Sew Fresh Quilts

26 May 2017

Ducks in a Row

Have you got all your Ducks in a Row?

After sharing my Love Birds quilt last week, I was inspired to design another simple baby quilt with just a single row of piecing. I shared my EQ7 drawings for the Ducks in a Row design, showing the many possible colourways I had come up with, in this post.

I have been using prints a lot more lately. Not only am I trying to challenge myself to go out of my solids comfort zone.... But for this year I am also trying to resist making any fabric purchases. Instead I am shopping from my stash. The yellow and orange fabrics for the ducks are from the Fancy collection by Lily Ashbury for Moda Fabrics.

The background is the only text print I have in my stash. Thank goodness I had enough! It is Fairy Tales White from The Land That Never Was collection by Lisa Congdon for Cloud9 Fabrics.

Of course, the quilting is my usual organic wavy lines using my walking foot. I used plain white Gutermann thread both on top and in the bobbin. I chose to bind this little quilt in the wonky black and white grid print - to match the eyes and to provide a strong frame. This is Sylvia by Lotta Jansdotter for Windham Fabrics.

The backing is a really cute minky that I found at FabricLand. So soft and it provides a lovely drape for this little quilt. I love it!

The "Ducks in a Row" baby quilt finished at 38" x 42"

and was the 33rd use of my 2nd edition of 100 labels

ordered from Ikaprint.

One of the things I love about this new pattern is that it can be made to suit a boy.... or a girl... or to be a gender neutral quilt - all depending upon what fabrics you choose!

This new pattern is called Ducks in a Row and you can find it listed here in my shop.

Don't FORGET!

Use coupon code SEWFRESHFAN15

to save 15%

on pattern purchases

Linking up to Finish it up Friday with

Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts

Keep On Quilting On!

To follow Sew Fresh Quilts by email....

24 May 2017

Let's Bee Social #178

Welcome to the Let's Bee Social!
So glad to have you join us for the Let's Bee Social weekly linky party!

The Love Birds quilt that I shared with you on Friday has got my creative juices flowing...

This week I drew up the Ducks in a Row....

I am having fun trying out different fabrics to see how this could look....

This fabrics you choose could make this design look like it suits a boy...

Or the fabrics you choose could make this design look like it suits a girl...

Or it could be made to be completely gender neutral.

Hope to be able to make a decision on a fabric pull and show you a real life version soon!

You can find the pattern available for purchase here.

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!

An InLinkz Link-up

Keep On Quilting On!

To follow Sew Fresh Quilts by email....

19 May 2017

Love Birds

Meet the Parrots!

These love birds love hanging out together - some kissing - and some back to back.

I know that I have been using prints a lot more lately. I am trying to challenge myself to go out of my solids comfort zone. But for this one.... I could not resist digging back into my stash of solids to make this graphic lineup of love birds.

It is also quite unusual for me to leave a lot of negative space in my piecing. But for this quilt, I thought the effect of one row of birds was what this quilt needed. And the row of birds could also be used to make a table runner instead of a quilt!

Of course, the quilting is my usual organic wavy lines using my walking foot. I really got in the groove with this one and love how the waves turned out! I used plain white Gutermann thread both on top and in the bobbin. I chose to bind this little quilt in black - to match the eyes and to provide a strong frame.

The backing is Makin' Waves in Ink from the True Colors collection by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics, which you can view here. The boldness of this print is a great contrast to the front.

The "Love Birds" baby quilt finished at 40" x 48"

and was the 32nd use of my 2nd edition of 100 labels

ordered from Ikaprint.

This new pattern is called Love Birds and you can find it listed here in my shop.
The pattern provides instructions for making BOTH.....
a Baby Quilt size 40" x 48" and a Table Runner size 14" x 38"

Don't FORGET!

Use coupon code SEWFRESHFAN15

to save 15%

on pattern purchases

Linking up to Finish it up Friday with

Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts

Keep On Quilting On!

To follow Sew Fresh Quilts by email....

17 May 2017

Let's Bee Social #177

Welcome to the Let's Bee Social!
So glad to have you join us for the Let's Bee Social weekly linky party!

It's been a while since I started a new project by first choosing the backing fabric. This week I dug into the drawer of yardage and found this piece from the Urban Mod collection from Art Gallery Fabrics. Then I chose Spraytime by Makower UK for the background and these Kona solids to match: Ice Frappe, Azure, Pool, Caribbean, Cactus and Lime.

I don't design very many traditional styled quilt patterns. I do love to make patterns that include animals. But I was drawn in by the combination of the Irish Chain and the the star like block in the center of these blocks. This is called Irish Lullaby and can be found here in my pattern shop.

This design can be made using one colour along with the background, in both a positive or negative setting....

Or in two colours along with the background, as shown with this green and mauve setting.....

Or in a 3x3 colour setting along with the background.....

Or in a 2x4 colour setting along with the background.....

By using one of these three block sizes:

10" 15" or 20" blocks

The finished quilt would be one of these three sizes:

36" x 47", 54" x 70" or 72" x 94"

I went with the 2x4 colour setting, but decided on a dark background.

And am making the 15" blocks so the quilt will finish at 54" x 70".

I normally cut and prepare my binding ahead of time. But I'm not sure what I will feel will make the perfect finish yet. I am leaning toward using the backing fabric for binding. Or maybe using the background fabric and one of the green solids in a flanged binding. We shall see!

Now... It's your turn for Show and Tell!!!

What have you been working on?

<div align="center">
<a href="https://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com" title="Sew Fresh Quilts" target="_blank"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqqPpWeFz7A/UtyR1HYzgmI/AAAAAAAADjA/MZ84gVa9KXk/s1600/LinkyBees.jpg" alt="Sew Fresh Quilts" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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!

An InLinkz Link-up

Keep On Quilting On!

To follow Sew Fresh Quilts by email....

13 May 2017

All Wrapped Up

This is the ninth quilt block for the "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" quilt along!

All the details for the "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" quilt along are on this page.

Please Note: These materials are COPYRIGHTED. This quilt along is free for PERSONAL USE ONLY. All photos and content are my own unless otherwise noted. Please DO NOT use or reproduce ANY content from this website without my written permission.

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, the Have a Jolly Little Christmas Collection includes all 15 designs and is available for purchase in my pattern store here. The individual designs are also available for purchase.

All Wrapped Up is a 12" quilt block.

Made using traditional piecing methods.

Sew Fresh Quilts – All Wrapped Up

Finished size of block is 12” x 12”

Fabric Require.	Single Block
White	3/8 yard
Dark #1	1/8 yard
Light #1	1/8 yard
Dark #2	1/8 yard
Light #2	1/8 yard
Dark #3	1/8 yard
Light #3	1/8 yard
Black	1/8 yard
Orange	1/8 yard

Read through entire instructions before beginning. Press all seams open as you go.

STOP: Stitch, Trim, Open & Press. To perform the STOP method, align a square (A) or rectangle (C) on the corner of the unit (B) with right sides facing together. Draw a diagonal line and sew along this diagonal line. Trim a ¼” seam. Finger press the seam open and then press with a hot iron. Pressing the seams open to reduce bulk is recommended.

		Single Block
White	A	6 @ 1” x 2.5”
	B	6 @ 1.5” squares
	D	3 @ 1.5” x 4”
	F	2 @ 1.5” x 12.5”
	G	1 @ 2.5” x 3.5”
	K	1 @ 4.5” square
Dark #1	C	1 @ 1.5” x 3.5”
Dark #1	J	1 @ 3.5” x 8.5”
Light #1	C	2 @ 1.5” x 3.5”
Dark #2	C	1 @ 1.5” x 3.5”
Dark #2	H	1 @ 3.5” x 6.5”
Light #2	C	2 @ 1.5” x 3.5”
Dark #3	E	1 @ 1.5” x 4.5”
Dark #3	K	1 @ 4.5” square
Light #3	E	2 @ 1.5” x 4.5”
Black	**	2 @ 1” x 4”
Orange	*	3 @ 1” squares

Step 1: Sew the White (D) rectangles to the Black (**) rectangles. Crosscut this strip set into (3) @ 1” wide units.

Step 2: Use the STOP method to add the Orange (*) squares on the White (A) rectangles. Sew the White (A) rectangles on the side.

Step 3: Sew the units together. Trim the ends of (2) units to 3.5” wide.

Step 4: Use the STOP method to add the White (B) squares on the ends of the Light #1, #2 and #3 (C) and (E) rectangles.

Step 5: Along with the White (K) square and (G) and (F) rectangles, and the remaining Light and Dark (C), (E), (H), and (J) rectangles and Dark (K) square, arrange and sew the units together to complete the block. Block should measure 12.5” square.

Here is my All Wrapped Up block.

A quilt along is always more fun than quilting alone.

Want to get in on the fun?

Grab a button and share it on your blog!

To participate in the Quilt Along, you can follow by email here....

Twice a month, instructions for all of the individual blocks will be shared. A continuous never ending linky party will be available to share your Flickr and Instagram photos or your blog posts on the "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" quilt along page. You can find it by clicking on the Quilt Alongs page tab found just below the blog header. As each post is published the live links will be added to the schedule.

Share photos of your progress using the hashtags
#haveajollylittlechristmas OR #jollychristmasquilt