Sew Fresh Quilts

5 September 2017

Tablerunner Bliss Quilt Along Blog Hop Begins!

If you are anything like me - and I have a feeling we have a lot in common - there is something special about our time spent sitting in front of our sewing machines. That solitary time spent doing just what we enjoy most. You can feel the tension lift as soon as you enter the room and catch sight of your stash. Or that little project sitting just as you left it. Waiting for your return.

However, my sewing room was neat and tidy.
All current projects finished, photographed and scheduled to publish.

But as so often happens... Life beckons. There are other chores that must be attended to. Such was the case for me this past week. I had 8000 new pattern pages to fold and slip into their plastic zip top bags. The vacuuming. The laundry. Taking out the trash. And, once again, it was nearing the end of the month - and the end of the second quarter of the year. Time to do the taxes. Quilt math makes me happy. Tax math makes me anxious. But I had all of these mundane chores completed. All that was left was a counter of dirty dishes to be taken care of.

Get her done.....
But wait! What's that???!

Here comes Jackie, driving up the lane way in her fresh white postal delivery truck!

The dishes can wait a little longer. My order from Fat Quarter Shop is here!!!

Tablerunner Bliss. Yes!

I'll just read a little to get a feel for what's in store.

Then I will get those dishes washed and dried and put away with the motivation of being able to soon work on a new project from those pretty pages.

But there are so many fun looking patterns to choose from. Hmmmm... This one looks cute! Maybe I'll just press the fabric and cut a few strips to hold me over until the dishes are done.

Okay.

So I won't plug in my iron.

That way I'll have to stop at some point and get at those dishes.

Whooops! There goes an hour!

Now I can finally get at that one chore I dislike the most.

So I can hurry back and plug in my iron!

Tablerunner BLISS!!!!

Here is the schedule of bloggers with links that you might like to visit during this Quilt Along:

Tuesday, 9/5 - Anorina (Samelia’s Mum) and Pam (Pam Kitty Morning)
Tuesday, 9/12 - Sinta (Pink Pincushion) and Tina (Emily Ann’s Kloset)
Tuesday, 9/19 – Lorna (Sew Fresh Quilts) and Connie (Freemotion by the River)
Tuesday 9/26 – Amanda (Jedi Craft Girl) and Jennie (Porch Swing Quilts)
Tuesday 10/3 – Tina (Emily Ann’s Kloset) and Sherri (A Quilting Life)
Tuesday 10/10 – Sinta (Pink Pincushion) and Lisa (In the Boon Docks)
Tuesday 10/17 – Vickie (Spun Sugar Quilts) and Susan (yardgrl60 on Instagram)
Tuesday 10/24 – Taunja (Carried Away Quilting) and Lorna (Sew Fresh Quilts)
Tuesday 10/31 – Greg (Grey Dogwood Studio) and Melanie (A Bit of Scrap Stuff)
Tuesday 11/7 – Melisssa (Happy Quilting) and Kim (Persimon Dreams)

Each Tuesday for 10 weeks there will be 2 bloggers sharing their beautiful tablerunners.

I'm one of the luckiest ones!

I will be sharing TWO different projects made from this new book!

Show me the MODA!

Tablerunner Bliss is written by Sherri Falls of This & That Pattern Company. This 80 page book is gorgeously illustrated and contains instructions for 20 different beautiful table runners of various sizes and styles. The step by step instructions are easy to follow, complete with plenty of diagrams. The only thing that is difficult..... is choosing which pattern you want to make first!

Want to quilt along with us????

If you are looking for the perfect excuse to make something just for fun, these table runners are great for that! You can order your own copy of this super cute book here at Fat Quarter Shop.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using these links, it does not cost you more, but helps me to make a small commission which enables me to continue to bring you quality blog content.

Keep On Quilting On!

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Fat Quarter Shop Quilting Fabric, Kits, Notions and Patterns

4 September 2017

Texas - We Love You!

Back a month or so ago, I mentioned that I am making my first ever trip to a quilting event. I have been accepted as a new exhibitor for Quilt Market and am going to Houston, Texas at the end of October.

The whole idea of going is initially kinda scary. Texas is a long drive from up here in the great white north. But lately I have been looking more and more forward to this opportunity.

And then Harvey steps in.

Although I am not a follower of current events and only watch the news when my husband puts it on, I can't help noticing that Hurricane Harvey, has and is, doing a lot of damage and causing a lot of pain and sorrow for the people of Texas. My heart goes out to them and they are in my prayers daily. Especially while sitting at my sewing machine.

Then on Saturday, I came across this post on Instagram by Kristy of Quiet Play. Kristy says....

"I've designed a little geometric Texas pattern to help raise funds for those in need after Hurricane Harvey.
✂️
This 10" block pattern is available now in my Craftsy shop (direct link in profile) and ALL proceeds from the sale of this pattern will be donated to a charity providing direct financial aid to those needing it most in the aftermath of the hurricane. I may be on the other side of the world in Australia, but knowing a few quilters in Texas, and heading there myself for Quilt Market in October, well, this is part of my way of helping out.
✂️
Head over to Craftsy and grab your pattern now - and tell your friends! ❤️ (search "geometric Texas" to find it quickly)
✂️
if you're looking for somewhere in Texas to donate finished quilts, check out @thelinusconnection 😊
✂️
#quietplaypatterns #quiltsforharvey"

==========================================================

Now you gotta know..... I am not a paper piecer.

And have only ever made one block. Because you really should try everything once.

But I was all over this!

ALL of the proceed from the sale of the Geometric Texas pattern by Kristy will be donated to a charity providing direct financial aid to those needing it most in the aftermath of the hurricane.

So I purchased a pattern and got to work.

When I was satisfied that Texas was looking pretty good in it's Geometric Rainbow goodness, I used my Mitered Borders tutorial to make this 10" block a little bigger, as I intend to make this into a cushion cover.

Then I thought about the suggestion Kristy provided on how you could donate finished quilts. I have a few of those! So I went to The Linus Connection website and found this page for more information on how we can send quilts for Hurricane Harvey evacuees.

Please, if you would like to help, click on the links above to find out more information.

You can send quilts you are willing to donate to:

The Linus Connection

P.O. Box 29491

Austin, Texas 78755

I decided on a box size and then went through my quilts to find what I could manage to fit. These are the quilts I am sending. I hope they will bring a little comfort to some kids in this time of need. A few quilty hugs for Texas!

If you would like to help the displaced families effected by Hurricane Harvey with a monetary donation, please consider purchasing the Geometric Texas pattern by Kristy of Quiet Play here. She's not asking for a lot of money for a such a cute pattern, but every little bit helps!

Or if you have a finished quilt(s) that you would like to donate, please consider sending it/them to The Linus Connection. Click here for more information.

EDITED TO ADD: Sarah of Confessions of a Fabric Addict is also putting out the call for those of you who may be willing to help. She is looking for people who are willing to donate pillowcases and finished quilts. For more information, you can read her post here.

EDITED TO ADD: Although Sarah's post does provide information about this other wonderful group who can distribute finished quilts to those in need, I am providing you a direct link to Quilts of Compassion.

Keep On Quilting On!

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3 September 2017

Rainbow Sunday Stash.... And Squirrels!

This year I have been working hard on using fabrics from stash for most of my projects.

However, we all know that at some point you need to replenish that stash. And today's post is all about fabric additions. Rainbow style!

These pieces are a bright delight!

Never having shopped from here before, I was surfing the internet last week and stumbled upon this sweet honey hole.....

It was difficult not to choose every print carried in the Clinton Modern Creative lineup, but I narrowed it down to these few....

When I shared about my Giraffes in a Row finish last month, at the end of the post I showed a my second stash addition for the year. There was a stack of Kona Cottons for the Giraffes: Violet, Magenta, Cyan, Teal, Lime, Avocado, Canary, Papaya, School Bus, Flame, Deep Rose and Lipstick; for the Background, Essex Yarn-Dyed in Charcoal; for the Backing: Widescreen Crosshatch in Black and for the Binding: Kona Charcoal.

The plan at that time was to make the 6 giraffe version of that pattern using all Kona solids for the giraffes. But after visiting Clinton Modern Creative for the first time.....

I had a MAJOR change of heart!

I have always been drawn to solids but have been working on incorporating more and more prints into my designs - and my stash. So the plan now is to use some of these new additions WITH the solids to make the giraffes.

Libs Elliott Tattooed Bright Eyes Yellow

Shiney geometric goodness!

Alison Glass Sun Print Link Yonder

The Birds and the Bees... And lots of dots!

Seventy Six by Alison Glass Orange/Gold

More birds and bees!

L-R: Libs Elliott Tattooed Bright Eyes Yellow; Seventy Six by Alison Glass Orange/Gold; Libs Elliott Tattooed Quantum Light Green; Seventy Six by Alison Glass Grasshopper Numbered; Seventy Six by Alison Glass Peacock Numbered; Alison Glass Sun Print Link Yonder; Libs Elliott Tattooed Quantum Light Purple; Seventy Six by Alison Glass Dotted Traced Birds Raspberry; Libs Elliott Tattooed Quantum Blue

And SQUIRRELS!!!!

Why squirrels????
Why not????

And besides the fact that I like them.... My daughter loves them!!!!!

Dear Stella Pine Grove Squirrels

BONUS! Not only did I receive a discount code for my next order...
I also received this free mini OLFA cutting mat!

You can find the Giraffes in a Row pattern here in my shop.

This new fabric was purchased from Clinton Modern Creative.

Keep On Quilting On!

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1 September 2017

Mermaid

This quilt makes me smile a mile!

I love the whimsy of these swimming mermaids and think, "What little girl wouldn't love this!"

I have been working hard at using fabrics from my stash this year, so it was a treat to go shopping in preparation for making this quilt. I shared the details for this quilt design and showed off my new fabrics at the Let's Bee Social a few weeks ago in this post.

I ordered my fabric from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop. I chose Sprinkles Yellow (hair), Pink (bikini tops and binding) and Green (tails) from the Boutique Brights collection for RJR Fabrics, Woven in Ruby (hair), Sapphire (background) and Black (hair) from the Mixology collection by Camelot Fabrics and a 108" wideback Swirly Scroll in Lime from the Essential collection from Wilmington Prints for the backing.

I quilted my signature organic wavy lines (quite appropriate for the water!) using my walking foot and plain white Guetterman thread both on top and in the bobbin.

The quilt blocks finish at 18" x 21" and can be made with either the long or short hair versions. And the quilt finishes at 52" x 62" using 6 mermaid blocks.

You could choose to make the faces for these bathing beauties any way you want - embroidery or marker maybe. But I decided to use buttons for their eyes.