Friday, June 30, 2017

Painter's Palette Blog Hop: Day 7

We're continuing to embrace everything red, white and blue! 
We sent 8 designers a bundle of red, white and blue Painter's Palette Solids to play with. 

The colors? White, Claret, Crimson, Tomato, Patriot, French Blue and River.
 Between now and July 4th, we'll be sharing a variety of inspiring fabric art made by them--tutorials, show-and-tell with a peek into the design process, and more! 



Today's project comes from Cindy of Live a Colorful Life. She uses some of the basic building blocks of quilting--half square triangles--to make her Streamers quilt, which creates the feel of Old Glory's stripes rippling in the wind. 


Cindy says: "Several months ago, I had designed a single-color quilt. The center part of the quilt reminded me of ribbons blowing in the wind, and I thought it would make a beautiful red, white and blue quilt." 



Head over to Cindy's blog to find the tutorial to make this beautiful quilt!


Follow along with all of our Patriotic Palette Hop posts! 
Day 1: Fireworks Mini Quilt
Day 2: Atomic Blooms
Day 3: Red, White and Blue Star
Day 4: A Salute to Red, White and Blue
Day 5: Patriotic Pineapple
Day 6: Patriotic Pinwheel
Day 7: Streamers
Day 8: Modern Flags


See all 168 of our Painter's Palette Solids collection here.
Find a list of shops carrying the solids here.

Psst....are you following along with our Summer of Sewing Series? Watch for weekly tutorial posts, resuming after the Patriotic Palette Hop. Click here to see all the tutorials so far. 





Thursday, June 29, 2017

Patriotic Palette Blog Hop: Day 6

We're continuing to embrace everything red, white and blue! 
We sent 8 designers a bundle of red, white and blue Painter's Palette Solids to play with. 

The colors? White, Claret, Crimson, Tomato, Patriot, French Blue and River.
 Between now and July 4th, we'll be sharing a variety of inspiring fabric art made by them--tutorials, show-and-tell with a peek into the design process, and more! 




A familiar patriotic motif--red and white stripes--shows up in Linda's Patriotic Pinwheel mini quilt. Don't you love the hand quilting on her design? Find out more (and see the whole quilt...this sneak peek is totally tantalizing!) on Linda's blog, Flourishing Palms. You'll also have a chance to win a FQ bundle of our Patriotic Palette. 
  This giveaway is now closed.


Visit Linda's blog!

Follow along with all of our Patriotic Palette Hop posts! 
Day 1: Fireworks Mini Quilt
Day 2: Atomic Blooms
Day 3: Red, White and Blue Star
Day 4: A Salute to Red, White and Blue
Day 5: Patriotic Pineapple
Day 6: Patriotic Pinwheel
Day 7: Streamers
Day 8: Modern Flags


See all 168 of our Painter's Palette Solids collection here.
Find a list of shops carrying the solids here.

Psst....are you following along with our Summer of Sewing Series? Watch for weekly tutorial posts, resuming after the Patriotic Palette Hop. Click here to see all the tutorials so far. 

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Patriotic Palette Blog Hop: Day 5

We're continuing to embrace everything red, white and blue! 
We sent 8 designers a bundle of red, white and blue Painter's Palette Solids to play with. 

The colors? White, Claret, Crimson, Tomato, Patriot, French Blue and River.
 Between now and July 4th, we'll be sharing a variety of inspiring fabric art made by them--tutorials, show-and-tell with a peek into the design process, and more! 


We think you'll love Shelley's take on our red, white and blue palette! She went from sketch to finished top, making a patriotic pineapple. Head over to her blog to see the finished project and learn how to make this fun fruity treat! 

A pieced pineapple in shades of red and blue:


Head over to Shelley's blog to see the rest!

Leave a comment here telling us what type of fruit you'd most like to create from fabric for a chance to your own red, white and blue Painter's Palette Solids bundle. Giveaway open through Sunday, July 2nd at 11:59 pm CDT.  
  This giveaway is now closed.

Follow along with all of our Patriotic Palette Hop posts! 
Day 1: Fireworks Mini Quilt
Day 2: Atomic Blooms
Day 3: Red, White and Blue Star
Day 4: A Salute to Red, White and Blue
Day 5: Patriotic Pineapple
Day 6: Patriotic Pinwheel
Day 7: Streamers
Day 8: Modern Flags


See all 168 of our Painter's Palette Solids collection here.
Find a list of shops carrying the solids here.

Psst....are you following along with our Summer of Sewing Series? Watch for weekly tutorial posts, resuming after the Patriotic Palette Hop. Click here to see all the tutorials so far. 

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Patriotic Palette Blog Hop: Day 4

We're continuing to embrace everything red, white and blue! 
We sent 8 designers a bundle of red, white and blue Painter's Palette Solids to play with. 

The colors? White, Claret, Crimson, Tomato, Patriot, French Blue and River.
 Between now and July 4th, we'll be sharing a variety of inspiring fabric art made by them--tutorials, show-and-tell with a peek into the design process, and more! 



Today, Stephanie from Spontaneous Threads is sharing a reversible, modern, patriotic banner/table runner. What sets this piece apart? Stephanie used lapped-felled seams. (If you don't want to google that, just pop over to Stephanie's blog and learn more about it!)  

Stephanie says:
Some people might be familiar with the Korean pojagi technique (which uses a different seam). A few years ago I took a pojagi class but still struggled with the seam quality. Seam construction is really important to me and this is my solution and the seam detail, seen from both sides,  is beautiful, crisp, clean and very modern. 


Intrigued to learn more? We sure are! Visit Stephanie's blogYou can also enter to win a red, white and blue Painter's Palette Solids bundle while you're there.   
This giveaway is now closed.

Follow along with all of our Patriotic Palette Hop posts! 
Day 1: Fireworks Mini Quilt
Day 2: Atomic Blooms
Day 3: Red, White and Blue Star
Day 4: A Salute to Red, White and Blue
Day 5: Patriotic Pineapple
Day 6: Patriotic Pinwheel
Day 7: Streamers
Day 8: Modern Flags



See all 168 of our Painter's Palette Solids collection here
Find a list of shops carrying the solids here

Psst....are you following along with our Summer of Sewing Series? Watch for weekly tutorial posts, resuming after the Patriotic Palette Hop. Click here to see all the tutorials so far. 

Monday, June 26, 2017

Patriotic Palette Blog Hop: Day 3

We're continuing to embrace everything red, white and blue! 
We sent 8 designers a bundle of red, white and blue Painter's Palette Solids to play with. 

The colors? White, Claret, Crimson, Tomato, Patriot, French Blue and River.
 Between now and July 4th, we'll be sharing a variety of inspiring fabric art made by them--tutorials, show-and-tell with a peek into the design process, and more! 



Today, Elizabeth from Occasional Piece Quilt is sharing a 25" square mini quilt that she made using our 7-fabric patriotic bundle. Don't you love the quilting she did?!?! Head over to her blog to read a her construction and quilting tips. 




Visit Elizabeth's blog here to find the free download of her pattern (yes, you still have time to sew it before July 4th!). You can also enter to win a red, white and blue Painter's Palette Solids bundle on her blog. 
  This giveaway is now closed.

Follow along with all of our Patriotic Palette Hop posts! 
Day 1: Fireworks Mini Quilt
Day 2: Atomic Blooms
Day 3: Red, White and Blue Star
Day 4: A Salute to Red, White and Blue
Day 5: Patriotic Pineapple
Day 6: Patriotic Pinwheel
Day 7: Streamers
Day 8: Modern Flags



See all 168 of our Painter's Palette Solids collection here
Find a list of shops carrying the solids here

Psst....are you following along with our Summer of Sewing Series? Watch for weekly tutorial posts, resuming after the Patriotic Palette Hop. Click here to see all the tutorials so far. 

Friday, June 23, 2017

Patriotic Palette Blog Hop: Day 2

We're continuing to embrace everything red, white and blue! 
We sent 8 designers a bundle of red, white and blue Painter's Palette Solids to play with. 

The colors? White, Claret, Crimson, Tomato, Patriot, French Blue and River.
 Between now and July 4th, we'll be sharing a variety of inspiring fabric art made by them--tutorials, show-and-tell with a peek into the design process, and more! 


Today, Jayne from Twiggy and Opal is sharing a gorgeously intricate design called "Atomic Bloom." Check out Jayne's project (both here and in more detail on her blog) and then come back Monday for another red, white and blue design! How fun to have the fireworks theme continue!



She says: "My project features a 'bursting' kaleidoscope of red, white and blue fun!  Think 'Rockets Red Glare'!  This mini quilt will get you in the 4th of July mood to celebrate!"



Visit Jayne's blog here to learn more about her process (and see more photos of this stunning quilt!) You can also enter to win a red, white and blue Painter's Palette Solids bundle on her blog.     This giveaway is now closed.


Follow along with all of our Patriotic Palette Hop posts! 
Day 1: Fireworks Mini Quilt
Day 2: Atomic Blooms
Day 3: Red, White and Blue Star
Day 4: A Salute to Red, White and Blue
Day 5: Patriotic Pineapple
Day 6: Patriotic Pinwheel
Day 7: Streamers
Day 8: Modern Flags


See all 168 of our Painter's Palette Solids collection here
Find a list of shops carrying the solids here

Psst....are you following along with our Summer of Sewing Series? Watch for weekly tutorial posts, resuming after the Patriotic Palette Hop. Click here to see all the tutorials so far. 

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Patriotic Palette Blog Hop: Day 1


We're continuing to embrace everything red, white and blue! 
We sent 8 designers a bundle of red, white and blue Painter's Palette Solids to play with. 

The colors? White, Claret, Crimson, Tomato, Patriot, French Blue and River.
 Between now and July 4th, we'll be sharing a variety of inspiring fabric art made by them--tutorials, show-and-tell with a peek into the design process, and more! Come back tomorrow for another red, white and blue design!



We've used 7 fat quarters (3 red, 3 blue and 1 white) to create this fun little fireworks mini. Have fun! 

Let's get started!
You'll Need: 
1 fat quarter each: White, Patriot, French Blue, River, Claret, Crimson, and Tomato
Fusible web
1/2 yard backing fabric
12" x 27" piece of batting
How's this for a patriotic bundle?!
(from left: 121-000 White, 121-111 Patriot, 121-131 French Blue, 121-025 River, 121-051 Claret, 121-002 Crimson, and 121-134 Tomato)

Cutting:
From the white:
(3) 7" squares
(4) 2" x 6-1/2" pieces (reserve remaining piece of strip for piecing the long borders)
(2) 2" x 21" strips

From each of the 3 blues and 3 reds:
(1) 2-1/4" x 21" strip for binding
(1) 7" square

From the fusible web:
(6) 7" squares

Make the Quilt: 
Step 1: Adhere a 7" square of fusible web to a 7" Tomato square. Using a thread spool or other small round object, trace a circle slightly off center on the paper side of the fusible web.



Step 2: Using a ruler, draw lines radiating out from the center circle as shown. Note: We marked the rays that would be red with a pencil squiggle to help visualize the negative space the lines will create. Create as many or as few rays as you like, varying widths and angles. 


Step 3: Cut out the negative areas to create a fireworks shape that looks like this: 


Step 4: Repeat with the 7" Patriot square--your center circle and rays will be slightly different from the Tomato shape, and that's good! 

Here's what both your fireworks shapes will look like:


Step 5: Position both fireworks shapes on a 7" white square. Try with both the Patriot and Tomato fireworks shape on top (see photos below), and experiment with rotating one of the shapes until you find the look you like. 



Step 6: When you are satisfied with your block, remove the paper and fuse the fireworks shapes onto the white square. 


Step 7: Trim block to measure 6-1/2" square.


Step 8: In the same way, make 2 additional blocks, pairing the River square with the Claret square and the Crimson square with the French Blue square.

Step 9: Lay out the 3 blocks alternating with (4) 2" x 6-1/2" white pieces. 


Step 10: Sew the blocks and white pieces together. Sew the (2) 2" x 21" white strips and remaining 2" x 14" white strip short ends together into a long strip. Cut (2) 24-1/2" lengths. Sew to the long sides of the quilt. 

Step 11: Layer the backing right side down, batting, and quilt top right side up. Baste layers together and quilt as desired. Use short sections of the (6) 2-1/4" x 21" red and blue strips to bind the quilt. 




Block close-ups: 



Would you like to win a bundle of these seven patriotic solids? Leave a comment below letting us know your favorite kind of fireworks. Giveaway is open through Sunday, June 25th at 11:59 pm CDT.  This giveaway is now closed.


Follow along with all of our Patriotic Palette Hop posts! 
Day 1: Fireworks Mini Quilt
Day 2: Atomic Blooms
Day 3: Red, White and Blue Star
Day 4: A Salute to Red, White and Blue
Day 5: Patriotic Pineapple
Day 6: Patriotic Pinwheel
Day 7: Streamers
Day 8: Modern Flags


See all 168 of our Painter's Palette Solids collection here

Find a list of shops carrying the solids here


Psst....are you following along with our Summer of Sewing Series? Watch for weekly tutorial posts, resuming after the Patriotic Palette Hop. Click here to see all the tutorials so far. 

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Quilts of Valor

If we're talking patriotic quilts, we have to mention Quilts of Valor! If you're not familiar with the organization, it began with Catherine Roberts' dream in 2003. In the ensuing 14 years, this dream has grown into a huge, ongoing undertaking, taking the concepts of "quilts=healing" and presenting patriotic quilts to service members--161,000 quilts have been given to date.

The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.



Back in February, the Quilt Lovers' Hangout in North Fort Myers, Florida, hosted a National Sew Day Event for Quilts of Valor. They used patriotic fabrics we donated from the Valor and American Pride collections to create quilts for veterans. What a great team effort! 


According to shop owner Andrea Sensecqua, approximately 20 people participated in the sew day. Andrea had bought the shop the previous year, and customers asked if there would be an event for National Sew Day. After investigating, Andrea said "absolutely" began choosing patterns from around the shop. "We had an overwhelming response and sat in our classroom, sewing all day," Andrea says. Completed quilt tops are quilted free of charge by students learning to machine quilt. The Quilt Lovers' Hangout is now an official Quilts of Valor shop.

"It was really meaningful for both customers and staff to be part of such an important event, allowing us to use our passions and skills to award recipients with quilts," Andrea says. "This even kicked off our relationship with QOV and allowed us to bring a national event to a local level."



Quilt blocks laid out, ready to be assembled:

The shop also participated in its first wrapping ceremony. Quilter Sue Styn is presenting, and wrapping, her husband, Bill in a Quilts of Valor quilt in the shop. 

Thanks to Andrea and the Quilt Lovers' Hangout for sharing the story and photos! Have you made a Quilts of Valor quilt? We'd love to hear about it.

Find out more about Quilts of Valor and how to participate here.
Find out more about the Quilt Lovers' Hangout here.
Read an article about QOV and Quilt Lovers' Hangout here.
Check out our patriotic-themed collections! See American Pride here and here and Valor by Ro Gregg here.