post.  Keeping it simple as can be, I decided to do some straight line quilting on each of them, using White Magnifico by Superior Threads.

Did I mention???

I used the same fabrics for the tops and backs of each quilt.  And the exact same method for quilting.  However.... there was a big difference in the results.

Above, you can see that the SEW version turned out smooth and crisp looking.  And below, you can see that the QUILT version was wrinkled, but not puckered.  What was cause of this difference???

The only difference was the backing.

SEW was set vertically and QUILT was in a horizontal setting.  For the backing on the (SEW) vertical setting, the straight of grain ran vertically.  On the (QUILT) horizontal setting, the straight of grain was running horizontally.

I quilted each with 1/2" spaced straight line quilting.  Both were quilted horizontally.  The horizontal setting stitches seemed to be fine, but caused a slight wrinkling.  Not a puckering.  But the vertical setting held the stitches on both front and back and did not wrinkle up.  The only difference was the backing, so I concluded that quilting in the same direction as the cross grain gave better results.

Have you ever had this experience?

I did try ironing the QUILT version, but it is still looking a lot like me - kinda wrinkled.... But still somewhat attractive.  Hee, hee!  I can live that.

As we journeyed along on the pattern testing road, I decided it would be fun for everyone to get a chance to see each of the finishes.  So I thought....

Let's have a party!

If you have written a blog post, or if you have a Flickr account, please link up your finishes here.  If you are having trouble linking up, please do send me an email and I will help you.  Some of you may not have a blog or a Flickr account.  I can add your photo directly in this post....

This mini quilt was made by Sharon!

This fabulous finish is the lovely work of Linda!

Saira made this gorgeous quilt and finished with a seam instead of binding.  Love the look of that!

An InLinkz Link-up

These two mini quilts are now on their way to Pam's new location for Mad About Patchwork and will be hanging in her new shop.  Pam and Laura of Waffle Kisses Studio have teamed up in this new location, offering great prices on beautiful fabrics and a sewing & art studio for inspirational and educational classes.

Linking up to Finish it up Friday with Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts and TGIFF!

hosted this week with Laura at Quokka Quilts.

Keep On Quilting On!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Let's Bee Social #26

I have not touched my sewing machine since last Monday. This past week has been a roller coaster ride of emotions.  My dad has been having good days and bad days.  And was to begin going through dialysis treatments as his kidneys had begun to fail.  However, he decided not to receive those treatments.  And passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by his family.  I have found great comfort through all your heartfelt words of condolence during this past week, and knowing that your thoughts and prayers are with my family since I shared the news of my father's sudden heart attack, has meant the world to me.  He has gone home to be with his Lord and Saviour, free of pain and the sinful brokenness of this life.  Thank you so much.  Your kindness is truly appreciated.  And those hugs and caring words have helped me to get through this one day at a time.  Your love and friendship mean more than I can express.



Because I have nothing new to show...  This is the perfect opportunity to show off a few of the link ups from last week's Let's Bee Social.  Thank you so much for sharing.  It makes my heart happy to see the beauty and comfort that our quilts can bring.


First up is this gorgeous quilt top.  Marelize of Stitch By Stitch has kindly volunteered to use her fabulous FMQ talents to finish this quilt, for the husband of it's maker, who has since passed away. 

Another bright and happy quilt top.  This one is by Kathi of Run 'n Stitch.  Rescued from the UFO box, this pretty top is now looking for a border to finish her off.

Carla of Grace and Favor shared this scrumptious finish.  Made from a basket of scraps, this pretty triangle quilt is on it's way to Guatemala.

Teri of The Hummingbird Thread shared these two very sweet mini quilts.  These are now proudly on display in her dining room.

NOW.... What's new with you?

I am sew looking forward to visiting with you all!
Your creativity is sew inspiring!
So.... Show me what you got!
And Let's Bee Social!

(If you are not sure what Let's Bee Social is all about,

you can read the details here.) 

An InLinkz Link-up

Keep On Quilting On!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

TGIFF! Quilt Like An Egyptian

Welcome to this week's TGIFF!

Glad to have you here at Sew Fresh Quilts for the P-A-R-T-A-Y!

I am quite excited to announce the finish of my MQG Fabric Challenge today.  This challenge features four fat eighth cuts of Michael Millers newest collection - Petal Pinwheels.  I just LOVE those soft and colourful prints!  Yes, even enough to get the whole collection and make a larger version of this quilt in the very near future.  Along with those four Petal Pinwheels cuts, a fat eighth each of Cotton Couture in Coral and Star Jacks in Grey from the Atomic Tabbys collection, were also included.

I blogged here previously about my design process. And ended the post mentioning that the backing I had originally chosen was just not going to jive with the top.  And that I would  be making another visit to my LQS.  Well, I did just that and found the.perfect.print for the backing.  It is Michael Miller's Everyday Houndstooth in Lagoon.

Quilting with my walking foot, Aunt Elna and I outlined the chevrons and along the Coral pyramid.  Then continued quilting 1/4" and 1" parallel lines, using grey, orange and white Guetermann thread.

Quilt Like an Egyptian finished at approximately 39" x 40" and was completed using a machine finished binding in Clay from the Cotton Couture collection.

Quilt Like an Egyptian by Lorna McMahon of Sew Fresh Quilts

Quilt Stats:
Name:  Quilt Like an Egyptian
Fabrics:  Made entirely from Michael Miller fabrics and featuring the Petal Pinwheels collection
Size:  Finished at approximately 39" x 40"
Quilted:  Walking foot on Elna Excellence 760



Feeling inspired to design your own equilateral triangle quilt?
Check out these helpful tutorials!



In all fairness... I do have to warn you.  Triangle quilts are very addictive!

An InLinkz Link-up

Thanks so much for joining me here for Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday!

I am also linking up to Finish it up Friday with Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts!

P.S.  To all those who have been keeping my family in your thoughts and prayers... Thank you.

Keep On Quilting On!

To follow Sew Fresh Quilts by email....

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”