Category Archives: Quilts & Quilting

Make A Mini Valentine

One of the best things about paper pieced patterns is that they are so easy to scale.

The great majority of the patterns I design finish 5″, which makes the math a bit easier. Want a 10″ block? Print at 200%. Want a 1.5″ block? Print at 30%.

Miniatures have long been a favorite of mine. They work up quickly and are just so darn adorable when you’re done!

Use Scrappy Heart in miniature and some card stock and you’ve got yourself a cute, fast handmade Valentine for your sweetie!

When choosing a paper pieced pattern to miniaturize, the simpler the pattern the better. Choose a pattern that is all one piece or only a few individual pieces. The more paper pieces you have to work with, the trickier your pattern will get and the thicker the seams will be.

For the Valentine’s Card you’ll need:

Scrappy Heart (pattern updated Feb. 2012) or other heart pattern, printed at 30% OR use my 1.5″ heart sets with 12 patterns per page
scrap fabrics in reds, pinks and whites
pink or red thread
a piece of card stock, whatever size pleases you, but big enough to fold in half OR pre-folded blank cards
a sewing machine
scissors
rotary cutter & ruler
wall paper or seam roller (optional)
dry iron

What to do:

Print your scaled pattern (shown here with the original 5″)

OR use the 1.5″ pattern sets created just for this tutorial (added Feb. 2012)

Piece the block like you would any other

Paper Piecing: Step By Step

When piecing in miniature, the smaller your seam allowance, the better. I like a scant 1/8″

This is your block finished from the back and the front.

Follow the stitching line around the block. This will make it possible to remove the paper without stretching the bias edges. Contrasting thread shown.

Remove the paper from the block.

**note – normally, the paper needs to stay on the block until it is pieced in it’s final destination, but because we are appliqueing it, that’s not an option here**

card stock and wall paper or seam roller

Fold the card stock in half, and press the crease with the wall paper roller. The same effect can be achieved with a scoring tool.

Position the block on the front of the card. Use a zig zag or other decorative stitch to applique in place.

Now fill the inside with sweet nothings and you’re ready to give it to your Valentine!

Get lots of free patterns right here on Sewhooked!

Add your Sewhooked-related photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post.

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Announcement: Guest Blogger on Quilting Gallery

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It’s Guest Blogger Month on Quilting Gallery. Yours truly is today’s Guest Blogger!

I had a great time writing up the post and collecting quilty photos and would like thank Michele from Quilting Gallery for including me in such an awesome project.

There’s a prize from me for the first five commenters, so be sure and have a look.

Don’t forget about the Friends of sewhooked challenge!

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Paper Piecing: It Seams To Me

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Paper Piecing – Adding Seam Allowance to a pattern that doesn’t have it.

Occasionally, someone will tell me they don’t like to have seam allowances on paper pieced patterns.

Everyone’s got their own preferences, so it doesn’t bother me. If you don’t like them, they’re easy enough to cut off patterns that have them.

My personal preference is definitely for seam allowance. A related question I’m regularly asked is if there is an easy way to add seam allowance to a pattern that doesn’t include it.

Yes, absolutely there is!

You need access to a copier, but beyond that, no special tools and only a few minutes of your time are needed.

If you don’t own a copy machine or scanner, you can trace the pattern with tracing paper, adding the seam allowance as you go. That will work best with simple patterns, but if you’re really patient, it will work for any pattern.

Also included are suggestions for labeling and recording sewing order for later piecing.

You’ll need:

the pattern of your choice (the example is an unfinished pattern of mine)
a copy machine or printer/scanner with copy function
graph paper, any grid size
a ruler
rotary cutter with a blade for cutting paper (optional, but it’s much easier than using scissors)
a red or colored pen or map color
fabric safe markers or pens (crayons are shown, but those are riskier and I no longer recommend them)

Print the pattern of your choice.

Using your ruler, draw over the lines where the pattern pieces separate (the seam lines), making sure you go past the outside edges of the pattern. Red is used here because it’s easy to see.

If the pattern does not have a line indicating where the outside edge is, I recommend adding one with your ruler.

If the individual pieces aren’t labeled and you think you might need it later, label them now. This is especially useful in more complicated patterns. I like to use letters (A, B, C), but you can mark them any way you like. If you need to, make a notation of how the pieces will go back together, for example: A>B>C.

Use the rotary cutter to neatly trim the pattern to the seam lines, cutting through those that go across the pattern. You can use scissors here, but you need to be extremely precise.

Place the pattern pieces face up on a piece of graph paper, using a dot of glue or piece of tape to hold them in place.

Any size grid will do. The grid will make the seam allowance distinctive without using up too much ink. You can also use a lightly colored copy paper.

Place the grid paper face down on your copy machine or scanner and make a copy.

A colored copy (L) and a black & white copy (R). Either works fine.

Using your ruler and red pen or map pencil, draw lines along the inside seams. This will give you a reference point for lining up your pieces later.

See: Paper Piecing: Step By Step for instructions.

If you’d like the pieces of your pattern colored for easy reference while you’re piecing, now is a great time for that. Grab a fabric safe marker or pen and color away! This is a great trick to use if you’re piecing with more than two colors so you don’t accidentally mis-piece any fabrics. Note from future me: don’t use crayons, they melt. 😐

Using your rotary cutter and dull or paper-designated blade, trim the pattern pieces, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. It’s easy to see the grid left from photocopying.

Repeat on all pattern pieces and you’re done! The pattern has seam allowance and you’re ready to piece.

Also check out: Paper Piecing: Step By Step

Happy crafting!

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links to help cover the cost of my website. I thank you for your generous support. ♥

Paper Piecing: Holly Jolly Christmas

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Last week, I shared three paper pieced patterns for Lil’ St. Nick, Mrs. Claus and Santa’s Elf.

ETA July 12, 2010 – These patterns will be available again November 2010 through the Sewhooked Shop.

Over the weekend, those three patterns were combined with a new pattern, Little Wonky Christmas Tree to give you the wall hanging shown, made for our friends, Eric & Dominae.

Little Wonky Christmas Tree

5″ paper pieced pattern
©Jennifer Ofenstein
http://www.sewhooked.org

The wall hanging was created by sewing the blocks two by two with a 1.5″ strip of fabric in between the two rows.

The border is also 1.5″, in the background fabric.

Echo quilted by machine.

The star on top of the tree (which was received as part of a craftster swap!) is attached with fabric glue.

Hand stamped label on the back and large jump rings for hanging.

find more paper pieced patterns on sewhooked

As always, if you make any pattern or craft from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the Friends of sewhooked flickr group.

Happy crafting

also posted on craftster, cut out + keep and deviant art

Guest Designer Spotlight: Julie Pyka

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Patterns designed by Julie Pyka

click on photo for pattern

This week in the Guest Designer Spotlight is Julie Pkya. Julie is a quilting gem I met through hp_paperpiecing. The first block Julie shared with me was her Dobby, which remains one of my favorites she’s designed. Her wonderful Howler block was the winner of the hp_paperpiecing Design A Harry Potter Paper Pieced Block Challenge.

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First name and where you’re from: Julie- San Diego, California

Website/blog/online store or other place where your patterns or photos of your work can be found? – patterns/pictures on sewhooked and just photos on yahoogroup, PCPiecers.

How long have you been paper piecing and/or quilting? – I can’t remember when I first started quilting, but really the last two years I have become a more serious sewer. I started paper piecing this last summer. I made my first paper piece quilt called Crazy Birds. (http://quiltmaker.com/currentissue/qatf13/project1/) and of course the Harry Potter blocks.

What do you use your own blocks for? – I make quilts that are usually lap size.

When did you start designing? – This past summer I started designing portraits of presidents.

Was there a particular inspiration to draw your first pattern? – I was making a quilt top with my mom and grandmother were you take fat quarters and stack them together and for the number of fabrics the number of cuts you make. Then you shuffle and piece them back together. That’s when it dawned on me that this is exactly how paper piecing works.

Do you remember what your first design was? – My first pattern I designed was President Benjamin Harrison. I am planning on designing all of the United States presidents, but it will be awhile before I get them all drawn out.

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Do you have a favorite among your own designs? My favorite pattern is the Howler I designed for the September challenge.

How has the online community changed the way you craft/quilt/design, etc.? – A few Yahoo groups and Sewhooked is really helping me grow. It wasn’t before joining and being active within these online communities that I have tried new techniques and expanded the level of difficulity. Now instead of whiping together straight sewing that takes a weekend I am putting a lot of work and have a lot more pride in my finished pieces.

What do you use to design your patterns? Paper and pencil, a specific software, etc. – I start with pencil in paper and scan them into Adobe Photoshop CS. The online tutorial that you created really helped me figure out how to make it clean and perfessional. THANX!

find more of Julie’s patterns on the sewhooked Guest Designer Page

Happy Crafting!

Paper Piecing: A little more Christmas

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Lil’ St. Nick was such a hit that I had to give him some friends! I hope you like Mrs. Claus and Santa’s Elf just as much.

While I’m here, I’ll let you in on a little secret. I rarely design a pattern with a final project in mind. I draw whatever makes me happy and it ends up being wherever it needs to be.

Today, it’s Christmas!

5″ paper pieced patterns
©Jennifer Ofenstein
http://www.sewhooked.com

Santa’s Elf

Mrs. Claus

ETA July 12, 2010 – These patterns will be available through the Sewhooked Shop November 2010..

For more paper pieced patterns, be sure to visit sewhooked.

Just for fun, I created a Christmas Quilts group over on flickr. Post yours and oogle, too!

As always, if you make any pattern or craft from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the Friends of Sewhooked flickr group.

Happy crafting

also posted on craftster

Paper Piecing: Lil’ St. Nick

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Lil’ St. Nick

5″ paper pieced pattern
©Jennifer Ofenstein
http://www.sewhooked.org

This adorable wee Santa jumped right out of my head today. I carried him all through the supermarket, telling him to hush, we’d go home soon. The moment the last grocery was put away, my laptop was out, Photoshop fired up, and Lil’ St. Nick was having his say.

I love the way he turned out and I hope he puts you in the holiday spirit!

As always, if you make any pattern or craft from sewhooked, I’d love to see a photo. Email me or add it to the Friends of Sewhooked flickr group.

Happy crafting

also posted on craftster

Guest Designer Spotlight: Sonja Callahan

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Patterns Designed by Sonja Callahan
click on image for pattern

This week in the Guest Designer Spotlight is Sonja Callahan. I first became aware of Sonja’s work when we both participated in the Tiny Quilt Challenge over on craftster. Her entry, The Red Fairy, caught my attention immediately, because magic, fantasy and whimsy are my favorite subjects. Neither of us won that challenge, but I never did forget that block!

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First name and where you’re from: Sonja, British Columbia, Canada

Website/blog/online store or other place where your patterns or photos of your work can be found? Blog; Etsy store; Flickr

How long have you been paper piecing and/or quilting? Oh boy. The first quilt I made was for my daughter when I was pregnant with her back in 2001. I saw a simple pattern in a Martha Stewart magazine that got me thinking. I first tried paper piecing around 2003, I think the first block I tried was a little frog. Well no, that’s not exactly right. That was the first block that actually looked like it was supposed to. It took me literally 4 separate attempts at a beginners pattern to actually do it right!

What do you use own your blocks for? Oh all sorts of various projects from zippered bags, to coasters, pillows and of course quilts! One of my favorite pieces now adorns the outside pocket of my daughter’s backpack.

When did you start designing? In the summer of 2006.

Was there a particular inspiration to draw your first pattern? I wasn’t really finding the sort of patterns that I was looking for and really wanted to sew a detailed fairy.

Do you remember what your first design was? The Red Fairy

Do you have a favorite among your own designs? Can’t I choose them all? Ok ok, since I have to choose…. It would be a tie between Mister Gnome, The Red Fairy, and the little gnome offspring, Gnomeling and Gnomlette.

What do you use to design your patterns? Paper and pencil, a specific software, etc. I use Corel Draw 4x and Corel Photo Pro 2x.

How has the online community changed the way you craft/quilt/design, etc.? Oh wow, what an amazing source of inspiration! I tell you, there is no way I would have ever even tried paper piecing if it wasn’t for all the free patterns that can be found online. Back when I was first starting up, I found http://www.Craftster.org. while looking for a zippered pocket tutorial. Oh wow, I didn’t even know I wanted to sew purses until I saw that website. I’ve been inspired to sew, design, paint, knit, crochet, quilt, swap etc. from all the great websites and blogs that I’ve been finding over the years. I feel so lucky to have this incredible wealth of information and inspiration (don’t even get me started on http://www.art.com!), and all the support to be found right at my fingertips! I’m blown away sometimes by the friendships that form between people who have never met, but share a common creative pastime. Knowing just how isolating it can be when you’re a stay at home mom to a tiny little baby, I’ve found this to be a great comfort, and it has gotten me through many lonely, insomnia-filled nights, and blurry, exhausting days.

Anything else you’d like to add? What I find just so awe-inspiring and wonderful, is how a simple little blog of a talented crafty mother, can introduce opportunities into her life that would have never been possible without the internet. I’m seeing women being invited to display their work halfway around the world because a buyer from Japan happened across her blog. http://oneredrobin.com . Or how a young, and very talented knitter/designer who was simply posting about her hobby while she pursued other methods of creative employment, ended up suddenly being offered the editors job at Interweave press! http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit

I find this so amazing! I often think about how hard it must have been, before the internet, to get anywhere as an artist. Never mind a stay at home mom who longs do something with her seemingly hidden talent. It was only 15 or so years ago when women fought hard to get their music played as often as male musicians on the radio. *go Sarah Maclaughlan go* I feel like it’s free reign here on the internet. It really has opened the doors of opportunity wide open, especially for women and mothers. If you’re passionate about something, you’ll either find yourself a nice group of like-minded people, or you will attract them. It’s beautiful, and I’m so thankful!
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find more of Sonja’s free patterns on the Guest Designer page at sewhooked

Happy Crafting!

Paper Piecing: Free Patterns Around the Web

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free patterns available here

Oh, paper piecing, how do I love thee, let me count the ways…

Paper piecing (or foundation piecing) is the medium that has set my art free. It has only happened once or twice (so far!) that I have been defeated my efforts to create a new pattern. For the most part, I can look at an image and see the pattern inside it. It’s something that makes me giddy, connected to myself in a way I never knew before, gloriously happy, excited and (occasionally) frustrated all at once.

It’s what I do most, both making and designing blocks. I regularly post free patterns on Sewhooked and Fandom In Stitches. Even so, I am far from being the only free resource online.

I have lots of paper piecing books in my crafty library as well as inexpensive patterns by independent designers much like myself.

If you’re just starting or maybe a little pinched in the pocket, free patterns can get you sewing and keep you sewing!

Support Sewhooked, visit my Shop!

Here are some great free pattern resources. If I’ve missed one of your favorites or you find a broken link, please leave a comment below.

Fandom In Stitches – Multi-Fandom quilt patterns designed by fans, for fans

Artisania – Gnomes and mushrooms and Halloween, oh my! (many of Sonja’s patterns are available on the Free Quilt Pattern page here at Sewhooked).

Liljabs – free patterns from friend and fellow designer Lilja, many of which are also available on Fandom In Stitches.

Free Patterns from Carol Doak – geometrical beauties by the Queen of Paper Piecing.

Block Central – lots of cute patterns, including books to make a bookcase quilt.

Quiltmaker has a number of free paper pieced patterns in their directory. Search “paper pieced.”

Equilters has a number of paper pieced patterns that are spread throughout the site’s pages

Ulas Free Patterns – lovely patterns including a variety of New York Beauty Blocks, various animals, Coat of Arms and more

Paper Panache

free patterns

Winnowing by Christine Thresh (free patterns are at the bottom) – Support A Cause Ribbons, flags, chicks and more

Ginger’s Paper Pieced Patterns – Cats, Christmas and more

PC Piecers Free Patterns – great patterns from Nautical to Holiday themed

Quilter’s Cache, the motherload for free quilt patterns, has a number of free paper pieced patterns for whole quilts and individual blocks. You’ll need to do a little seek and find through the directory to find the whole-quilt patterns.

Quilt design’s BOM – some free patterns, including a lovely log cabin project

The Quilted Snail – a nice sized collection with a large variety of blocks

Free Paper Pieced Patterns from Patchpieces – paper pieced patterns and projects

Quilt dot com – a nice collection of beginner blocks

Four Twin Sisters has a number of free paper pieced patterns, but they do not have their own directory. Look for the patterns marked “paper pieced”

Piece By Number – Geometrics, plants and animals and more

Regina Grewe – a wonderful site with an ever changing collection of free patterns.

Victoriana Quilt Designs, specifically the Ocean Waves quilt pattern.

Quiltiger – a variety of free paper pieced patterns

Compuquilt – a variety of free patterns, many of them paper pieced.

Kitten’s Mittens – a variety of patterns, including a complete Kanji alphabet

Charise Creates – check the sidebar under “Complimentary Patterns”

Whims and Fancies – fun fandom patterns, British themed and more

Ruthie Quilts – free wonky houses

If you’re just starting and would like to learn paper piecing, check out my

Step by Step Tutorial!

Add your Sewhooked photos to my flickr group and you might be featured in a future post!