Tag Archives: free pattern friday

Free Pattern Friday: Bicycle (comes out of retirement!)

Well, friends, with the spring weather and lots of people outside, I thought it was a good time to bring my Bicycle pattern out of retirement!

Where did my retired patterns go? Read all about that here.

This formerly-for-sale pattern is 6″ or 10″, both sizes are paper pieced. It’s been made many times over the years, and it’s always been one of my favorites. It’s now free for you to make and I genuinely hope you enjoy it!

Bicycle
6″ or 10″ paper pieced
now a free pattern for personal & non-profit use
© Jennifer Ofenstein
sewhooked.com

Find more Free Pattern Friday Posts!

Need help with paper piecing? I’ve got you!

You’ll find more free quilt patterns in my Quilt Pattern Archive.

Looking for my fandom content? You’ll find it on Fandom in Stitches!

If you would like to support my free content like videos, patterns, and more, you can also find me on Ko-fi!

Thank you for stopping by. I’m really enjoying the opportunity to share free patterns again. If you make this or any of my other patterns, let me know! Drop me an email or tag me on Instagram @sewhookedjen.

I hope to see you for my next Talk to Me Tuesday vlog! If you haven’t joined me for TTMT, be sure to stop by to say hello to yours truly and catch up on what I’ve been working on. Want to join the TTMT community? Find out how here!

signature-2016

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

Free Pattern Friday: Fairy 2023, or, Evolution of a Fairy

I could have called this Evolution of a Fairy.

Let me explain.

I designed my first foundation paper pieced pattern back in 2005. During that first year or two, I attempted a fairy pattern. She was a little complicated, but I didn’t know what I didn’t know, and complicated has never really stopped me anyway.

Well, as you can see, she doesn’t look great. What is even happening with that arm? 😐

While I don’t remember making the block, my much more experienced eye can see all the design mistakes as well as where my seam ripper and I spent some quality time together. I still rip seams, but I’m much better at it now. Practice, after all, makes perfect.

Fast forward a few years later, and I had another go.

She’s definitely better, but she’s still not quite right. A couple of friends tested her for me, and I was reasonably happy with this pattern, at least enough to share on an earlier version of this website.

Fast forward to 2015, and I redrafted her yet again. I was working on the reboot of The Project of Doom at the time, running my pattern company, I had a kid at home, was volunteering with the high school, and honestly, I have no idea what else. With everything else going on, I think I just forgot about her.

See my retired patterns here.

Until last week. While I was organizing some files, there she was. Just waiting for some finishing touches.

I’m pleased to present Fairy, 2023. Much like me, she had no idea where she’d be today!

You can see the bones of the original design in this pattern, but she’s more, well, airborne. More defined. And definitely more 2023.

I hope you like her!

Fairy 2023
10″ paper pieced
a free pattern for personal & non-profit use
© Jennifer Ofenstein
sewhooked.com

Find more Free Pattern Friday Posts!

You’ll find more free quilt patterns in my Quilt Pattern Archive.

Looking for my fandom content? You’ll find it on Fandom in Stitches!

If you would like to support my free content like videos, patterns, and more, you can also find me on Ko-fi!

Thank you for stopping by. I’m really enjoying the opportunity to share free patterns again. If you make this or any of my other patterns, let me know! Drop me an email or tag me on Instagram @sewhookedjen.

I hope to see you for my next Talk to Me Tuesday vlog! If you haven’t joined me for TTMT, be sure to stop by to say hello to yours truly and to catch up on what I’ve been working on. Want to join the TTMT community? Find out how here!

signature-2016

Where did my retired patterns go? Read all about that here.

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

Free Pattern Friday: String Pieced Picnic

Hello, dear friends!

It’s been a long while since our last Free Pattern Friday and I am delighted to have something new to share!

hugs title

My last non-fandom freebie was Virtual Hugs back in March 2020. I’m sure no explanation is needed. You can find it, and many more free patterns here.

String Pieced Picnic is based on an old photo I discovered in January while digitizing my photo collection. The quilt shown was made by one of my great-grandmothers. My version is not an identical replica but is close enough that I know, and now, you know!

Say hello to String Pieced Picnic, named by YouTube viewer Julie T (thank you, Julie!)

String Pieced Picnic
83” x 83” as shown
a free pattern for personal & non-profit use
© Jennifer Ofenstein
sewhooked.com

My quilt top is complete, but I won’t be able to quilt it just yet as I’m waiting to be cleared for normal activity after foot surgery back in December.

My quilt back is also pieced and ready to go. I plundered my collection of whites + brights, including some fun fat quarters from trips and gifts from friends to make a wild and crazy patchwork back! I hope to have this on my frame very soon!

Now, I’m sharing String Pieced Picnic for free so you have the chance to make your own heirloom-inspired picnic quilt! The design is very versatile and can be string pieced with or without foundation or it can be foundation paper pieced for a more precise design. Instructions for both are included.

As shown, the quilt is 83” x 83” but the size can easily be increased or decreased as desired. I’d love to see what size you make!

I hope you enjoy String Pieced Picnic. If you make it, feel free to share! You can find me at sewhooked.com and on Instagram & YouTube as @sewhookedjen. Looking for community support or just want to share your work in progress? Join the Sewhooked Facebook group!

Clover All Over quilt in fabric.jpg

You’ll find more free quilt patterns in my Quilt Pattern Archive.

Looking for my fandom content? You’ll find it on Fandom in Stitches!

If you would like to support my free content like videos, patterns, and more, you can also find me on Ko-fi!

Thank you for stopping by. I hope to see you for my next Talk to Me Tuesday vlog! If you haven’t joined me for TTMT, be sure to stop by to say hello to yours truly and to catch up on what I’ve been working on. Want to join the TTMT community? Find out how here!

signature-2016

A note about previously for sale patterns: I’ve recently had a lot of requests for patterns formerly in my pattern shop. I retired from selling quilt patterns on December 31, 2019. If you would still like one of my retired patterns, I will offer it in return for a small donation to a food bank, non-profit, or other similar charity in your area. Volunteering your time, of course, counts! Email your receipt to me or send a photo of yourself donating or volunteering (for me only, I won’t publish or) and I’ll gladly send the pattern. One pattern per donation.

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

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!

 

signature-2016

 

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support. ♥

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.

signature-2016

Sewhooked Pattern Shop

My Quilty Facebook ♥ Sewhooked on FB

Sewhooked Facebook Group

Instagram

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support. ♥

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!

signature-2016

Sewhooked Pattern Shop

My Quilty Facebook ♥ Sewhooked on FB

Sewhooked Facebook Group

Instagram

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support. ♥

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

IMG_0002
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!

signature-2016

Sewhooked Pattern Shop

My Quilty Facebook ♥ Sewhooked on FB

Sewhooked Facebook Group

Instagram

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support. ♥

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

signature-2016

Sewhooked Pattern Shop

My Quilty Facebook ♥ Sewhooked on FB

Sewhooked Facebook Group

Instagram

Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support. ♥

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

signature-2016

Craftsy Pattern ShopEtsy Shop

FacebookSewhooked on FBSewhooked Facebook Group

InstagramFlickrTwitter

Posts on this blog contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support. ♥

Free Pattern Friday – Metroid Charts

free-pattern-friday

At last and as promised, the Metroid charts are here!

metroid quilt final

Earlier this month, I finished the quilt above, dubbed “Quilt-Roid.”  See my Talk to Me Tuesday about it here.

Below, I share the charts for Samus (the tough lady shown here in yellow) and the Metroid (the creepy little critter in the top right).

Please note, this is NOT a pattern for the entire quilt. These are charts to piece the two characters with some additional suggestions and information. You can use this to make something similar to what I did or use the charts in your own creations.

I’m planning to use just the head part of the Samus pattern sometime soon to make a cushion for my Metroid-loving daughter.

Find my Fandom-themed patterns here on Sewhooked under Free Quilt Patterns: Free Fandom Quilt Patterns. I will also be posting this to Fandom in Stitches in the near future. It’s in the rather long queue!

Print or Save from Google Drive

Helpful Hints

#notahalloweenquilt

Pre-cut your fabric squares to save time.

#metroid progress! #samus

I like to print my chart and then break it into smaller chunks so that I don’t get overwhelmed.

I start from the left and work my way across, marking off what I’ve done as I go so I don’t get lost.

Some tiny #chainpiecing! #metroidquilt

Chain piecing is EVERYTHING.

After a week of not much sewing I've made some good progress on the #metroidquilt! I'm keeping the wrap up a surprise until it's complete and gifted to @spleenarinobambino. I hope to have it ready to quilt today. #tinypiecing #solids #chainpiecing

20180608_205307

I chain piece from the top down, keeping the threads between the rows intact so that nothing will be out of place. When the rows are together, go back and sew together the horizontal seams, matching seams.

It's time to make #homemade spray starch! My preferred recipe is 1/4 cup liquid starch, 2 oz vodka, 10 drops of lavender and approximately 4 cups of distilled water. #spraystarch

Use my homemade spray starch for a smooth, flat finish. I find this especially useful when working with solids. Recipe adapted from one shared years ago by my friend Linda.

  • 1/4 cup liquid starch
  • 2 oz plain/non-flavored vodka (If you don’t have vodka and don’t want a whole bottle, a sample size bottle works great!)
  • 10 – 12 drops of lavender
  • approximately 3.5 cups of distilled water in a 32 oz spray bottle

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

signature-2016

Craftsy Pattern Shop ♥ Etsy Shop

Facebook ♥ Sewhooked on FB ♥ Sewhooked Facebook Group

Instagram ♥ Flickr ♥ Twitter

Posts on this blog contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support. ♥