Hocus Pocus

It's a gorgeous summer day out there, but today I'm thinking about Halloween!

My Hocus Pocus table runner is featured in the September/October 2017 issue of McCall's Quilting available now online at the Quilt and Sew Shop and wherever magazines are sold.

Photo by McCall's Quilting

My starting point for designing this quilt was the Snail's Trail Blocks.  While making a variation of Snail's Trail blocks for another project, I realized that the swirly, twisting quality of the blocks could be kind of creepy—almost like arms reaching out—and I decided to try to use them in a Halloween project.  I tried them in the center of the quilt first with mixed results, but when I decided to use the Snail's Trail Blocks as a border, I loved the spooky result!  Using colorful Grunge fabrics by Moda for this quilt added texture and sparkle without detracting from the overall pattern.  

Hocus Pocus screams Halloween, but the pattern is surprisingly versatile.  On page 31 of the magazine, the McCall's team shares a lovely and scrappy Christmas version of the quilt, and here's a summery idea made with beachy blues:

It's a totally different feel, but just as fun!

If you'd like to make the Halloween version of Hocus Pocus, McCall's Quilting has exclusive kits available at the Quilt and Sew Shop.  In the kit, you'll find everything you need to make the quilt, including backing fabric.

Happy Quilting!

Apron Strings - Free Charm Pack Pattern

Don't you just love charm packs?!  A tidy little package of perfectly trimmed 5" squares and a guilt-free way to own an entire fabric collection -- what could be better?  If you're like me, though, eventually your charm pack collection will start to pile up and you'll realize it's time to cut one from the herd.  When that time comes, you're going to need a charm pack pattern!

Today my quilt, Apron Strings, is a featured recipe at the Moda Bake Shop.

Apron Strings is a sweet little 12" x 32" table runner made with, you guessed it, a charm pack and ⅔ yard of a coordinating fabric -- perfect for when your charm pack collection becomes a bit unwieldy. 

And Apron Strings couldn't be easier!  It features simple piecing and machine quilting -- great for a beginner or a weekend project.

I made Apron Strings with the beautiful "Hyde Park" collection by Blackbird Designs for Moda and I love the fabrics!  Somehow they manage to be both colorful and muted at the same time.  They give my quilt the soft, nostalgic feel that I was going for.

But if you're wondering how Apron Strings would look in a different color palette, here's another, brighter version made with "California Girl" by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda:

Love this one too!  It's got a summery, kitchen-y, retro vibe that I really like -- also nostalgic, but in a totally different way.

If you'd like to make your own Apron Strings table runner, head over to Moda Bake Shop for my free tutorial.  It's the perfect opportunity to pare down your charm pack stash, or the perfect excuse to invest in a new charm pack.  Your decision -- this is a judgement-free zone!!

Happy Quilting!

"Christmas in the Cabin" Free Pattern

Here's a project to put you in the Christmas spirit!

I know, I know, Thanksgiving is just 9 days away and you're up to your neck in menu planning, grocery lists, and housework.  But if you're looking for a fun project for your post-Thanksgiving holiday weekend, try my Christmas in the Cabin table runner.  Christmas in the Cabin is a Web Extra for Quilters Newsletter's December/January 2014 issue and you can find the free pattern on QN's website.  This table runner is fast and easy and perfect for using up your Christmas fabric scraps.

Don't have time to make the full table runner before Christmas?  Why not make my pine tree pillow!  I used pine trees left over from making my table runner.  Skip ahead to steps 4 and 5 of QN's instructions to find out how to make your own pine tree panel -- just make it one tree smaller.  The finished panel should measure 7 1/2" x 15 1/2".

For the border, you'll have to cut red strips as follows:  2 -- 3" x 7 1/2" and 4 -- 3" x 10 1/2".  Join together 2 -- 3" x 10 1/2" strips to make a long 3" x 20 1/2" strip.  Repeat with the other set.  Join the 2 -- 3" x 7 1/2" strips to either short end of the pine tree panel.  Press towards the red.  Join the 2 -- 3" x 20 1/2" strips to the long ends of the pine tree panel and press towards the red.

I lined the pillow top with a layer of batting and a muslin panel.  It's not necessary, but if you'd like to do the same, cut the lining fabric and batting to 14" x 22".  Layer the lining, batting and pillow top to make a quilt sandwich.  Baste and quilt.  I machine quilted in the ditch around each pine tree and trunk and around the entire pine tree panel.  Trim the lining and batting.

For the overlapping pillow back, cut 2 red panels -- 12 1/2" x 14".  Press one short side of each backing panel toward the wrong side with a 1" fold and topstitch.  Lay the pillow top on a flat surface, right side up.  Position a backing panel right side down, aligning raw edges along one side.  Lay the second panel right side down, aligning raw edges along the opposite side.  Stitch through all layers using a 1/4" seam.  Trim the corners, turn the pillow right side out, and insert a 12" x 20 pillow form.

Happy quilting!