Happy All Things Love Day!
I hope you have have a day full of love, laughter, friendship, crafts & quilts!
Lots of love, my friends!
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Featured Pattern: 6″ fleur-de-lis to paper piece, just $2 on Craftsy!
Happy December, friends far and wide!
I love this time of year for a lot of reasons; the weather’s cooler, visiting with family and friends, and of course, all the wonderful holiday projects that populate the web!
To celebrate December 1, I thought I’d share a little roundup of some of my projects for this time of year! Some are free and some are from the Sewhooked Shop, I hope you enjoy them all!
Tree Trimming, my most popular holiday pattern still makes me smile even two and half years after I first shared it here on Sewhooked. I’ve taught this pattern to beginners and experienced quilters alike, Honey Bee Quilt Store here in Austin sells it as a kit to make the dark varation seen above. I still see fun versions of this little tree on a regular basis. I love the way you all have embraced this little pattern!
Homes for the Holidays, a fun quilt made from a paper pieced block swap from a now defunct paper piecing website. I used oodles of fun Christmas fabrics for my borders, including the Christmas trees, which I drew free hand to paper piece! I met an awesome local lady, Myra, through this swap and still get to see her from time to time!
Holly Jolly, a fun set of 5″ patterns inspired by Sunbonnet Sue! These little guys were originally designed as a gift for some friends of ours.
Santa & His Bag, one of many Santa’s I designed while working on Holly Jolly!
And where might Santa visit? A Holiday House, of course! This wee house was designed for a Quilting Gallery event.
Sweet Sue Tops The Tree was designed for another fun event hosted by The Quilting Gallery.
Recycled Gift Bags, because presents need a fun and crafty wrapping! There were super easy to make with a few fun stamps and a hole punch!
Smiling Santa Gift Bag is one of my favorite ways to gift items to children! Free tutorial at the link, plus some fun variations.
Bon Bons – YUM, just like Mom makes!
English Toffee – deceptively easy and completely delicious!
Jennifer’s Best Peanut Brittle – the only recipe that has actually helped me make new friends…really!
Spice Cookies are my family’s newest favorite Christmas cookies. Absolutely delicious.
I’d love to know about your favorite crafts and recipes for this time of year, feel free to share your links in comments and I’ll do a round-up of YOUR projects, patterns and recipes!
Last, but definitely not least, remember to use coupon code BUYHANDMADE now through December 18 in my Etsy shop for 20% off your total purchase! This includes printed patterns, blank greeting cards and more!
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Featured Pattern – Wee Lil’ Penguin, now a stand-alone pattern for just $2 on Craftsy!
Featured Pattern: Bicycle! (paper pieced), just $2 on Craftsy!
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Welcome, welcome!
November crept right up on me and here it is November 5 and time for my Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Blog Tour post!
I’m so excited to be included in another fantastic issue of 100 Blocks!
Let’s do it!
Leave a comment by Nov. 11 and be entered to win a free copy of this issue.
How fun and easy is that?!
I have a new friend to introduce to you today called Scarecrow Surprise!
This guy came about because I wanted something that said “autumn,” but was also playful and included a tiny bit of hand embroidery.
You can find Scarecrow Surprise on page 30 of 100 Blocks Vol. 6. And look there to the right…I’m super excited to have Scarecrow Surprise right next to a wonderful pattern by Charise from Charise Creates! How awesome is that?
Here’s something else fun… Scarecrow Surprise is on the cover, too!
*throws confetti*
He joins May Showers as 100 Blocks cover alumni!
What? You’re supposed to be scared of me!
I started with just a scarecrow, but after a couple of doodles, I quickly realized that he was a lonely old guy standing there all alone. I started thinking about what a scarecrow is actually supposed to do and I wondered how often a birds ignore the You Shall Not Land directive.
A lot, I bet!
When I drafted this guy out, he had a plain face. After adding the bird to his shoulder, I realized what was missing…his reaction! Here it is penciled in on my first draft.
Here’s a little sneak peak of how the pre-published version of the pattern looked. Look, ma, no numbers!
And, of course, I have to share some variations!
Above is Stonehenge Scarecrow, Feeling Blue Scarecrow and Warm Colors Scarecrow!
Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Vol. 6 will be available at your local quilt shops and bookstores November 13 and I will be selling a limited amount of signed copies in my etsy shop, so be sure to check back for that!
Come see me at Honey Bee Quilt Store in Austin, Texas, Sunday November 25 for a Quiltmaker’s 10o Blocks Vol. 6 magazine signing event! I will be signing magazines and sharing some of my other work!
Happy Halloween, my crafty & quilty friends!
How about some awesome photos from my flickr group?
(click on the title to go to the pattern…some free, some from my shop)
Trick or Treat Sue by sewsimplelife
Harry Potter Patterns on Fandom In Stitches
by pinlady23
Bikini Top by Suziecurls
Sweet Skating Sue by HerbMyst
A Little Haunted by snowie44
Various Christmas patterns, including Holly Jolly and Sweet Sue Tops The Tree, and more from the Free Pattern page, as well as some original designs by Marjon Savelsberg!
Tabby Face by Suziecurls
Dragon Messenger Bag by hak42
A Little Haunted by PatinWA55
Patchy Hearts by Mariarose3685
Wingless Wyrm by snowie44
Check back Monday for the 100 Blocks Blog Tour!
Have a very happy, safe Halloween!
….and the winner is!
kwilterPT!
Thanks to everyone that participated in the drawing by sharing a photo of their Trick-or-Treat Sue with my flickr group!
Get the free pattern and read the blog hop post here!
Check out the rest of the great entries:
by dozmuffinxc
by snowie44
by Fzttwo
by soma1773
by jewelri
by dawnelvis
by Susie’s Sunroom
by Carin
by craftytokyomama
Check back Monday for the 100 Blocks Blog Tour!
Welcome friends, old and new!
Halloween is one of my favorite times of year…
Candy!
Costumes!
Candy!
Scary movies!
Candy!
Wait, did I already say that? 😉
TODAY is particularly special to me because it is my very best friend’s birthday!
*throws confetti*
Happy birthday, Jewells!
10″ paper pieced
free for your personal & non-profit use
In celebration of Soma’s fabulous Halloween-themed hop, I’ve created a pattern just for you in one of my absolute favorite themes: Sunbonnet Sue!
I love her so much, she and her friends have their own page here on Sewhooked!
This little Sue has dressed up like a witch and has headed out to trick-or-treat!
Is that candy I see in her pumpkin?
From concept to block: EQ7 version on the left, in fabric on the right!
Tip: Reduce your pattern by 50% to create a 5″ block!
How fun is she with a variety of different patterns?
Tip: Want your Sue to face the other way? Just print your pattern in mirror image!
Make Trick or Treat Sue and share her with my flickr group for a chance to win this fun prize pack! Winner receives Pumpkin Coasters donated by Jewells, an autographed copy of Quilt Sampler magazine, courtesy of Honey Bee Quilt Store, a featured store in this issue and a sweet Halloween bag of fat quarters!
Winner to be announced on Tuesday, October 30, 2013. Only photos shared via flickr are eligible to win.
More haunted fabric-y goodness…
A Little Haunted, also available on Craftsy!
Zombie! Part of Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends, Set 1: Monster Madness. Also available on Craftsy.
This complete set is one of the featured blog hop prizes on Whims & Fancies! Be sure to check out the details there.
Have a very Happy Halloween season…and thanks for stopping by!
Featured Pattern: Santa and his Bag, just $2 on Craftsy!
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Welcome Quilting Gallery friends!
Long time, no see!
The last time you stopped by might have been the Ties That Bind Blog Hop in the spring of this year. Or maybe it was the Celebrate Christmas Quilt-Along & Super Deals for Christmas in 2011. However long it’s been, or if it’s your very first time to visit Sewhooked, I’m glad you’re here!
The fabulous Michele is always creating new ways for quilters to connect and have fun! This Swap is one of them and I hope you have as much fun creating a fun mini quilt for your partner as I did creating this quilt pattern for you!
I’m a sucker for Sunbonnet Sue. When Sue visits my house, she plays by my rules, which means she’s paper pieced!
And now, what you’re here for, Sweet Skating Sue, the pattern for your Paper Pieced Mini Quilt Swap!
12″ (12 1/2″ unfinished)
Haven’t signed up yet? Just click here!
In addition to sharing your photo with the Quilting Gallery’s flickr group, I would love to see your Paper Pieced Mini Quilt Swap project in the Sewhooked flickr group! Three participants will win autographed copies of Spring/Summer 2012 Quilt Sampler Magazine, a generous donation from Honey Bee Quilt Store in Austin, Texas!
The following is a quick paper piecing tutorial specifically for Sweet Skating Sue. Keep scrolling to see detail quilting photos and how I prepare my mini quilts for hanging!
Need more instruction? Learn to paper piece with me now through December with my full-length video workshop available only through STITCHED. Membership gives you access to over 20 classes AND instructors and registration is now only $40!
Step one is the easiest! Print your pattern. For best results make sure scaling is set to none so the pattern will print at actual size.
Gather your fabric. Your scarf can be one color or two, it’s up to you!
In this sample, both parts of the scarf are made using one batik fabric. In the pink version, I used two different fabrics to represent the front and the back of the scarf.
Let’s prep that pattern! Cut the pieces apart using paper scissors.
Units B1 and B2 will need to be joined to create one Unit that we will call B. I like to use glue for this. Just a little does the job, and unlike tape, you don’t have to worry about accidentally melting it to you iron!
Using a light source will help you line up those pieces!
Set your sewing machine for a short stitch. I like 1.5 on my machine. A shorter stitching will make removing the paper easier at the end and will also help to keep those stitches in place when taking the paper out.
Time to sew! For Unit A is a great place to start! You will need background fabric, Sue’s coat fabric, a rotary cutter, a postcard, an Add-A-Quarter Ruler, an iron and an ironing surface. If you don’t have the ruler, you can use a regular rotary ruler. No rotary cutter? Just use scissors!
Now we’re ready to go! Your first piece of fabric (A1) will go RIGHT SIDE UP on the BACK of the pattern paper. Use a light source to make sure your fabric covers all the way around. Paper piecing is a great use for scrap fabrics. You can also cut a piece out that is slightly larger than your shape. Pin this piece of fabric to the paper.
Place the pattern with the printed side up and place your postcard (mine is spiffy and from Australia!). Using the postcard as a straight edge, fold along the line that is between the 1 and 2 on Unit A.
With the paper folded back, place the Add-A-Quarter Ruler on top of your fabric. The ruler has an edge that will butt right up against the paper, making it super easy to get a perfect 1/4″.
Use your rotary cutter to trim!
Note: If you’re using scissors, just estimate 1/4″. Paper piecing is absolutely doable with just scissors! It’s stitching on the paper that makes your block come out perfect!
This is your 1/4″ seam allowance after using the Add-A-Quarter Ruler.
And this is what it looks like from the other side!
***On the side of the fabric you just trimmed, place the next piece of fabric RIGHT SIDE DOWN. You will repeat this and the following few steps for every pattern segment from here on out.
I like to audition my fabric pieces before stitching. Simply fold the fabric up along the stitching line to make sure it will fit. If the fabric is too unwieldy, you can also pin along the stitching line before opening the fabric.
Stitch exactly on the line, taking one or two stitches before and after the lines that intersect the 1-2 line.
Be sure to snip those threads!
A1 and A2, stitched together! Press open as you go.
And this is what it looks like from the pattern side.
Repeat from the instruction marked *** for the rest of the pieces on Unit A.
Unit A, all stitched!
And from the paper side!
We’re going to repeat the process on Unit B. I will go through a couple of extra steps here to show you how to deal with the crazy angels.
Remember, that first piece of fabric goes right side up!
Trim with your Add-A-Quarter Ruler & rotary cutter!
1, 2 and 3, stitched together
Now, here is where it gets a little tricky. We’re going add piece 5, which is long, skinny and pieced at an angle. If you know the following shortcut, no paper pieced pattern will ever daunt you!
Place a long strip of fabric, wrong side up on your cutting surface. Place the pattern on top, making sure the edge between 2 and 5 will be covered. Center the fabric so there is plenty of fabric to go over the long edges.
Fold back the paper using your postcard.
Cut the fabric with your rotary cutter.
Turn the fabric so that it is right sides together with the edge you just cut lined up to edge where 2 meets 5. Center the long piece of fabric over the fabric already stitched to the paper. It’s going to look wonky and sideways, but I promise, this is right!
Here is what it looks like from the front. If you’re not sure, remember you can audition your fabric!
Stitch along the line.
Fold out the paper, and guess what, it covers perfectly!
Pin the fabric to the paper so that it doesn’t flap around.
Unit B, with all the fabric stitched in place!
Continue with the above instructions for each remaining unit until they all look something like this.
Find the edge where Unit A will join Unit B. Using a rotary ruler, trim along the seam allowance that is printed on the pattern. If your seam allowance is not perfectly 1/4″, use your ruler to make adjustments and find the appropriate width.
Trim the seam allowance on Unit B where it meets Unit A, just as you did above.
Push a pin through Unit A at the corner adjacent to Unit B.
With the fabric sides of the pattern pieces facing, push the pin through the adjacent corner on Unit B.
Line up the seam allowance and stitch. If you need to, you can pin before this step. (This is Sewing order A>B, as listed on your pattern.)
Remove the paper in the seam allowance. It will tear off easily. Repeat for both sides.
Press open as you piece the units together.
A & B, stitched together. Repeat the above steps using the straight pin to stitch together the rest of the pieces. The sewing order is on your pattern.
AB>C
E>F; G>H
EF>GF
D>EFGH
DEFGH>I
ABC>DEFGHI
If you have a 12 1/2″ ruler, now is the time to use it! If you do not, use your rotary mat to square up your block.
Ta Da!
And now…a little bonus! I will show a little of the quilting process for the pink version of Sweet Skating Sue!
Curious about Free-Motion quilting? Leah Day has the most comprehensive FMQ tutorials anywhere!
Quilt Sandwich. Yum!
I used a combination of FMQ and straight line quilting on this project.
Mmmm, metallic thread!
Sue, you look fabulous!
And a little white Fairy Frost to finish!
Motion commotion!
Another shot of that yummy silver thread!
This Sue’s scarf comes in two colors!
On small projects like this, I like to add fabric squares that have been folded in half to the back top corners before adding my binding.
This gives me a super easy label…
Ready to stitch some more? My new pattern, Santa and His Bag are just $2 on Craftsy!
Join me for the Tabby Face Block Lotto! You still have time to send those blocks in for a chance to win the lot! Click here for details!
Use coupon code TABBY in my Etsy shop to receive 10% off your total order during the month of September!
Learn to paper piece with me now through December with my full-length video workshop available only through STITCHED. You get access to over 20 classes AND instructors and registration is now only $40! Click for details.
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Get more Harry Potter patterns on Fandom in Stitches!
When Cheryl over at Cheryl’s Teapots2Quilting asked for permission to use some of my free patterns for an upcoming project she’s working on, I enthusiastically agreed!
What’s her project?
Well, you’ll just have to wait and see…don’t worry, I’ll share when she does!
What I can tell you is that she asked to use six of my Harry Potter patterns. She was planning to reduce each pattern to 4″, but I volunteered to do it myself.
All this happened at the same time that the hard drive on my laptop crashed. I have access to many of my files on my backup drive, but not EQ7, the design software I’ve been using for the last couple of years and I’m waiting for my laptop to be repaired and before I will have access to all my design tools. While I wait, I decided to try out Quilt Assistant, free block design software
I recommend this software all the time based on the experience of other designers I know over at Fandom In Stitches. It’s about time I try it out myself!
Now this software is not EQ7, and I knew that going in. I wasn’t expecting the bells and whistles of fancy design software, layout options, etc. QA is intended for individual block design, and if that’s what you need, and all you need, it’s perfect for that. I found it super easy to navigate and use and had redrafted several blocks using my original designs in a relatively short amount of time.
In addition to drafting patterns, you can also import a photo to follow, color and number images, as well as export and print different versions of your pattern.
Since most of the patterns I was redrafting were originally designed in Photoshop and not EQ7, I worked from my quilt blocks and “printed” my work to PDF.
I’m a picky girl when it comes to the way my patterns are presented. I like clear, concise lettering that goes left to right and top to bottom. If you’ve used any of my patterns previously, you will find they are all labeled this way. If a design software exists that allows complete control over labeling, I have not found it yet!
The following four images were generated using Quilt Assistant print options:
QA Print Option: Design at true size, no seam allowance added. Numbers generated with QA.
QA Print Option: Paper Pieced Pattern, no seam allowance added.
QA Print Option: Paper Pieced Pattern, Seam Allowance Added.
QA Print Option: Paper Pieced Pattern, Seam Allowance and Colors Added.
I printed to PDF as a paper pieced pattern with seam allowance but no color (third option above). I opened up each PDF file in Photoshop and rearranged the pieces so they would be as close to the actual piecing order as possible. In EQ7, arranging pattern piece placement on the page is an option before printing, one I use often.
I also deleted all the numbers generated by QA and renumbered each pattern myself so they would reflect my personal design style. I started designing back in 2004 using Photoshop for every step of the process. I still color and label all my patterns with it, even my patterns drafted in EQ7.
You will also find sewing order on all my patterns. When I first started paper piecing, I came across a very complicated pattern with oodles of asymmetrical pieces and no instructions whatsoever. It took me ages to figure out how it went together. Because of that, I started adding sewing order with my very first design!
Making it mine: How the Cauldron pattern looked when I finished editing.
Download the 4″ Cauldron pattern
In a nutshell, Quilt Assistant is free, it’s easy to use and you can share your patterns from it by printing them to PDF with software like Primo PDF or Cute PDF. If you want to make changes, use Photoshop or open source software like Gimp. Save the file as a PDF for easier printing.
The best part about this for me? Well, a couple of things. First, I got to revisit some of my older Harry Potter patterns that I hadn’t played around with in ages. Second, I get to share these patterns with Cheryl and look forward to her upcoming project (and I hope you will, too!). Last of all, as soon as I’m up and running on my own computer again, I can export these files to EQ format and edit them just like any of my other EQ7 projects!
Direct links to the magically shrunken versions of the above blocks:
I hope my little review of Quilt Assistant is useful to you. If you’re still on the fence about designing your own paper pieced patterns or about using design software and you’re looking to draft individual blocks, give it a try. It’s a nifty tool, it’s free, and if you decide to upgrade to EQ7, all your QA work is exportable!
Visit the Quilt Assistant Website
A footnote: I am reviewing QA because I want to and for no other reason, but if you happen to take up pattern drafting, consider becoming a Fandom In Stitches Designer! Fandom In Stitches is my all-fandom quilt pattern site featuring Harry Potter, The Hobbit, Doctor Who, Sesame Street and much, much more! All the patterns are free and all the designers are volunteers!
To celebrate the Tabby Face Block Lotto, use coupon code TABBY in my Etsy shop to receive 10% off your total order during the month of September!
Time is running out!
Learn to paper piece with me now through December with my full-length video workshop available only through STITCHED. You get access to over 20 classes AND instructors and registration is now only $40! Click for details.
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p.s. TTMT is on it’s way. 😉
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