Waiting For the Right Fabrics and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I have a brand new quilt top to share with you today, and I am so very excited about it.  I designed this pattern over two years ago and at the time, I had a very specific feel in mind for this quilt.  I really wanted the fabrics to have a certain vibe, and I couldn't immediately find a collection that felt right.  So, the pattern stayed in my design folder where I kind of forgot about it for awhile.

When I saw the 365 Fifth Avenue collection by Bari J, I started thinking about a quilt pattern for them, and when I stumbled across this one in my design folder, I knew right away it would be a perfect marriage of fabric and pattern.  Now that the quilt top is all put together, it's clear that it was totally worth the two year wait.

This is move-in week for my father-in-law, so helping him get all settled will be my priority for the next week, but I'm going to get this quilt finished as soon as I can.  After two years, what's another week, right?

Before we party, check out the highlights from last week.  This quilt by Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting is so lovely.  I can't resist a quilt photographed in a beautiful setting.

This rainbow beauty is by Julie's Quilts and Costumes-

Sandra at mmm! Quilts showed off this fun quilt-

And Nettie Sews and Lucky Quilts linked up this sweet baby quilt-

Okay, y'all!  I can't wait to see what you're working on this week.  It's time to party!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

CMM October Blocks

We are in the home stretch, y'all!  After this month, I can't believe that we only have the snowball and flying geese filler blocks left, and then it will be time to put our quilt tops together.  With my love of all things scrappy, it is no wonder that the blocks for this month are two of my favorites in the entire quilt.

The Curved Log Cabin block is the first for this month.  The Log Cabin quilt block is one of the oldest traditional quilt blocks, and with lots of different layout options it can be used to create many different looks.  It is so much fun to see how just changing the measurements of one side of the block creates such a neat, curvy effect.

You actually have a couple of different options with this one.  I like the cross shape and thought the quilt needed some negative space in that spot, so I chose to sew my block using prints for the narrow strips; but this block could easily be changed to create a rounded bubble shape.  To do that, you would just need to flip your background and print fabric placement.  I've actually never made a quilt with the bubble shape curved log cabin, but you can see an example of one HERE if you want to give it a try.

The second block for this month is the String Diamond.  There are so many applications for string blocks, and putting them together to create half square triangles is a little twist that gives so much fun movement to the string pieces.  For this quilt, I opted to cut all of my scrappy strings a consistent 2" width, using seven strips in each set, but in my original CMM quilt, I used a variety of widths.  Either option works beautifully!

I packed as many prints into each of this month's blocks as possible (there are no repeats in either block!), and because these blocks are a great place to use up scraps, they are perfectly situated toward the end of the QAL.

I've added these two blocks to my digital layout sheet, and I LOVE the way the quilt is looking.  I can't wait to get my snowballs and geese done so I can get this baby put together!

Okay, ya'll!  It's time to share your October progress!

1.  If you're late to the party, it's okay!  You can still join in anytime.  You can get the Classic Meets Modern pattern in my Etsy or Craftsy shops (links on my right sidebar).  As long as you have a finished quilt top at the end of the QAL, you'll be eligible for the prizes.

2.  Remember, the link party opens on the 15th of each month, and will close at midnight CST on the last day of the month.  You can certainly link to the weekly NTT post if you like, but be sure to link your quilt along blocks to this party, so everyone is sure to see your progress.

3.  You don't have to have a blog to join in!  You can link to an Instagram post, or even a Flickr account.  Use the hashtag #classicmeetsmodernbomqal on Instagram!  If you do have a blog, grab a button to let everyone know you're participating!  You can get the button on my right sidebar.

Carrelage and Party Time!

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I'm ecstatic to share my Carrelage quilt and pattern with you.  Not a single snowball corner, half square triangle, or partial/Y-seam, but one really cool pattern!

This pattern came about while I was playing around with some scrap strips and slicing them to see what I could do.  I'm thinking that I should really play around with scraps more often, because I love the result!  It may look difficult, but seriously y'all, if you can sew strips together and use a rotary cutter, you can make this quilt.  The other neat thing, is that the placement of the white sashing means that the block comes together with very minimal seam matching.

All of my leftover fabric was used to make a scrappy backing, and I am loving how the sunlight is shining through it in this photo.  I had a tough time deciding on a binding color though.  Since I didn't have a clear preference for a specific color, I went with the blush for the sake of practicality- I already had enough of the most vibrant blush fabric in my stash.  Waste not, want not!

Another little note about the colors here.  I use tons of navy and teal/aqua in my quilts, but this shade of blush/peachy pink is one that I almost never use.  I realized that I have collected a few fabrics in this color here and there, and they have been sitting in my stash for awhile, so I purposely tried to find a home for them in this quilt.  I think the color looks soft and fresh against the navy and teal, and although it's not a usual color choice for me, I like it!

I just love creating patterns that look much more difficult than they really are.  The Carrelage pattern is available in my Craftsy and Etsy shops, and I hope you'll take a look if you're looking for a quilt with some wow factor!

My, oh my!  The links in last weeks party were scrumptious.  There was so much fun inspiration with every single click, like this Rainbow in a Box quilt by Snug Harbor Quilts.

Carol Quilts Sometimes shared this Dresden quilt made with Priory Square fabrics.  Such a beauty!

And this Rainbow Stars quilt by Twiggy and Opal is just amazing.  The entire thing only measures 15.5" square, and those teeny black squares in this mini are only 1/4 inch finished.  That is crazy and awesome, all at the same time!

This week, I think I could have picked about five more that were truly gorgeous, so if you didn't get a chance to really browse through last week's links, you should definitely take some time to be inspired.  I have no doubt that this week's party will be full of awesomeness, too!

1.  You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Posy and a Label Winner!

I finished up my latest quilt last night, and I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  I've named this one Posy, since the pattern is reminiscent of a bunch of flowers with wide open petals, and I can't wait to get the pattern finished.

Despite my very best efforts, I could not seem to get the soft pink in this quilt to photograph accurately.  It looks a little bit washed out, but in person, the color is soft, but definitely doesn't blend into the background.

I used 25 out of the total 28 prints on the front (more than necessary, but that's just how I roll), so that left a good chunk out of each fat quarter left over.  Even with a scrappy binding, I had plenty for a pieced backing, and I even got to work in the other three prints on the back.  I love that the giant bricks on the back really show off these gorgeous fabrics.

Another thing that didn't really photograph well, though in person it shows up nicely, is the pretty cross/crown shape created by the negative space.  I always love to design patterns that have more than one interesting shape.

The only stumbling block I ran across was with the binding.  I chose to take advantage of the abundant fabric and create a scrappy binding, and since the background of the quilt is white, scrappy works.  Well, I must have had some bad binding karma, because I had a joining seam in every. single. corner.  grrr... I have no idea how that happened!  I never measure out my binding beforehand to make sure that doesn't happen, but it was such a pain to get nice crisp corners, from now on, I just might!

We are heading out of town to visit family soon, and you can be sure I'm taking my computer along so that I can work on this pattern if we have any downtime.  Be on the lookout for it!

Okay, so I promise that I'm not going to show you a photo of my quilt labels on every single post from now on, but they're still so new and exciting, I couldn't resist one more quick glimpse.  Plus, it's time to announce the winner of the label giveaway from FinerRibbon, so I thought it was fitting!

There were 187 entries in the giveaway.  Wow!  The winner is lucky comment number 114, Deb Franklin.  Congratulations, Deb!  If you didn't win, I hope you will still check out FinerRibbon for gorgeous, custom labels and excellent customer service!

Deb (Neddo) FranklinJuly 8, 2015 at 6:41 AM

I love these labels! I have some from another company that I am almost out of, but not thrilled with them because of their rough edge. Would love to order from this supplier! 

ReplyDelete

By the way, NTT is still on this week, even though we will be traveling, so I'll see you then!

Happy Summer, NTT!

Welcome to the first summer vacation NTT, friends!  If it's not summer for you yet, I surely hope it's coming soon.  I have been super busy these last few days, making the most of my newfound abundance of time.  First of all, I've been working like a crazy person to get my Girl's Best Friend pattern ready to release, and I'm happy to report that it is now available in my Craftsy and Etsy shops.  Yay!  I really enjoyed designing and creating this pattern, and I hope you'll check it out!

Another thing that has been taking my time lately is working on a few memory quilts for a friend.  She saw the four quilts I made from my grandfather's shirts and asked if I would be willing to do the same for her using her late husband's shirts that she saved.

The chevron and HST quilt each measure 48 inches, and will go to her two granddaughters.  I chose a pattern using HST's for both of them, because I wanted each to be slightly different, but look like a set.

The third quilt is a little larger, measuring 54" x 57," and is for my friend, herself.  I incorporated all of the pocket logos in the quilt for her.

The trickiest part of these quilts was finding a pattern that wouldn't waste too much fabric, since there were only 17 shirts.  My friend primarily wanted the two quilts for her granddaughters, and the third was to be made only if I had enough fabric.  I am so glad I was able to make this third one for her, and have it be such a generous size.

This is the first time I have worked on more than one quilt in tandem.  When I finish, I'll have to decide whether I prefer my usual one at a time method, or if this is faster and easier.  We shall see!

Okay, time to check out some of the fantastic highlights from last week's party!  Let's rock and roll!

Diana at Red Delicious Life showed off her newly finished scrappy string quilt.  I love all of the bright, happy fabrics!

This turquoise and purple beauty from Jess at Quilty Habit is a stunner!

and I love this Dogwood Blossom quilt from Michelle of From Bolt to Beauty!

Okay, y'all!  I can't wait to see what's going on in your sewing space this week!

1.  You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

Bubble Bath Pattern!

Hooray!  After many nights of staying up into the wee hours of the morning, I am so thrilled to say that my Bubble Bath quilt pattern is finished and available in my Craftsy and Etsy shops- just in time for all of the fun Friday parties!

It is written for lap and twin sizes, and has extremely detailed instructions, including full-color illustrations and cutting diagrams.  In fact, because of the nontraditional layout, I was sure to include even more illustrations than usual.

I promise that I've made the instructions easy peasy to follow, so I hope you'll hop over to my shop and check it out.  Happy almost weekend!

Courtyard Tiles Pattern is Finished!

I stayed up super late last night to finish my Courtyard Tiles quilt pattern.  I was in the quilt math groove, and just had to do the final checks over my numbers.  The quilt is written for lap, twin, and queen sizes, and the illustrations and instructions are very detailed.

It is now for sale in my Craftsy and Etsy shops, so I hope you'll hop on over and check it out!

And if you missed the post, you can check out more photos of the finished quilt HERE!

A New Pattern Available!

No, I haven't finished the pattern for my latest Amy Buter quilt yet.  I'm not that fast!  I promise to get it written soon though!  The latest pattern I'm talking about is my Acadian Trellis quilt pattern-

This pattern was featured in Modern Quilts Unlimited magazine recently, but only in the lap size.  I've done all of the quilty math for you and expanded the pattern to include twin and queen sizes as well.  It is available in my Craftsy and Etsy shops, so hop on over and check it out!