Friday, July 10, 2015

Windsor Park

We love what Terry Albers made for Love of Quilting magazine using the Windsor Woods collection! It's a perfect combination of showcasing the blocks from the panel alternating with pieced blocks that create a chain design. Read more about Terry's quilt, as well as her tip for accurately fussy cutting panel blocks, below.

"Windsor Park" designed by Terry Albers; made by Dick Albers; machine quilted by Mary Klein
Featured in Love of Quilting July/August 2015

Q. What about the Windsor Woods fabric line appeals to you?
Terry: Ro Greg's fabrics always appeal to me! I find the depth of color in her designs to be irresistible. They seem to shimmer without metallic accents.

Q. Talk about how you used the blocks in the panel.
Terry: Her panel blocks grabbed my attention right away. I love the intricate designs of the blocks and love how they all work together. They were the starting point and inspiration for my design.

Q. Favorite print you used?
Terry: After the panel blocks, I’d have to say that my favorite print is the tiny floral, followed by the leaf print. Both are delicate and intricate at the same time. The coloration is soft without being pastel.



Q. Why did you pick the block you did to alternate with the panel blocks?
Terry: This is one of my favorite chain-type blocks for tying special squares or focus blocks together.

 
Q. Tips for fussy cutting panel pieces?
Terry: I like to work with panels and some of them can be challenging to trim evenly. It wasn’t the case here but I always use the same technique. I draw a horizontal line and then a vertical line, intersecting them at the center point.  I then use my 12½” square-up ruler to trim the blocks evenly.

Q. Why did you choose the color coordinates you did?
Terry: I chose the blue for the chain to complement the background of some of the blocks and tie the whole quilt top together. I was able to incorporate the tiny floral and leaf prints into the frames while keeping the chain effect of the blue squares. I chose the green as the complement to the blue. When I first used the green as the larger square in the pieced block, it was okay but something was missing. The bright fuchsia was just the pop I needed to frame the center green square.

Q. Why did you use a small print for the outer border? Is the border treatment meant to mimic the center of the pieced blocks?  
Terry: While I often use a strong print for the outer borders, I wanted to keep the focus on the center of the quilt. The border combination was meant to mirror the center of the pieced blocks, framing the main design.

Q. What is your favorite thing about this quilt?
Terry: Definitely the colors! I love the depth of color Ro uses…it’s so rich.

Q. What do you envision using this quilt for?
Terry: I plan to keep this quilt by my favorite reading chair. The combination of the rich panel squares and the tiny prints of the frames is somehow peaceful and relaxing for me. The color combinations of the borders keep the look lively in my room.

Q. It looks like this quilt was a family affair, made by your husband, Dick?

Terry: My husband is a retired firefighter and paramedic. He is also a graphic artist and does all my pattern graphics. When I found myself incapacitated by shoulder surgery, he stepped in and made the quilt for me. He has lots of piecing experience and learned the techniques to successfully assemble a quilt top with sashing. He ended up testing my pattern at the same time. This was the first time his name appeared in print and he planned to show off his skills to his golfing buddies. He is a man of many talents and definitely has my back!

See the entire Windsor Woods fabric collection here.
Learn more about Terry and her designs here.
Find the kit for this quilt here.
Find Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine here.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Tute-Happy Summer: Zig Zag Lunch Bag

We're continuing our Tute-Happy Summer series today with a tutorial for an easy lunch bag, perfect for an impromptu picnic. We've used the cheery red and white prints from the Graphix 3 collection and added a little rick rack just for fun. Enjoy the tutorial and then find the details at the bottom of this post for a chance to win a bundle of Graphix 3 prints to play with!




Materials:
1/2 yard each 2 red prints
12" white rick rack
Two 12" x 16" batting pieces

Here are our two Graphix 3 reds:

Cutting:
From each red print:
Two 12" x 16" pieces

Step 1: Layer a 12" x 16" outer red piece on a 12" x 16" batting piece. Pin the rick rack in place, 4-1/2" up from the bottom, and stitch across the center of the rick rack to secure.

Step 2: Layer the second outer red piece on top, right sides together, and add the second batting piece on top. Pin around the sides and bottom.

Step 3: Stitch around the sides and bottom using a 1/4" seam allowance. 
Step 4: Cut 2-1/4" squares out of the bottom corners.

Step 5: Box the corners by aligning the side and bottom seam as shown. Stitch across the opening. Repeat on opposite corner.

Step 6: Using the two 12" x 16" lining pieces, make the lining in the same way. Be sure to leave a 6" opening along the bottom for turning.

Step 7: Tuck the outer bag (still wrong side out) inside the lining so right sides are facing. Match raw edges and pin along the top edge.

Step 8: Stitch along the top edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn the bag right side out through the opening and stitch the opening closed. 
Step 9: Tuck the lining inside the bag and adjust so the lining corners and outer bag corners are aligned. Topstitch along the top edge of the bag.
Step 10: Press the bag to create creases at the corners, running from the top to the base of the bag. These will be approximately 2" out from the side seams. 

Step 11: Pin the creases from bag base to top and stitch using a 1/8" seam allowance. This will give the bag shape and body.  Repeat on all four corners.

And your lunch bag is ready to go--simply add a sandwich, chips, carrot sticks, a drink, and a napkin! 
Enjoy!



For a chance to win a bundle of Graphix 3 prints, leave us a comment letting us know that you follow us on the blog or on Facebook. Also tell us about your favorite lunchbox/bag from your childhood. Giveaway is open through Sunday, July 12th at 11:59 pm EST. This giveaway is now closed, but be sure to check out our other tutorials, as we'll be sharing a tutorial and hosting a giveaway each week!


Check out each week of our Summer of Tutes!
Week 1: Sunglasses case  featuring Graphix 3
Week 2: The overnight bag featuring Who's Who

Week 3: Tablet case featuring Jungle Party 
Week 4: Patriotic pennants featuring Tone on Tone 
Week 5: Melon mini featuring Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz
Week 9: Elegant clutch featuring Jungle Party 
Week 10: Modern table runner featuring Prairie Cloth Solids 
Week 12: Nautical mini featuring Prairie Cloth Solids

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Announcing our Melon Mini Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz bundle winner:
Brandy Pettit

Brandy, we'll be emailing you for your mailing address!

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Expect the Unexpected: Sea Turtles

Our Sea Turtles collection isn't your typical underwater scene...

These unique prints have an Aboriginal feel to them--dots, concentric circles, and neat patterns that will add zing to your next quilt design! Use the main turtle print for a large focal square and then fill in around the squares with patchwork made from these cool coordinates! Plus, the color palette for this collection has both a manly and a modern feel--blues, greens, blacks and browns, with a pop of orange.


Try out Tammy Silvers' free quilt pattern, Migration Trail!
"Migration Trail" by Tammy Silvers

See the entire Sea Turtles collection here.
Download the free quilt pattern here

Friday, July 3, 2015

Happy 4th of July!


In honor of America's birthday, we're revisiting some of our favorite recent red, white and blue projects!



Barb Eikmeier's American Flag quilt, a bonus project that goes along with the Vintage Sampler BOM



"Freedom Squares" quilt by Jean Nolte; featured in Quilting Quickly Winter 2014 using the Tone on Tone snack pack
Find the Quilting Quickly issue or
purchase the individual digital pattern here


"Old Glory" by Pine Tree Country Quilts featuring the Tone on Tone snack pack
Find the free quilt pattern here

A free quilt pattern featuring a snack pack--the Bella Casa snack pack in the "Flags Forever" quilt by Airborne Heirlooms
Download the free quilt pattern here

Patriotic Pennants tutorial featuring the Tone on Tone collection
Find the tutorial here

Wishing you a safe and fun-filled July 4th weekend!

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Tute-Happy Summer: Melon Mini

We're continuing our Tute-Happy Summer series today with a tutorial for a watermelon mini quilt! The reds and greens in Ro Gregg's Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz collection reminded us of watermelons, and this fun little 12-1/2" square mini quilt was born. It's super-easy to make--just one Courthouse Steps block cut in quarters and reassembled! Enjoy the tutorial and then find the details at the bottom of this post for a chance to win a bundle of Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz prints to play with!


Materials:
1 fat quarter each 3 red prints, 1 green print, and 1 black print
1 fat eighth white solid
15" square of backing fabric
15" square of batting

Here are the Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz prints we used that inspired this project--don't they just scream, "watermelon!" to you?! 

Cutting:
From the light red:
One 3" square

From the medium red: 
Two 3" x 7" strips and two 3" x 12" strips

From the dark red: 
Two 2-1/2" x 4" strips and two 2-1/2" x 8" strips

From the green:
Two 2-1/2" x 11" strips and two 2-1/2" x 15" strips

From the white: 
Four 1" x 12" strips

From the black:
Three 2-1/4" x 21" strips for binding

Step 1: Sew the two 2-1/2" x 4" dark red strips to opposite sides of the 3" light red square, press open, and trim.

Step 2: Sew the two 2-1/2" x 8" dark red strips to the remaining sides and press open. Trim to measure 6" square, making sure that you center the light red square as you trim. Note: Squaring up after adding each round of strips will create the most accurate Courthouse Steps block. 

Here's what it looks like after the dark red round is added:

Step 3: In the same way, add the 3" x 7" and 3" x 12" medium red strips. Trim the unit to measure 10" square.

Step 4: Press each 1" x 12" white strip in half lengthwise. Pin folded strips to opposite sides of the red unit, matching raw edges, and baste in place with a 1/8" seam allowance. Trim white strips even with the red unit. 

Step 5: Pin folded white strips on the remaining sides and then pin a 2-1/2" x 11" green strip on top, right sides together. Stitch, securing both the green strip and the white flange to the red unit. 

Step 6: Press the green strip open. The white flange should rest on the red fabric. Repeat on the other side to add the second green strip.

Step 7: Sew the 2-1/2" x 15" green strips to the top and bottom, making sure to stitch inside the basting stitches to cover them up. Press the green strips open and square to measure 13".

Step 8: Cut the block in half in both directions to create four quarter blocks. 

Step 9: Rearrange the blocks into a layout you like and stitch them together. Optional: Use the remaining black print to add watermelon seeds!

Step 10: Layer the quilt top with backing and batting and quilt as desired. Trim the backing and batting even with the quilt top. 

Step 11: Use the three 2-1/4" x 21" black strips to bind the mini quilt. 


Enjoy! 



For a chance to win a bundle of Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz prints, leave us a comment letting us know that you follow us on the blog or on Facebook. Also let us know if you've ever competed in a watermelon seed spitting contest (even in your backyard!). Giveaway is open through Sunday, July 5th at 11:59 pm EST. This giveaway is now closed, but be sure to check out our other tutorials, as we'll be sharing a tutorial and hosting a giveaway each week!


Check out each week of our Summer of Tutes!
Week 1: Sunglasses case  featuring Graphix 3
Week 2: The overnight bag featuring Who's Who
Week 3: Tablet case featuring Jungle Party 
Week 4: Patriotic pennants featuring Tone on Tone 
Week 6: Lunch bag featuring Graphix 3
Week 7: Placemats featuring Marblehead Pleasing Pastels
Week 9: Elegant clutch featuring Jungle Party 
Week 10: Modern table runner featuring Prairie Cloth Solids