Blocks for the Strawberry Patch

If you're looking for the SMS giveaway day post, just scroll down one entry or simply click here.

First, a super huge hello and welcome to all of the new friends I've met through the SMS giveaway day.  Although we all have a great chance to win a goodie or two, I really love giveaway day for meeting so many new-to-me quilters.  I can not wait to get to know you all a bit better!  If you want a quick summary of me, the best place to look is over in the About Us section of the shop website.  Or stick around and read a post or two :)

Over on Instagram (you can follow me as @fluffysheepquilting), I saw that my friend Emily of the Strawberry Patch  has been a little sad lately because her bee-mates were not returning her bee blocks, even though she's already made for them.  I hate to see a friend left out of the fun like that, so I volunteered to make a few for her.

Emily was looking for a bright, modern Churn Dash, so I had a dig around the trust stash and made these:

I love love love the green dots used here.  They're from Millie's Closet by Riley Blake. I just can't get enough!

The dotty print here is also a favorite, from Amy Butler.  I wish I bought more of this years and years ago.

Emily, they are winging their way to you as I type. I hope you like them! 

Magazine Suggestions, Please?

I am stuck for a monthly magazine that inspires me.  I want Color.  Techniques.  Fabrics.  Patterns of fab projects.  Is that too much to ask?  Maybe.

I buy quilt magazines every now and then, but because they are nearly all imported they are really (REALLY) overpriced.  I do not mind paying a small bit if it is going to give me great ideas for quilts, show me fabrics and colors that I love or suggest new smaller projects that may be fun.  However, when I do splurge and buy one that stinks, I am truly disappointed that I wasted the money.  So I ask you, my favorite Fluffy Sheep, what magazines make your heart flutter? 

Last night I cozied into bed with this disappointment.  I bought it because I liked the colors of the quilt on the front and I thought it may give me a bit of insight into string quilts.  I am an easy sell. 

This could not have been more of a let down.  This is not stringy at all, but instead they tell you to buy stripy fabric, cut triangles, make squares and piece them together.  What!?!?  This yellow and aqua you see on the cover are the brightest, happiest colors in this whole issue.  Everything else is a shade of brown or wine.  Yuck, yuck, yuck.

I need help, please!  Will you please suggest the name of a magazine that you love?  Where do you find new fabrics and color combos or are introduced to new designers?  Have any of you read Making or Stitch?  Do you like it a whole, WHOLE bunch?  Thank you guys so very much for your suggestions

Yum.

Are you looking for the Goodie Swap Sign Up post?  Click here. 

Today is your last chance to sign up!

What the the lovely postman bring to my house today?  Little packages of happiness, of course.

The most fantastic thing to arrive is this little envelope of goodness from Sarah of Fairy Face Designs.  Sarah saw my WIP post earlier this week and noticed I was stuck short of scrappy fabric for my Community Quilt.  I needed 7 little two inch squares of any fabric that had not already been used in the quilt.  Seven. Stupid. Squares....and then my quilt top can be finished.  Lovely Sarah volunteered to toss a few 2 inch squares in the post and they arrived today.  Thank you, Sarah!!! Way to live up to the spirit of the Community quilt, my friend. 

If you haven't already been over to Fairy Face Designs, jump over ASAP.  Sarah is hosting the great Across the Sea QAL right now that is just starting, so there is still time to join in the fun!

To compound the happiness, Sarah included a little pile of happy scraps that I can't wait to incorporate into this next project....

I fell in love with this scrappy star quilt at the Ready Thready Sew exhibit a few days ago, so I need to find a few small stacks of vibrantly colored fabric.  I could not resist this little short stack of Erin McMorris Summersaults from Celtic Fusion Fabric.

Happiness.  It comes in small little packages. 

Where Am I Going, Again?

Do you ever loose your sense of focus in your sea of sewing projects?   Well, I think I am officially lost and have to pull over for directions.  Thankfully, I joined into Fairy Face Designs Summer Sewing linky and listed my summer sewing goals. You can find the details of Sarah's linky here (or use the button on the side bar) if you are interested in joining in too. It's not too late!  Shall we review where things stand at half way (yikes!) through the summer?

Finish my Quilting Guild of Ireland Mystery Quilt  I did finish piecing the top.  I loved the fabrics, but the final pattern was not to my taste.  I took a gamble by taking the Mystery Class and I lost.  So it goes.  The top was donated to Project Linus in May.  We will call it done, even though someone else is truly finishing it.

Finish my Sampler Quilt It is done and sent to Boston!  My friends received the quilt a few days ago and absolutely love it.  I am so happy its in a good home. It was also recently showcased in a Sew Mama Sew column, which made my day. 

Complete the Top of Lattice Illusions I have now changed this design at least three times, but still the work continues.  I know where I am going and I will have the top finished by the end of July. It may be layered and quilted by August with any luck.

Sign Up For and Finish 5 Birdie Stitches Blocks I am pretty well on track here.  I made all 12 blank blocks and now have I have 4 blocks embroidered.  With any luck I will have 6 finished by August.

Begin Piecing the Batik Irish Chain This is kind of started. I washed and ironed the batiks and cut more 2.5 inch strips of background than I care to count.  I love, love, love the fabric so I am sure there will be a good effort put into piecing this by the end of August.  No worries here.

Start and Finish a Bag I am not close to starting or finishing this project.  Can this be a Christmas gift instead of a birthday gift as originally thought?  I say yes.

Take a Precision Quilting Class I looked high and low for a class, but was not successful in finding one online or in person in Ireland.  So, I bought a DVD. I will absolutely be able to watch it by the end of the summer.  No problem there.

I do not know why I ignored two large projects when making my goal list a few weeks ago.  The Japanese Fabric Swap is well underway and the Community Quilt top is well underway!  They will be rather large accomplishments for me this summer, so I may add them to my goal list too. 

Making a list like this has been a great way to keep me focused.  Thanks for the (very kind, friendly) kick in the bum, Sarah!

In addition to the link on Fairy Face Design's check in post, I am also linking to Sew Happy Geek's Manic Monday and Canoe Ridge Creations Sew Modern Monday. 

Washing Batiks: In Way Over My Head

First off, I am sorry to have ignored blogging over the past few days. I was traveling for work and just could not get the time to write (or stitch) anything while I was gone.  So, I am happily home and back to the norm.

As you may know, I have been SLOWLY starting an Irish Chain using a pattern from the Moda Bake Shop. I have a very white Kona fabric as the background, which was recently cut into strips.  I thought I would start cutting the batiks and sewing this weekend, but then I listened to Hip To Be A Square on Friday when Flying.  Pam has recently finished a quilt that used batiks and had a small problem with the color running.

I have never used batiks before and I am not a pre-washer (gasp!!), so I thought I had better rinse mine before they bled all over my nice white background.  And so I did...

I also tossed in three Color Catchers because I was a bit nervous.  They turned brilliantly purple!  Thank goodness I did.

So, here is the question for the batik-users out there:  Am I OK with one wash or do I need to wash them again?  How do I ensure they will not run when the final quilt is washed?  Are there tricks to working with these fabrics?  Any hints you may have are absolutely welcome.

As on any other Monday, I am linking up with Canoe Ridge and Sew Happy Geek linky parties.

WIP Wednesday: What do you think?

It was a good week for project preparation, not so much for finished products.  That's alright, though.  There is always room for mulling over a new project.

Currently In Progress:

Lattice Illusions has been occupying my mind lately.  I love this quilt top, but am doubting my original plan. 

As many of you know, I do not have a design wall, but instead a design spare bed.  I was arranging my blocks last night into my original pattern, as photographed here without the borders.  My other half walked in, staggered and mumbled "My eyes!  My eyes!".  I get it - it's a lot to look at, but that's kind of the point.  You get lost in the pattern. 

He re-arranged them into three panels with a border between each set.  Hummm....I think I like his pattern more than my plan. 

So, I am looking for your thoughts.  Which pattern do you like more?  The solid block?  The panels?  I am still not convinced one way or the other and I re-arrange each time I walk by.  Which is your favorite?

Japanese Import Fabric Swap is moving along nicely. We have a few spots remaining, so if you are interested in joining in email me at fluffysheepquilting(at)gmail(dot)com.   You can page down to Monday's post for further detail if you are interested in learning more.  This is a swap modeled on that by Anne Marie of Gen X Quilters with her permission, but for folks in Ireland and the UK.

Birdie Stitches (hosted by Little Miss Shabby) is flying by (har, har, har).  I have finished three blocks, as you can see in yesterday's post, and have printed out the template for the May and June blocks.  Maybe you'll see another one finished by next Wednesday!

Lots of prep-work happened this week for the Community Quilt. I have my 1,300+ little 2 inch squares cut and sorted so that we'll have only 1 or 2 of each pattern. The remaining donated fabric will go to a pieced back.  I have the 500+ background pieces cut now, so it only remains to start piecing!  I am really excited to get this one going :)

Projects Starting Up
I cut fabric on Friday for the Irish Chain, but have not actually started to piece it.  Tetris and Fresh Flowers quilts are still sitting (I know, I know), waiting for me to pay attention.  Some day I will get around to starting in on them full force - I look forward to it!

As usual on a Wednesday, I am linking up with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday, and Someday Crafts Whatever Goes Wednesday.  Have a look at these sites.  You are bound to find something new!

Thank you!

Guys, I am overwhelmed with your kindness.  I have just received a pile of scraps for the Community Quilt and, once again, I am so grateful for this kind, friendly online quilting community.

Thank you to Vicki, Judy (AKA Mom) and Marlene, three readers who do not have blogs of thier own, but jumped right in there to contribute.  Ladies, correct me if I'm wrong, here and I will happily add a link. 

Thank you to the many bloggers who chipped in: Frances (Off Kilter Quilt), Mary (Quilt Genius), Kari (Craft-Happy), Mirja (This Busy Mommy), Sarah (Fairy Face Designs), Anneleise (Cheeky Monkey), Jodi (On Forward Motion) and Rhonda (Quilter in the Gap).  If you have not already been to their blogs, do hop over and have a peek.  They are all fabulous with great pieces of eye candy :)

Community Quilt

Did you know you are part of a fantastic online community of quilters?  Well, you are.  We are kind, encouraging and helpful folks who, without a second thought, pass out complements on fabric choices, praise on finished quilts and suggestions when someone is trouble shooting.  I love this community and turn to it often for inspiration.

I am organizing a Community quilt.  I mentioned this several times earlier in passing.  I wanted, though, to really discuss the community it stems from and what shape the quilt will take over time. 

The Fluffy Sheep Quilting community has now extended through both North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  This is incredible in such a short period of time.  The most frequent visitors are from my two homes, the United States and Ireland.  Quickly following is Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Norway, Brazil, Netherlands and France.  Our infrequent visitors include Argentina, India, Iran, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Poland and Sweden.  We're a regular UN of quilters with a shared love (or obsession) for quilting.  How great is this? 

We often use quilts to mark someone or something that is important to us at this time: a biography of sorts.  A wedding quilt, a baby gift, a quilt for someone who needs a bit of happiness.  Well, right now this community is incredibly important to many of us and I would like to mark that.  Who knows, blogging about quilting may be passe in 10 years time and we can laugh at it when remembering 2011. 

So I am looking for donated squares from any quilter willing to participate in my project.  Several of you have volunteered already, and for that I am thankful.  I am looking for donations of 2 inch squares of any quilt shop-quality fabric.  I request fabric of color or with a pattern.  In other words, not a solid white or cream that will be lost in the background.  Each little 2 inch square needs to "pop".  If you are interesting in contributing squares, please email me (fluffysheepquilting@gmail.com) or leave a comment below.  I would ask to have your fabric in the mail to me by Tues of next week ensuring it arrives by Fri (27 May).

The pattern I intend to use is from Tea Quilts.  You can view a gallery of finished quilts here.  If this goes well, I would like to enter it into the International Quilt Festival of Ireland to be held in Galway next year. 

As always, I am grateful for your generosity and support, online friends.  I love the idea that this quilt could include folks from all over the world with varied taste in colors and print style, but we can all contribute to something beautiful. 

Mystery Quilt Top: Finished!

Whew!  I am finished piecing the Mystery Quilt top. It was not difficult, but it just took me a while to get the fabric together.  Anyway, here it is!  I wish I could get it outside to get a photo, but its raining like mad.  Here it is on the spare bed instead. 

Well, what do I think?  Shall I be honest?  I am not incredibly impressed with it :(  Please keep in mind its a mystery quilt, so I did not choose the pattern or have the option to match the fabrics (colors or prints) to the pattern in advance.  So, here it is finished and it is not to my taste at all. 

I like the fabrics (below). I am really looking forward to using the scraps in the future, so there is a saving grace.  Technically it is reasonable - not perfect, but reasonable.

Here is the question, though.  What do I do with this top?  I am not inclined to spend the money and time on batting and a backing.  What do you guys do with your let-down tops?  Does anyone want this one?  I am happy to give it a happy home elsewhere.

 

I am participating in Sew Happy Geek's Manic Monday and Canoe Ridge Cration's Modern Monday this week.  You can check out many more posts through the buttons on the right - you may meet a new blogger that impresses you, so have a look!

Book Review: Fat Quarter Quilts

I am looking for a new pattern.  See how distracted I am already!?!  I just made my list of summer goals only yesterday and this was not included at all.  Anyway, it's fun to see what may come in your quilty-future. 

I bought these fat quarters several weeks ago from the Fennel Shed, the Farmhouse Retreat line.  I am having trouble, though, envisioning them in a quilt.  I found Fat Quarter Quilts (here on Amazon) in our guild library.  Authored by M'Liss Rae Hawley, I thought this would be a winner as she is the "Queen of the Fat Quarter" according to her book bio.

The book is 78 pages long with an introduction to quilting taking the first 16 pages.  I know this is snarky, but when a reader is looking at a quilt book with a specific focus like fat quarter-focused quilts, do we still need to include the basics of what is a seasonal print or how to use a rotary cutter?  I think it is not necessary here.

There are 8 patterns included with material requirements, cutting instructions and instructions on completing a block.  Although I have not made a quilt from this book (an indication of where I fall in this book review) the instructions appear to be very clear and a photo or simple diagram each step of the way.  Really nicely done. 

Each pattern also is demonstrated with several fabric choices, which was very helpful for me when trying to envision my fat quarters in these quilts.  Also helpful is the suggested quilting pattern, although they are better suited for a professional or long arm quilter than an ammature like myself. 

Now, here is my problem.  I can not picture my fabric in any of these quilts.  Right now I really like the idea of open, neutral space to focus your eye on the pattern and color of the fabric used.  The quilts in this book seem to require specifically for solids, tone-on-tones or batiks that are solid-ish due to the lack of neutral space.  It's odd, the quilts presented here did not even stimulate me to buy appropriate fabric, so I guess not one pattern was attractive to me.  Odd, I know. 

Long story short (-ish) I am sure this book is great for someone, but I am not your gal.  I am glad that I took it from the library and I will happily return it.  It is worth having a look, but be sure you can envision your fabric in the presented pattern before buying the entire book.

I am still looking for suggestions for my fat quarter quilt.  Anyone have a fat quarter-dependent quilt pattern to suggest?

The Quilting Answer Book: A Friday Review

 The Quilting Answer Book is a fantastic resource for any quilter.  Written by Barbara Weiland Talbert and published in 2009, this manual contains both how-to instructions as well as fix-its for many problems you  may encounter.

The book is written in question and answer format, which makes it very easy to find the information you need.  How do I prepare my fabric for rotary cutting? How wide should a border be? Are there any guidelines? Why choose double over single layer binding or vise versa? Each response is simple and complete and regularly involves very clear, instructional diagrams as you see in the image below. 

I bought this as a beginner quilter when really I had NO idea of what to do. After reading the first 50 pages or so, I had a good hold of the basics.  Great beginner topics include: Quilter's Anatomy 101, Patchwork Building Blocks, Best Quilting Fabrics and Fabric Selection Strategies.  It will take you from the basics of batting and thread through to binding.  A really good guide for any beginner.

If you move a bit further into the book, you'll find it is also resource for the intermediate quilter.  Applique, foundation piecing, quilt design, free motion quilting, hanging sleeves and yo-yos are all covered.  There's a really nice section on quilt embellishment to discuss prairie points, piping and edge trims and embroidery. 

Now, as a resource for the beginner through the expert, there is an entire chapter on quilter's math.  Thank goodness!  Decoding needle sizes, bias binding calculations, cutting charts, quilt size guidelines and reducing or enlarging a quilt pattern are covered.  It is really fantastic to have a resource like this handy.

At just over 430 pages for a suggested price of $15, this is a deal.  I would absolutely suggest that any quilter pick up a copy to have in their sewing space.

And The Winner Is...

There were 10 entries into our celebratory fat quarter give away last week.  Many thanks to all of those who entered.  Using http://www.random.org/ we found our winner...lucky number 7! 

Everyone, please meet Allison (AKA Yorkie Mom).  She is from Michigan and is currently creating a birthday quilt.  I was in touch with Allison on Friday and she is very excited to win our packet of FQs.  Allison, enjoy them and please do send in a photo of your final project.  We look forward to seeing what you create! 

As you know, I am working on my sampler quilt.  I am so, so, so close to finished!  I have nearly finished the binding except for a 3 inch piece where I found a mistake!  When I layered the quilt, I was short on the backing on this side, but I did not realize it until it was too late (i.e. quilted and the binding on).  So, when I was hand stitching the binding, this piece pulled out from under the machine sewn side.  Oh no! 

Does anyone have an idea of how to fix this?  I can undo the machine binding and have not finished the hand sewing on the other side, so I can still "deconstruct" a bit in this area to (somehow?) fix it.   You can see in the photos below my problem :(

To make things worse, I was trimming the loose threads from the quilt top and my scissors slipped!  ARG!  So now I have a mini hole in the sashing as you can maybe see in the photo below. Its between the quilting and the pin.  Again, does anyone have an idea of how to patch this? Its a little too difficult to deconstruct the quilt at this point to replace the sashing.    

That's the news, guys.  I'd be thrilled if anyone could give me a way to fix either of these problems. Until then, I'm a little stuck.  Here's hoping your projects are a little smoother than this one :)  Happy quilting.