31 March 2016

Mad for Solids

If you know me.....
You know I am MAD FOR SOLIDS!


Mad for Solids is a competition sponsored by Paintbrush Studio. We 16 bloggers have each selected a palette of 8 solids from the Inspired by Fabric's Painter's Palette Solids. All of the bundles were shown on the Inspired by Fabric blog post here.  Please hop over to their post to see all of the solid palettes. And then click on their HOME tab at the top left of the page to see today's post. Each day, starting today, you can vote on your favourite palette match-up for your chance to win some sweet solids of your own!


These are bundles of 8 pieces. It was not an easy choice to make. So many pretty colours!
My bundle is called Banff National Park and was inspired by this photo found online.

Photo Credit: http://sf.co.ua/id94726


I am naturally drawn to a color palette that includes blues and greens. Think cool waters. A lake. And the clear, blue sky. The yellow adds contrast. Think of the warmth of the sunlight and new spring growth. The white and grey additions provide depth. Think of rocky mountains and fluffy, lazy clouds. Picture perfect. Nature.


Fabrics (from top): 121-000 White, 121-005 Bright Yellow, 121-061 Wasabi, 121-062 Pale Aqua, 121-040 Bright Aqua, 121-016 Pale Silver, 121-010 Silver, 121-014 Grey


So click on over Inspired by Fabric's blog to vote for a chance to win some fabric!
Then check in each day to vote for your next favourite.







Keep On Quilting On!











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Ugly Christmas Sweaters QAL - Wreath and Berries block #18

Welcome to the next block tutorial for the Ugly Christmas Sweaters QAL! Today's tutorial is for the Wreath and Berries 6" quilt block.

Ugly Christmas Sweater with Wreath and Berries

Wreath and Berries 6" quilt block


Wreath and Berries block #18

Blue
A
5 @ 2.5” squares
Green
B
1 @ 2.5” square
Green
C
4 @ 1” x 2.5”
Green
D
5 @ 1.25” x 1.75”
Green
E
4 @ 1.25” x 2.5”
Red
F
7 @ 1.25” squares
Green
G
3 @ 1.5” x 2.5”
Green
H
3 @ .75” x 2.5”
Green
J
2 @ 1.25” x 1.5”
Green
K
2 @ .75” x 1.25”

For block 1, draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of ONE (A) square and place it on the (B) square. Sew along the diagonal, trim ¼” seam and press the seam open. For block 2, sew the (F) and (D) pieces together, sew a (C) rectangle on top and an (E) rectangle on the bottom. For block 3, sew the (F) and (D) pieces together, sew a (G) rectangle on top and an (H) rectangle on the bottom. Draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of ONE (A) square and place it on Block 3. Sew along the diagonal, trim ¼” seam and press the seam open. For block 4, sew the (F) and (D) pieces together, sew a (C) rectangle on left side and an (E) rectangle on the right side. For block 6, sew the (D) and (F) pieces together, sew an (E) rectangle on top and a (C) rectangle on the bottom. For block 7, sew the (D) and (F) pieces together, sew an (H) rectangle on top and a (G) rectangle on the bottom. Draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of ONE (A) square and place it on Block 7. Sew along the diagonal, trim ¼” seam and press the seam open. For block 8, sew the (J), (F) and (K) pieces together, sew an (E) rectangle on top and a (C) rectangle on the bottom. For block 9, sew the (K), (F) and (J) pieces together, pieces together, sew an (H) rectangle on top and a (G) rectangle on the bottom. Draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of ONE (A) square and place it on Block 9. Sew along the diagonal, trim ¼” seam and press the seam open. Sew these BLOCKS together with remaining (A) square, making three rows. Sew the rows together.



I chose to display my Swedish Star block using the Sweater #2 option, using the Turquoise in place of the yellow. 




Sweater #2 Assembly Instructions:


Pink
A
2 @ 1” x 12.5”
White
B
2 @ 1” x 12.5”
Yellow
C
1 @ 1.5” x 12.5”
Yellow
E
2 @ 2.5” x 6.5”
Yellow
F
2 @ 1.5” x 2.5”
Background
G
2 @ 1.5” x 8.5”
Yellow
H
1 @ 1.5” x 12.5”
Pink
J
1 @ 1.5” x 12.5”
Background
K
2 @ 3.5” squares
Background
L
2 @ 1.5” x 4.5”
Pink
M
1 @ 1.5” x 4.5”


















Block finishes at 12” square



Step 1:  Sew the (A), (B) and (C) rectangles together. Crosscut into 1 unit @ 6.5” wide and 2 units @ 2.5” wide.



Step 2:  Sew the 6.5” wide (ABC) unit to the bottom of the 6.5” feature block of your choice made in the previous steps of this pattern. For the Sleeves, sew the (E) rectangles to the 2 (ABC) units @ 2.5” wide.



Step 3:  To complete the Sleeves, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the (F) rectangles, place them on the ends of the (G) rectangles and sew along the diagonal. Trim ¼” seam and press open. Sew this (FG) unit to the sleeve unit made in the previous step.



Step 4:
  Sew the Sleeves onto the sides of the feature block unit. Sew the (HJ) rectangle on top. Draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of the (K) squares and place them on the corners. Sew along the diagonal lines, as shown in red.  Trim a 1/4" seam and press open.



Step 5:  Sew the (L) and (M) rectangles together to make the collar and sew on top to finish the block.





Don't forget!!! You can use the cut off corners when following the shoulder instructions in Step #4 to make these bonus 2.5" half square triangles! I cut first and then sew along the cut edge to make mine. But you could also sew a seam 1/2" away from your diagonal seam at the same time. And then cut between the two seams.










You can click here to go to the Ugly Christmas Sweaters Quilt Along page for all the details. On that page you will find the layouts and quilt sizes and also see the full schedule.




A quilt along is always more fun than quilting alone.
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It is not necessary to purchase the pattern in order to participate.  But if you would prefer the convenience of using a printable pdf pattern, Ugly Christmas Sweaters is available for purchase and includes complete cutting instructions and a detailed guide to finishing the entire quilt in any of the four different sizes listed.  The pattern is available in my pattern store here.






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30 March 2016

Let's Bee Social #118

Welcome to the Let's Bee Social!

This past week was a busy one.
Got a lot of piecing and pattern writing done. But not much quilting.


I have been sharing progress pictures of my Black Birds baby quilt on my Facebook and Instagram feeds. Now I am hoping for a Friday Finish!

While playing around with my EQ7 this week, I came up with a blue bird version. This one is using Northcott Fabrics' Artisan Spirit Ambience and Artisan Spirit Shimmer fabrics.


Black Birds with blue bird - 40" x 46"








Now I'd like to share a few photos of this cute little Elephant Parade by Renae!

Renae writes, "I'm very inspired by your blog. I've been seeing for many years, but just in the past 4 months started to learn to quilt. I used your Elephant Parade quilt along to make my very first quilt! I am so proud of it, thanks very much for providing the pattern and inspiration!"




Gotta love the straight line quilting....




And isn't the label simply incredible?!!! 



I can't believe this is Renae's very first quilt! She has done a simply amazing job.
And I am so proud of her! Can't wait to see more from this girl!


And here we have another Elephant Parade! This one was made by Libby.

Libby says, "Hello  Lorna, Just wanted to say thanks for the lovely pattern. I'm just getting it ready to mail off to the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. A little late, but I'm a hand quilter. It turned out lovely though and I may make it again. Thanks again."



Libby wrote me back again, "Hello Lorna. I just sent you the picture of my quilt. Well, you know how busy us quilter are... Just read a note from the relief quilting committee. They got my letter too late and I'm going to send it next year. Thanks again for the lovely quilt pattern. Lots of people just love it."


Oh well... 
Now Libby can have the opportunity to spend some time with her Elephant Parade and will get to enjoy it for a whole year before she gives this beauty away!




I also want to share this sweet Family of Three giraffe quilt made by Ric.



Ric says, "I have 2 nieces having their 1st baby (boys, both) within 2 months of each other. One loves giraffes, the other elephants. Sorry the giraffe pic isn't very clear but the daddy giraffe has brown plaid spots, mommy has flowers and baby has spots in "new calf just licked by mom" look fabric."


"Elephant daddy has plaid ears,  baby has dots and mommy has butterflies. Thank you for this pattern! It is perfect for both." Ric included a bone wish leaf for their dog Rosey and a John Deere leaf for her dad.



These quilts are both so cute! I am certain the new moms to be will be thrilled!



Be sure to leave a kind word or two to let these ladies know how much we appreciate all their hard work. And keep sending in those inspiring photos and emails! Makes me smile!



NOW....

It's your turn for Show and Tell!!!
What have you been working on?




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    • Click on at least a few of the others who have linked up.

    • In your blog post, please include a link back to my blog.

    • Grab the "Let's Bee Social!" button from above and put it on your sidebar. This way others who visit your blog that week can join in the fun!  Share the news of this new linky and Let's Bee Social!

    • Following Sew Fresh Quilts is not required. But it sure would BEE nice!













Hurry! Hurry!
SAVE 50% off any of my patterns until the end of March!

Purchase as many patterns as you would like.
Use coupon code HAPPY50 at checkout.



Enjoy!



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