Real World Red and White Sampler Archives

February 10, 2015

4×7 Sewing Challenge

This February Sarah from Berry Barn Designs is hosting a fun challenge called the 4×7 Sewing Challenge to sew for yourself for 30 minutes each day during February. I haven’t quite made 30 minutes each day – some were more and some were less – but I like trying to sew a little each day.

I’m trying to make my sewing more purposeful. As in, choose projects that I really want to finish. Finish the projects I start. Do something with the scraps or throw them away. Finally finish the quilt for my bed. That type of purposeful.

I made two sets of leaders for my new velcro longer setup (which so far I am in love with, other than having to make leaders). I watched Sharon Chamber’s youtube video on how she loads her quilts, and while some of it doesn’t apply because she uses a different type of machine than I do, I love her leader method. It helps me attach the quilts to achieve a flatter surface which results in a more even stitch especially at the top and bottom of the piece. It’s also easier to load because I can center the quilt easier – and if it’s off by a little, re-center much easier. You can see the newest 50″ leader in action below.

I also pieced a little mini that I had started during the January meeting of the Quilting Circle I am part of. I am really trying to not create new UFO’s so I pieced the top, made a backing (even attaching a label!), found a scrap of batting that fits, and it is in line for the longarm.

I also made another block for the “Real World Red & White” quilt. I was obsessed with that quilt last winter, and then as it warmed up my interest waned. I had though about signing up for the 4×5 block exchange on flickr this winter to get more blocks for the quilt. I did the 2014 Winter and 2014 Spring (received and sent) iterations and received some great blocks, but I have so many blocks that I want to make myself. I had to really ask myself if I was going to sign up because I wanted to do a bee, or if I wanted a forcing function to get 6 more blocks done. I really wanted a forcing function, so I’ve decided to just challenge myself to make 6 more blocks. I would like to get it done by mid-March. That’s one block a week, and seems do-able. This week I started with the Stepping Stones block from Piece n Quilt’s 30 days of blocks.

Week 1 was super productive! Here’s hoping I can keep up the momentum with week 2!

Linking up to Sarah @ Berry Barn Designs, and some of the following: Sew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart Quilts, WiP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric

August 20, 2014September 25, 2015

Jewel Puzzle Paper Pieced Pattern

Free paper pieced pattern for 12″ finished block that includes detailed photographic instructions on how to paper piece.

Today, my new Jewel Puzzle paper pieced block pattern was featured on Sew Mama Sew! Head over to Sew Mama Sew for the Jewel Puzzle Tutorial.

This paper pieced pattern is probably a solid intermediate level… not too hard because there aren’t a lot of intersections to match up, but a lot of pieces for a true beginner.

I made this block to use a pillow in my daughter’s new room. I wanted something bright and cheerful, and I think this block does just that.

I also made a version of this block for my Red & White Sampler. It amazes me how different these blocks look with some different fabric and different fabric placements.

If you make this block, please let me know because I would love to see your work! I’ve started an Instagram tag for #jewelpuzzle block, or you can email me a picture.

– Heather

Also linking up to:

WiP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, Show off Saturday at Sew Can She, Sewing Saturday at Simple Simon & Co, Anything Goes Monday, Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story, Sew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart Quilts

June 23, 2014

Bee Blocks – Received!

It is always fun to receive bee blocks! I try to do the 4×5 Modern Bee quarterly, which is nice because it has instant gratification as far as bees go. You send your blocks and receive your blocks at the same time. This spring I was in hive 3, and was fortunate to receive the following blocks to add to my Real World Red & White Sampler:

1. Dawn, 2. Christina (illy23), 3. Brandy (Jade Rose), 4. Sarah (Coincidentally Quilting), 5. Cinda (Sewbusy64), 6. My Double Pinwheel

I am also part of the Stash Bee, which is a more traditional monthly bee where you send away a block each month, and then have to wait until your month to get all your blocks in return. When it’s your month though – it’s magical! Everyday going to the mailbox felt like my birthday.

Hive 12 did an amazing job on my blocks. I requested that they do my Square Dance block using my paper piecing tutorial in gray and shades of aqua. As you can see below, they did beautiful work.

Thank you to the ladies of Hive 12: Heather (Quilts in the Queue), Cheryl (Texas Quilting Gal), Jennifer (Taken Patiently), Michele, Kristel (Work in Progress Girl), Laura (Sew Frou Frou Quilter), Toni (Gypsygirl Wanderlust), Genevieve, Francis (Quilts n Stuff), and Willa.

-Heather

Linking up to:

Anything Goes Monday, Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, and Sewjo Saturday at My Go-Go Life.

May 26, 2014May 31, 2014

Spring 2014 4×5 Modern Bee

I chose to make the Double Pinwheel Block from McCalls.

I think it’s a fun block, that isn’t seen very much around the inter webs right now. It’s one of those classic blocks that can be modernized with fabric choices. The only downside of the block is using the construction directions from McCalls there are a gazillion bias edges. All you can do is starch like crazy and hope for the best.

Sarah requested aqua, lime, cobalt, and grey on a text or low volume background.

Christina requested sea foam green, pale turquoise, pale gold, champagne, pearl white, and kona white background.

Cinda requested aqua/turquoise, orange, yellow, and grey with a white or low volume background.

Dawn requested red, turquoise, aqua and pink with a white background.

Brandy requested purple and aqua with grey or low volume background.

I continued with my real world red and white theme.

– Heather

Linking to: Anything Goes Monday, WiP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, and Sewjo Saturday at My Go-Go Life.

May 14, 2014June 14, 2014

Cora’s Quilts Spring Sampler

In my continuing quest to create a queen sized quilt so I can actually sleep under a quilt I’ve made, I started the Spring Sampler over at Cora’s Quilts.

Block 1 is Pyramid. These are all 12.5 inch unfinished blocks, so a great size for bees or a sampler quilt (in my case!).

Block 2 is Beacon.

Block 3 is Tombstone. I varied the fabric placement a little from her suggestion to make it look more different than Pyramid, because it is pretty similar.

So far, I’m enjoying these blocks. Cora has done a good job making these tutorials available, and I can’t wait to keep making more!

– Heather

Linking up to:WiP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, and Sewjo Saturday at My Go-Go Life.

April 29, 2014June 14, 2014

Star Fruit Paper Piecing Pattern

I had the opportunity to test a fun block for Diane of From Blank Pages. It is her brand new Star Fruit paper piecing pattern, and it comes in 6 inch, 12 inch, and 18 inch sizes. I chose to make a 12 inch finished block.

This pattern is not one to pick for your first time paper piecing, but it is a very do-able block for someone with a reasonable amount of paper piecing experience. It makes a really cool secondary design that I chose to deemphasize in the tan area, but it just depends what you want to do with it.

I decided to play around a little bit with Photoshop and see what an entire quilt made from this block would look like.

First up is the standard, non-sashed quilt. It makes some really nice secondary designs, and I think I would actually have an easier time deciding how to quilt an entire quilt of this block than I will when this is part of a sampler.

I really, really like this block set on point! My husband saw this picture, and I think he wants an entire quilt made just like this. This quilt isn’t going to happen anytime soon, but I agree that it would be beautiful.

Lastly, we have how this block will actually be used – as part of my Real World Red and White Sampler. I’m up to 15 blocks! Exciting, because my goal is for this to be a queen (long ways off).

This block is available on Craftsy or Etsy. Or you can leave a comment right here for a chance to win a copy! I will leave comments open through May 5th, and announce the winner on May 6th.

Thanks for stopping by!

–Heather

Linking to: Anything Goes Monday, WiP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced, Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts, Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, Fresh Sewing Day @ Lily’s Quilts, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, Sewjo Saturday at My Go-Goo Life, Paper Piecing Party @ Quiet Play.

April 17, 2014June 14, 2014

Teaching Quilting

A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to do something different – I was teaching quilting to my mom.

My mom learned to sew in the day of home economics for all girls, and made a substantial part of her wardrobe (probably from high school through her 20’s), so she is not new to sewing. Teaching someone how to piece quilt blocks is a lot easier when the person already understands what a 1/4 inch seam is and why consistency matters.

Three generations of quilters in action!

My mom and grandma did make a quilt at some point before I existed. They used 4 inch squares of fabric leftover from clothes my mom made – a mix of fabric types. They cut it out using electric scissors, sewed it together, and tied it. My mom still uses it on the bed when my parents go camping.

There are differences between quilt piecing and clothing sewing (or how she sewed when she did it a lot): seam size, using a rotary cutter, using 100% cotton fabric, pressing instead of ironing, etc. Either way, she was a fast learner.

For her first block, I chose a block based on 9 patches. Straight lines in squares are always a good place to start. I did selfishly choose colors that would work with my “Real World Red & White Sampler”. We did the 9 patch block from Sewn By Leila’s We Can Do It! Skill Builder Sampler.

For her second block, I introduced half square triangles. We did the Pinwheel block from the same sampler, which was really just adding some tips to the Pinwheel Parade Block by V&Co.

My mom’s visit was great, and went too fast as always, but I’m glad we got to spend some time together doing something we both really enjoy.Linking up to Whoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt Addict, Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, Sewjo Saturday at My Go-Goo Life, Anything Goes Monday, Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story, WiP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced, and Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts.

March 31, 2014May 29, 2014

March Bee Blocks and BoMs

It’s the end of March, and I finished my March Bee Block and BoMs!

First up is the block for Stash bee, hive #12. Jennifer requested the Arizona block from the We Can Do It! Skill Builder Sampler at Sewn by Leila. She wanted orange and turquoise, so I hope she likes this block 🙂 I think I am going to have to make another one of these in my colors!

Up next, I am still working my way through the 2013 Lucky Stars BoM. Below is the March 2013 block. I had the absolute worst time with this block. I don’t blame the instructions, it was completely me. It seemed every piece of fabric I could cut wrong, I did. Or sew on backwards. Or run out of the fabric less than halfway through the block.

Let’s just say I was very happy when this was done. I am also convinced there is any easier way to get this look than the way this block was done. If I didn’t have such a terrible experience doing it, I would probably figure out the easier way. Instead, I just plan to have this be the one and only time I ever do this block.

I am also doing other blocks for the sampler as I see ones that I like. This is the January 2013 Aurifil BoM.

I think this one puts me at 11 total… I did the math, and I think I need 36 with the sashing I want to get it the size I want. Almost 1/3 of the way done!

Linking up to Anything Goes Monday, WiP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced, Paper Piecing Party @ Quiet Play, BOMs away, and Let’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuilts.

March 11, 2014May 29, 2014

Aurifil February 2014 BOM

To add another block to my Real Life Red & White quilt, I chose a little bit quicker one than I’ve been working on lately. I chose the Aurifil February 2014 BOM.

In addition, I received two more of my blocks from the Winter 2014 4×5 Modern Quilt Bee, so it’s like I finished THREE blocks toward my goal! Just kidding, I’m halfway to my first goal for the 30/30 challenge. I still have some more projects I’ve been working on that just aren’t ready to show yet.

Enjoy the blocks I have so far below:

To review my 30/30 Challenge:

1. ~~Two~~ ONE block for my “Real World Red & White” Sampler.

2. A shirt for me. I’ve been wanting to make my own clothes for awhile, so why not start?

3. Get ready for spring! I need at least one pair of shorts for my daughter, preferable more.

4. Acknowledge that spring is not here yet, therefore make a couple pairs of pants for my daughter.

5. Complete the March Stash Bee block – that’s not a real goal, more of a must finish, but I think it still counts (and makes this list a little less clothing heavy).