The Patchsmith's Sampler Sew-Along - blocks 1, 2, and 3

Hello, Friends!

Have you ever joined a sew-along?
I would highly recommend one that is going on right now
over at The Patchsmith's lovely blog:

To get started, order your copy of the book,
The Patchsmith's Sampler Quilt Blocks here on Craftsy.
There are 50 amazing blocks,
fun for anyone to create, 
whether you are an experienced stitcher, 
or someone who is just developing your sewing skills!

The book is priced at only $12.99 - what a bargain!
It's in PDF format, and you can choose to print any or all pages.
I'm just using the computer or my phone for instructions, only printing
template pages as necessary, for applique pieces.

Photo from The Patchsmith blog, showing patchwork and applique blocks

If you're just starting out on your sewing journey as a beginner,
DoYouSew.com is a wonderful resource with some great information!


Today I'm sharing my first three blocks from the sampler book.

For my blocks, I've been using some leftover jelly roll strips
from a line called Simply Sweet by Barbara Jones of Quilt Soup.
I've had it in my stash for a good long time.

{Like...9 years!!! hahahaha}

Block 1 - Brick Wall,was the perfect place to start.
There were lots of little pieces, but no seams to match.

For the Guiding Star block (#2),
I selected four different colors of stars to make.
My background for the blocks is a tonal white dot print,
and I like the way it sets off the bright prints.

The third block was a Watermelon block, mostly patchwork,
but with a tiny applique accent.
I love to cut out my pieces when I have time,
then stitch them up in no time.

This little block comes together quickly,
from the inside out.
Look at the finished patchwork - very cute, huh?

And now...The Patchsmith adds her design magic...
little black appliques for the "pips".
What a difference they make!

I'll be continuing my sampler journey here on the blog,
and I would love to have you join me!

Find more photos by following me on Instagram.
I am @eamylove.The Patchsmith and I are no strangers to sew-alongs.
We became fast friends as a result of the Zakka Style Sew Along
years ago...maybe YOU can meet lifelong friends through the Patchsmith's Sampler Sew-Along!

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Project Sweetwater - Solids - Part 2

Hello, friends!

Remember when I shared my Project Sweetwater box?

I used the pattern booklet to create this fun - and reversible - Treehouse Club table runner!

I chose one of the designs from the booklet

and made the same block from three different prints.

Here's the red one...

the yellow one...

and the gray one.

I lined them all up, framed with the creamy

Parchment Bella Solid for framing.

I chose to quilt this little runner with a small curlicue design.

As promised, the Bella Solids from this bundle

coordinate beautifully with Sweetwater fabrics.

I made a lime green star block for the back of the runner.

I love a reversible table runner.

The stars in the print pick up the star theme

of the blocks.

For a big finish, I chose several strips from the Project Sweetwater box.

I had a blast making this scrappy binding!

Time to enjoy my new table runner,

front and back!

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Butter Churn Block - Farm Girl Vintage

Don't you just love the names for vintage quilt blocks?
That's part of the appeal of Lori Holt's

Farm Girl Vintage book.

Today's block has a charming name...Butter Churn.

The design is so clever, with a pinwheel center.

The one from the book had a pretty green palette,

with a navy pinwheel.

For my block I wanted a broader color palette...

I used primary colors, reminding me of a new box of crayons.

My bundle of Fresh Air prints by American Jane

really inspires me.

I love that center pinwheel, framed in butter yellow.

A funny thing happened when I was laying out the pieces

for assembly, on my design board.

Before I added the HST corner pieces,

I snapped this photo, so I could remember the alternate block

that appears if you were to use

just plain background squares in the corners.

{Note to self: try this someday!}

But for today...the butter churn block was completed.

I must say I was thrilled with the way I executed

this block. I made my HST's a bit larger and trimmed them

to the perfect size.

My flying geese units came out perfectly,

using the method described in the book.

Come back soon...I can't stop making these sweet blocks!

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Do You Want to Build A Snowball Block?

Hello, Friends!

Buds are blooming,

birds are singing,

but I'm in the mood for making

SNOWBALL blocks!

You know what I'm talking about, right?
When you take a quilt block

and round off the corners a bit,

by adding half-square-triangles,

it becomes a "Snowball" block.

It's a fun design element that is seen

all over quiltland.

These are some blocks I've made,

following the Missouri Star Quilt Company

YouTube tutorial,

for the Jump Ring quilt.

If you're short on sewing time,

like I am, you might enjoy some tips

for sewing snowball blocks.

1.

I love to precut my precuts...

if you follow me...so that I've got a couple of blocks

ready for sewing.

{I've been able to stitch 2 of these Jump Ring blocks in less than 30 minutes.}

2.

As you can see from the off-white pieces above,

as well as the tiny squares below,

I like to use an iron to "mark" the sewing lines.

I just press the pieces diagonally,

right sides out.

They are ready for stitching in no time.

3.

When I begin my stitching,

I always use a fabric scrap at the beginning

and again at the end,

stopping with the needle down.

This eliminates loose threads that need trimming later!

{It also makes the stitching nice and even, start to finish.}

4.

Another time-saver is chain-piecing.

Just keep the needle down between pieces,

and butt the next set up against the last one.

For snowball blocks,

it helps to alternate the direction of each block.

See the photo below.

I've started stitching the corners

from a different direction each time.

The pieces line up perfectly this way.

5.

I like to snowball all four corners,

before trimming and pressing the finished block.

{Because I've already pressed the sewing line,

there's less distortion of the block.}

6.

Have you ever made "bonus" half-square triangles...

a.k.a. HST's...

from your snowball blocks???

If your corner squares are at least 2 1/2" square,

this is a really cool tip to try!

BEFORE trimming away the layers

that are not needed for the finished block:

You can use a ruler to mark 

a SECOND line of stitching parallel to the first,

in the part of the square that will be cut away.

I make my second stitch line about 3/8" from the first,

to maximize the size of my bonus HST's.

Stitch this second line along all of the corners of the block.

I usually "eye-ball" the 3/8", to save even more time.

Just be sure the seam is parallel to the first stitchline.

NOW it's time to trim away the excess,

cutting in the space between the two stitchlines.

Take those formerly wasted edges to the ironing board,

and now you have a set of little bonus HST's!

Trim them to size,

and you've got a headstart on a new project.

I trimmed these to 1 3/4",

but you could make them into 1 1/2" HST's if you like.

I hope you'll stop by again soon

for more sewing tips and projects.

Wouldn't you like to see what I'm making

with all of those snowballs?

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Postage Stamp Basket Blocks

I have a "thing" for baskets...

and another "thing" for pincushions.

Here's one way I took care of both of those "things."

The May theme for the Across The Pond Sew Along
is BASKETS, and I must confess I had a head-start making mine.
Look at this stack of blocks that I made
a long time ago...

I started with a whole bunch of 5" squares of fabrics
from a Thimbleberries club hosted by a shop that no longer exists.

These days I gravitate toward brighter, more modern fabrics,
but I'm still deeply in love with
these little basket blocks.

Even the name is cute...Postage Stamp Baskets!
In 1976 the USA celebrated its bicentennial,
and interest in quilting and other colonial arts 
experienced a revival.
Eighteen months after the Bicentennial
a 13-cent stamp was issued,
honoring the quilters of America.

{Yes...13 cents...tells you how long ago that happened!}

Years later, Alex Anderson featured this quilt block
on her show Simply Quilts, seen  on HGTV in the 1990's.
That's when I learned to make this block.

You can find Alex's updated video tutorial today
on The Quilt Show website!

A few years ago, I actually assembled
my black and tan basket blocks into this little table topper.

{Did I ever tell you how much I love quilts that are set on point?}

I was just learning to stipple quilt when I made this one,
and it's slightly embarrassing,
yet endearing at the same time.

{I had tension issues...but that's okay.}

My points are cut off more often than not.
When that happens,
I always claim that I did that on purpose,
to make it "primitive".

;)

{I'm going to make up a word for it...primitize.
Say it with me:  I primitized my quilt.}

I've got a second mini-quilt top made,
 this one in shades of green and red.

Won't this be pretty for Christmas?

{Maybe this Christmas???}

Oh.My. This one is really primitized!

I've still got a basketful of basket blocks left...
so I stitched up a few into those primitive pincushions
I mentioned above.

I paired them up with a coordinating 4-patch, for the back.

They are so simple...just stitched together,
with an opening for turning.
Here's how they looked when I turned them right-side-out and
gave them a nice pressing with the iron.

I just added a bit of stuffing and stitched them closed.

I still have a whole bunch left...

What should I make???
More pincushions?

Or use the rest in one more super-scrappy, primitized quilt?

{Now accepting: free advice.}

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