Ugly Christmas Sweaters Quilt Along

Hi y'all!  I think I'm finally caught up on my myriad of projects.  I'm going to share last weeks blocks on a couple of projects today but then, it's all about Christmas Sweaters!!

First up, here is this week's block for Project 48.

This block was really pretty simple.  I love the way it turned out!  This is going to be a fabulous quilt when it's done!

Next up is the blocks for The Splendid Sampler from this last week.

They are looking so so so pretty!!  Every block is just as gorgeous as the last!! 

Now, let me catch you up on the Ugly Christmas Sweaters QAL.  This is a really fun quilt along hosted and designed by Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts.  Since I couldn't post for a while, I'm showing you all the blocks thus far.  Here's the first set...

That coral/orangey one is just gorgeous!  And the second set...

 

Love these fun blocks!  A lot of the fabric on the non-pieced centers were sent to me by my online friends.  Love them!  Here's the third set...

 

That plaid on the upper right may be one of my favorite fabrics in this quilt.  I had no idea what I'd use it for when I got it but it is right at home here.  Now for the fourth set...

 

Those penguins!!!  And the fifth set...

This set definitely shows some favorites.  I'm not one to work with grey but it is so pretty here.  And that pink block!?!  And now the final set...

I finished up these penguins last night.  And that purple is so deep and luscious!  Okay, that is 22 blocks and I want 42 so I'm a little over halfway.  But how will they look together?

That's an idea!  And OMG!!!  Can I just say how much I love it!!!  I cannot wait to be curled up with this next Christmas!!!

So, we are slowly getting you caught up on all of the projects.  I think the next one I bring in for you will be the 365 Block Challenge.  That's a lot of blocks so far, but mostly small.  Can't wait to share!

Today I'll be linking up with...Patchwork Times, Cooking Up Quilts, Bits and Bobs, Quilt Story, Freemotion by the River, Blossom Heart Quilts, and Sew Fresh Quilts.

How I'm Finishing my Splendid Sampler Blocks

I've had A LOT of interest in how I'm setting my Splendid Sampler blocks and have promised a tutorial for a while now.  Well, since my camera and computer have decided to be friends again, I wanted to get this posted ASAP!

First, here is how my finished blocks look...

The Splendid Sampler blocks finish out at 6".  I need a king size quilt so that just wasn't going to work.  Also, I didn't want to wait until I had 100 of these things waiting and then have to go back and finish them to make a quilt.  Therefore, I designed my own setting for the blocks so I can make them as I go.  For those of you interested in following my example, here's a quick tutorial!

Yardage Requirements

Red   2-1/2 Yards
Black   4-1/2 Yards
White  7-3/4 Yards

Yes, that's a lot of fabric.  But remember, we're making this a king size quilt and it will be king size, 120" x 120".

Cutting Instructions

Each block will need (1) 7-1/4" square of black, and (4) 3-7/8" squares of white.   You'll need  (1) 2" strip of the white and red to make your strip sets.

Assembly

Let's start with the 4-patches.  Sew your 2" strips of white and red together using 1/4" seam along the long side of the strips, right sides together.  Press open.  Then subcut into 2" units.  You'll need 8 units per block.

Then arrange 2 of these units into a 4 patch.  Pin and sew.  Make (4) 4-patch units.

Now we'll start the flying geese.  I always use the no-waste flying geese method.  We start with the 7-1/4" black square and (4) 3-7/8" white squares.  Draw a diagonal line on the back of the white squares.  Lay two of the white squares on top of the black square as shown and pin in place.

Y'all, the pinning to me is critical.  See where I have my pins placed?  When you are dealing with larger squares of fabric, you'll have some serious shifting issues if you aren't careful.  This is how I pin to get the best results.

Next we're going to sew a SCAN 1/4" seam on each side of the drawn line.

When you're done, take it back to the cutting board and cut along the drawn line.

Now you're going to press it open.  You'll have two units that look like this...

Now we're gonna pin again.  Pin another white square on top of each of the units as shown.  Again, note the pinning...

Again, sew a SCANT 1/4" seam on both sides of the drawn line then bring back to the cutting board and cut on the drawn line.

Press them open.  You'll have 4 flying geese units.  Go ahead and trim them up to 3-1/2" x 6-1/2".

And you have the block units finished!  Now let's lay them out...

And sew them all together!  I love how stunning this looks already, don't you?

If you use my setting, I'd sure love to see it!  Please be sure to share and if y'all have any questions, please let me know!

Beguiling, Splendid, Project 48...Oh My!

Hi yall!  I know I've been MIA, but there's a reason!  My camera stopped talking with the computer and I couldn't get anything here to post!  So instead of showing you each and every step on my projects, we'll be doing a "round up" for the next couple of days. 

First, I've been working on the Beguiling Mystery, hosted and designed by Shelley at Cora's Quilts.  I've been using some gorgeous fabric called Jardin Gris, generously provided by RJR Fabrics to make this one.

I'm working with some of the blues and yellows with a touch of green and brown.  These fabrics...omg...the feel of them is fantastic.  I am thrilled with them.  Here are the first two clues...

I have this feeling that this is going to be one gorgeous quilt.  I can't wait for this mystery to unfold.

Next up, the Project 48 quilt.  Guys, this fabric I chose, literally, at the last moment.  I had just finished with my curved log cabin and had the aqua/teal all together.  I went through my stash and found a good white for a background and threw in a cut of red.  And voila!  Here's the progress so far...

Oh my!  It is looking so pretty together!  We are 11 blocks into the 48 total and I'm having a lot of fun with it.  There are normal blocks, wonky blocks, traditional and more modern.  Just fun.  And none of the blocks has been very difficult or time consuming yet.  I.  Love.  It.

And lastly for today is The Splendid Sampler.  I wish I could get a better picture but the best I can do is lay them on the floor as it's gotten so big already...

This one is really pushing my skills.  We've had applique' (ugh), embroidery, and traditional piecing.  But with 100 blocks, there will be plenty more to come.  I'm loving every second.  There has been a lot of interest in my setting for this block.  I'm happy to say that now that my camera has been communicating with the computer, I'm hoping to have the tutorial up today.  :)

And that's it for today!  Tomorrow, I'll share the progress on my other projects!  So glad to be back here and can't wait to share more!

Today I'm linking up with Patchwork Times, Main Crush Monday at Cooking Up Quilts, Bits 'n' Bobs for Design Board Monday, and Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt.