Turnabout Quilt

Hey everyone, I'm back with a fun new quilt pattern from Fat Quarter Shop called Turnabout.  The Turnabout pattern is part of the Vintage and Classic Series from Fat Quarter Shop.  It has big blocks which means you do not have to make a lot of blocks for a large quilt.

I used Merry Little Christmas fabric by Bonnie and Camille which is a Christmas line from Moda.  There is a wonderful all over snowy print that was perfect for the middle of my stars.  I have always wanted a Christmas quilt and I finally have one.

To make this quilt even better, I used Cuddle fabric for the backing which makes this so cozy!  (Even better for a Christmas quilt and those cold, snowy nights.) I did quilt this 90 x 90 inch quilt myself on my Bernina 770.

There is a free pattern for this block which you can find here and low price pattern for putting the quilt together that you can find here.  Kimberly made a video that shows step by step how to make this block along with a kit for this quilt here,  Happy Stitching and Happy Turnabout!! --Kristen

Half Yard Jam

It's time for another Fat Quarter Shop Sew Along and this quilt is a fun one to make.  It uses large pieces and blocks which allows for progress to be seen quickly.  It was so exciting to see it come together after an afternoon of sewing.

For fabrics, I chose Midsommar by Pippa Shaw for Figo Fabrics.  They are bright, colorful, and so easy to sew with.  The pattern is perfect for favorite large scale prints, or a mix of smaller ones. 

This quilt is large (90 1/2 x 90 1/2) and now is the time to start thinking about cooler weather in our part of the world and having a quilt to snuggle under.  I quilted mine with a serpentine stitch and I've had a couple of requests for this quilt already.  ;)  I may have to make another since there is still plenty of time to sew one for a Christmas gift.  You can find the blog posting about making this quilt here, the free pattern here, and a quilt kit if you are interested here.  One hint when making this, make sure you watch the direction the blocks are in.  The blocks are 30 1/2 inches square, so they are big, and easy to turn the wrong way when assembling it.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen 

Jolly Bar Bakewell

Good morning!  It is bright and sunny in Minnesota already, and we are looking at a high of 37 degrees F today.  This is balmy for us, and I am hoping that some of the ice that is everywhere will melt.

On to the good stuff.  Today the Fat Quarter Shop has a shortcut pattern for the Jolly Bar Bakewell pattern.  This is a fun pattern to make.  It is smaller, so it would make a perfect gift for a new little one, or as I'm using it, as a wall hanging. You could always make more blocks and have a bed sized quilt.  The blocks are 8-1/2" square and by turning them, you can see other patterns.

I used Sugarcreek by Corey Yoder.  These fabrics are just too pretty.  When you use a Jolly Bar the cutting is minimal so you can start sewing sooner.  I did actually purchase a  Layer Cake because these fabrics are too pretty, and I'm thinking I'd like to make more than one.  I quilted mine with the serpentine stitch.  This is definitely a weekend make!

Thanks for stopping by.  You can get the free pattern and video here.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Charm Pack Tree Skirt

Hello everyone!  Wow, this year is slipping away, and in fact, my son's high school graduation is tomorrow!  June is just around the corner, and I know it seems like it is too early to be thinking Christmas, but it isn't.  The Fat Quarter Shop has another sewalong, and it is for a Christmas tree skirt.  This one is fun and fast to make, and with all the really cute holiday fabrics arriving in shops now, it is the perfect time to sew this one up and be ready when you are too busy come November/December. ;)

This pattern requires a few charm squares, a background, and a cute binding.  I chose to use Christmas Figs by Fig Tree.  Don't worry if you think the binding is going to be difficult, Kimberly has a video on how to do that too on her YouTube channel.  Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, so even though I'm looking forward to some warm weather and summer, Christmas will be here before we know it again, and I'm ready!

You can get the pattern here and watch a video tutorial for the tree skirt here. If you make this, I'd love to hear what fabrics you used and see a photo.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Union Square Sew Along

Hi Everyone!  It has been a long time in between posts, and I will have a lot to share soon.  Today is another Fat Quarter Shop Sew Along, and this time it is the Union Square block. 

There is a little more involved with making this block, and if you take your time it is well worth making sure the points match.  This is such a nice picture with sunshine in it (we have had a very long winter, and I can't wait to see the sun again!).

I decided to make mine into a mini quilt.  I was able to try a few new ways of quilting, and with the smaller size, it was easier to maneuver while free motion quilting. 

The link to the free block pattern is here.  And you can check out the FQS video here.  There is also a pattern available for a quilt made with these blocks here.  Have fun sewing this up, and I'd love to see what you do with this block.  Happy stitching!!!  --Kristen

Fat Eighth Fruitcake Quilt

Hi everyone!  I'm so excited to be sharing this quilt at long last.  It has been a few months in the making, but the day is finally here, and I have to say this is one of my new favorite quilts.

I used Summer Blush by Riley Blake and the Fat Eighth Fruitcake Quilt pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop.  There was only a fat quarter pack available to use, so I made two blocks with each fabric and it turned out wonderful.

I chose to use the same fabric for all the middle squares, but by using different fabrics it would just make the quilt a bit more scrappy.  The fabric requirements are right on as I did not have a lot of fabric left over (which is kind of a shame because I really love this fabric line).  ;)

Finally, I used the serpentine stitch and my walking foot to quilt it, and was finished in no time.  This would be a quick quilt to make for a Christmas gift, and I'm sure anyone would love to receive it!  You can find the pattern here and also see the quilts my fellow quilters have made.  Thanks for stopping by, I'll be back soon as I have another quilt top almost finished and ready to share.  Happy Stitching!!!  --Kristen

AGF Stitched Quilt Along

AGF (otherwise known as Art Gallery Fabrics) is having a quilt along with The Fat Quarter Shop using the Odori Quilt Pattern beginning today.

I chose these AGF fabrics from the Fiesta Fun line by Dana Willard.  They are all so bright and completely different than any I've used before. I need to find more of that background fabric!

After cutting strips and sewing them together, the fabrics were cut into triangles using the Creative Grids Spider Web ruler.  This really was so quick and easy to do.

Here is my completed Odori quilt which used nine blocks total, and the corners of each block made additional rings. All seams were pressed open which really made those points come together.  To top it off, I had some beautiful sun light for about a half hour when it was time to take photos. Make sure to check out the Fat Quarter Shop's free pattern, video on how to make this colorful quilt, and wide selection of AGF fabric.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Hunter Star Block/Quilt

Ever since I can remember I have wanted to make a hunter star quilt.  I love the stars, but was not excited about putting those points together.  When the Fat Quarter Shop asked if I wanted to make a block, I was all in.  I knew they would find an easier way to make these stars, and did they ever.

When I made the first block I was not seeing it.  I had more Diving Board fabric by Alison Glass and continued sewing.

Four more blocks and I'm seeing where this is going, and I'm getting really excited.  I kept thinking, it seriously cannot be this easy.

But it was, and now I have a great quilt to snuggle under.  I also tried sewing my binding on by machine and that was great, so I can check this block and new to me way of binding off the list of things to try.  You can find the pattern and an instructional video here.  I will be back tomorrow with progress on my Village and City Tile sew along quilts.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Mini Charm Chocolates Sew Along with Fat Quarter Shop

I am so excited to finally be able to share this quilt with you.  It has been a long time coming, but well worth the wait!   (And yes, we did put one Christmas tree up already)!

Mini Charm Chocolate Quilt Sew Along

Twice in a week...and I will be back again on Friday.  Just wanted to share with you that I've been sewing for the Fat Quarter Shop Mini Charm Chocolate sew along, and have actually finished another quilt.

There are lots of 2-1/2" squares in this one.  And it is quick to piece!  It would make a great gift if you are thinking Christmas at all.  (I'm always thinking Christmas).  ;)

 It is quilted, bound, and ready to share (on Friday).  

I'm starting another quilt along with Thelma of Cupcakes N' Daisies, although I am well behind.  It is a fall quilt, so I haven't completely forgotten about falling leaves and pumpkins.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

FQS Cobblestone Sew Along

Today marks the beginning of the Fat Quarter Shop's Cobblestone Sew Along.  This is such a fun quilt to make and really does not take a lot of time to piece.

I used Sweetwater's Hometown Christmas Edition fabrics, which has a Christmas/holiday theme, but really doesn't read that.

A New Pattern

For my newest project I've been working on an upcoming Fat Quarter Shop pattern.

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I chose Hometown Christmas Edition fabric by Sweetwater (which I absolutely love).