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September 12, 2018

My Happy Place Row Along!

I'm so excited to be participating in the "My Happy Place Row Along" hosted and organized by the fabulous Marian of Seams to be Sew!  She has been amazing in putting this together and keeping everyone organized.  I cannot even begin to imagine how much work she has put into this event.  Thanks Marian for everything you do!

Today I'm sharing my row.  When I first thought about my happy place, I immediately thought about my sewing room.  Even started to design the row.  But it just wasn't quite right and I started thinking in broader terms.  When I started looking through the fabrics offered to us to complete the rows by Northcott (another huge thank you!!) and stumbled across their line called Cowboy Mantras, I knew I had it!



Texas is my happy place!  So without further ado, here's my row...


Here's a link to the pattern!  Let's start with the simple block...


Isn't that the cutest???  We all know that panel blocks come in all different sizes.  When I cut out the panel to make this block, it measured at 6-1/2".  All of my blocks for this row needed to be at 10-1/2".  You can make yours with any panel block that you want to; just be sure to increase the size of your cut panel to 10-1/2" with fabric strips on the sides.

The easy math for this is this.  Add an inch to the desired finished size to account for seam allowances.  So...

10-1/2 + 1" = 11-1/2"

Then subtract the size of your cut panel block...

11-1/2" - 6-1/2" = 5"

Since we are adding strips to both sides, divide that number in half...

5" divided by 2 = 2-1/2"

So my strips needed to be 2-1/2" wide.   Easy peasy!

Next up is the fence block:


I do so love this block!  The cutting instructions are on the pattern and it is very simple to put together.  I chose to make a small star block to hang as a quilt on my fence.  You can make any small quilt that you like for yours, just make sure it measures 4" square so it doesn't overwhelm your fence.  Mine is pinned into place until the quilting is done, then I'll attach it.

And finally, our star block...


Now, don't let yourself freak out!  This is a very simple paper pieced block.  There are some great paper piecing tutorials on the web so I won't overdo here, but I will give you my tips on assembly.

First, after you cutout the pattern, layout the block and mark each piece with the color of fabric that you are going to use...


I used "B" for blue, "R" for red, and left the background pieces blank.


Knowing what size to cut fabric always seems to be a stumbling block for people.  Here's what I do.  Layout the paper piece and put your ruler over it.  The first piece is easy.  Just make sure the fabric will cover the entire section 1 and will give a seam allowance on all sides...


Then using fabric glue applied to the back of the paper piece, adhere piece 1 to the wrong side of your piece 1 fabric...


The second piece of fabric is where the trouble comes in.  Place the quarter inch line of your ruler on the seam line...


By doing this, you can clearly see how big the fabric needs to be cut in order to cover the entire piece, including your seam allowances.  I cut this piece at 2" x 5".

Here's another example...


We are dealing with a lot of angled pieces.  By putting the quarter inch line on our sewing line, it's easy to see that this next piece should be cut at 2-1/4" x 6".

Once your pieces are assembled, layout your quilt block to make sure the colors are all in the right places and so you can easily see which pieces go together.


In the case of our star, the top two pieces go together, then on each half, we join the two bottom pieces.  This is another tripping point so I'm going to show you how I assemble my paper pieced sections.  PINS ARE YOUR FRIENDS HERE!!!

I pin at every single intersection as well as both ends.  Put a pin directly into the seam where two lines join together...


Make sure it goes through the exact same spot on the back, again, where the seam lines intersect...


DON'T PIN THEM IN PLACE YET!  Just put the pins through each intersection.


Now, pull the pin tight and pinch the pieces together, right next to the pin, so that the pieces don't shift, then pin in place...


Repeat with all pins.  Then sew together.  Repeat for all sections...


And combine each section, again, pinning at every single seam intersection.


And there you have it!  I hope you love this row as much as I do!!  And that I was able to help you along the way.

Now for the giveaway!  Are you ready for that!  Today's wonderful sponsor is Kimberbell Designs.



She has graciously agreed to giveaway TWO patterns!


Isn't that cute?!?  I can't wait to see who gets it!  Here's the Rafflecopter.  You know what to do!  Rules for the giveaway are at the end of the post.  Winner is responsible for the shipping charges.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Here is the rest of the row along schedule.  Please visit my new friends and enjoy!

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Show and Tell Day



Thanks so much for joining me today!!!  I'd love to hear from you and seeing your finished rows!  I actually plan on taking mine and the leftover panel blocks and making another Fancy That Quilt! :)



Rules and Guidelines For Giveaways
Please take the time to read it.

Giveaways offered by sponsors are assigned to the various bloggers for their featured day.

There are no prior announcements on who is doing which sponsor except to the sponsor themselves.

You'll have to visit the blog or the featured blog to enter the giveaways.

Not all giveaways can be entered at Seams To Be Sew.

I will start announcing winners on September 11, 2018, and finish announcing winners on October 10, 2018.

In most cases, the blog where you won at also will announce their 
winners.

You must give a valid email address when you enter the giveaways, any email returned to me, loses the ability to win automatically.

With the exception of Show and Tell Day, all giveaways run for approximately one week.

You are given 3 days to answer the email, if you do not answer within 3 days a new winner will be drawn. Check those spam/junk mail folders, you may miss that winning email if you don't do so because there are no exceptions to this rule.

If you are notified that you are a winner, in most cases, you will need to provide your name, address, city, state, zip code, country, telephone number, and email address.

In some cases, you will be asked to comment on the blog to enter the giveaway... do the right thing and thank them for the time it took to create the pattern, thank them for the pattern and...

Thank the sponsor by buying their products for the giveaways. This helps them continue to offer great prizes for these types of events. You can also comment on their social media pages. Even if you don't win, letting them know you love their products is a huge incentive and they really do love hearing from you.

No purchase whatsoever is necessary.

You must be 18+ in order to win a gift.

You are responsible for claiming and paying any tax owed on the value of any gift that you win. Prizes valued at $500.00 should be claimed.

All winners are chosen at random.

All winners will be announced on the blogs via the Rafflecopter entry form and/or post by the blogger at the site where they won and here at Seams To Be Sew. All winners must allow for their first name and first initial of their last name to be announced on this blog.

Odds of Winning a prize are based on a total number of rafflecopter entries during each week and in total for all giveaways.

This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.

Participating bloggers may enter any of the giveaways.

The word giveaways in the rules and guidelines are also known as sweepstakes.

Most of the giveaways are international shipping this year
in some cases, you will be asked to pay for shipping your giveaways.

I am not rich and I do not ask sponsors for money, they provide prizes only.

If they shipped the prize to me, you will be asked to pay for shipping.
All giveaways will be shipped that are in my home within 48 hours of my having heard from you.

An invoice will be sent to you via Paypal, and shipping will take place via Paypal, so your Paypal email will be needed to send the invoice. You will receive a tracking number except for overseas shipments. All shipping will either be first class which averages out at 2.77 to 4.00 up to 13 ounces. Paypal fees are added to that amount to cover that fee. All fabric bundles from Michael Miller, Hoffman, and Moda will be shipped via Priority Mail to protect the fabric itself.

Please note, every effort is made to protect the prizes. They go into a plastic bin when I receive them, and it is covered by an air tight cover. I have a dog in my home and I have a smoker in my home, so I do everything possible to protect the prizes.

July 20, 2018

American Flag Quilt - Set 1 Complete!

Hi y'all!  I wanted to pop in and show you the first blocks that I completed for the American Flag quilt.  Just so you know, I'm basing these on the state block patterns that are floating around the internet.  I am drafting them in EQ so I can paper piece them to the size I want.  These are my Indiana blocks (pattern available in this blog post).

First up, my blue block.  I'm making one of each for a total of 50 and it will finish at 3".


Next are my white Indiana blocks.  I made two of these:


And finally, my red blocks.  Since this was a pretty easy block, I decided to make three of this one. 


The red and white blocks will finish at 4".  Here they are together.


Next up are my Louisiana blocks.  You can find the blue and white pattern here and the red and white pattern here.  Again, a pretty easy block so I'll be making 2 of them in white and 3 in red.  We'll need 50 blue and white blocks (of course!), 93 white on white blocks and 104 red on red blocks, so pick the easier ones or your favorite ones to make an extra red and the harder ones to make less white. :)

Again, here's what we are going for:


Really enjoying this one and working at a non-rushed pace! 

July 6, 2018

American Flag Quilt

Y'all know how it is when an idea strikes. This one's been in my brain for a few years, but this morning, I HAD to sit down and figure it out. It flat out wouldn't let go. I've wanted to do an American Flag Quilt for a long time.



I envision the white in the blue patch as blue & white stars. The stripes will be made up of tone on tone red and white stars. What do you think? I've pretty much decided to make it. I'm not setting a time limit because it will be an involved long-term quilt.


This is the first block I'm making.  The quilt will need 50 blue and white blocks (of course!), 93 white on white blocks and 104 red on red blocks.  So if I do 50 different blocks, I'll make 1 of these in the blue and white (a 3" block), and 3 in red on red (4" block) and 2 in white on white (4" block).  Those link to the paper pieced patterns.  When dealing with blocks this small, I find paper piecing to be much more accurate!

If anyone wants to play along, I'll post the patterns here.  But it will be a long-term project.  I'm not putting a timeframe on it because we don't need the stress.  Feel free to join in if you like and tag your posts with #AQuiltingChick and #AmericanFlagQuilt.


May 15, 2018

Fancy That! Layouts!!!!

Ugh!  I had this all ready to go Sunday night but hit save instead of publish!  I'm so sorry!  Are you ready???  It's time to put our Fancy That! quilt tops together!  This is going to be fun.  Just take it a section at a time and don't rush it!

Here's the overall layout:



We are going to make this a section at a time.  I lay out each section, sew it together, then layout the next, and so on.  Start with Section 1:



Then 2...



Then 3.



Now join Sections 1-3 together.



Now make Section 4...



And 5...



And join Sections 4-5 together.



Now join Sections 1-3 to 4-5...



And then Section 6



And Section 7...



Join Section 6 to 7...



Now join Sections 1-5 to 6-7....




Yay!!!  All that's left is adding your borders.  I cut 4-1/2" strips and bordered all sides.

And that's it!!!  Yay!!!  I'll add a linkup next time and we will see how everyone did!  DO NOT hesitate to ask any questions you have.  I'll be happy to help guide you through this!!!


May 3, 2018

Love + Leche Review

Hi y'all!

Boy, have I got a great little product here to tell you about today.  A few months ago, I was asked if I would like to try Love + Leche lotion bars and give my opinion on it to y'all.  I jumped at it because, let's be honest, as quilters we all need a good lotion that won't leave a greasy feel on our hands and that won't transfer to our fabric.  Have you heard of Love + Leche?  Here's a bit about them.


I love that this is handcrafted, all natural and that it is supporting another small business!  Here's what they sent:


I just love good packaging, don't you?  So what's in the bag:


I was very curious about these because I've never used a "lotion bar" before and wasn't sure what to expect.


I want you to know, the first thing I noticed was the amazing scent.  I was sent Lemongrass and the scent of lemon filled the room as soon as I opened the tin.  It smells sooooo good!  To use it, you pick up the bar and rub it between your hands. 


Now, I'll be honest, I was a bit concerned.  When I used it, my hands did get that greasy feeling and I was worried that it would be a problem.  But....it soaks in very quickly and I didn't have any issue with it rubbing off on anything.  And, it left my hands feeling SO GOOD!

You really need to try this stuff!  And, as a reader of my blog, Love + Leche is offering you a free mini-balm with any $15 purchase from now until 5/15!  Just use coupon code: quiltingchick.

I hope you give them a try!  I absolutely love it and know you will too!

***I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.



April 30, 2018

Fancy That! Quilt Along - Step 4 (For Reals!)

Hi y'all!!  Thanks so much for all the kind well wishes you've sent and for being so patient with me.  It's been a long couple of weeks. 

As I said in my very brief post, we are making 4-1/2" pinwheels this time around.  We need (68) 4" blocks so just subtract out the number of 4" panel blocks you have to see how many pinwheels you need to make.

We are going to use the same system for making our half-square triangles as we did last time.  You'll need the following for each pinwheel:

(1) 4-1/4" background square
(1) 4-1/4" main fabric


Place one of each square, right sides together, and pin:


Sew around all 4 sides:


Cut on both diagonals:


Press open and square each HST to 2-1/2".


Arrange 4 matching HST's into a pinwheel and assemble your block!


And that's it!  I need to make 32 of them myself but you have time!!  My sewing room is a disaster right now as I'm refinishing both my ironing dresser and my sewing desk so I'll get to these ASAP!  I've so enjoyed seeing all of your progress!!  Keep using #FancyThatQAL in your posts so I can see all of your beautiful work!!

*hugs*