Tag Archives: free pattern

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!

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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!

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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!

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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. ♥

TTMT #638 – Sunshine & Whales

In which I share a gift made for a friend.

Happy 15th birthday to my daughter’s cat, Marie! She’s been part of our family since my daughter was in middle school & Marie was a kitten!

I apologize for the crazy lighting from the video filmed today. I didn’t realize how the shifting clouds were affecting the lighting until after I’d recorded. Fortunately, it’s a short one!

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Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links but I have no control over “sponsored posts” which are the price I pay for a less expensive website. Thank you for your understanding & support. ♥

TTMT #612 – Snow Day(s)

Update…I did venture out and make the round trip to rescue my daughter, her boyfriend, and Marie cat. They live VERY close, so even driving super slow and carefully, I wasn’t out very long. It is a huge relief to have them all safe and warm at home with us. ♥

The Journal a Year of Doom Block to paper piece, designed by Jennifer Ofenstein. 10″ finished. Find more like this on Fandom in Stitches.
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Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links but I have no control over “sponsored posts” which are the price I pay for a less expensive website. Thank you for your understanding & support. ♥

TTMT #611 – Story Time

Keeping it real in The Sewing Hole (aka, my garage).

The Man in Black, a Year of Doom Block to paper piece, designed by Jennifer Ofenstein. 10″ finished. Find more like this on Fandom in Stitches.
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Posts on this blog may contain affiliate links but I have no control over “sponsored posts” which are the price I pay for a less expensive website. Thank you for your understanding & support. ♥

Halloween Round-up!

Hello, my dear friends!

I haven’t shared anything aside from Talk To Me Tuesday since having surgery, and since it is October, my favorite month, I couldn’t resist doing a roundup of my own Halloween and fall patterns and tutorials!

I’ve included both Free Patterns & Retired shop patterns below. As a compromise for those who want access to my previously for sale patterns, I will share the pattern of your choice for a small donation to a local-to-you non-profit. More info below with the Retired Patterns.

To date, wonderful quilters have donated over $300 to a wide variety of charities, donated food, clothing, and hundreds of masks to those who need them. Your charitable efforts make my heart swell with happiness and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

What are your favorite things to make for Halloween? I’d love to see! Let me know in comments or share over in the Sewhooked Facebook Group! You can also tag me on Instagram – @sewhookedjen.

FREE PATTERNS

Nothing But Sincerity (Peanuts Stitch) by Jennifer Ofenstein
Nothing But Sincerity, free pattern to hand embroider
Simple Witch Hat 2014 Update
Paper Pieced Simply Witch Hat
Fall Placemat
Fall Placemat Project Version 1 (both are in the same document)


2015 Placemat made with PoD 2015 Pumkpin (week 30)
Fall Placemat Project Version 2 (both are in the same document)

how to enlarge reduce patterns

RETIRED SHOP PATTERNS

I retired my online quilt pattern shop December 31, 2019 but I still receive quite a few requests for retired patterns.I decided the best way to address that was to have those interested in a retired pattern make a small donation to a local-to-you non-profit of your choice. Email your receipt and I’ll be happy to send the pattern. Please, only one pattern per receipt. 

If you’re unsure if a pattern is FREE (I have loads of those, check out the main menu on sewhooked.com), or RETIRED, just drop me an email or comment and I’ll let you know.

A Little Haunted Wall Hanging
A Little Haunted – Retired Pattern
Monster Madness!
Monster Madness – Retired Pattern Set
I Want My Mummy
I Want My Mummy – Retired Pattern (supplemental pattern to Monster Madness)
Two Little Hooters
Two Little Hooters – Retired Pattern
Jack's Lanterns, 9 Patterns to Paper Piece by Jennifer Ofenstein
Jack’s Lantern’s – Retired Pattern
Jack Leaves The Light On by Jennifer Ofenstein, sewhooked.com
Jack Leaves the Light On – Retired Pattern

If you make these or any Sewhooked craft or pattern, I would love to see it in the Sewhooked Facebook Group! You can also tag me on Instagram – @sewhookedjen.

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

Free Pattern Friday – Virtual Hugs!

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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!

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Amber’s 6″ Virtual Hugs!

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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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I Voted – a free pattern to paper piece

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Hello, dear friends!

I know, I know, I already posted my TTMT earlier today BUT, I voted today and then I had to wait on a technician at my house and one thing led to another and BOOM, accidental new pattern!

“I Voted”

(print or save from Google Drive)

a free pattern to paper piece

6″ x 10″

Full discloser: This pattern is hot off the press and has not been tested. If you make it and have problems, please let me know and I’ll get it edited asap. I’m releasing it pre-testing because it’s Super Tuesday and, well, it feels relevant.

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This is me and my fella, voting earlier today, sporting our own “I Voted” stickers.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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

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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.

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