Already up to block 48 of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Sampler. WOW! How are your blocks coming along?
This is the original block I designed for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol 7.
And here is my sampler block. Cute!
We've got a pattern sale going on in our Easy shop -----> Take a look here.
Cheers and happy sewing!
I'm back with another block to share for Quiltmaker Magazines 100 Blocks Sampler.
The block, Positive Outlook, was originally in Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Volume 9. I made the block with solids and shared some different ideas for layouts that you can read about here.
This block looks super groovy when it's set on-point!
Here is my sampler block. It's so fun to see the block in a completely different color way. :-)
Cheers to a great new year and happy sewing!
Hi!
Today I have another block of mine from the Quiltmaker Magazine 100 Blocks Sampler to share. This block is called "All Square" and originally was in Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Volume 8. You can check out my blog post from the Volume 8 blog tour here.
This is my original All Square block...
And, here is the sampler block version of All Square.
How are your sampler blocks coming along?? :-)
Take a look at block 8 for Quiltmaker Magazines 100 Blocks Sampler...cute, right? I'm cruising along with these blocks. I'll take a progress picture of all the blocks I've got done so far soon.
Block 8, Happy, by Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobson
How are your blocks coming along?
Cheers!
Hi!
I'm back with block 7 from the Quiltmaker Magazine 100 Blocks Sampler quilt. I love this block! I went for a walk recently and all I could think about were different layouts for this block...how would it look on point? With sashing? Should I make a table runner with it? Or, maybe a wall hanging? Couldn't get it off my mind! :-)
Block 7, Tumbler Star, designed by Benita Skinner
How are your blocks coming along?
Cheers!
How are your 100 Blocks Sampler blocks coming along? I'm usually a big block kind of girl, but these 6" blocks are becoming addicting!
Here are my block 5 and block 6.
Block 5, Ladder Up, designed by Toby Lischko
I made two versions of block 6, Old Town Star, which was designed by Katie Blakesley. The first version was not doing it for me. When using small units to put the blocks together you can lose some contrast you would have when using larger units. The first picture below is my first block. Not enough contrast.... The second picture is the re-done version. Much better. :-)
You can check out previous posts on the Quiltmaker blog here. Also, tag your pictures on social media #100blockssampler!
Happy sewing!
Hi! Are you sewing along? This is my first block that is included in the sampler. I've got several others I'll be sharing with you throughout the sew-along! But for now, lets check out Block 4 - Bingo.
When the lovely folks at Quiltmaker told me that some of my blocks from different issues of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks would be included in the sampler I was excited! Then, they asked if I wanted to join in and share versions of my blocks, and I said absolutely! It's so fun to see the different blocks and how different they all look. I can't wait to see the finished quilts people will create! The blocks finish at 6", so they are on the smaller side (especially if you are used to sewing larger blocks) but once you make a few, you get used to the 6 inch size. If you haven't grabbed a pattern, or want to grab a kit you can find one here and here. You can also see past sampler blog posts from Quiltmaker here.
My first thought was to create a scrappy quilt using jewel tones from my stash and scraps. Turquoise, purple, blue, magenta, along with a few others, and grey as a neutral.
I shifted fabrics, replaced fabrics, added, subtracted, but something was missing. Maybe it was Spring fever, or a full moon, or that I just wanted to do something Ive haven't done, but I went into a totally different direction. I stared at my stash and realized that I have a TON of blue and green fabrics. All different kinds of blues and greens. I started to stack them all up together and thought-- YEP! That's what I'm going to do! Something bright, springy, and kind of airy.
Here is the first block, Spinning Star, designed by Lynn Roddy Brown. There are a couple of "hiccups" with my points, but I love it anyway! Have you seen the blocks Lynn is making with solids? You can check it out here.
Here is block 2, Village Square, designed Mickey Depre.
Block 3, Get the Point?, by Carrie Nelson
Block 4, Bingo, designed by me. :-)
Here they are together. What do you think?
I look forward to seeing your blocks! Enjoy the process, don't be too hard on yourself, and keep quilting!
This blog doesn't get the attention it deserves because all the social networking channels out there like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest that seem to occupy a lot of my time. There's also Periscope, Google+, Snapchat, Peach, Super....and the list could go on and on. You could cruise through all those apps and websites and not get much else done in the day! But, there's been something I've been thinking about a lot lately after spending time on all those social networking sites, especially Facebook.
Like thousands of others, hundreds of thousands of others, I am part of several quilting groups on Facebook. It's a great place to chat about quilting, fabric, tips, and to show others your finished quilts. It's fun and interesting to see what others are working on and a wealth of information. But, I've noticed a trend in these groups, which makes me think it also happens outside of these Facebook groups. So many times when someone posts their finished quilt, or a new block they've finished, they are quick to point out their "mistakes". So many times I've seen an awesome finished quilt that looks great, but the first thing the maker tells everyone is how wrong this or that is, or that their points aren't exactly lining up like laser beams. My first reaction is to say "what mistakes?!?.... It looks SWEET! You should be SUUUPPPPEERRR proud of yourself for creating that!" Often I make a comment to let the poster know that I think the quilt looks great, aside from their perceived mistakes, along with lots of other people who think the quilt looks sweet. Many times the quilter who made the quilt is usually the only one who really notices their "flaws" or "mistakes". They seem surprised that others love their creation. Granted, not every quilt that someone makes will be your favorite, or mine, but what I hope is that quilters are proud of their work and embrace what they've made without first saying it's "not very good" or "there are tons of mistakes". So many of these quilts are being made for friends or family as a gift or to provide some comfort and the last thing they will see is the tiny flaw of a slightly mis-matched point or small seam allowance hiccup in one of the blocks. Yes, the goal should always be matching seams and points, good pressing techniques, and careful cutting, but even if your quilt had a bump or two on the road to creating it don't cut yourself short! You've made something awesome and it's a wonderful accomplishment.
Making quilts should be fun and you should be proud of your quilts! I've spoken to a lot of new quilters who feel terribly intimidated by their abilities and don't feel like they should have a seat at what should be a huge table of quilters. They create one or two quilts, and because all they can see are those small flaws in their first quilts they give up, and decide they just aren't cut out to be a quilter. I feel a twinge of sadness when I hear people cut down their own work. I strive to create patterns for Harding Hill Designs that are perfect, along with striving to create perfect quilts, but I cut myself some slack when it comes to the quilts I make for myself. I want the process of creating quilts to be enjoyable. For myself, the quickest way to burst the bubble of sewing and quilting enjoyment is by telling myself I'm terrible at it the whole time because all the focus is on the things I could have sewn better. Occasionally my seams are a wee bit off, but I'm trying hard to not make that the focus of the quilt when I talk to others about it. My hope is that instead of pointing out the things we all think we've done wrong with our quilt, we instead celebrate what we've created and show the world with a sense of pride.
Whether you've created the next "best of show" quilt for a huge juried show or a wonderful quilt you'll be giving a friend, be proud of what you made and what you've accomplished! You are a quilter whether or not your quilt wins awards or just wins the heart of those you have created it for. Be gentle with yourself....keep sewing & creating!
Hello!
I'm happy to again be included in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks issue! I hope you enjoy the blog tour and all the creativity, fun, and giveaways that go along with it! You can check-in each day here.
My block, which is below, is made with the newest collection from BasicGrey for Moda called Mon Ami, along with some grunge. It's a fun, charming collection.
When I was at Quilt Market in May I met Allison Black from BasicGrey. She stopped by my booth after noticing my love of BasicGrey. I had my newest book, One Block Remix at market and three of the quilts in the book and in my booth were made with different BasicGrey collections! I'm always drawn to the beautiful artwork and fresh colors of their fabric.
Our book, One Block Remix, has 10 different quilt patterns all using one block. It was fun to play with one block to see what new shapes and designs are created by moving and shifting the block, along with using different fabrics. I've also done that with previous blocks in Quitmaker's 100 Blocks for the blog tour which you can read about here, here, and here. I can spend hours moving things, or changing colors. Many times the results can be surprising! I've done the same for my latest block. The first layout is a straight forward layout. The block creates a secondary pattern that carries though the quilt.
Add some vertical sashing and it's a whole new pattern.
Now, flip some of the blocks for a new pattern.
Or, turn the blocks on point
I turned the blocks on point and changed the colors to a monochromatic color scheme.
Below the blocks are again on-point but I swapped out the setting triangles and corners with white.
Lots of possibilities with just one block!
Or, as a table topper or small play mat
Or, a few blocks can make a great table runner.
Thanks again for stopping by and checking out our block! Leave a comment below for a chance to win one of two copies of the new issue. And, head over to Facebook and like our Harding Hill Designs page, or leave a comment there if you've already "liked" us for another chance to win. You can tell us anything in the comments. We love to hear from you! In the past we've talked about mayonnaise, moms, and of course quilting in the comments. It's always fun to read the comments!
Cheers and Happy Quilting!
Edit, 11/20/15: I just realized I forgot to add information about the end of the drawing. Comments left before Sunday, November 22, 2:00 PM CST will be eligible. :-) Thanks!
Edit, 11/22/15: I've emailed the winners for their contact information. The winners are Dana G. and Lori S. :-)
Half square triangles are little workhorse blocks in our quilts. These blocks are great for so many reasons! They can add movement, they can add graphic punch, they can create contrast among your fabrics...all kinds of things! In our new book One Block Remix, we've designed 10 different quilts that are all made from one HST block.
There are tons of ways to make HST's and tons of tools to help construct and finish these blocks. Some methods call for adding 7/8" to the finished size of your units when cutting, which makes my brain and eyes twitch a little. Plus, this method leaves you with almost no wiggle room if you've got a wonky seam, or any inconsistent stitching. I like to have wiggle room! I need wiggle room! So, the method of adding a 7/8", and then cutting doesn't really work too well for me. I'd rather cut the beginning units a little larger and be able to trim them down after sewing. It gives me a little more control over the outcome and makes the cutting easier for me in the beginning because I'm working with whole numbers.
To give yourself that extra wiggle room begin by cutting your squares 1" larger than the size of your finished HST. Part of the extra 1" will be trimmed away, and the other part will be your seam allowance. If your finished HST unit should be 8", start with 9" squares.
After cutting your squares, mark the wrong side of half of your squares by either drawing a light line diagonally from corner to corner, or by folding the square in half diagonally to create a crease. Now, match up your squares to make pairs of 2. One of the squares should be a marked square and will be on the top. Next, layer 2 squares, right sides together, and sew a 1/4" away on each side of the marked line.
Next, you'll cut on the drawn line and you'll have 2 HST's. Carefully press the seam, either towards the darker fabric or open....pressing these seams open does take a little longer but can make things easier for you in the long run when stitching the blocks together. Now for the last step, you just need to trim your HST's. If you have a ruler with a 45 degree line on it, align that line with your seam and trim the unit down a 1/2" from the size of your beginning squares. If you started with 9" squares, trim the HST's down to 8-1/2", which will give you 8" finished HST's. Because I press my seams open, I like to trim a little from all 4 sides. Some people like to trim from just 2 sides. Do what you like best and what works best for you. :-)
I Would love to hear your favorite method for making HST's! How do you mark your squares? Do you draw a line, use tape on your machine, fold your squares? Drop me a line in the comments and let me know. Also, here's a handy little HST step-by-step you can download and keep handy. A HST How-To - Harding Hill Designs
Cheers & Happy Sewing!