Lesson Learned!

Well, there is a first time for everything! I was very nervous about making this block for one of my bee mates. So nervous about the actual foundation paper piecing process that I forgot rule number one!

When I printed the pattern, I swear I chose 'actual size' or '100%', but obviously, I did not! This block should have been 8.5" and instead, it is 8". Why? I went back and measured the little one inch block on the print out and guess what? It is only 7/8".

No worries! Lesson learned and now I have a random block for a rug mug or something. I am off to start over! More to come when I get the block remade!

Happy Stitching!!

A New Adventure!

Foundation Paper Piecing - Do you love it or hate it? I always thought it was too much work, so I never tried it. If it were not for my Gridster Bee friends, I may never have ventured into this arena. What did I find? I really like it! I can't say I love it yet! I am just starting this adventure and it seems like with this book by Elizabeth Dackson, that I may have a chance to move toward loving it! Let's get stitching!

And The On Your Mark Winner Is.....

The On Your Mark - Create! Winner is @darlingdi!  Thank you all for following us and for the wonderful comments!  Each and every one of you made this super fun!  Don’t forget that you can purchase this fabulous fabric here!  And I hope you try some of the great projects that the designers showcased!

On Your Mark Create! Blog Hop & Giveaway

I was so excited when I received Simone Bradford’s new fabric line , On Your Mark! By PaintBrush Studio Fabrics.   It was like Spring had finally arrived in New England!  The colors are magnificent!  I was so inspired, that I needed to use every piece of fabric.  I hope you enjoy these projects as much as I enjoyed making them.  They may even inspire you and if they do, don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a bundle of On Your Mark fabric!

So what can you do with 12 fat quarters?  You are about to find out!

Project #1 - The Churn Dash Pinwheel Table Topper

Choosing my initial project was the most difficult and after much deliberation, I decided to start with a table  topper.  I used a tutorial by Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company called The Churndash Pinwheel Quilt.  This tutorial is quick and fun and pinwheels always remind me of Summer and the beach.  I made my color choices and completed the top with only 4 blocks.  I used some leftover plain white 1.5" fabric for the top and side borders.

 I had other projects for the On Your Mark fabric on my mind so I set aside the top until the very end and used all the leftovers and improv piecing to create the backing.

I quilted it on my HQ Avante with a pantograph named “Ocean Breeze” by Lorien Quilting and purchased at UrbanElementz.  I finished it off with white binding.  This is going to look beautiful on our porch in our Maine getaway!  Doesn't it remind you of the ocean?  It measures out at 24 1/2" square so you could use it for a wall hanging or even a baby quilt for the stroller or car seat. 

Project #2 - Foundation Paper Pieced Pillow

I have wanted to try paper piecing and came across this awesome set of tutorials called the Year of Scrappy Triangles at Sewn By Leila Gardunia and for people like me who have never tried foundation paper piecing, she has a terrific tutorial called, Leila's Ultimate Guide to Foundation Paper Piecing.  I started with Block 1 and made four blocks.  I randomly added the fabric strips so I could have a variety of colors.

Once I had four blocks, I trimmed them and started playing with the arrangement.

The rest of the pillow top and back was created by measuring, cutting, and stitching.  I did not use a pattern and was part way through before I started taking notes on measurements.  There are probably a lot of tutorials out there, but maybe I will make one too!

I quilted it on my Janome 6600 with basic stitch in the ditch and some echoing.  The pillow back is a really simple envelope closure and you can find a Craftsy tutorial here.

Here is the finished pillow – 16” square.  I love the black and orange and the way they play with the more subtle colors.

Project #3 - Bridget's Bagettes by Atkinson Designs

I have had this pattern for more than a year.  I thought the pink and yellow would be great and I was right!  This is the perfect size for a rotary cutter, but there are lots of uses for this little bag!  The pattern is easy to follow and works up quickly.  I love that it has the vinyl see-through front - no wondering what is in there.

Projects 4 & 5 - Lazy Girl Designs

I may just have an obsession with Lazy Girl Designs patterns and they are so quick to make and require very little fabric.  I made two Sweatpea Pods and 2 coordinating Fobios.  These are great for the beach!  You can fill the Sweatpea with your car keys, money, etc. and with the Fobio attached you can adjust the wrist strap so it is snug around your wrist and safe for walking.  It’s a great way to keep your valuables safe while walking the beach.  

Here is a picture of all the projects together.

 And these scraps are all that was left of those 12 fat quarters!

Leave a comment about your favorite project, by me or one of the other designers on the Hop for your chance to win a bundle of On Your Mark fabric.  And if you don’t win or you just feel inspired to purchase the fabric bundle now - you can buy it here! 

There are some amazing designers on the Hop so stop by and see what wonderful projects they made with the On Your Mark fabric!

Tuesday, April 17: Simone @simone.g.b; Simone Bradford
Wednesday, April 18: Elizabeth @occasionalpiecequilt; opquilts.com
Thursday, April 19: Stephanie @spontaneousthreads; Spontaneous Threads
Friday, April 20: Linda @quiltlady63
Saturday, April 21: Joan@alaskanquilter
Sunday, April 22: Carol @carolanngillen
Monday, April 23: Sarah @nohatsquilts
Tuesday, April 24: Afton @quiltingmod; Quilting Mod
Wednesday, April 25: Allison @quiltstudio62; Quilt Studio 62
Thursday, April 26: @pbstudiofabrics; Inspired by Fabric