Make your own DIY Quilted Hoodie with me using these FREE Downloadable Templates! Follow the blog post to assemble your own version!
You may remember I promised a tutorial for the Mid-Century Modern quilt, which I made and shared earlier this summer. Well ... it turns out it is a little more difficult than I thought! So, as you f
I think we can all agree that as quilters we have this deeply implanted love of creating and being creative, and that creativity doesn’t just stop at piecing a quilt top. Doing the actu…
Modern Fans is a bold, contemporary quilt pattern that includes king, queen, twin, throw and baby quilt sizes as well as a video tutorial!
Learn how to free motion quilt feathers even on your own domestic machine. Step by step tutorial on feather quilting plus free printable template.
This is a pdf free motion quilt tutorial download. There is no physical item. *There are 2 PDF files to download* You need to have basic quilting experience and a sewing machine that can drop it's feed dogs to quilt. This mini tutorial and templates is to teach you " How To Draw The Actual Free Motion Quilting Designs. I have 5 different basic beginner FMQ template designs for you to learn and 12 downloadable quilting templates pages to print out to practice learning these designs by tracing over the printed downloads using muscle memory method. The Gingerbread Meander, Meandering Loops, Swirls, Loops and Motion Design. I drew out each design on paper with a marker so you can see a computer program did not make these templates designs. This is how I learned to free motion quilt. 1. Print out the templates. (Make sure your printer is not “Set to Fit Page” or the design won’t print out to correct size) 2. Start with the “Gingerbread Meander” with the arrows and take tracing paper or paper on a light box and trace the design from start to finish over and over. It can take a lot of practice until you feel comfortable. Then draw the design yourself on paper with a marker without tracing it. Remember when drawing it out yourself it will be different then what you traced. No two patterns are the same since you are creating it. Then try to quilt it using your sewing machine. The digital downloads can only be downloaded via computer on Etsy and not through the cell phone. To access your digital files from your account: Sign in to Etsy.com and go to Your account. Go to Purchases and reviews. Next to the order, select Download Files. This goes to the Downloads page for all the files attached to your order. You can also go back to the item’s listing page, where you should see an “Instant Download" message on the images for the item. Any questions please reach out to me via Etsy. Since this is digital download there are no refunds.
Learn how to use baking paper as an aid for your free-motion quilting. Tutorial includes instructions on how to quilt a stylised flower motif suitable for square blocks. Free downloadable template provided.
Hello all, Today i am going to continue my investigation into the Provençal Costume by talking about something which may be surprising in such a warm climate, namely, quilted clothing. Quilted clothing is extremely widespread, as far as China, being a practical way to produce warm clothing. There are three garments worn as part of this costume which are sometimes quilted, the corset or bodice, the petticoat, and the skirt. Obviously these are more commonly worn in winter, but the skirt especially is sometimes worn even in warm weather for special occasions, such as weddings. There are two types of 'corset' or bodice worn in Provençe, with a lace up front, or an overlapping front which is pinned shut. The peasant class, the Paisanne, often wears a laced bodice as the sole outer garment, made of a double layer of colored or striped cloth. The Artisanne and the Bastidanne most commonly wear the bodice or corset which is pinned shut across the front. The back has a fold with lacing to adjust the corset to the body and provide support for the torso. This type of bodice/corset is worn over the chemise and under the dress or jacket 'caraco'. The corset is usually white or off-white, made of a double layer of cloth, and often finely quilted. Here is a photo of such a corset. Another similar garment is the petticoat, which in cooler weather is quilted the same way. These garments are made with minimal wadding or none at all, and often show very elaborate geometric and/or floral designs quilted into them. Here are some examples. More surprisingly, perhaps is a skirt worn by the upper class, the 'Bastidanne', which is sewn and quilted just like a comforter, and is considered to be a very formal garment. The normal skirt averages about 4.5 m around, but the quilted skirt runs about 2.6 m. The regular skirt is called 'jupe', but the quilted skirt goes by the special name of 'Cotillon'. Here is a drawing by Lucille Armstrong showing this version of the Provençal Costume. This is more or less the upper class, Bastidanne Costume, except that the sleeves on the jacket are usually longer, and the fichu is normally of whitework. Here is another photograph of a Provençal wedding, with both the bride and groom in the Bastidanne Costume. It is very refreshing to see people maintain their own traditions instead of submitting to the cookie cutter white elephant wedding gown of standard western culture. The woman standing at the left and the man kneeling at the right are both in Paisanne Costume, while the two women standing and kneeling behind the groom are both in Artisanne Costume. If you look closely, you can see that the bride is wearing a quilted 'cotillon'. If the cotillon is made of a printed material, then usually the quilting is made up of a grid of diamonds over the body of the garment, with parallel lines of quilting on the bottom edge. Here are some examples. These skirts are made in a wide variety of colors and print designs. These skirts are made by putting the lining cloth on a stretcher, then placing the wadding on top, and the outer cloth is then quilted by hand on top. The bulk of the texture of the quilting shows on the outside, and the inside is relatively flat. There is a second type of cotillon which is made, in which the surface cloth is of a solid color, often a rich silk. A band of design is inserted between the diamond grid of the body of the cotillon and the parallel pipes of the hem. Here is a photo of the Bastidanne costume including such a cotillon. The solid color of the top cloth enables the quilted design to be seen and appreciated. Those who wish to make more ambitious quilted designs choose to do this. The inserted design varies significantly in width. Here are a couple more examples. Here are some examples of the types of designs which are inserted. Each horizontal band is a separate design. There is yet one more type of cotillon which is sometimes found. Occasionally a girl makes one specifically for her wedding. While the dress for the wedding may be of any color, this particular type is often white. The added design makes a very wide band, but instead of being arranged in bands, the design consists of various images symbolic of a wedding, fruit, flowers, arches, baskets, hearts etc. scattered around the band. Usually this includes the bride-to-be's initials, and can also include inscriptions such as short prayers or 'this skirt belongs to demoiselle X'. These are obviously a lot of work and are often handed down as heirlooms within the family. Here are a couple of examples. I found this tradition of handiwork surprising, and I hope that you find it interesting and inspiring. Let us make and wear things that are not the same as everyone elses. Let us look to the traditions of the past when everyone contributed to the development of traditions. Thank you for reading. Feel free to contact me with requests for research. I hope to eventually cover all of Europe and the Former Russian Empire/Soviet Union. I also gratefully accept tips on source materials which i may not have. I also accept commissions to research/design, sew, and/or embroider costumes or other items for groups or individuals Roman K. :[email protected]. Source Material: Mary Gostelow, 'The Complete International Book of Embroidery', New York, 1977 Rode de Basso Prouvenço, 'Le Costume Populaire Provençal', Aix-en Provençe, 1990 Andre Sainsard, 'Costumes Folkloriques Provinces Françaises', Paris, 1972 Royere, Gardilanne, Moffat et al, 'Les Costumes Regionaux de la France', New York, 1929 Charles-Brun, 'Costumes des Provinces Françaises', Paris, 1937 P. Leroux, 'Costumes Regionaux', Paris, 1940 Nicolette Tennevin & Marie Texier, 'Dances of France II. Provence and Alsace' from the series 'Handbooks of European National Dances', London, 1951
This is a document with cutting templates and detailed instructions for a modern quilt. This is an instantly downloadable PDF file. The file contains 14 pages including cutting templates to make this "Spring Flowers on a Fence" quilt pattern and the fabric requirements. Detailed step-by-step instructions are also included. A basic knowledge of piecing with templates is required. Finished blocks measure 14” (35,6 cm). The whole quilt measures 60”x60” (152x152 cm). Use a 1/4" seam allowance. For printing, please ensure that the file is set to actual size. A print test square is included in the document.
You've stitched a beautiful English paper pieced (EPP) quilt top, now let's turn it into an actual quilt! This tutorial walks you through my best tips and tricks for pressing, trimming, how to make a quilt backing, basting, and binding! Your final stop for all things related to finishing your quilt.
Hello all, Today i am going to continue my investigation into the Provençal Costume by talking about something which may be surprising in such a warm climate, namely, quilted clothing. Quilted clothing is extremely widespread, as far as China, being a practical way to produce warm clothing. There are three garments worn as part of this costume which are sometimes quilted, the corset or bodice, the petticoat, and the skirt. Obviously these are more commonly worn in winter, but the skirt especially is sometimes worn even in warm weather for special occasions, such as weddings. There are two types of 'corset' or bodice worn in Provençe, with a lace up front, or an overlapping front which is pinned shut. The peasant class, the Paisanne, often wears a laced bodice as the sole outer garment, made of a double layer of colored or striped cloth. The Artisanne and the Bastidanne most commonly wear the bodice or corset which is pinned shut across the front. The back has a fold with lacing to adjust the corset to the body and provide support for the torso. This type of bodice/corset is worn over the chemise and under the dress or jacket 'caraco'. The corset is usually white or off-white, made of a double layer of cloth, and often finely quilted. Here is a photo of such a corset. Another similar garment is the petticoat, which in cooler weather is quilted the same way. These garments are made with minimal wadding or none at all, and often show very elaborate geometric and/or floral designs quilted into them. Here are some examples. More surprisingly, perhaps is a skirt worn by the upper class, the 'Bastidanne', which is sewn and quilted just like a comforter, and is considered to be a very formal garment. The normal skirt averages about 4.5 m around, but the quilted skirt runs about 2.6 m. The regular skirt is called 'jupe', but the quilted skirt goes by the special name of 'Cotillon'. Here is a drawing by Lucille Armstrong showing this version of the Provençal Costume. This is more or less the upper class, Bastidanne Costume, except that the sleeves on the jacket are usually longer, and the fichu is normally of whitework. Here is another photograph of a Provençal wedding, with both the bride and groom in the Bastidanne Costume. It is very refreshing to see people maintain their own traditions instead of submitting to the cookie cutter white elephant wedding gown of standard western culture. The woman standing at the left and the man kneeling at the right are both in Paisanne Costume, while the two women standing and kneeling behind the groom are both in Artisanne Costume. If you look closely, you can see that the bride is wearing a quilted 'cotillon'. If the cotillon is made of a printed material, then usually the quilting is made up of a grid of diamonds over the body of the garment, with parallel lines of quilting on the bottom edge. Here are some examples. These skirts are made in a wide variety of colors and print designs. These skirts are made by putting the lining cloth on a stretcher, then placing the wadding on top, and the outer cloth is then quilted by hand on top. The bulk of the texture of the quilting shows on the outside, and the inside is relatively flat. There is a second type of cotillon which is made, in which the surface cloth is of a solid color, often a rich silk. A band of design is inserted between the diamond grid of the body of the cotillon and the parallel pipes of the hem. Here is a photo of the Bastidanne costume including such a cotillon. The solid color of the top cloth enables the quilted design to be seen and appreciated. Those who wish to make more ambitious quilted designs choose to do this. The inserted design varies significantly in width. Here are a couple more examples. Here are some examples of the types of designs which are inserted. Each horizontal band is a separate design. There is yet one more type of cotillon which is sometimes found. Occasionally a girl makes one specifically for her wedding. While the dress for the wedding may be of any color, this particular type is often white. The added design makes a very wide band, but instead of being arranged in bands, the design consists of various images symbolic of a wedding, fruit, flowers, arches, baskets, hearts etc. scattered around the band. Usually this includes the bride-to-be's initials, and can also include inscriptions such as short prayers or 'this skirt belongs to demoiselle X'. These are obviously a lot of work and are often handed down as heirlooms within the family. Here are a couple of examples. I found this tradition of handiwork surprising, and I hope that you find it interesting and inspiring. Let us make and wear things that are not the same as everyone elses. Let us look to the traditions of the past when everyone contributed to the development of traditions. Thank you for reading. Feel free to contact me with requests for research. I hope to eventually cover all of Europe and the Former Russian Empire/Soviet Union. I also gratefully accept tips on source materials which i may not have. I also accept commissions to research/design, sew, and/or embroider costumes or other items for groups or individuals Roman K. :[email protected]. Source Material: Mary Gostelow, 'The Complete International Book of Embroidery', New York, 1977 Rode de Basso Prouvenço, 'Le Costume Populaire Provençal', Aix-en Provençe, 1990 Andre Sainsard, 'Costumes Folkloriques Provinces Françaises', Paris, 1972 Royere, Gardilanne, Moffat et al, 'Les Costumes Regionaux de la France', New York, 1929 Charles-Brun, 'Costumes des Provinces Françaises', Paris, 1937 P. Leroux, 'Costumes Regionaux', Paris, 1940 Nicolette Tennevin & Marie Texier, 'Dances of France II. Provence and Alsace' from the series 'Handbooks of European National Dances', London, 1951
Use these quilting templates to spell out whatever phrases or words you'd like on your quilt top!
Civil War reproduction quilts are incredibly popular and offer history lessons wrapped around sewing and piecing. The best of both worlds!
Explore AngelaFMQ's 220 photos on Flickr!
Aerial PAPER longarm quilting pantograph design by Patricia Ritter and Melonie J. Caldwell More Details Aerial pantograph pattern by Patricia Ritter and Melonie J. Caldwell PAPER: A single row is 3.5 inches wide - printed with two row - 144 inches long Click here to go to our main Panto Directory Page. Click here to see more items of interest to machine quilters. Don't know what a "panto" is? Click here to find out what the heck a "panto" is.
Ripples - Pantograph / E2E © 2015 Hermione Agee PAPER: A single row is 9.25 inches - printed with one row - 144 inches long DIGITAL (computerized quilting systems): Zip file includes: BQM, CQP, DXF, HQF, IQP, PAT, QLI, SSD, TXT, WMF and 4QB or PLT. Most designs also include a DWG, GPF, PDF, PNG and SVG. SELF-PRINT: A single row is 6.5 inches - printed with one row. TEAR AWAY (Patent #10975506): A single row is 8.5 inches - Pack includes FOUR 52" tear away sheets. NOTE: One package of Ripples TEAR AWAY will quilt an area approx. 53 inches x 49 inches. EMBROIDERY (computerized embroidery systems): Zip file includes: ART, DST, EXP, HUS, JEF, PCM, PCS, PDF, PES, VIP, VP3 and XXX Sizes included: Size 1: 330.2 mm x 89.6 mm (13.00 Inches x 3.5 Inches)
This listing is for a digital PDF file of the Whale quilt pattern. PLEASE NOTE: This pattern contains no text, but only diagrams to describe the individual steps. It uses instructions for cutting out the pieces with a rotary cutter and quilting ruler and does not contain actual size templates. The blocks are made using traditional machine piecing, there's no paper piecing required. The pattern (5 pages, 5 MB) is available in English and German. You can download and print it out immediately after purchase (Acrobat Reader required, www.adobe.com). *** Find the FREE Whale Watching mini quilt video tutorial here: https://youtu.be/oTEDOWxevCo *** The Submarine quilt pattern needs to be purchased separately. Here's the link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/692866162/pdf-nautical-quilt-pattern-submarine?ref=shop_home_active_10 FINISHED QUILT BLOCK SIZES: - 6" x 12" (15,2 x 30,5 cm) - 12" x 24" (30,5 x 61 cm) THIS PATTERN INCLUDES: - Cover with a picture of the unfinished quilt blocks - Complete fabric requirements list - Diagrammed step-by-step instructions SKILL LEVEL: Advanced beginner NOTE: The quilt blocks contains some small pieces with measurements smaller than an inch. HELPFUL TOOLS: - Cutting mat, rotary cutter, quilt ruler, spray starch Happy sewing! xo Nadra © 2020 Nadra Ridgeway, ellis & higgs. All rights reserved. This pattern is not available for commercial resale. IT IS ILLEGAL TO SELL, COPY OR SHARE THIS PATTERN WITH OTHERS. TERMS OF USE: You may sell handcrafted items made from this pattern under the following conditions: - The item must be made by the individual that purchased the pattern. Keep a copy of the receipt as proof of purchase. - The item must be made by hand, one at a time, mass production is not allowed. - Credit must be given to ellis & higgs as the designer of the pattern on a tag affixed to each item. - If selling online, the listing must contain a direct link to the original pattern.
This listing is for a digital PDF file of the Flying Seagull quilt pattern. PLEASE NOTE: This pattern contains no text, but only diagrams to describe the individual steps. It uses instructions for cutting out the pieces with a rotary cutter and quilting ruler and does not contain actual size templates. The blocks are made using traditional machine piecing and appliqué techniques, there's no paper piecing required. The pattern (7 pages, 5 MB) is available in English and German. You can download and print it out immediately after purchase (Acrobat Reader required, www.adobe.com). FINISHED QUILT BLOCK SIZES: - 6" x 12" (15,2 x 30,5 cm) - 12" x 24" (30,5 x 61 cm) THIS PATTERN INCLUDES: - Cover with a picture of the unfinished quilt blocks - Complete fabric requirements list - Diagrammed step-by-step instructions SKILL LEVEL: Advanced beginner NOTE: The quilt blocks contains some small pieces with measurements smaller than an inch. HELPFUL TOOLS: - Cutting mat, rotary cutter, quilt ruler, spray starch Happy sewing! xo Nadra © 2022 Nadra Ridgeway, ellis & higgs. All rights reserved. This pattern is not available for commercial resale. IT IS ILLEGAL TO SELL, COPY OR SHARE THIS PATTERN WITH OTHERS. TERMS OF USE: You may sell handcrafted items made from this pattern under the following conditions: - The item must be made by the individual that purchased the pattern. Keep a copy of the receipt as proof of purchase. - The item must be made by hand, one at a time, mass production is not allowed. - Credit must be given to ellis & higgs as the designer of the pattern on a tag affixed to each item. - If selling online, the listing must contain a direct link to the original pattern.
All the tools, supplies, notions and know how for machine quilting on either a long arm quilting machine or a sewing machine.
Since I have a few quilts for September coming in already I thought I would work on this special one early. This is Leslie's quilt and it is for her first grandchild that is due this week. When we were flipping through my panto sample book and she saw the "Goldfish" panto she knew right away that was the one. It makes a great baby/toddler quilt design and reminds me of goldfish crackers. I used Purple So Fine on top and bottom. Goldfish is a Beany Girl Quilts design.
I think we can all agree that as quilters we have this deeply implanted love of creating and being creative, and that creativity doesn’t just stop at piecing a quilt top. Doing the actu…
Get longarm results with your home machine and break way from straight line quilting with our exclusive Free Motion Quilting Essentials Template Set. The set comes with 5 of the most fundamental shapes that will help you get started with Free Motion Quilting with templates. This set is an amazing value as comparable sets sell for over $90. This set is meant to be used with a ruler foot, see below for more information. You can create classic quilting patterns such as circles, baptist fans, clamshells, waves, straight lines, arcs, feathers, and more. These templates require you to use a ruler foot...
I’m a member of a local Block of the Month club. I love the push each month to learn new skills that I wouldn’t have normally picked up on my own. Last month we made these fun circle pinwheels using a 15 degree ruler. They are adorable. And SO much work! It was fun to…
Bumpity PAPER longarm quilting pantograph design by Barbara Becker More Details Bumpity longarm quilting pantograph paper roll pattern by Barbara Becker - Four Paws. A single row is 9” wide – printed with one row – 144” long. Click here to go to our main Panto Directory Page. Click here to see more items of interest to machine quilters. Don't know what a "panto" is? Click here to find out what the heck a "panto" is.
Looking for some quilting inspiration? Try these Nine Patch block ideas.
Full-size Tumbling Quilt Block Pattern in 2 Sizes: 8.5 x 7 in 17 x 14 in There are no written instructions, but only printable templates and diagrams. 5 PDF Files contain: - Block, Foundation, Block Templates, Rotary Cutting Chart, Fabric Yardage, Image of Quilt versions using this block The pattern includes a 1/4" seam allowance. It prints on standard 8.5" x 11" paper. IMPOTENT NOTE: Click Actual Size in the Print dialog box when you print PDF file. This is a PDF instant download file, not the material item. This is a DIGITAL product. To purchase this Digital Pattern PDF file all you have to do is submit payment and it will become available to you for instant download. https://www.etsy.com/help/article/3949 You will require Adobe reader to open this format, which is a free download from the Adobe website. Always enlarge the image of your PDF file what you received by clicking Fit to Width Scrolling on the top panel of Adobe reader. This will allow you to see clearer images and diagrams. I don't accept returns, exchanges or cancellations. Digital Downloads are not refundable. Please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Learn how to quilt Diamond Loops, a fun loopy border design, with Angela Huffman of Quilted Joy and APQS longarm machines.
This is a PDF digital copy. After purchase, you can instantly view the pattern under your Etsy account. Click on Purchases, then Downloads. Viewing the pattern works best on a laptop or desktop. PLEASE NOTE: when printing templates, be sure your printer is set to "Actual Size" NOT "Scale to Fit". Mountain Horizon is inspired by the way the sun rises and falls over a mountain range, and the resulting colors of the horizon. Each block plays off the next with the sun coming between two mountain peaks. This is an intermediate pattern, which requires sewing curves and working with bias edges. This pattern assumes that the quilter has a basic knowledge of quilting. Paper templates for the curved pieces are provided and I recommend cutting them out and tracing them onto a sturdy surface such as cardboard or plastic template paper. This pattern is written for five sizes: Wall Hanging (16" x 33"), Baby (33" x 33"), Throw (49" x 65"), Full/Queen (81" x 114"), and King (114" x 114"). Since this pattern is block based, you can easily add or subtract blocks to customize size. This pattern is written for use of Fat Eighths/Quarters or Yardage. A Fat Eighth is considered a 9 x 21" cut of fabric and a Fat Quarter is considered a 18 x 21" cut of fabric. All yardage is assumed to be 42" wide. All seam allowances are 1/4". This pattern includes helpful diagrams and a coloring page to help you plan your fabric selection. Tip! Pattern requires cutting along bias edges, meaning fabric is prone to stretch. Handle fabric carefully and use starch as desired. Pattern is for one person use. Copying, redistributing or selling is strictly prohibited. You may sell quilts made using this pattern on a small independent scale. Please credit design to Lo & Behold Stitchery. Throw quilt with purple was created by Eliane Bergmann. Wall hanging quilt was made by Fran Gulick. Enjoy!
Follow along with this step-by-step to learn how to free-motion quilt swirl designs.
Looking for some quilting inspiration? Try these Nine Patch block ideas.
This listing is for a digital PDF pattern of the Seagull Quilt Block Pattern The pattern (4 pages, 5 MB) is available in English and German. You can download and print it out immediately after purchase (Acrobat Reader required, www.adobe.com). FINISHED QUILT BLOCK SIZES: - 6" x 6" (15,2 x 15,2 cm) - 12" x 12" (33 x 33 cm) PLEASE NOTE: This pattern contains no text, but only diagrams to describe the individual steps. THIS PATTERN INCLUDES: - Cover with a picture of the unfinished quilt blocks - Diagramed step-by-step instructions SKILL LEVEL: Advanced beginner NOTE: The quilt blocks contain some really small pieces, the smallest piece is a ¾" x 1¾" rectangle MATERIALS NEEDED: Orange Print: 2" x 3" (12" BLOCK), 2" x 2" (6" BLOCK) Red Print: 3" x 4" (12" BLOCK), 2" x 3" (6" BLOCK) Grey Print: 6" x 13" (12" BLOCK), 4" x 7" (6" BLOCK) Dark Grey Print: 4" x 5" (12" BLOCK), 3" x 4" (6" BLOCK) White Print: 10" x 10" (12" BLOCK), 6" x 6" (6" BLOCK) Background Fabric: 1 FE (12" BLOCK), 10" x 10" (6" BLOCK) Embellishment: 1 black button HELPFUL TOOLS: - Cutting mat, rotary cutter, quilt ruler, spray starch Happy sewing! xo Nadra © 2019 Nadra Ridgeway, ellis & higgs. All rights reserved. This pattern is not available for commercial resale. IT IS ILLEGAL TO SELL, COPY OR SHARE THIS PATTERN WITH OTHERS. TERMS OF USE: You may sell handcrafted items made from this pattern under the following conditions: - The item must be made by the individual that purchased the pattern. Keep a copy of the receipt as proof of purchase. - The item must be made by hand, one at a time, mass production is not allowed. - Credit must be given to ellis & higgs as the designer of the pattern on a tag affixed to each item. - If selling online, the listing must contain a direct link to the original pattern.
What a journey this quilt has taken me on. So many little stories come to mind when I look at this quilt. It's actually called Bloomin Steps by Joan Ford. But it's also a classic twist on the traditional "Jewel Box" Block. Here's some of her stories: This was my very first scrap quilt. The first funny part of this quilt is that I didn't HAVE any scraps when I started it! I had yardage! Lots and lots of yardage. I started cutting for this quilt in the Winter of 2012, when my Vicki was still alive. Even now, I pause as I write that, because it still startles me from time to time that she is gone. We were like two peas in a pod and so many of our quilting projects had each other in them somehow...someway. This one was so us....from the very first cut. Part 1 posted here Part 2 posted here We decided somewhere in the fall of 2012 that we (Vicki and I) wanted to make the same quilt. Neither of us had ever done a scrap quilt. Our friend Charlotte Hawkes is the scrap QUEEN of our guild and just kept showing up with scrap quilt after scrap quilt for show and tell. Each one more beautiful than the next. Vicki and I were OCD when it came to color....balance. Some colors didn't belong ANYWHERE together. When we asked Charlotte how she chose her fabrics, she always came back with... "Choose?? They are scraps! There's no color, just VALUE". We still didn't buy it. I had a VAST collection of floral fabrics (Never used a single one, just bought them) and Vicki was going through a Bright Batik phase. So I cut into every floral fabric I had to make my scraps and Vicki picked 4 colors - Hot pink, purple, navy and dark green. I cut into 30 different white on white's...Vicki cut into ONE White on White. (Baby Steps!) Her finished quilt top is actually sitting on my "Quilt Me" page that I recently added to my blog. Anywho, we both had them neatly piled into towers after we cut what felt like 10,000 squares and had no idea how to begin. I called Charlotte at 10:00 at night and said "Now what??? I have them all sorted into piles and have at least 20-30 squares in each tower of that particular fabric".... Silence.... "You WHAT?" she asks. "I said....I have them all sorte..." I stammered. "Stop..... take the box and throw it up in the air". Now I'm silent. "Throw? Wait....what??" "Like a tossed salad", she says. "Mix them all up!" "Charlotte, I can't do this!" "Yes you can! Mix them all up!" "....I gotta go, I need wine" We disconnect. It was February 2013 at a Valentine's Day weekend retreat that we planned to start this quilt together. Vicki, Sandy H, Lori and I whisked off into a Winter Wonderland and found a cozy corner of the retreat center to hunker down to sew and chit-chat. As I recall now, I wish I had taken more pictures of our shenanigans that weekend. But I can still see Vicki and I across from each other, gently lining up our blocks and sewing. I got really bold with what went together by the end of the weekend. Vicki still had graph paper and color charts. (grin) By July - we were still working on the borders.... (forgot to cut for those....) And I felt so FREE of color limitations, I wanted to get REALLY bold and piece the back with MORE of the floral fabrics. I cut up several hundred 6" squares and pieced them all together for the back. I had this crazy notion that I wanted to line up the scrappy back with the blocks so when I woke up one day with the most AMAZING free-motion quilting skills... the quilting pattern would look amazing on the back too. HA! Vicki called me inspirational. Ray, her husband, said I was nuts. Vicki called a family member and got her gigantic quilt frame that had been loaned out for years picked up and set back up in the family room. Her thought was that we could hand baste it on the frame to make sure all the squares lined up. I watched with awe at how she handled that frame and loaded it all up. She gave my shoulder a squeeze and said "this will be yours one day". I chortled some quip about slipping immortality pills into her ice cream and never gave it another thought. Until she so suddenly passed away a few months later in January of 2014. We sat at that frame a few days a week for a month basting that quilt. Sometimes we gossiped, sometimes we laughed, sometimes we made fun of Ray and the Dog (neither one of them could hear us) and sometimes we quietly went into our "zone". We always enjoyed each other's company no matter what we were doing. We brought a sense of peace to each other whenever we were together. Nothing in the world could keep us from smiling and laughing. We squeeled like school girls when the quilt was done and came off the frame. Ray wanted to know what we were going to do with the empty frame.... Vicki draped some quilt tops over the bars and called it a day. Jan & Vicki Hand-Basting Jewel Box - Fall of 2013 That quilt hung, only hand basted, on a quilt stand in my living room for over a year. I didn't have amazing free-motion skills to make my inspiring ideas come alive. But it was basted, by our hands, and that was enough for me. It was a tough year for me. But I felt comfort keeping in close touch with Ray. Helping him sort through all of her things and helping him make some sort of purpose to a life without his bride. I did inherit that quilting frame, but I didn't have much desire to do any quilting. Time passed, and a new kind of normal slowly started to form. I went on a retreat with a large group of besties and found some healing in a pile of Halloween fabric. Halloween Frenzy was born. I impulsively decided to make it reversible so that I could use Vicki's frame again. Then I changed gears and spent the summer\fall focused on the Autumn Victoria Quilt that Vicki started. I wanted it to hang at her guild's quilt show and wanted Ray and her Mom to see it completed. 3 months later, less than 2 days before the anniversary of Vicki's death....Ray passed away, from what I believe, was a broken heart. There was a sense of finality when Ray was gone, but also a sense of healing. He was so very sad to be without her. He couldn't make sense of his life or what he was supposed to do without her. I was only finding peace with quilting. It was the only place my mind could settle down. And since I got so used to sewing every single day to make that deadline, I didn't know what to do with myself when it went off to Kim to be quilted. Kim is infectious and is a long arm quilter. At that point, I never even saw her sit at a sewing machine, I only saw her stand at her long arm. Idle hands, something something.....I picked up the Jewel box quilt and figured.... I know how to stitch-in-the-ditch, at least SOME progress would happen. Sew Day with the Hamlin Girls Kim was VERY excited that I was "Quilting". Not piecing...but "Quilting". She convinced me to go out and buy a piece of plexiglass and some dry erase markers and start auditioning quilt designs for the rest of the quilt. Let me say, that blue tape around the edges is PERFECTLY mitered. :-) But my mind was completely blank with ideas. Kim comes over and starts drawing the most beautiful designs. I'm taking pictures the whole time and discounting everything because "I" can't do it. Kim's sketches Kim dumbing it down to something I can accomplish Now at this point, she's pretty sick of my "can't do" attitude and demands that I go buy a sketch book and a new pack of colored sharpies. She calls daily... "did you buy a sketchbook? did you buy a sketchbook?" Finally I buy one and show up on her doorstep with it. No idea what to do next. A "Kim Werth" tutorial Page She draws out a meander with instructions and says.....fill the next 5 pages just like that. More tutorials She turns several blank pages and does something fancy. I try.....and fail. If I were sewing this design, I would have bird's nests on the back from starting and stopping and oh man..... This sucks. How about a feather? I told her that I had originally envisioned a feather around the open part so she draws out the square - to size... meaning the actual size of the quilt block and whips up this gorgeous feathery thing. I tried to TRACE what she did, and I had no idea how she did it. So then I made HER trace it, and I followed behind with a pencil and arrows to figure out how she did it. I need direction... My first attempt More "I can't do this" from me. Everything I drew looked like a 4 year old did it. She tells me to photo-copy the block 30 times and keep trying.... Just keep sketching, just keep sketching.... I must've drawn those feathers 100 times. They actually started to look pretty good! So then I got cheeky and started googling "free motion fillers" and filtering by images. I'd find something and try to draw it....in EXCESS. I needed a bigger Sketch Book. I did it - I don't like it, but I filled a page.... McTavishing or something... What if I draw a grid similar to my border? Oooh, this is kinda cool.. Those flowers are totally cute Ooooh, combining designs... Before I knew it....weeks had gone by and I had done nothing but sketch and doodle Hey - I might be getting good at this! Pat on the back...this is looking cool! If you can draw it, you can quilt it! Wow....wonder if I can actually sew these? Zentangle...ish? Orange Peel Then I stumbled on Orange Peel fillers. I drew myself a tutorial map and started to fill pages with it. I finally had the courage to start SOMETHING, anything, on this quilt. Kim said "Start with the Orange Peel". So I did. I'm doing it!!! By the time I got around that entire border, an entire 3-day retreat was over. But MAN was I proud! I was really shaky in the beginning, but I was content with not being perfect. I wanted this quilt to map out more of my journey!! Feather Map I tried to sketch out the feathers again and they came to me SO much easier. I had a rhythm in my head that seemed to work so I numbered them and put the sketch right by my machine. If I blanked out and lost my way, I could look at the sketch to pick up where I left off. I found that I like to free-motion very FAST. I need to learn to slow down to make the stitches more even. First Feather...not bad!! Oh yeah....I got this!! The pride of doing this myself is so awesome. Grids in the middle The "grid" concept came from one of Kim's sketches, and I liked the idea of it being kinda mashed down. Looking back on this?? After I did all the Stitch-in-the-ditch, I should have sat and picked out all of the basting stitches. I kept getting snagged on them and thought it was my lack of experience or losing my rhythm. It wasn't either, I was catching on basting stitches underneath. Max Cat One day - I stopped home for lunch to find Max Cat taking ownership of the "Jan & Vicki" scented quilt. I got a kick out of it. Scout - Mister Meow Then later that evening, I was quilting away and the quilt wouldn't move....I found another stow away! Mom....take a break As he crept closer and closer, he finally made his demands. "Mom....stop quilting and pay attention to me". I guess I really was focused. Every day after work I went straight to the machine and often times forgot about dinner and everything else. Mister Meow Cuddles After much needed cuddle time, I had my next evening to myself to continue on to the borders. Marked lines to follow Literally the SECOND I stitched the last line in the border, I added the binding to the front and took it straight to the washing machine. I couldn't wait to see it all washed, dried, crinkly. FINISHED!!! Sew Satisfying It came out of the washing machine, I glue basted the binding back and had it ready to go to guild the next night for show and tell! I was sooooo excited!!! Hanging at Patricia's Quilt Show I didn't get a chance to hand tack the binding before the quilt show deadline, so I let it hang there just glue basted. I am really really proud to see this completed. The final piece of this journey....was the binding. In April of this year, me and 5 besties took a trip to Paducah in a camper. There was one leg of that trip that 4 of us sat with this quilt sprawled across the camper working on hand basting the binding. Soooo many friendships and stories with this quilt. I will FOREVER cherish it.
The Star Spangled Shield quilt pattern is a unique take on the traditional patriotic motif using both traditional piecing methods and just a touch of foundation paper piecing (FPP). Use yardage or go scrappy for your FPP stars. The result is a generous throw sized quilt. Perfect for a family member or friend, or even to donate to a deserving service member. Quilt Finishes at 68" x 91" A single copy of the FPP Templates are included and should be reproduced at the actual size to ensure correct sizing. Please note, any reproductions of the templates are for personal use only. **************** This listing is for a Printed Pattern in booklet format. If you prefer an instant download instead - be sure to check out PDF Pattern listing. Once you acquire the pattern, you'll have the option to access the additional video resources. These optional resources are available with either a hyperlink or QR code. Desiring more creative insights with this pattern? Discover more by visiting my WEBSITE ARTICLE.
