Author Archives: Jennifer Ofenstein

About Jennifer Ofenstein

Owner of sewhooked.com and fandominstitches.com. #quiltforgood advocate. Quilt designer, instructor, Talk to Me Tuesday founder & contributor, cat mom, and craft enabler.

Time and Relative Dimension In Space

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And then there was that summer that I spent every free moment stitching something related to Doctor Who with other designers and loads of a DW fans.

It. Was. Awesome.

The Doctor Who Stitch Along on Fandom In Stitches has officially concluded. Myself and six other designers presented 12 free hand embroidered designs over 12 weeks.

I cannot tell you how much sheer joy I get out of events like this. For me, fandom means community and a Stitch Along is a great way to bring fans (and stitchers!) together!

Today, we added Bonus Blocks by the original SAL designers as well as oodles of great designs as part of the Doctor Who Stitch Along Design Invitational, all from FiS readers!

Below are my own extra offerings (and one I stitched from Aalia!) as well as my DWSAL blocks.

Time And Relative Dimension In Space

Time And Relative Dimension In Space. Had to be done! This will be a cornerstone for my DW quilt. I think it’s my favorite of the smaller designs.

Alternative Tenth Doctor

This alternative version was my original Ten pattern and the one that started the idea for the SAL. After drafting and stitching him up, I decided this style wasn’t quite what I was going for, so I started over and created the Tenth Doctor seen in the SAL (he’s below with the other Doctors!). He will most likely end up as a cushion cover to coordinate with the DW quilt I’m making for my daughter.

I’m The Doctor & Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey

I’m the Doctor and Wibbley Wobbley Timey Wimey are two more cornerstones for my DW quilt.

Trust Me, designed by Aalia Zaman. You can find this on Page 1 of her Doctor Who quotes! This is the final cornerstone for my DW quilt.

Bow ties are cool

Because they are. And I couldn’t resist. I’m particularly pleased with how the bow tie came out.

11th Doctor TARDIS Logo

Since I digitized the 11th Doctor’s logo for the Time and Relative Dimension in Space design, I thought I should share it on it’s own for anyone that might like it. It’s 7 1/2″, so it could be used with the SAL blocks if desired.

10″ TARDIS

So, during all the Who-insanity, two things happened (just, two?!).

One, my daughter asked for an army of Daleks around her quilt. They’re in progress (below), from an updated version of a pattern I designed several years ago. While work on the first couple of the little killing machines, I kept thinking about paper piecing a TARDIS large enough for a cushion. It stuck in my head. And then, of course, I realized that if I made not just the block, but the actual pattern larger, I could get lots of details in. Hmmm…. I’ve designed two paper pieced TARDIS patterns in the past (see them here) and while I do like those, I’ve always wanted more detail. So, I sat down and drew the 10″ TARDIS. It is exactly what it sounds like. I might even stitch “Police Public Call Box” after I piece it…which is AFTER I finish the Dalek Army!

8 of 12 Daleks….just four more to go!

Dalek Pattern

The are lots more paper pieced Doctor Who-themed patterns for Free on Fandom In Stitches…get them here!

My completed Doctor Who Stitch Along blocks. Designers are noted below.

The First Doctor, Designed by Aalia Zaman

The second Doctor, Designed by Jennifer Ofenstein (me!)

The Third Doctor, Designed by Aalia Zaman

The Fourth Doctor, Designed by Kim Kuehn

The Fifth Doctor, Designed by Kristel Carnahan

The Sixth Doctor, Designed by Jennifer Ofenstein

Seven

The Seventh Doctor, Designed by Kristel Carnahan

The Eighth Doctor, Designed by Jordan Frederick

The Ninth Doctor, designed by Aalia Zaman

The Tenth Doctor, designed by Jennifer Ofenstein

The Eleventh Doctor, designed by Soma Acharya

The TARDIS, designed by Angelica Rodriguez

Well, that’s it for me! After I finish the final four Daleks, I can get the borders pieced and then it’s on to quilting and then the big reveal. Today…I buy batting! Almost there!

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Featured Pattern: In A Castle quilt, just $6 on Craftsy!

NEXT CLASS:

Hot Dog, A Pillowcase! Class

Sunday August 18; 1 – 4 pm

@ The Stitching Studio

Austin, Texas

Learn the easiest, fastest and fun way to make beautiful pillowcases!
Register online or pay at the door with RSVP to sewhooked@gmail.com.

$30 per person

You will receive instructions for class upon registration/RSVP.

TTMT #222 – Giveaway!

Beginning Paper Piecing Today!

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It’s your last chance to sign up for today’s Beginning Paper Piecing, a real life class with me right here in Austin, Texas!

Sign up now online or RSVP before 8:15 am (CST) to receive your class handout. No time to RSVP? Bring the following items and meet me there:

• Sewing machine in good working order that you are comfortable using.
• Zig-Zag, open toe or clear sewing machine foot
• new sewing machine needle appropriate for piecing (80/12 works great)
• neutral-colored piecing thread of your choice (gray, ecru, etc.)
• scissors, 1 pair for fabric and 1 pair for paper
• post card or thin straight edge
• long quilting pins (flat-head, if possible)
• seam ripper
• scotch or lightweight masking tape
• small cutting mat and rotary cutter
• Add-A-Quarter ruler (6” or 12”) (optional)
• personal-sized iron/ironing station (optional)
• one light fabric and one dark fabric OR light/dark scrap fabrics (2″ strips or wider)
• copies of pattern (available in class)

All students receive a free gift at the end of class!

Beginning Paper Piecing

Friday, August 2

9 am – 12 pm

@ The Stitching Studio

12411 Hymeadow Dr Austin, TX 78750

$35 per person online or RSVP to pay cash at the door. Paying online? You will receive your handout & pattern upon payment.

$35 Registration

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Featured Pattern: Jolly Roger, just $2 on Craftsy

Beginning Paper Piecing…Tomorrow!

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Do you dream of paper piecing? Have you taken a class but been less than successful? Come learn my favorite piecing technique in a relaxed and fun environment!

All students receive a free gift at the end of class!

Beginning Paper Piecing

Friday, August 2

9 am – 12 pm

@ The Stitching Studio

12411 Hymeadow Dr Austin, TX 78750

$35 per person online or RSVP to pay cash at the door (cash or check only). RSVP is a must so you can receive the class handout and I know to expect you! Paying online? You will receive your handout upon payment.

$35 Registration –

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Featured Pattern: Jolly Roger, just $2 on Craftsy

TTMT #221 – Summer of Things

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Winner, winner, winner! Congrats to Lori Smanski on winning a free signed copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Vol 7!

My very own design, Lemons Into Lemonade appears page 33. You can also see the quilt I designed around this block on page 10! To win, leave a comment and let me know know if you’re currently crafting for a holiday! Gotta have a copy? I have a limited number available in my Etsy shop.

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Featured Pattern: Jolly Roger, just $2 on Craftsy

Next Class:

Friday, August 2 –Beginning Paper Piecing @ The Stitching Studio; 9 am – 12 pm

$35 per person online or RSVP to pay cash at the door (cash or check only)

You will receive handout and pattern upon registration.

Stitch A Little Happiness

TTMT #220 – Discombobulated

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Merry July…and Sue, Too – Giveaway and lots of fun Christmas-themed goodness!
Talk To Me Tuesday Livejournal Community

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Featured pattern: Wee Lil’ Penguin, now in two sizes! $2 on Craftsy

Next Class:

Friday, August 2 –Beginning Paper Piecing @ The Stitching Studio; 9 am – 12 pm

$35 per person online or RSVP to pay cash at the door (cash or check only)

You will receive handout and pattern upon registration.

Merry July…and Sue, too!

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Sweet Sue Tops The Tree, free on Craftsy

Recently, my 15-year-old commented on the absurdly early signs of Christmas shopping that are popping up here and there. It’s usually fantastically hot here in Texas and Christmas is a long, long way from most people’s minds. I’ve come to think of these uber-early retail nudges as Christmas leakage, which in my mind is any Christmas showing up pre-Thanksgiving!

The only exception for me is, of course, crafting! I explained to him that for crafters, Christmas in July is about giving yourself enough time to finish projects that you want to give as gifts. Some of us start long, long before July, but I think the countdown to completed projects starts about now! That, he agreed, makes much more sense than red & green twinkle lights at the mall when it’s over 100 degrees outside!

So, we have this conversation, and then I find out Craftsy is having a Christmas in July event…and that one of my free patterns, Sweet Sue Tops the Tree (seen at the top of this post), is featured…well, how fun is that!?

Sweet Sue’s new-found fame inspired me to do my own BIG Christmas in July post and share some Christmas & winter-themed patterns that I myself have designed.

Hey, well, they’re doing it, so why not me, right? 😉

Holly Jolly (Paper Pieced Pattern Set), $6.50 on Craftsy

Holly Jolly is part of Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends. If you’re new around here, I’m somewhat Sue obsessed. Just recently, I’ve been updating my older Sue patterns as part of the Summer Sue Makeover.

Holly Jolly was in the update queue. No time like the present!

Here they are, updated for 2013 and ready for Christmas in July! Each of these patterns is now also available individually. This update includes not one, but two bonuses! Wee Lil’ Penguin now includes two sizes when purchased separately and there’s a new pattern not included with the set, Santa & His Bag.

Wee Lil’ Penguin, now in two sizes! $2 on Craftsy

It all started with a penguin! He was the very first pattern designed for Holly Jolly all those years ago. I always imagined that this little guy was on the ground, motioning Santa’s sleigh in for a safe landing.

Lil’ St. Nick (paper pieced), $2 on Craftsy

Here he is, St. Nick, ready to climb in his sleigh and deliver presents all over the world!

Lil’ Mrs. Claus, $2 on Craftsy

Where would Santa be without the Mrs. keeping him on his toes?

Santa’s Helper (paper pieced), $2 on Craftsy

I tried to come up with a sweet name for this little guy, but imagination failed me. In the end, he (or she, it’s hard to tell with the present blocking the view!) became Santa’s Little Helper.

Wonky Lil’ Christmas Tree, $2 on Craftsy

Where would Santa be without a Christmas tree?

Bonus Pattern: Santa & His Bag (Paper Pieced), $2 on Craftsy

Santa & His bag are a bonus pattern designed at the same time as Holly Jolly. He’s not included in the original set and is available only as an individual pattern.

Holiday House (paper pieced), free on Craftsy

I always imagined Holiday House as a supplement to Holly Jolly! I can just see Santa’s Little Helper standing next to the tree ready to deposit his gift! This wee house was designed for a Quilting Gallery event.

Sweet Skating Sue (paper pieced), free on Craftsy

Sweet Skating Sue was designed for an event over on Quilting Gallery for 2012. Not only is she a free pattern (and one I’m very fond of!), but I wrote a full, detailed paper piecing tutorial to go along with the pattern. See it here!

Topsy-Turvy Trees! (Paper Pieced), $9 on Craftsy

Topsy Turvy Trees was one of those doodles that insisted on being in fabric. It was fun digging out every bright green in my stash for this project. I love the lightning shapes between the trees. Hmm, I think I want to make another in batiks…

Tree Trimming, $8 on Craftsy

Tree Trimming is the gift that keeps on giving. I share it last for two reasons. One, it one of the earliest patterns I made available for sale and two, it has been a joy to teach. It’s an excellent beginner project for a class for both free-form and pre-cut paper piecing. I’ve seen this sweet wall hanging in every variety of fabrics you can imagine and many, many of my students have grown their very own “happy little trees!”

Happy, happy July! I hope you enjoyed this very unseasonable post. Be sure to visit Craftsy and see my pattern featured for their event!

And, because I just can’t help myself, a giveaway! Win a free signed copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Vol 7. My very own design, Lemons Into Lemonade appears page 33. You can also see the quilt I designed around this block on page 10! To win, leave a comment and let me know know if you’re currently crafting for a holiday!

Gotta have a copy? I have a limited number available in my Etsy shop.

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Next Class:

Friday, August 2 –Beginning Paper Piecing @ The Stitching Studio; 9 am – 12 pm

$35 per person online or RSVP to pay cash at the door (cash or check only)

You will receive handout and pattern upon registration.

Sew with me!

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Are looking for a fun, inexpensive sewing time with fellow paper piecers? Join me for Paper Piecing Club today Sunday, July 21, 2013 at The Stitching Studio! Bring your sewing machine and any paper piecing project. I’ll be on hand for any help you might need. Please note this is not a beginner class.

Paper Piecing Club @ The Stitching Studio

1- 4 pm$10 per person – Pay online or RSVP to pay at the door (cash or check only)

Do you want to learn to paper piece? Have you tried paper piecing and found it confusing or frustrating? Come learn from me!

I’ll take the fear out of paper piecing while helping you learn this fun and versatile quilting technique! This basic technique class is appropriate for beginners and beyond.

Friday, August 2 –Beginning Paper Piecing

@ The Stitching Studio

9 am – 12 pm

$35 per person online or RSVP to pay cash at the door (cash or check only)

You will receive handout and pattern upon registration.

Whether you’re an experienced paper piecing joining me for Paper Piecing Club or a beginner looking to learn, I’ve hope to see you this week!

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