Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Christmas Star Block

I made this star block over the weekend and just love it!

Christmas Star Block

If I had all the time in the world, I'd love to make a full-size quilt of these stars. But I'm short on time and fabric, as I'm using the leftovers from the advent quilt I made a few years ago. The fabric is from Kate Spain's 12 Days of Christmas collection. I just love her holiday fabrics! I've been hanging on to a layer cake of her Joy collection too, just waiting for the right project to come along.

Countdown to Christmas quilt 2

The above quilt is a pattern I designed for work, and you can download it for free here.

So now I'm trying to decide what to add to this block to make it into a decent wallhanging size. Here are a few options I've mocked up in EQ7:

Christmas Star Block_variations

I'm leaning towards A... what's your pick?

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Another Speech Bubble

Sharing another block from my Speech Bubbles collection at My EQ Boutique. I think the "official" name of this block is Question Speech Bubble, but when I look at this block in my head I'm thinking "HUH?"

Huh? Speech Bubble

I made this block 12" x 12", but the best part of My EQ Boutique is that you can print the patterns you purchase at any size you like! Templates, foundation patterns, rotary cutting charts- you name it! Just type in your finished size and the program adds the seam allowance for you.

There's a sale going on at My EQ Boutique today only-- spend $30, get 30% off with code MYEQB30. Go check it out!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

In a Paper Piecing Mood

After all the garment sewing of Kids Clothes Week, I was ready to jump back into some quilting! Paper piecing is definitely my fav, so I whipped up a couple more blocks from my Speech Bubbles collection:

heart speech bubble 1

heart speech bubble 2

I think these two are destined to become a pillow. It's a little conversation-- "love you!" and "love you too!" :)

And as soon as I saw this block on Quiet Play, I knew I had to add it to my "to sew" list! I hate how the all the retail places start bombarding you with Christmas stuff earlier and earlier-- makes ya completely sick of the holiday by the time it actually gets here. But I will allow it for sewing/crafting purposes. ;) Ya gotta have time to make the Christmas stuff! So here it is, my first official Christmas sew of the season:

xmas wreath block 1

I think it was this little bird that got me hooked. Isn't she cute? I only wish I had used a different fabric for her belly. It is a different white-on-white fabric from the background snowflake fabric, but I don't think you can see that very well. Ah, live and learn!

xmas wreath block 2

Back in June I went to the Chicago Quilt Festival for work, and while I was there I "splurged" on a Curve Master presser foot. They were also selling these wooden seam rollers, so I got one of those too.

seam roller

I haven't played with the presser foot much, but I've used the seam roller and it's perfect for "pressing" the seams in paper pieced blocks! I love not having to walk across the room to my ironing board after every little seam. If you're a paper piecer, I highly recommend!

For the first time, I'm linking up with:

Paper Piecing Party