Showing posts with label flying geese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flying geese. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Summer of Sewing: Windfall Squared

Welcome to our last Summer of Sewing tutorial here at Inspired by Fabric! 

We've been featuring regular tutorials as part of our Summer of Sewing series, all using our newest fabric lines that you can find at your local quilt shop! Our tutorials include a chance to win a bundle of the fabric line being used, so make sure to enter each time! 


For our last Summer of Sewing tutorial, we've paired the lovely Windfall collection with a solid white to make a lap quilt. This quilt uses one block with the colors flip flopped to create two blocks with opposite color layouts. Windfall features ten colors, each of which are used in two different designs. We've used ten of the prints here, so if you have the fat quarter bundle, you'll have ten more FQs for another project! We're also demonstrating a fantastic flying geese method that has no waste! You'll love it!


Eye candy: A
 look at the entire Windfall collection:


Let's get started!
You'll Need:
10 Windfall fat quarters (we used one of each color)
1-3/4 yards solid white
1/2 yard for binding
3 yards of backing
56" x 68" piece of batting

Cutting:
From each of the fat quarters:
(1) 7-1/4" square
(1) 6-1/2" square
(4) 3-7/8" squares
(4) 3-1/2" squares

From the white solid:
(2) 7-1/4" x 42" strips; recut into (10) 7-1/4" squares
(2) 6-1/2" x 42" strips; recut into (10) 6-1/2" squares
(4) 3-7/8" x 42" strips; recut into (40) 3-7/8" squares
(4) 3-1/2" x 42" strips; recut into (40) 3-1/2" squares

From the binding: 
(6) 2-1/2" x 42" strips

Make the Blocks:
1. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of (4) 3-7/8" red squares. Lay (2) marked squares right sides together on (1) 7-1/4" white square so the marked lines align. 

2. Sew 1/4" on each side of the drawn lines and cut on the line.

3. Press the red triangles open on each unit. Position a red marked square on the unit as shown. 

4. Stitch 1/4" on both sides of the drawn line and cut on the line. Press the triangles open to create (2) flying geese units.  

5. Repeat with the last marked square on the remaining unit to make a total of (4) flying geese units. Trim to measure 3-1/2" x 6-1/2". 

6. Lay out the (4) flying geese units with (1) 6-1/2" red square and (4) 3-1/2" red squares to make block. Sew the pieces into rows and join the rows to complete the red/white block. 

7. To make a reversed red/white block, start with (1) 7-1/4" red square and (4) 3-7/8" white squares. Mark diagonal lines on the white squares, line (2) up on the red square, stitch and cut. 

8. Press white triangles open, align remaining white squares on each unit as in step 3, sew, and press. Trim flying geese units to measure 3-1/2" x 6-1/2". 

9. Use the (4) flying geese units, (1) 6-1/2" white square and (4) 3-1/2" white squares to make a reversed red/white block. Here are the two blocks together: 

10. In the same manner, make a total of 10 color/white blocks and 10 color/white reversed blocks. Lay out the blocks in (5) rows of (4) blocks each as shown. Sew the blocks into rows and join the rows to complete the quilt top. 

11. Layer the quilt back right side down, batting and quilt top right side up. Baste the layers together and quilt as desired. Use the (6) 2-1/2" x 42" strips to bind the quilt. 

For a chance to win a FQ bundle of the Windfall collection, make sure you follow our blog! Leave a comment below letting us know that you do, and telling us which Summer of Sewing tutorial was your favorite. The giveaway is open through Sunday, September 4th at 11:59 pm EST. We'll draw a winner and share it next week. 

Congratulations to the winner from last week's Sports pillowcase tutorial: Annmarie

Monday, September 30, 2013

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Imagine waking up one morning and seeing this on your front lawn:

That's right! Plastic flamingos are now trendy. "Flocking" is a gag gift idea turned fundraiser. Many companies on the Internet (really; just Google search: flocking a lawn) offer flocking as a service. It's touted for milestone birthdays and events or just for fun. High school and church groups have transformed the idea into a fundraiser, where houses that have been flocked donate to have the pink birds removed from their lawn and then suggest the next victim. The fundraising idea comes complete with "flocking insurance" that can be purchased to ensure these feathered friends don't end up on your lawn. 

Enough about flocking...back to the birds. Because while pink plastic flamingos are all in good fun, the actual bird is a majestic, amazing creature. 


Who better to feature birds on fabric than Ro Gregg? An avid bird lover, Ro's latest collection, Birds of a Feather, features flamingos and other feathered friends. Why birds? No doubt you've seen birds showing up in home decor  and even apparel--quilting is the logical next stop! 

Ro says, "I've taken inspiration from our avian friends to create a collection for quilters to fill their 'nests.' Birds have a complex culture--they have such amazing building skills, in weaving their nests and creating a cozy space for their babies."

The collection's main pattern is a printed aviary of some of Ro's favorite feathered friends: owls, cranes, woodpeckers, ducks, hummingbirds, as well as some more common every-day birds (and don't forget the flamingos!). 

Other coordinates include two feather prints--one larger and more literal, and the other more geometric. (Wouldn't it make a great textured border or binding?)


Ro also chose a palette for the Birds of a Feather prints that would coordinate with the Marblehead Pleasing Pastels for variety that goes on and on. It just makes you feel tropical, doesn't it? 

Find a free pattern using the Birds of a Feather collection on our website. In addition to the center pieced blocks, the pattern features a flying geese (how appropriate!) border. 
"Tailwind" by Tresa McConachie
See the entire Birds of a Feather collection by Ro Gregg here