Category Archives: paper piecing

Hello, boys!

While working on another project this morning, I needed to delve into one of my many sample boxes.

The gents from Monster Madness were on top and I could not resist getting them out for an impromptu photo!

Originally intended for a book that I wrote in 2008 – 2009, these handsome fellas are available as the Monster Madness set or as individual patterns on Craftsy!

Also be sure to look for their bonus buddy, I want my Mummy!

Stop by on Saturday to see the November installment of Paper Piecing Vintage! Still haven’t signed up? You can do that now! Don’t forget to share your photos for a chance to win the October prize:

Stop by the Sewhooked flickr group and share photos of your quilt blocks & projects made from Sewhooked patterns, including Paper Piecing Vintage or any other pattern (free or for sale) designed by me. You will each photo you share (one entry per project), you will be entered to win your choice of THREE individual block patterns ($2.95 or less each) from my Craftsy Shop!

Click on the banner to go Sewhooked flickr group. Winner to be announced November 3, 2014!

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Don’t stop…designing!

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Well, I suppose a better way to say that would be “don’t stop updating!”

The above images are all my original Harry Potter paper pieced designs, the ones that inspired my now-defunct group Harry Potter Paper Piecing and were the petri dish for Fandom In Stitches.

My Magical Lens, my first Harry Potter quilt, completed in 2007. I started designing these patterns in 2004.

I’m giving all of my pre-2010 patterns a facelift to make them easier to read and current with where my design style has evolved to. Back in 2010, when I was designing The Project of Doom, I started using EQ7 to draw my patterns. It changed the way I design and while I still use multiple softwares for entire patterns, all of my drafts start in EQ7.

With very few exceptions, I draw all of my patterns entirely from scratch and I’ve had a complete blast going back through images I created years ago and updating them to share with all my fellow Harry Potter fans that are still creating their quilts.

All I ask in return is that you not make items to sell from my patterns. These are free for your personal and non-profit use. Use them for charity or yourself, but not for sale, please.

You can find all my my updated Harry Potter patterns right here on Sewhooked and on Fandom In Stitches under Harry Potter. I started at the top and am currently through the Quidditch patterns. Here on Sewhooked, looked for “updated 2014” for those patterns that have been recently improved for your sewing enjoyment.

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If you love my free patterns, then I’d ask if you’d very kindly considering buying a pattern or two from my Craftsy shop. Selling patterns is how I am able to continue to do and share all the things I do and I appreciate each and every purchase!

Share your projects made from any Sewhooked pattern with the Sewhooked flickr group in September, including Paper Piecing Vintage, and you’ll be entered to win a free copy of Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends, Set 1: Monster Madness. The set includes 5″ patterns for all the classic monsters shown…just in time for Halloween! Winner coming soon!

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Jack and Few Other Thing

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Union Jack

5″ x 8″ paper pieced

a free pattern designed for Fandom In Stitches

One of the great joys of running a fandom website like Fandom In Stitches is the never ending variety of requests. On any given day, there are over 100 requests in the spreadsheet that the FiS Designers share.

This freebie is one such pattern.

I have to admit, the Union Jack, as well as a whole slew of other flags, is included in the patterns that come with EQ7, the design software that I use to design most of my patterns. There are actually a ton of patterns in the software that can be used, adapted, etc. What I did with this was to change the size, color and number the pattern and make it available as a PDF so it’s free and easy to use.

The Union Jack is just the tip of the iceberg for my recent free design work. I’ve been furiously going through my older patterns and updating them one at a time. You’ll find those under Free Patterns with the notation “updated 2014.”

I started designing at the end of 2004 or so, and many of my patterns haven’t been updated since then. Back in those days, I drew everything out in Photoshop. Those early patterns are still quite usable, but they aren’t as clean and easy to read as my current patterns. I suppose it’s obvious to say that I’ve improved a lot in the ten years I’ve been designing quilt patterns! With that in mind, I’m updating everything to fit with my current style and to make it much easier for you to use.

Here are just a few of the updates you’ll find. Click on the image to go to the pattern. For even more updates, check out Free Patterns . These will also be added to Craftsy, as time permits.

There are more pattern updates on the way, posted as I have time to get them online!

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How to Enlarge & Reduce Quilt Patterns with Adobe Reader

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Edited to add: This tutorial was written in 2014. It may not work with all versions of Adobe Reader. You can also use the chart below to enlarge patterns on printers that include that feature. Thanks!

Today, I’m sharing a rare mirror post with my fandom site, Fandom In Stitches, but this is more than worth posting twice.

I read and answer a lot (and by a lot, I mean tons!) of email for both Sewhooked and Fandom in Stitches and the question I answer most often is this: How do I resize a quilt block pattern?

The easiest way to ENLARGE or REDUCE a quilt block pattern is to print it as a poster using Adobe Reader and the chart below.

If I don’t have the size you need, I’ve got you covered! Here’s the formula used to get the size you need:

enlrage formula sewhooked


ENLARGE OR REDUCE PATTERNS USING THIS SCALE
			Pattern Size Needed
	4″	5″	6″	7″	8″	9″	10″	11″	12″
Pattern Size
4″	100%	125%	150%	175%	200%	225%	250%	275%	300%
5″	80%	100%	120%	140%	160%	180%	200%	220%	240%
6″	67%	83%	100%	117%	133%	150%	167%	183%	200%
7″	52%	71%	88%	100%	114%	128%	143%	152%	171%
8″	50%	62%	75%	87%	100%	112%	125%	137%	150%
9″	44%	55%	66%	77%	88%	100%	111%	122%	133%
10″	40%	50%	60%	70%	80%	90%	100%	110%	120%
11″	36%	45%	54%	63%	72%	81%	90%	100%	109%
12″	34%	42%	50%	59%	67%	78%	84%	93%	100%

Follow these steps and use the chart below to make it even easier:

Download the PDF quilt block pattern file.
Open pattern in Adobe Reader.
Open the Print dialog (shown below) by clicking the printer icon.
Choose which Pages to Print. In the example “All” is chosen, but if there is an instruction page, skip that and just enlarge the pattern pages. It may be least confusing to enlarge one page at a time.
Under Paper Sizing & Handling, choose Poster (see image).
Determine the starting Pattern Size and the chart below to determine what percentage to enlarge to Pattern Size Needed. For example, to print a 5″ pattern at 10″, Tile Scale (see below) will need to be 200%.
Print these instructions for easy reference.

Big thanks to Fandom In Stitches Designer Addie Clark for sharing the poster printing tip over on the Fandom In Stitches Facebook Group.

♥

Join the Sewhooked Facebook Group for community, support & occasional prizes! I’m there, as are many friends of Sewhooked.

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Paper Piecing Vintage – August

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Welcome to August!

It’s hard to believe, but after today’s update, there are only four more blocks to go in Paper Piecing Vintage!

Today, I bring you a slightly different take on a very classic block, the Spider Web. I call mine Caught in the Web!

As with all the blocks from PPV, Caught in the Web is entirely paper pieced and both 6″ and 12″ patterns are included.

Your August PPV update includes a surprise Bonus Block (not pictured)!

Caught in the Web, by Jennifer Ofenstein (sewhooked.com)

Already registered? Download your updated BOM file now!

Save some time by following these bonus directions:

The 12″ pattern includes only one page. Make four copies and lay out the pieces following the included lettered units and using the 6″ pattern as a guideline.
For simple pre-cutting, use a strip of fabric and alternate pieces for triangles (see photo). This works on either size block and for many other PPV designs, too!
Save time by chain piecing like pattern pieces.
Have fun!

Thanks to your generosity, I have already received many wonderful 6″ signature block for the Paper Piecing Vintage Signature Quilt!

If you have not yet shared yours, I will be accepting Signature Blocks until December 31, 2014. See your pattern for details and check out our Facebook Group for photos of blocks received so far!

Haven’t signed up for Paper Piecing Vintage yet? Registration for the entire year is just $12. That’s 12 patterns in two sizes (plus the occasional bonus!), entirely paper pieced for one awesome price! All patterns for the year to date are included when you download. Upcoming patterns will be added for you to download the first of each month in 2014.

Sign up for Paper Piecing Vintage now!

There is still time to win this month’s Sewhooked flickr prize! In July, ALL photos of projects made from Sewhooked patterns, including Paper Piecing Vintage and College Days, that are shared with the Sewhooked flickr group will be entered to win a copy of my pattern Topsy-Turvy Trees! Winner to be announced Monday August 4, 2014.

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Featured Pattern: Wee Lil’ Penguin (2 sizes, paper pieced), just $2.95!

College Days Blog Hop – GO TEAM!

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Welcome, College Days blog hoppers! Enjoy the free pattern shared here today and make sure to read through to the end to find out how to win a free pattern set from my Craftsy shop!

Go Team - Finished Block

Go Team! (free pattern)

or…get it on Craftsy (also free!)

a 10″ pattern to paper piece

The College Days blog hop comes at a time when we’re just a few weeks away from my own daughter returning to her university for her second full year of college studies.

We live in Texas, and the fall in Texas means football. I’m a high school marching band mom and I won’t lie, I’m not much of a sports fan…I attend games for the music!

Anyway, while thinking about how to tackle this pattern, one thing kept coming back to me: the university bunting I myself hung on my wall while in college. All universities have a team of some variety, whether it be football, baseball, rugby or quidditch!

Need some help with paper piecing?

Check out my FREE full-length paper piecing workshop!

Go Team - Close Up

Go Team in UNT Mean Green colors. Caw!

The are the colors of my alma mater, Sul Ross State University!

This is for The University of Texas, my hubby’s favorite.

Go Team - Hogwarts Colors

My brilliant friend and faithful pattern tester, Amber, suggested that this design would be perfect in Hogwarts House colors. She is, of course, absolutely right!

As a special bonus, leave a comment letting me know your favorite university team or alma mater for a chance to win a free copy of my Holly Jolly pattern set! Already own Holly Jolly or would prefer something else? The winner can choose any other pattern or patterns of equivalent value from my Craftsy shop!

While you’re here, I’d like to invite you to a couple of events going on right now!

Join me and lots of other quilters for Paper Piecing Vintage! Registration for the entire year is just $12. That’s 12 patterns in two sizes (plus the occasional bonus!), entirely paper pieced for one awesome price! All patterns for the year to date are included when you download. Upcoming patterns will be added for you to download the first of each month in 2014.

On my fandom website, Fandom In Stitches, every Wednesday into September, we invite designers of all experience levels to join us to design patterns for a new theme and help bring fun, free, fandom-themed patterns to our quilting community!

Last, but not least, the chance to win another prize! This month, ALL photos of projects made from Sewhooked patterns, including Paper Piecing Vintage and College Days, that are shared with the Sewhooked flickr group will be entered to win a copy of my pattern Topsy-Turvy Trees!

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Featured Pattern: Wee Lil’ Penguin (2 sizes, paper pieced), just $2.95!

Paper Piecing Vintage – July

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July is here and we are now seven months into our Block of the Month!

Today is, of course, is the day we enjoy the new Paper Piecing Vintage pattern!

This month, we celebrate a very traditional block that is usually created with applique, Lily of the Valley.

As with all the blocks from PPV, Lily of the Valley is entirely paper pieced and both 6″ and 12″ patterns are included.

Lily of the Valley, by Jennifer Ofenstein (sewhooked.com)

Already registered? Download your updated BOM file now!

Like many of the PPV blocks, the pieces for Lily of the Valley are easy to pre-cut with a little measuring before you start.

Save some time by following these bonus directions:

Lily of the Valley includes patterns for two flowers that are mirror image (four flowers make the block). You will need two copies of each.
For the 12″ pattern, circle or highlight the letters that go with one flower (A, B, C) using the 6″ pattern as a reference.
Save time by chain piecing like pattern pieces.
Have fun!

Thanks to your generosity, I have already received many wonderful 6″ signature block for the Paper Piecing Vintage Signature Quilt!

If you have not yet shared yours, I will be accepting Signature Blocks until December 31, 2014. See your pattern for details and check out our Facebook Group for photos of blocks received so far!

Sign up for Paper Piecing Vintage now!

Share your Paper Piecing Vintage photos with the Sewhooked flickr group for a chance to win fun prizes all year long. The June prize is a free PDF copy of my original pattern, Poppies from the Past! Winner to be announced the Monday, July 7.

Join the Paper Piecing Vintage Facebook Group for exclusive content and to sew with friends!

Need some help with paper piecing? Check out my FREE full-length workshop.

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Featured Pattern: Topsy-Turvy Trees, just $7 on Craftsy!

Okay, fandom? Okay.

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TFiOS Okay? Okay. a free fandom pattern by Jennifer Ofenstein

Also on the Fiction & Literature page on Fandom In Stitches

I get a lot of emails from readers of both Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches and one of the comments I receive more than any other is “why aren’t your fandom patterns on Sewhooked?”

Well, isn’t that a good question?

Back in 2012, I split Sewhooked in two when I established Fandom in Stitches. My collection of fandom patterns designed by myself and my friends had grown so huge that it was actually crashing my website. After a lot of rearranging, I eventually decided that those fandom patterns needed a home of their own.

Everything that was Harry Potter Paper Piecing, the Twilight Block of the Month (designed by Cat Magraith), and a slew of other fandom-themed patterns by both myself and my designer friends were the beginning of Fandom in Stitches.

When I split Sewhooked, I moved all those fandom patterns to make Sewhooked friendlier and easier to navigate. The unanticipated side effect is that you, my beloved and loyal readers, often don’t realize that I design for more than one website, so when I share a pattern like The Fault In Our Stars: Okay? Okay. (above), you may never see it.

10″ TARDIS

also on the Doctor Who page on Fandom In Stitches

So, by popular request, I have compiled my collection of fandom-themed patterns designed by me and put them together on their own page here on Sewhooked!

Each and every one is absolutely free for your personal & non-profit use.

Harry Potter Patterns on Sewhooked

Find more Harry Potter on Fandom In Stitches

Find my free fandom patterns and many more by other excellent designers on fandominstitches.com. All patterns are absolutely free. All we ask in return is that you use them for personal & non-profit use only. We wouldn’t say no to sharing your photos either!

I love to share free patterns and continue to do so by your generous support of my Craftsy shop. Thank you so much for shopping Sewhooked and supporting Indie Designers. 😀

Share your Paper Piecing Vintage photos with the Sewhooked flickr group for a chance to win fun prizes all year long. The May prize includes the bundle of fabric and two Sewhooked-themed pin back buttons above! Winner to be chosen Monday, June 2, 2014.

Need some help with paper piecing? Check out my FREE full-length workshop.

Featured pattern: Runic Alphabet, now just $9 on Craftsy!

How to Add & Sell a Pattern on Craftsy

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Hi there Sewhooked friends!

As you probably know by now, I am an independant pattern designer, sharing patterns both here and on Fandom In Stitches, selling on Etsy and Craftsy and with the occasional pattern published in a magazine.

While I started designing years before Craftsy existed, it is the existence of Craftsy that kicked my ability to design and share both my free and for sale patterns to a wider crafty audience. What is most helpful to me as an indie designer with limited resources is that Craftsy is free for me to use. FREE. If you are a Designer, you know how hard it can be to scrape a living selling patterns. There are a million patterns online and many, many of them free. Making money in this industry is hard, but thanks to Craftsy, it’s a little bit easier and I can keep on doing what I love.

Without Craftsy, I would not had a venue for Paper Piecing Vintage, the 2014 Sewhooked Block of the Month, an event that I’ve not only loved creating but, here’s that word again, sharing!

Many of my readers are also Designers and I know at least a few of you lovely people that have indicated you would like to share your patterns but you don’t know where to start. I have some super useful information directly from Craftsy that will help you get started!

Want to design, but don’t know where to start?

We have some great resources over on Fandom In Stitches to help get you going!

I’d like to add that you do not have to sell patterns on Craftsy to share patterns. You can opt to share patterns for free. For my Designer friends that work on fandom patterns, FREE is always your best choice. Keep in mind the moment you start selling fandom-related patterns, you violate laws surrounding derivative work and risk copyright infringement.

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through.

In addition to wonderful online courses and craft supplies, Craftsy also has an independent online pattern store that lets anyone upload and sell downloadable e-patterns with no fee!

How do you add a pattern to Craftsy and start your pattern store? It’s easy!

1. Make sure you have a Paypal account. All pattern transactions happen through Paypal, and Craftsy requires that you have a Student, Premier, or Business account in order to sell patterns.
2. Put your pattern in .pdf format. You can’t upload any patterns to the online pattern store unless they’re a .pdf file format, so if they’re currently saved as a Word doc, .jpg, or other file format, you must convert it to a .pdf before you upload it to Craftsy. (See Fandom In Stitches for some easy ways to do this.)
3. Include a photo. All patterns must have at least one photo to accompany them, but you can add up to five photos. Colorful, interesting photos tend to work the best for catching our members’ eyes!
4. Fill out the pattern description. We will ask you some basic questions around your pattern making it easier for Craftsy folk to find your pattern and know what your pattern is for. Make sure you have info about your pattern handy for this step.

For more information on how to sell a pattern through Craftsy, or to get started, visit Craftsy today!

Be sure to stop by Sewhooked on April 30 for a sneak peek of my block in the upcoming Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks and for a chance to win fun prizes!

PPV Prize April 2014

Share your Paper Piecing Vintage photos with the Sewhooked flickr group in April and you’ll have a chance to win a copy of Quilts From 100 Blocks, Fall 2013 (includes a pattern designed by me!) as well as copies of my patterns Poppies from the Past and My Kitchen Window!

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Featured Pattern: Bluebonnet to Hand Embroider, just $2 on Craftsy!

Hey Peeps!

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Spring must be in the air, because my Peeps pattern, first released spring of 2013, has been getting a lot of attention over on Craftsy!

Thank you to everyone that has downloaded this fun (and totally free!) pattern.

Need some Peeps? Get them here!

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Find all of my for sale patterns

(and many of my free ones!)

on Craftsy,

including 72 single block designs

that will be $2 during March.

In April, all $2 patterns will be $2.95.

Share your Paper Piecing Vintage photos with the Sewhooked flickr group in March and you’ll have a chance to win Bonnie Hunter’s awesome book String Fling as well as a copy of my pattern Aces High!