Harding Hill Designs

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

 

Hello!

Today is my day on the Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Blog Tour and I'm excited to again be included in another great 100 blocks issue!

 

My block is a scrappy, lively block called Paris Square. It's a great block for scraps. For this block the scrappier the better!

 

Paris Square

 

This issue has a great designer gallery full of quilts and table runners using some of the blocks in volume 7. Below is my Paris Square quilt. I used different lines from Art Gallery Fabrics for my block and the quilt. I quilted it with a large chevron pattern and love how bright and springy the quilt looks. 

 

Paris Square straight layout

 Here is the block set on-point with sashing. I've been gathering my scraps and have this one on my to-do list. 

 

Paris Square on-point layout

 

Part of the blog tour fun is I've got 2 issues of 100 blocks Vol. 7 to giveaway. Just leave a comment before 11:00 PM (CST) on Thursday, May 2nd and you'll be entered. You can also like the Harding Hill Designs facebook page for a second entry, or leave a comment on facebook if you've already "liked" our page. You can leave anything you'd like in the comments. If you're not sure what to write in the comments you could tell us when you started quilting or what are you working on right now? What is your all-time favorite fabric collection or what is your favorite color to use in your quilts?  You can tell us anything! :-)

Happy Quilting!

 

Sweetheart Table Runner Tutorial - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you! As the old saying goes, "time flies when you're having fun". I can't believe it's already the new year. I'm looking forward to all the things I have planned for this year and hope you are along for the ride!

Do you do the New Years Resolution thing? I used to come up with very specific, grandious resolutions that usually fizzled by March, well some by February. Ha! But this year instead of specific resolutions and plans to lose weight and eat better (which I'm going to try to do) I'm also going to try and live a little more in the moment, laugh a little more- whether it's just laughing at myself or laughing with others. Take my work and goals seriously, but not take myself too seriously. Try to spend less of my limited time worrying and more of it laughing and smiling. I've also started a Gratitude Jar. Mine is actually a gratitude make-up bag because I am using an old make-up bag I've had for years. That way I can throw it in my purse and take it with me. I'm not going to force myself to write something down everyday, even though that wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. Instead, I am going to try to make note of things I am grateful for both big and small when the moment strikes. (You reading this is something I am grateful for!) 

I've got a new Valentines Day tutorial in the post. It's a sweet table runner to add some love to your home for not only Valentines Day but all year! It was inspired by the tried and true Valentines Candy Hearts we see every year. 

Image via candywarehouse.com

There has been alot of action here in the sewing studio with 11 new patterns in the process of being tested right now, and some great projects for a few magazines. I can't wait to get them done and ready to show you! We've also taken some time to plan out some great things we'll be doing on our blog. We've got a new editorial calendar for ourselves to keep all of our new blog ideas organized and ready. You can expect to see much more from us throughout 2013 and hopefully beyond. :-) 

Here is the tutorial for the Sweetheart Table Runner-- I hope you enjoy it!

Fabric Requirements: (Based on fabric with a width of 42" of useable fabric)                   Finished Size: 21" x 49". Use a 1/4" seam for all piecing.

Neutral Fabric:     
7/8 yd

Colored Fabric:    
3, 7" squares
4, 4" squares
60, 2.5" squares
(great way to use up leftover layer cake squares, charm pack squares, and pre-cut 2.5" strip scraps)

Binding:
3/8 yard

Backing:
1 yard

Batting:
24" x 52"

Cutting Neutral Fabric: 
1. Begin by cutting 4, 4.5" x WOF (Width of Fabric) strips from your neutral fabric. First, cut 2 strips into 4.5" x 40.5" units (top and bottom borders). Then with the remaining 2 strips cut 4, 4.5" squares (small heart backgrounds) and 2, 4.5" x 12.5" units (side borders). Now cut a 8.5" x WOF strip. From this strip cut 3, 8.5" squares (large heart backgrounds) and then with the remaining part of the strip cut 2, 2.5" x 12.5" units (sashing between blocks).

Hearts:
For the hearts use whichever applique method you prefer. For myself I didn't fuse or stabilize anything. After tracing and cutting out the large hearts from the 7" colored squares and the small hearts from the 4" colored squares I just used a dab a glue from a glue stick in the middle of the heart and slowly stitched around the edge with a standard zig-zag stitch. This may not be the preferred method by most people but for this project I'm happy with the results. The most important thing to remember if you don't stabilize or fuse your fabric is to stitch slowly around your hearts to keep everything flat and not to create any puckers. But...before we get to the stitching we need to align our hearts on our background fabric.

Take your 8.5" neutral fabric squares and make 2 folds to create a center intersection. First fold the square in half to create a horizontal fold and finger press the fold. Next, while the square is folded, fold again in half to create a vertical fold and finger press.

First Fold

 

After Second Fold

 

Double Creased

Next you'll want to do the same type of thing with your hearts. First fold the bottom or the point of the heart up, so the tip is even with the top of the 2 curves and finger press the crease.

First Fold

Next, unfold the heart to fold it in half to create a vertical crease and finger press.

Second Fold

Now you will have a intersection of creases on both the background squares and hearts. To keep the spacing even, simply match up the crease intersection on the hearts with the crease intersections on the background squares. I put a very small dab of glue from my glue stick right in the middle and then zig-zagged slowly around the heart. I would recommend stitching the hearts with your needle in the needle down position for easy pivoting. Also, if you use the glue stick method make sure you don't put any glue around the edges or where your needle will go in. If your needle goes through the glue you could have a big gluey mess in your bobbin case.

For the large hearts keep all the creases lined up

For the small hearts makes the same folds and creases on both the hearts and background fabric but rotate the heart as shown in the picture below. 

Match the intersecting creases but rotate the heart so the point is pointing towards a corner of the background fabric

Next, divide your 2.5" squares into 6 groups of 4 squares each and 6 groups of 6 squares each. Sew the squares together in each group, pressing seams all the same direction. Now sew a 4 square unit to the top and bottom of each large heart block. Press the seams towards the middle. Then stitch a 6 square unit to each side and press towards the center. 

Your finished blocks should measure 12.5" x 12.5". 

Next, sew a 2.5" x 12.5" neutral fabric unit between the blocks and press towards the neutral fabric. Proof your runner, it should measure 12.5" x 40.5".

Now, sew on your 4.5" x 40.5" top and bottom border and press towards the border.

Decide on the placement of the 4 corner hearts and sew one to the top and bottom of your 4.5" x 12.5" units. Press away from the 4.5" square.

Now, sew the side borders with the corner hearts to each side. Press away from the center.

Layer your heart filled runner, batting, and backing. Quilt, bind and Enjoy! The Kona Cotton colors are used are Medium Pink, Banana, Lavender, Mango, Honeydew, and Ice Frappe.

I put together a few other color options for this runner. Other than my inspiration from the retro colors of the candy hearts I also like the idea of raiding your red/magenta/purple scraps and making a runner with those bright tones.

Or, you could keep it bright with rich, jewel tones.

We always LOVE comments here on the blog! We would also love to see a picture of your runner! Follow us on facebook and share a picture with us, or follow us on twitter and share a picture there.

Thanks for stopping by & Happy New Year to you!

Happy Quilting!

Download Valentine Sweatheart Runner Hearts

 

 

Glorious Autumn Block Party & A Giveaway

 Hello & thanks for stopping by!

 

There have been some really great blocks in this block party...don't you think? Each day that we get to see a new block I envision what I'd like to make with it. Should I make a cute fall table runner, or maybe a set of placemats? A wall hanging or a fun, fall throw. There are just so many ways to go with these blocks! This week I am joined by Sarah at Sew Joy Creations who has been creating and showing us the blocks as we go and Amy at Butterfly Angels who has some great pictures on her blog! The Glorious Autumn flickr page has lots of inspiration and it's a great place to share your creations! 

My block is called Fall Burst. It's a quick, pieced block that would work well with lots of different fabrics and colors. 

 

Fall is my favorite season. I'm one of those people who always runs a little hot, so to speak. Too much heat and humidity and I'm a mess. Plus, I have thick, very coarse hair that is like a little heat lamp on the top of my head during the summer. Temperatures over 80 and I'm sweating, which usually includes an adorable sweat mustache. That may have been way too much information for some of you...I apologize if it was but, I know I'm not alone when it comes to being happy when a little crisper air moves in and seeing the leaves change. ;-)

Things have been moving right along here at Harding Hill Designs and I am excited to be able to show everyone our 10 new patterns very soon. In the meantime you can check out our Etsy shop to take a look at our first pattern series we released. To celebrate the Glorious Autumn Block party we are giving away 2 Harding Hill patterns. Simply leave us a comment and you will be entered. In the past I've said you can tell me anything in the comments to be entered. Such as what is your favorite season, or your least favorite season, what size of quilt do you like to make, are you a coke or pepsi person, what are you most grateful for, what has been your biggest quilting accomplishment...the list could go on and on. You can tell us anything! You can also pop over and like our facebook page for an extra entry. The giveaway will be open until 10:00 pm (CST) Tuesday, October 2nd.  

Thanks again for stopping by! I hope you enjoy fall and enjoy the rest of this block party!

Have a great day & happy creating!

Download Fall Burst Turtorial Harding Hill Designs (PDF)

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 5 Blog Tour

Greetings!!

It's my turn on the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour and I am excited to share my block with you! If this is your first time here, welcome! 

These issue are always packed with creative ideas and wonderful blocks. There are also some quilts on Quiltmaker's facebook page made from some of the 100 blocks. A quilt called Bingo Crazy by Reesa Zuber features our Bingo Block. Stop by and check out the awesome quilts! Also, make sure you stop by the other blogs on the blog tour for lots of great giveaways and amazing creativity. 

My block is called Bingo and features Robert Kaufman's, Treasures and Tidbits by Piece O' Cake Designs. Don't you love the bright colors of this collection! 

 Bingo

This is a block that can be bright and cheery or understated and desaturated. It can also go some different directions with the layout and borders. I think it's a great catch-all block for whatever you have in your stash! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I mentioned earlier in this post, there are great giveaways on this blog tour. I am giving away a copy of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks. To throw your name in the hat just leave me a comment before noon (CST) Monday May, 7th about anything you'd like. In the past in the comments we've talked about Miracle Whip vs. Mayo, (which is where I learned about Dukes Mayo), our favorite seasons, long walks on the beach and more. I'd love to hear about anything...tell us about what your working on now, how you've seen quilting change since you've made your first quilt, or what your first quilt was- did you use a pattern or just jump right in and improvise, which layout using the Bingo block do you like best? You don't have to answer all those questions but if you'd like to answer any of them I love to hear from you! You can also hop over and like our facebook page for an extra entry. 

If this is your first time here, thanks for dropping in! Hope you all have a great time with this blog tour!

Cheers & Happy Quilting!

Quilting Gallery Blog Hop Party!

Welcome!

If you are new here for the Quilting Gallery Blog Hop Party thank you for stopping by! We are busy sewing and enjoying the first hints of spring. Spring is such a great time of year...the days are longer and things start to bud and come alive around us. But, spring can be a drag when it comes to those pesky allergies, right?

Along with sewing in the studio we are also gearing up for a trunk show at the end of March. We will be heading to Hannah Johnson Fabrics in Duluth, MN on March 28th. Stop by and say hello if you are nearby....It will be a fun night!

We are giving away 2 copies of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol.4, which includes Harding Hill Designs B Squared block, for this fun blog hop party! 

 

To be entered in the giveaway simply leave us a comment here on the blog. You can tell us anything in the comments! You can also hop over and like our facebook page for an additional entry. The giveaway will be open until March 23rd. Good luck and thanks again for dropping by!

Winners!

It was so awesome reading the comments left for the Blog Hop Party! I hope everyone found some cool new blogs to keep tabs on and found some cool new quilting treasures along the way! It's always fun to find out how people started quilting. A lot of times there seems to be someone in the background who is your cheerleader telling you to dive in and give it a try, yet so many others jumped in head first and were determined to not be intimidated by a pattern and haven't looked back since. So cool to hear all the stories and read the wonderful comments.

Stay tuned for the new patterns we are working on! Lots of different things coming up. A few strip patterns, some patterns specifically for solids and some table runners! If there is a Harding Hill Designs pattern you are interested in, mention it to your local quilt shop or you can check out our store here. 

Now for the winners!

I used random.org to draw the numbers for me and the first one for the patterns was #27- Pam. The other 3 numbers for a copy of Quiltmakers latest 100 blocks issue were #84- Darci, #149- Jennifer and #116- Robbie. 

Have a great day!

Welcome to the Blog Hop Party!

Welcome to everyone who is stopping by as part of the Quilting Gallery Blog Hop Party!
I'm glad you stopped by!! 

 

There are a lot of fun blog's on this hop with lots of great give-aways from all over the world! How cool is that, right??

We are currently working on a bunch of new patterns so things are busy! For those of you who are new here and haven't checked out our patterns yet, they are designed for you to create fun and vibrant projects that can often be completed quickly. You can take a peak here.

Part of the blog hop fun are the giveaways!  We are giving away 2 of our patterns. (The lucky winner can choose the 2 they would like.)

We also have 3 copies of the most recent Quiltmaker 100 Blocks isssue, which includes our B Squared block to give away! Although, some of you may already have gotten this issue at your local quilt shop or through your subscription, it would be a great gift for someone! A fun way to get your friend, co-worker, or neighbor hooked on quilting!

Simply leave us a comment to be entered in the giveaway. On a previous post I mentioned you could tell me anything in the comments to be entered for the giveaway and I received some of the most wonderful comments! So, for this post I am going to do the same. You can tell me anything in the comments but if you aren't sure what to share, we always love hearing about how you began quilting. Or you could let us know your favorite color combos, or favorite cocktail recipes, or a hobby you love in addition to quilting.  You can also like our facebook page or follow us on twitter for an extra chance or two! I will draw the 4 winners and email them on December 18th. Thanks again for dropping by!

Happy Day & Happy Creating!  

 

Quiltmaker's Blog Tour- 100 Blocks Vol. 4 & a Giveaway

Hello!! 

I am so excited to be part of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks issue! These issues are always filled with so much creativity and inspiration....I want to make everything I see!

I went through a few different variations of my block before the finished product which is below. I played with the blocks layout, along with some different fabric choices. 

B Squared

 

Here is the first draft of the block. I started with all solid fabrics, which I love to use! Some of the new patterns that I am working on are geared specifically for solids....and I love how they are turning out! 

But, I wanted a little more oomph (that's a word, right?!) so I changed the center of the block to give that extra bit I thought it needed.

I love how this block can go so many different directions with the layout. Sashing and borders can change things so much! I put together some different layout options for the block for you to see the many ways this block could go. 

The first layouts are without sashing but some of them have an added border-

 

 

Or, by adding sashing either vertically, horizontally, or both....

Quiltmaker is giving away lots of great stuff during this blog tour. Make sure you stop by Quilty Pleasures to get in on all the fun & giveaways! If you would like to throw your name in the hat to win a copy of 100 Blocks Volume 4 leave me a comment. You can tell me anything in the comments...Do you have a favorite layout? Do you like to use sashing in your quilts? Do you like long walks on the beach? What's your favorite season? Mayo or miracle whip? I love to hear from you!! I will draw the winner and email them on Monday, November 14th. But, if you are not the lucky winner you can always pick up a copy when it hits quilt shops November 15th.

If you are new here thanks so much for stopping by! We are working on lots of new patterns and a fun holiday project with a tutorial that will be posted on the blog soon. You can like our facebook page to be the first to know!

Have a Great Day & Happy Creating!

 

 

 

 

 

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 4

I'm sure you're just like me & look forward to Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks issues! It's so fun to see all the amazing creativity! We are also excited because our block is not only in the new issue but it is also one of the blocks featured on the cover! 

 

We will have some more details for you about our block along with some fun things planned for Quiltmaker's blog tour which starts November 7th. So mark your calendars! 

Our First Giveaway

As I mentioned at the end of the last post there are a lot of fun and exciting things going on here at Harding Hill Designs. The most exciting... is the release of our new 2-1/2" strip pattern series. We have 8 new designs which we started to ship this week! To celebrate the new releases we think a giveaway is in order!  

 

Cupid Shuffle is a great pattern to use some of your larger scale prints! The pattern includes crib, lap, and full size options.

 

Sunshine Shimmy is next up....The fabric in the cover quilt from Robert Kaufman is so cheery & fun! Sunshine Shimmy has 3 size options included- Lap, twin, and queen. 

 

Can Can is a wonderful pattern for solids or prints! This pattern works great for those scrap strips looking for a home, plus there are 5 sizes- crib to king.

 

 

Cha Cha Cha is the last pattern we'll feature today. All you need are some contrasting 2-1/2" strips and you are set to go for this quilt. We used the Bali Pop Pink Lemonade set for our dark strips. The big blocks in this quilt make it come together in a snap!

 

To celebrate these new releases someone will win a copy of all the patterns featured today!  Just enter your email address and leave us a comment...let us know which of the patterns featured you would like to make first. If you've entered here on our blog you can also hop over and like our facebook page or join us on twitter for an extra entry or two. There may even be a few surprise announcements on our Facebook page in the near future! We will choose and announce the winner for this giveaway on Monday, September 12th.  

Next week we will be featuring some more of our designs. There may just be a few celebratory giveaways then also...stay tuned! You can also check out our Etsy shop here.

Happy Creating!