Nor'easter Schmor'easter mini quilt - free pattern

It may say that it's now Spring on the calendar and it may be gloriously sunny for the moment, but baby, it's cold outside!  And with a nor'easter headed for New England (although maybe not quite as far inland as central New Hampshire), the colorful flowers that I'm longing to see still seem a long way off.  Once again, quilting comes to the rescue...

Here's a fast and fun little mini quilt that's charming hanging from a door knob or any place you'd like to see a bit of color.

I'm calling it my "Nor'easter Schmor'easter mini quilt" and here's the pattern:

You'll need:

Pink batik:  4 -- 2¼" x 2¼" squares

Yellow batik:  2 -- 2½" x 2½" squares, further cut once diagonally to form 4 triangles

Green batik:  2 -- 1½" x 2" rectangles

     1 -- 1½" x 3½" rectangle

     2 -- 2½" x 2½" squares

     1 strip 2¼" x 40" for binding

Ivory batik:  6 -- 1½" x 1½" squares

     2 -- 1½" x 2½" rectangle

     5 -- 2½" x 2½" squares, further cut once diagonally to form 10 triangles

First we'll tackle the stem and leaf portion of the quilt:

1.  On the back of 4 of the ivory batik 1½" x 1½" squares use a pencil to lightly draw a line diagonally from one corner to the other.

2.  Layer the 4 ivory batik 1½" x 1½" squares atop the 2 green batik 2½" x 2½" squares with right sides together as follows and stitch on the drawn lines.

3.  Press seams open towards the ivory batik and trim seam allowances to ¼".

4.  Stitch 1 ivory batik 1½" x 2½" to each of the units created in step 1-3 above.  Press seams open towards the ivory batik.

5.  Stitch together the units created in step 4 above and the green batik 1½" x 3½" rectangle as follows.  Press seams open towards the green batik "stem".

Now onto the flower portion of the quilt:

1.  Paper piece 4 petal units as follows using the remaining pink, yellow, green, and ivory patches.  Here's the link for petal unit 1 (bottom left); and the link for petal unit 2 (bottom right); and finally the link for petal unit 3 (top -- you'll make two of these units).  It might help to color the sections with colored pencils before starting to stay organized.  And if you're new to paper piecing, here's a link to a basic paper piecing tutorial on Craftsy.

2.  Stitch the 4 petal units together as follows:

3.  Finally stitch the flower unit to the stem/leaf unit, quilt as desired and bind.  I machine quilted just outside the edge of the flower, stem, and leaves using ivory thread.  I also quilted a diamond about ½" inside the yellow flower center to help it lie flat.

And that's it!  Make one flower or a garden of them!  No need to wait for Mother Nature!

Happy Spring!

You Can Take the Girl Away from her Quilts...

During my kids' winter break, we somehow managed to string together a couple of days without hockey practices or robotics or orthodontist appointments and we jumped at the chance to visit Boston.  Our goal was to leave everything behind -- including quilting -- but walking around Boston on a gorgeously warm day, I still manged to see quilts everywhere.

I saw this design painted on a stall in Downtown Crossing and thought of Amish quilts...

I saw this brick pattern on the sidewalk near the Boston Public Library and thought of square-in-a-square blocks...

I found this mosaic outside The Cheesecake Factory and thought of orange peel blocks (and of course cheesecake, but I kept on walking)...

And I saw this garland hanging in 10,000 Villages and thought of appliquéd flowers...

And then there were the colors.

This is the back of a rug I saw and the picture's not much to look at, but something about the colors grabbed my interest.

Back at home, I uploaded it into Play Craft's Palette Builder and after playing around for a bit, here's what I got...

Three gorgeous color palettes and all because the coral flower caught my eye.

Here's a necklace I found and although it's not exactly my style, the colorful tropical palette called to me.

I uploaded the necklace picture into the Palette Builder and discovered the lighter side of tropical...

And the darker side, hmmm almost jewel tones...

And finally, my favorite...

Shades of scarlet and green with an orangey-yellow thrown in for contrast.  Yum!

Finally I saw these darling little birds.  I love them both for their shapes (think an abstract appliqué pattern) and their soft, springy colors.

Here are two different versions of this quiet, restful palette -- I really love the butter yellow in both...

And here's a monochromatic green palette taken from the bird on the left...

So much color!  Can you tell I'm longing for Spring?!

And by the way, keep your phones handy -- you never know where the inspiration for your next project might come from!

Sew Sweet Pincushion

Here's a sweet little pincushion pattern just in time for Valentine's Day -- cutting it a bit close, aren't I!

You'll need:

• Floral print:  2 - 5" x 5" squares (I used two left over charm squares from the Regent Street collection by Sentimental Studios for Moda - yum)
• Ivory solid:  1 - 4" x 4" square
• foundation pattern* for 4½" x 4½" square in a square block -- click here for link.  When you print the foundation, make sure that it measures 5" from dotted line to dotted line (4½" from solid line to solid line).
• embroidery floss (I used pink (DMC's #3731), blue (DMC's #931), and ecru)
• 9" x 9" piece white flannel or thin batting
• fiberfill or other stuffing material
• also helpful:  washout marking pen, spray basting adhesive, embroidery hoop

 *  I paper pieced the square in a square block for accuracy.  If you're new to paper piecing, here's a link to Craftsy tutorial to get you started.

Assemble Pincushion:

1. Before paper piecing your block, take one of your print 5" x 5" squares and cut it diagonally from corner to corner twice.  You'll end up with 4 triangles.
2. Foundation piece your square in a square block covering section A1 with the ivory solid 4" x 4" square and sections A2, A3, A5, and A5 with the floral print triangles created in step 1 above -- if you use a scant ¼" to overlap the lines between the ivory solid section and the floral print sections, the triangles should be plenty big.
3. With paper side up, trim block on dotted lines.  The unfinished block should measure 4½" x 4½".  Remove paper from behind block.
4. Using your favorite method, transfer the embroidery design to your block.  I used a light box and a wash out marking pen.  Here's the link for the embroidery design.
5. Your block will be a bit small to embroider at this point, so it's best to baste it to a larger piece of flannel or thin batting.  I used spray basting adhesive to baste my block to the center of a 9" x 9" piece of white flannel.
6. Using an embroidery hoop, two strands of embroidery floss, and a backstitch, embroider the eight hearts on the block.  
7. Trim block with attached flannel to 5" x 5".
8. With right sides together, layer embroidered square in a square block and remaining floral print 5" x 5" square, matching all edges.
9. Stitch around all four sides using a ¼" seam allowance and leaving a small opening for turning.
10. Trim corners and turn the pincushion right side out.  Press lightly.
11. Stuff pin cushion as desired and use a blind stitch to sew the opening closed.

And that's it!  Two charm squares + a bit of stitching = one sweet pincushion! 

If you don't need another pincushion or you're out of fiberfill, leave this little project unstuffed after turning and sew the opening closed to make a charming mug rug!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Home Is Where the Heart Is

The Spring 2016 issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine is available now in bookstores and in quilt shops and it is GORGEOUS!

Even the cover is beautiful-- I think the fuchsia bricks and mums in the background of this picture are stunning!

Inside the pages of this yummy magazine, you'll find 16 inspiring projects that showcase a variety of materials and techniques.

And on page 94, you'll find my Home Is Where the Heart Is quilt...

Home Is Where the Heart Is is a fun and scrappy medallion quilt that features machine piecing, wool appliqué, and embroidery -- something for everyone.

There's a lot to this quilt, but when you break it down, the various blocks, embroidery, and wool appliqué are pretty simple.

Here's a close-up of the embroidery and wool appliqué.  I used only the Backstitch, Lazy Daisy Stitch, and French Knots for the vine and lettering and the wool is appliquéd using embroidery floss and a Whipstitch -- fast and easy.

The complete instructions and templates for Home Is Where the Heart Is are included in the Spring 2016 issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine.  Check out the PQP website too, you'll find a gallery of project photos for all of their magazines, free patterns, and more!

p.s.  If you like the look of my Home Is Where the Heart Is quilt, you might want to give my Peace on Earth wall hanging a try.

It's also a skill-building project that features piecing, embroidery, and wool appliqué, and I shared the free pattern for this little quilt on my blog throughout the month of December (2015).

Happy Quilting!

Eye Candy

I'm working away on this unbelievably beautiful winter day, but I wanted to take a moment for a little show and tell.  I've just received one last Christmas present.  It's something that I picked out for myself and even though I used gift certificates from my family to buy it, it feels like a major splurge.

No, it's not jewelry or a new handbag or a new pair of boots -- although I did recently get a new pair of boots that actually make me feel like a better person.  Who knew?!

It's even better.

It's a fat quarter bundle of Kim Diehl's latest fabric collection Sunday Best, and it is AMAZING!!!

Here it is tied up in a sweet ribbon compliments of Fat Quarter Shop -- they do such a great job with their packaging!

Here's the flip side...

I had to force myself to untie the ribbon for a closer look.

Here is the dark side of the bundle...

And the lighter side...  Have a favorite?

I cannot imagine taking this bundle apart to pre-wash it, much less cut into it!

Here are the darks and lights side by side...

 

And here's the entire collection fanned out.

Be still my beating heart.

Welcome Winter

Happy New Year!  I know I'm a week late, but here's a fun little pattern to make up for it!

It's the latest and last of my framed mini quilt series.  I started the series last March with Think Spring...

Then in June came Summertime...

I posted Hello Fall in September...

And now it's time for, you guessed it, Welcome Winter!

This sweet little quilt is made with 1½" paper pieced Shoo Fly blocks and simple embroidery and it fits into a 5" x 7" frame.

To make your own Welcome Winter quilt, you'll need:

Border print:  10" x 10" - cut (2) - 2" x 4½" and (2) - 2" x 9½"

Blue background prints:  for the embroidery background cut (1) - 3" x 6½"; for the strips on either side of the Shoo Fly blocks cut (4) - ⅞" x 2"; and for each of the three Shoo Fly blocks, you'll need (4) - 1¼" x 1¼" (to cover the square sections) and (2) - 1¾" x 1¾" (further cut once diagonally to cover the half square triangle sections)

Cream prints:  for each of the three Shoo Fly blocks, you'll need (1) - 1¼" x 1¼" (to cover the center square) and (2) - 1¾" x 1¾" (further cut once diagonally to cover the half square triangle sections)

Batting:  9" x 11"

Also needed:

Light marking pencil, spray basting adhesive, white size 16 perle cotton (optional), white embroidery floss, and a 5" x 7" frame

To make the Shoo Fly blocks:

Because of the really small size, I paper pieced the Shoo Fly blocks.  Click here for the foundation pattern.  You'll need to print three of them and each little unit should measure ½" x 1½" from solid line to solid line (1" x 2" from dotted line to dotted line).

Make sure you start with sections A1, B1, and C1, respectively, and follow the printed numbering.  If you're concerned about color placement, it might help to use colored pencils to color the various sections of each block unit before stitching.  For each block, sections A1, A3, A5, B1, B3, B5, C1 and C3 should be covered with blue fabric and sections A2, A4, B2, B4, and C2 should be covered with ivory fabric.

After stitching units A, B, and C together for each block, press the seams toward the center section.  Remove the paper from behind the Shoo Fly blocks after stitching and before pressing.  Make three blocks.

For help with paper piecing, here's a link to a basic photo tutorial on Craftsy.  

To assemble the quilt top:

Referring to my quilt, lay out your three Shoo Fly blocks and the four ⅞" x 2" strips of blue background fabric.  Stitch them together and press the seams towards the blue strips.  Then stitch the blue 3" x 6½" rectangle to the top of the row of blocks and press towards the blue 3" x 6½".  Stitch a border print 2" x 4½" to either side of the quilt center, pressing towards the border.  Finally, stitch a border print 2" x 9½" to the top and bottom of the quilt center, pressing towards the border.  Press the finished quilt top well.


To finish the quilt top:

Here's a link to the lettering pattern.  Adjust your printing so that the box surrounding the lettering measures 2½" x 6".  Using a white marking pencil, trace the "Welcome Winter" onto the quilt top.  Lightly spray basting adhesive to the 9" x 11" piece of batting and smooth the quilt top over it, right side up.  Use one strand of white size 16 perle cotton or two strands of embroidery floss and a back stitch to embroider the lettering.  Use one strand of embroidery floss to stitch tiny snowflakes randomly above the lettering.


To insert the quilt into the frame:

After you finish stitching, trim the batting even with the edges of your quilt.  Remove the contents of your frame, center the glass behind the quilt top, and wrap the edges of the quilt around it.  Reinsert the glass and quilt into the frame, fold down the quilt's corners, and put the back of the frame in place, taping with masking tape if necessary to keep it closed.

And there you have it -- one wonderful Welcome Winter framed quilt and some pretty great alliteration to boot!

Happy quilting!

Peace on Earth - A Mystery Quilt - Day 12

Well, here we are -- it's December 23rd and the final day for our Peace on Earth mystery quilts!  

Today we're going to be adding the finishing touches to our quilts.  I'm going to show you pictures of how I chose to finish my quilt, but please feel free to embellish your quilt however you like!  This is the time to play and really personalize your project.

I chose to use embroidery to embellish my quilt, and if you'd like to go that route, you'll need red, green, gold, blue, and ecru embroidery floss and red and green size 8 perle cotton -- again, you can definitely substitute embroidery floss for the perle cotton.

I used only simple embroidery stitches for my embellishments, specifically running stitch, back stitch, lazy daisy stitch, and french knots.  We've already used the back stitch, but if you're unsure how to do the other stitches, you can refer again to DMC's embroidery stitch guide.  And finally, I used two strands of embroidery floss for all of the stitching unless otherwise indicated.  Let's get started:

Finishing Peace on Earth:

Windows:

Add candles to the cabin's windows using ecru floss and a straight stitch.  The flames and holly leave are a made with lazy daisy stitches in gold floss and green floss, respectively.  And the berry clusters are made with three french knots each.

Door:

To mark a circle for the wreath on your cabin's door, simple use a marking pencil and trace around a dime or a small button.  Use a back stitch and green floss to stitch around the circle.  The bow is made with red floss and two lazy daisy stitches.  Use two longish straight stitches for the ribbon ends.

Roof Line:

Use green floss and a back stitch to outline the cabin's roof.  Then stitch angled single stitches randomly along the back stitched line to look like garland.  Finish up by stitching french knots every so often using red floss.

Pine Tree:

Decorate the tree using gold floss and a running stitch to look like garland.  Then use red and blue floss and french knots to stitch ornaments on your tree.  You could also use seed beads in place of the french knots if you like.

Quilting:

Layer backing, batting, and embellished quilt top together and baste.  I planned to do very little quilting on this project, so I decided to baste my quilt by lightly spraying basting adhesive between each layer.  I then marked a line ¼" inside each of the plain inner border seams and quilted using big stitch quilting.  Big stitch quilting is simply a big (⅛" - ¼") running stitch.  I used green perle cotton on the outside marked line and red perle cotton on the inside marked line.  But remember, if you don't have perle cotton, you can use two-three strands of embroidery floss for this step.  

Here's a close-up of a corner of the quilted border -- I LOVE how the intersection of the green and red quilting resembles plaid.

That's all the quilting I did.  I stopped quilting because I couldn't wait to finish the quilt and because it is so small and light that it doesn't really require more, but quilt on if you like!  You could add texture to the cabin by quilting lines to look like logs or give dimension to the tree by quilting along the garland.  Or you could quilt around the wool leaves and letters and alongside the embroidered vine.  

After you finish quilting, trim your quilt and bind in a dark blue print.  

And that's it!  You've finished your Peace on Earth quilt!  Hooray!!!  The mystery is solved -- and just in time for Christmas!

I've had so much fun rolling out this little project that I'm already planning to do a new holiday mystery quilt next year.  I'd love to hear any suggestions or comments that you might have about how I could improve the experience.

I'd also LOVE to see pictures of your finished Peace on Earth quilts -- you can send them to me at jendalyquilts@gmail.com.  Let me know if you'd like me to post a picture of your quilt on my blog -- show and tell anyone?!

Thank you so much for following along over the past few weeks.  I wish you all the happiest of holidays and a new year filled with joy and, of course, peace! 

Cheers!  Jen