Tag Archives: foundation piecing

Free Pattern Friday – Virtual Hugs!

hugs title

Surprise, it’s a Free Pattern Friday!

As a person who loves to give and receive hugs, I have found the current social distancing a little trying.

Without being to give out REAL HUGS, I’ve decided to share with you, my online friends, Virtual Hugs!

Make the size you want and give yourself a Virtual Hug from me to you. Share them with your friends and family, too. We could all use a few more hugs right now! ♥

Print or Save Virtual Hugs (Google Drive)

The pattern includes both 6″ & 12″ (finished)

Massive thanks go out to my dear friend and long time pattern tester Amber for getting this super simple pattern tested and for always, always being a fantastic proof-reader!

hugs by amber

Amber’s 6″ Virtual Hugs!

hugs by amber 12in

Amber’s 12″ Virtual Hugs!

 

How to Enlarge & Reduce Patterns using Adobe ReaderWant another size? I can help with that!

sewhooked sew along 2020

Join us for a free sew along and safe socializing over in the Sewhooked Facebook Group! Patterns and other details are available when you join us!

 

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Facebook Group Sew Along

sewhooked sew along 2020

Hello, dear friends!

In this crazy time when many of us find our usual activities canceled and ourselves restricted to our homes, I thought a fun, free entirely-online social activity might help us all continue to feel active and connected.

I’m hosting a very informal quilt along over on the Sewhooked Facebook Group.

There are three projects to choose from but there is no schedule and there are no assignments. You pick your project from the three below and we’ll all of sewing along together while sharing our photos and discussion in the Sewhooked Facebook Group.

Participants can choose from the following projects:

Frosted Firs Title

Frosted Firs
(pattern available for free when you join the Sewhooked Facebook Group)

happy hour title happy hour title 2
Happy Hour 1 & Happy Hour 2
(pattern available for free when you join the Sewhooked Facebook Group)

Clover All Over quilt in fabric
Clover All Over
Find the free pattern in on the Sewhooked Free Pattern page.
Also available via the Sewhooked Facebook Group.

I hope to see you there and that sewing with us will bring you some cheer in this strange, strange time.

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Free Pattern Friday (Gran’s Faux Flowers) + How to Paper Piece Crazy Angles!

Gran's Faux Flowers photo

Welcome to Free Pattern Friday!

I am thrilled to share a fun, cheeky, and VERY simple pattern with you today.

hexi

Gran’s Faux Flowers was inspired by the classic hand-pieced hexi pattern called “Grandmother’s Flower Garden” (above) and an idea from my bff, Jewells.

gran old fashioned

Gran’s Faux Flowers doesn’t include the lovely, individual honeycombed pieces. Instead, you get a fun, fast, machine paper pieced version in homage of this quilty classic!

Gran’s Faux Flowers is free for your personal & non-profit use and can be downloaded, printed, or saved using the Google Drive link below.

Gran’s Faux Flowers FREE Pattern
6″ & 10″ paper pieced (6 1/2″ & 10 1/2″ with seam allowance)

Look for fun quilt ideas further down in today’s post!

How to Enlarge & Reduce Patterns using Adobe ReaderWant another size? I can help with that!

Need help piecing angles?

Keep scrolling for a simple tutorial that will help!

If you make this or any Sewhooked pattern, stop by the Sewhooked Facebook group to share your photos or tag me (@sewhookedjen) on Instagram!

Crazy Angle tutorial title

If you have a peek at this pattern, and many, many other paper pieced patterns, you’ll see some not-so-straight angles that might leave you scratching your head, or worse, wasting TONS of fabric to get just right.

I’ve been using the following simple trick for many, many years. I’ve shared it in classes, with friends, on social media, and in my free paper piecing video tutorial. Since making that video way back in 2012, I’ve added a tiny step to this simple trick that makes this trick even easier and more accurate!

So, how on earth do you deal with those wonky angles without wasting a ton of fabric?

Once you learn this EASY method, you’ll never look back!

Used for this tutorial:

  • Gran’s Faux Flowers Unit A. Any pattern with a wonky angle will do!
  • Fabric strip at least 1/2″ – 1″ wider than needed. Works great with scraps!
  • Add-A-Quarter  12″ Ruler. You can also use any quilting ruler 1/4″ markings.
  • Olfa 45mm Rotary Cutter, the rotary cutter of your choice, or scissors if you prefer.
  • Postcard
  • Fabric marker, pencil, pen, etc.
  • Sewing machine with the stitch set to approximately 1.5mm (halfway between 1 & 2 for machines with single numbers).

Crazy Angle tutorial (1)

Using a postcard, fold the pattern piece on the line, just as you would any time you’re paper piecing.

Not sure what I’m talking about? See my full tutorial here.

 Crazy Angle tutorial (2)

With the paper folded back, cut away excess fabric using your rotary cutter. This will be your seam allowance.

If not using an Add-A-Quarter ruler, cut 1/4″ using a rotary ruler.

You can also use scissors, but a rotary cutter and ruler will make the job much easier!

Crazy Angle tutorial (4)

With the paper folded back, place the next piece of fabric RIGHT SIDE DOWN with the edge tucked under the seam allowance cut in the last step.

Crazy Angle tutorial (3)

Open the paper, checking to see if the fabric is placed correctly to cover the entire pattern piece. With more irregular shaped pieces, you may need to slide the fabric around to get it just right.

 Crazy Angle tutorial (5)

Open the paper back up. Make a dot inside the seam allowance on both pieces of fabric. This doesn’t have to be exact. A pencil or fabric marker works great for this. The dot will be inside the seam allowance and will not show.

Place the ruler exactly where it was before and cut again. This time, you are cutting the second fabric.

 Crazy Angle tutorial (6)

This is the key step to make this angle business work…with RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER, find those tiny dots and match the seam allowance. It doesn’t have to be precise, but they do need to be more or less in the same spot.

Pin if you need to, flip and sew as usual.

Crazy Angle tutorial (7)

Open out and press for a perfectly covered pattern piece!

I do hope you found that helpful. The number one question I’m asked is how to deal with wonky angles. This is especially true over in the Project of Doom Facebook Group where we get not just new paper piecers, but brand new quilters!

Now that you know how to tackle the crazy angles, how about some fun ideas to use the easy peasy Gran’s Faux Flowers?

 

Gran's Faux Flower mock quilt 2

12 – 10″ blocks.

Every other quilt block is turned once to the right.

Border + binding.

Simple & fun!

Gran's Faux Flower mock quilt

Just four blocks alternated with background fabric.

Border + Binding.

Even easier than the first!

Gran's Faux Flower mock quilt on point

 

9 Flowers on point with a border + binding.

How sweet is that for a little quilt?!

Get Gran’s Faux Flowers FREE Paper Pieced Pattern!

All designs created by me in EQ8.

medical pattern bundle title

FINAL CALL!!!

Medical Themed patterns –  Medical Themed Bundle (all three patterns), HeartbeatStethoscopeLab Coat are for sale in my Etsy Shop with ALL proceeds during April & May 2019 going to the Action Jaxon Medical Fund.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY! Thank you to everyone who has purchased to help support Jaxon and his family so far! I’ll be announcing the final donation total in my next Talk to Me Tuesday video.

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Free Pattern Friday – Poultry Update!

free-pattern-friday

Earlier this week and as a favor to my BFF, Jewells, I added 10″ versions of two existing free patterns, Sitting Hen and Cat’s Rooster.

I have to say a big thanks to Jewells for giving me a project that I can do while I recover from my ankle sprain! As she said in her TTMT earlier this week, I am NOT good at sitting still!

Find updated versions of both poultry patterns below and on my Free Quilt Pattern page.

Both are paper pieced and both include 5″ and1 10″ finished patterns.

 

Cat's Rooster block image

Cat’s Rooster

Print or Download from Google Drive

sitting hen title

Sitting Hen

Print or Download from Google Drive

If you make either of these patterns or ANY of my other patterns, please consider sharing over on the Sewhooked Facebook Group! There are some really wonderful, supportive people there. ♥

2019 Fat Quarter Lotto

REMINDER! April is my birthday month and you’re invited to help me celebrate by participating in the 5th Annual Fat Quarter Lotto

It’s super easy – send up to four fat quarters & I’ll draw a winner (or winners) “live” on Talk to Me Tuesday on April 30, 2019. There will be 1 winner per 50 fat quarters. Last year we had two winners with 50 fat quarters each and one winner with 25 fat quarters!

Watch last year’s live drawing!

Want an extra entry? Include orphan blocks for The Linus Connection! The Linus Connection is an Austin, TX-based blanket making charity. I use orphan quilt blocks to make quilts to donate. I also share orphan blocks with fellow volunteers to make quilts. Any orphan quilt blocks collected will be turned into quilts for kids in crisis in Central Texas. This collection is personally done by me, Jennifer Ofenstein, and is not sponsored or endorsed by The Linus Connection.

The Sewhooked Fat Quarter Lotto is not a sponsored event and I am not eligible to win. This is just my way to say Thank You for another fun year of sharing! There is no purchase necessary and no obligation to play. I will pay for all return postage.

Click for Details

All entries must be received by April 29, 2019.

ttmt square badge

TTMT 10th Anniversary Info!

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Revisit – Free Pattern Friday, Irish Style!

free-pattern-friday

Hello, my friends! At the moment this was posted, I’m on a Quilt Bus to the Dallas Quilt Show with my awesome quilty friend Dominae!

Because I’m out of town today, it’s easy to admit that I’m recycling an old Free Pattern Friday. 😉

I’m anxious for spring and was going through all my patterns to see which ones use GREEN. I found a lot, but nothing was more obvious than these two patterns.

Enjoy! ☘

irish flag 2017

A 6″ x 8″ pattern to paper piece, this little flag is SUPER fast and easy. It would also work for a variety of other flags by simply switching out the colors as needed.

Check out this Flags of the World Factbook from the CIA. Seriously, it’s really neat!

Save/Print from Google Drive

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Check out the fun fabrics in this Irish Flag made by Abbie D.!

shamrock 2019

Whatever you call it, this shape is kind of everywhere and on everything during March. I have found one four-leaf clover in my life. Also, I kind of love the word Shamrock. It’s a good word! 5″ paper pieced and one of my older patterns, the original version dating back to pre-2010!

Save/Print from Google Drive

Check out these two beauties made by the wonderful Susan I!

Need more help paper piecing? Check out this page of resources I curated just for you!

Want a different size? Check out how to enlarge & reduce quilt patterns using Adobe Reader!

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Free Pattern Friday – Applique?!

free-pattern-friday

Welcome back to Free Pattern Friday! I’m back today with something ALL TOO SHOCKING – A free applique pattern!

Holly Jolly Christmas

REMINDER: All of my for sale Winter and Christmas themed paper pieced patterns are on sale in my Etsy shop through the end of December

Check out the menu on sewhooked.com for ALL of my free patterns!

Smiling Santa Gift Bag Tutorial

If you’ve been around awhile, you may remember the Smiling Santa Gift Bag tutorial I shared some time ago right here on Sewhooked.

Years ago, I would make these sweet felt gift bags for the kiddos in my life. Santa was one of my favorites, but I also made quite a others, too!

Here’s a photo from WAY BACK in 2000. Whew, thank goodness that Millineum thing turned out okay. 😉

reindeer

For this design, I’ve taken my hand-drawn Rudolph templates, played with them in EQ8, and created a 10″ pattern to share.

rudolph title

Please be gentle with me. Designing applique using the software is brand new to me.

Make a quilt block, or use some felt and the Smiling Santa tutorial to make your own Rudolph bag! Want a printable Gift Bag tutorial? Get it here.

>>>Download or Print Young Rudolph to Applique<<<

Like this pattern? Let me know and I might create more fun things for you to applique. 🙂

Here are some of my previous winter freebies! Enjoy!

Sewhooked Snowflake Title

Save/Print from Google Drive

winter mittens title

Download Winter Mittens from Google Drive

mug-o-love-free-pattern

Save/Print from Google Drive

santa hat title

Download from Google Drive

Sweet Sue Title.jpg

Download from Google Drive

Sweet Skating Sue – print or save from Google Drive

Friend Gnome title

Save/Print from Google Docs

holiday house 2017

Save/Print from Google Docs

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Free Pattern Friday – All About Winter!

free-pattern-friday

Welcome back to Free Pattern Friday! It’s been awhile, my friends!

Holly Jolly Christmas

Now through the month of December 2018, all of my for sale Winter and Christmas themed paper pieced patterns are on sale in my Etsy shop! Please note this is ETSY only and not available on Craftsy.

I thought this would be a great time to revisit my FREE winter and Christmas themed patterns, too. My freebies can be mixed and matched freely with the paid pattern sets.

This is a round of up patterns I’ve shared over the years, all paper pieced, all free plus one brand new pattern to share with all of my Sewhooked friends!

If you enjoy my free patterns, I encourage you to purchase a pattern from my Etsy or Craftsy shop. Please do the same for any maker you enjoy who shares free content. It’s how we are able to keep sharing. ♥

Check out the menu on sewhooked.com for ALL of my free patterns!

Sewhooked Snowflake Title

First up, we have a brand new pattern from the Sewhooked Suggestion Box! I’ve had multiple requests for a snowflake pattern. This was the result of a lot of sketching and tweaking and I do hope you like it!

Sewhooked Snowflake is 10″ paper pieced.

Download Sewhooked Snowflake from Craftsy

or Save/Print from Google Drive

Here are some of my previous winter freebies! Enjoy!

winter mittens title

Download Winter Mittens from Google Drive or Get it on Craftsy

mug-o-love-free-pattern

Get Mug O Love on Craftsy or Save/Print from Google Drive

santa hat title

Download from Google Drive or Get it on Craftsy

Sweet Sue Title.jpg

Download from Google Drive or Get it on Craftsy

Sweet Skating Sue – download from Craftsy!

Friend Gnome title

Save/Print from Google Docs OR Get it Free from Craftsy

holiday house 2017

Save/Print from Google Docs OR Get it Free from Craftsy

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Surprise! New pattern – Signs Signs Signs

Surprise!

Guess who has been working on a new pattern in between all the other craziness?!

You guessed it!

Some time ago, Robin B. made an amazing suggestion that I have had in the back of my mind ever since – a multi-directional signpost.

With all the travel I’ve been doing this year, I absolutely could not resist designing this one. I did a little research and a little sketching. I worked up a pattern and sent it off to my pattern testers.

It is now tested and ready to share!

This awesome, versatile pattern is perfect to express your wanderlust or to point to where your loved ones are, or maybe share your favorite fandom locations. Think fabric with existing text, hand or machine embroidery, stenciling, fabric markers, the list goes on!

sign post title

Find Signs Signs Signs in both of my online shops:

$3.95 on Craftsy

or

$3.95 on Etsy

10″ x 30″ (10 1/2″ x 30 1/2″ with seam allowance) as shown, made using three paper pieced blocks.

Need more signs? Duplicate and rotate the center block! Add to larger projects or make as is for a fun wall hanging.

Includes full-color instructions with fabric amounts, suggestions, and paper pieced pattern.

tested by amber

And here is Amber’s fantastic tested version! She has big plans for this and I can’t wait to share what she does!

If  you try your hand at this pattern, I’d love to see what you do with it over in the Sewhooked Facebook Group! Not on Facebook? Tag me on Instagram (@sewhookedjen) or Twitter (@sewhooked)!

Thank you for stopping by and have a fantastic weekend! 😀

See you soon!

 

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Free Pattern Friday – Fall Placemat Projects

free-pattern-friday

Welcome back to Free Pattern Friday!

I often share optional quilt layouts and other suggestions with blocks for inspiration.

For this’s week’s freebie, I jumped in my TARDIS and I traveled in time to a few years ago when I shared the following ideas, as ideas only, for a blog hop.

These fun fall themed placemats are now together in one complete pattern! Pattern document includes project instructions, 2 different pumpkin patterns, maple leaf pattern,  paper pieced nine patch (because it’s way easier than cutting out 2 3/16″ squares!), and layout charts for both projects.

Enjoy, and don’t forget to share your photos with the Sewhooked Facebook Group!

fall placemat PoD Pumpkin

Save/Print from Google Docs

OR

Get it Free from Craftsy

downloads_wordmark_white_on_coral

Like my free content? Consider being a Patron! Find out all you need to know on my Patreon page. $10 Patrons receive new paid patterns for free as they are released. Details on Patreon.

Turkey Talk from Sewhooked

Want to support my work but Patreon is not for you? You can still help support my free content and keep me creating by purchasing a pattern. Buying patterns gives you something tangible for your money and helps me keep doing what I do! However, you choose to support me, whether it’s Patron, purchases, or by sharing my work with your other quilty friends, I appreciate you. ♥

This is just one of the patterns available in my Craftsy shop!

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See the first post here!!

Join the Sewhooked Facebook Group for community, support & prizes! I’ll be there, as will my awesome pattern tester Amber along with many other friends of Sewhooked. We’ll answer your questions and nudge you along if you need it. Joining the group is never required, but it is fun!

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Paper Piecing Art: Beginner and Beyond

STITCHED workshop - Paper Piecing Art, Beginner and Beyond

Way back in 2011, I was invited to be an instructor for STITCHED, a subscription-based online classroom community that offered workshops by experts in different craft-related areas. The entire shebang was conceived of and hosted an extraordinary artist, Alma Stoller.

STITCHED

My own workshop Paper Piecing Art: Beginner and Beyond, was geared to take students step-by-step through the paper piecing process.

I shared every tip and technique that I myself use when paper piecing. Now, over a year after the completion of the STITCHED 2012 Workshops, I offer my own class here, free for you.

If you’re already a paper piecer, you might pick up a trick or two; if you’re new to paper piecing or have tried before and it didn’t quite click, I hope this helps you on your paper piecing journey!

Jennifer’s Tools:

Paper Piecing Art uses Waiting for Rain, a pattern designed by myself especially for the workshop.

I'm a Craftsy Designer

You can find Waiting for Rain in my Craftsy shop for just $4.
Looking for a text-based tutorial? I have that here! Questions? Comments? I’m always happy to chat in comments!
Remember to stop back by tomorrow for the Paper Piecing Vintage February update! Have an extraordinarily happy Friday!