Busy Work Show N Tell ~ Part Two

Let's continue on with the Busy Work quilt show!

Lesley from Nova Scotia

Lisa from Pennsylvania

Lynn from New York

Marcia from Ohio

Marge from Pennsylvania

Margie from New York

Martha from Minnesota

Mary from North Carolina

Renee from Minnesota

Ronda from Michigan

Rose from Delaware

Sandie from Washington

Sarah from New York

Sharon from New York

Sheila from Nova Scotia

Sylke from Norway

I hope you enjoyed seeing all of the Busy Work quilts as much as I did!! 
And now....for the winner of the Fat Eighth bundle of my
Heart of the Prairie fabric collection.......the random number generator
selected....

Sylke from Norway!

Congratulations, Sylke!!!  Please email your address to me and
I will send your fabric to you right away! 

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Here's a few tid-bits about my next Pocket Patchwork sew-along.....

Presently, I am sewing the blocks to test the yardage I've calculated.  I learned a lot from
my last sew-along, and want to give you some time to choose your fabrics
and the yardage needed.  Once I'm sure about the yardage, I'll give you a peek
at the fabrics, and give all of the pertinent yardage information.

The name of the next Pocket Patchwork sew-along is.....

Forget Me Not

Forget Me Not is a sampler quilt with 12 blocks and two more assembly parts. 
I have a dilemma.  I've heard from many of you that you've enjoyed receiving
one block every Friday, and it was very do-able in your schedule. 
I feel the same way, however, if I post just one block a week,
our sew-along will take 14 weeks to complete! 

Is that too long?? 

Or....should I post two blocks a week?  That means the sew-along will take 8 weeks to complete but will double your work.  The block size is 4.5 inches finished and
some blocks have a bit more work in them than the others.

I've posted a Pocket Patchwork Sew-along Poll at the top of my blog. 
Please cast your vote!
Majority will decide how long it will take!

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My heartfelt thanks to everyone who sent in pictures of their
Busy Work quilts for all to enjoy!

Pam

P.S.  In preparation for my next sew-along, the very best way to receive your sew-along pattern instructions are via email.  To do this, subscribe to my blog by entering your email address in the Follow by Email icon, in the right column of my blog.  You'll receive the blog post as an email where you can easily print the instructions each week and work on your block.  Oh...and invite your friends to sew-along with us!  The more the merrier!!

Busy Work Show N Tell ~ Part One

It is my pleasure to show you the photos so many talented quilters have sent in of my very first Pocket Patchwork sew-along!  I have about 30 photos to share with you, so I'll have to post in two parts.  Blogger won't let me post that many photos all at once!!  I am thrilled with the response to my sew-along, and thank all of you, including the hundreds of you that haven't sent in pictures!! 

Right now, I am sewing up the next Pocket Patchwork project.  It's taken a lot longer than I would have liked only because I don't have a lot of time to sew right now. (sigh)  I'm working on two new fabric lines, finishing Journey 4, along with an active travel schedule.  All good things to be sure, but that makes other things go a bit slower. 

Let's get to the photos of your Busy Work Quilts!  Tomorrow, I will post the winner for the Fat Eighth bundle, and tease you with a few more details about the next sew-along!  For now....enjoy the show.....

Barb from Massachusettes

Bea from France

Billie from Texas

Carol from Nebraska

Cheryl from Illinois

Barb from Illinois

Dale from California

Doniene from Texas

Gretchen from Illinois

Jaci from Illinois

Jan from Utah

Jill from Oregon

Karen from Minnesota

Laurie from Utah

Isn't it great to see all the different versions!  More coming in my next post! 

Pam



Busy Work Contest Winners!!

Collecting American Country by Mary Ellisor Emmerling

My thanks to everyone who participated in my very first Pocket Patchwork Sew-along!  The response was overwhelmingly wonderful!  I know that many of you haven't been able to sew-along with us these past few weeks, but that's quite alright.  Read on for a reason to get started!

This book is one of my all time favorites.  I page thru it regularly and am inspired by the lovely things on its pages. One page in particular really caught my eye this spring, and was the catalyst for two of my most recent designs, with the Busy Work quilt being one of them. 

Lucy's Prairie Pockets pattern was inspired by the Prairie Pocket hanging on the wall.  I had been wanting to create a pocket for some time, and it just kept nudging me.  I'm so glad that I did because they are really great fun to make.  Doesn't it look awesome in this arrangement?  Pockets look great next to the reproduction quilts in my house, too.   Loving all those needle-keep cases and wonderful antique quilts.  Sigh.

There are many goodies on this page that I'd love to reproduce in some fashion or form.  You, too?  Well, Busy Work was inspired by the little black, brown, and cream colored two-block Sawtooth Star quilt to the lower right corner of the pocket.  Two blocks doesn't make for a long sew-along, so I played with ideas until I came up with what you now know is Busy Work. 

So, that's how Busy Work came to be!  What do you think? 

Now...on to the important stuff.  Choosing the winners!  Yes.... winners - plural.  I decided to choose two winners....so each will get a set of my newest 6 patterns.

The random number generator chose the winners and they are.........

Jan who said....It's been so much fun waiting for Friday to see the next piece of the quilt. I love the finished quilt. I did mine in the same color way as yours and I'm going to quilt it with an overall design using my embroidery machine. Thanks for a great project!!

Marcia who said.....This little quilt is adorable. I am just getting into mini quilts as I begin my retirement. Mine is not ready to send a photo yet, but I have the fabrics ready to go and have started cutting. The border really adds a great finishing touch.  You fabric line is lovely. I look forward to buying and using it - maybe with your patterns.

Please email me your snail mail addresses and I will get those patterns to you right away!  Thanks to everyone who commented all along.  Words don't fully express how I love reading them and that they mean so very much to me. 

I'm loving all of the colorways that you are all using.  I've seen quite a few and they're great.  Thanks for the photos and links!!  Now, I know everyone would enjoy seeing how your Busy Work quilts are turning out, so I'm going to propose another give-away!!!

Piece & photograph your Busy Work quilt by 

Saturday, July 7th.  

If you have it quilted and bound, why, we'll consider you an over-achiever!  Send me a photo of your quilt via email no later than July 7th to be eligible, and I will show them all in an upcoming blog post!  Your photo will count as your entry to the give-away. 

One winner will receive a Fat Eighth bundle of my new fabric collection,  

Heart of the Prairie!

So, ladies and gentlemen......start your sewing machines!  

I've got to get back to market preparations.  Enjoy your day and I'll be in touch very soon!

Pam

Pocket Patchwork ~ Busy Work ~ Part Six



Here is the sixth and final part of my very first Pocket Patchwork Sew-along!  I can hardly believe that we're almost done!  I have thoroughly enjoyed presenting this little project to you and have loved each and every comment.  Enough about that - betcha want to get sewin'!  Here's your cutting instructions.

Cutting Instructions:

*Cut (4) 1½" black print squares for border.

*Cut (4) 1½" brown print squares for cornerposts.

*Cut (24) 1½" x 2½" assorted light print rectangles for Flying Geese (FG)

*Cut (48) 1½" black print squares - cut in matching pairs - for FG Connector Corners (CC).

Let's make some Flying Geese for a pieced border!

Directions:

*Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of all (48) black print Flying Geese CC 1½" squares.

*Place a black print CC to the left side of a light print 1½" x 2½" rectangle.  Sew (scant) on the diagonal line; press and trim.  Repeat on the right side.  Make (24) FG that should measure 1½" x 2½" unfinished.

Quilt Assembly

*Arrange the units for the borders as shown.  Sew together; press seams open. 

*Sew side borders to the quilt center; press to the quilt center.  Sew top/bottom borders in the same manner.

Your Busy Work quilt should measure 15½" x 15½" unfinished.

 Busy Work ã 2012 Pam Buda/Heartspun Quilts, Inc.®

Ta Da!  What do you think?  I just love this little quilt and it was very easy to put together.  You know what we need next?  A Give-Away!  I'd love to hear what you thought about my first Pocket Patchwork Sew-Along.  If you're making a Busy Work quilt for yourself, I'd love to know the colors you chose to use.

Leave me a comment before midnight, May 6th, for a chance to win a set of my 6 new patterns! I'll also share where I got my inspiration for Busy Work. 

Thanks so much for sewing along with me.  I had such fun, we'll have to do it again soon.  Please spread the word among your quilting friends to become a follower of my blog and sign up for the posts to be delivered by email.  The more the merrier! 

Thanks for spending a few moments with me today!  I really appreciate it very much!

Pam

Pocket Patchwork ~ Busy Work ~ Part Five

It's part five of our Pocket Patchwork sew-along and time to sew our blocks together.  Here are the next set of instructions for our Busy Work quilt......

Cutting Instructions

*Cut (1) 1 1/2 inch black square for the center.

*Cut (4) 1 1/2 inch x 6 1/2 inch strips for sashing.

Piecing Instructions

1). Arrange the pieces for the quilt center as shown.

2). Sew together into rows; in all cases press to the sashing.

3). Sew rows together; press.  Your Busy Work quilt center should measure 13 1/2 inches square.

Not a whole lot of piecing today because I want you to rest up!  We'll have a bit more piecing to do in Part Six, when we put the finishing touches on our Busy Work quilt.  I think our little quilt is cute just the way it is, but trust me, it's gonna get even better! 

If you're just tuning in and want to participate in my Pocket Patchwork Sew-alongs, it's not too late!  To receive the instructions for Parts One thru Four, find the Pocket Patchwork ~ Busy Work label on the right column of my blog.  Going forward, the best and easiest way to receive the instructions is to enter your email address in the "Follow by Email" icon, also found in the right column.  While you're at it, become a follower of my blog as well! 

I can hardly wait for you to see Part Six!  So exciting!!!

















Pocket Patchwork ~ Busy Work ~ Part Four

Back again for our fourth installment of Pocket Patchwork.  We're half way through our sew-along!

Here are your instructions for block four of our Busy Work quilt......

Cutting Instructions

*Cut (4) 2 1/2 inch black squares for corners.
*Cut (2) 3 1/4 inch light squares - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (1) 3 1/4 inch black square - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (1) 3 1/4 inch brown square - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (2) 1 1/2 inch black squares for Odds & Ends center unit.
*Cut (1) 1 7/8 inch light square for Half Square Triangle - Odds & Ends center unit.
*Cut (1) 1 7/8 inch black square for Half Square Triangle - Odds & Ends center unit.

Piecing Instructions

1). Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the 1 7/8 inch light print square.  Match with the black print square and sew 1/4 inch on each side of the drawn line.  Cut apart and press to the dark.  Make (2) Half Square Triangles should measure 1 1/2 inches unfinished.  Sew the HST's and the 1 1/2 inch black squares into an Odds & Ends center unit as shown, which should measure 2 1/2 inches unfinished.

2). Sew Quarter Square Triangles together as shown to measure 2 1/2 inches.

3).  Arrange the pieces as shown and sew together into rows; press.  Sew rows together; press.

Block should measure 6 1/2 inches unfinished.

Merrily we sew-along......

Pocket Patchwork ~ Busy Work ~ Part Three

Are you still with me?  From the comments I've been getting, it looks like I have quite a few friends sewing along with me!  I must say, it's really so very nice to sew with friends!  Thanks!!

I've received a few emails asking for yardage information, and I'm sorry I hadn't figured that out well ahead of time.  I've been in crush-pre market-mode, and didn't make the entire quilt before beginning our sew-along, so I don't have yardage figures for you this time, but rest assured, I'll do better next time!  My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause you and I hope you'll join me anyway.

Well...enough of that...let's get to Block Three of our Busy Work quilt......

Cutting Instructions

*Cut (4) 2 1/2 inch black squares for corners.
*Cut (2) 3 1/4 inch light squares - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (1) 3 1/4 inch black square - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (1) 3 1/4 inch brown square - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (1) 2 1/2 inch black square - for square-in-a-square unit.
*Cut (4) 1 1/2 inch light squares for sq-in-a-square unit connector corners.

Piecing Instructions

1). Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the (4) 1 1/2 inch light print squares.  Place in a corner of the 2 1/2 inch black square and sew on the drawn line; press and trim.  Repeat for the remaining corners to make a square-in-a-square unit that measures 2 1/2 inches.

2). Sew Quarter Square Triangles together as shown to measure 2 1/2 inches.

3).  Arrange the pieces as shown and sew together into rows; press.  Sew rows together; press.

Block should measure 6 1/2 inches unfinished.

I just have to say how much I appreciate all of the comments I receive from you guys!! 

Pocket Patchwork~Busy Work~ Part Two

Welcome to block two of my Pocket Patchwork sew-along!  I sure hope you enjoyed making Block One.  Here's the next batch of info to continue with our Busy Work quilt......

Cutting Instructions

*Cut (4) 2 1/2 inch black squares for corners.
*Cut (2) 3 1/4 inch light squares - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (1) 3 1/4 inch black square - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (1) 3 1/4 inch brown square - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (2) 1 7/8 inch black print squares for Half Square Triangles - Pinwheel.
*Cut (2) 1 7/8 inch light print squares for Half Square Triangles - Pinwheel.

Piecing Instructions


1). Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of both 1 7/8 inch light print squares.  Match with black squares.  Sew 1/4 on each side of drawn line; cut apart and press to dark.  Sew into a Broken Dishes unit that should measure 2 1/2 inches.

2). Sew Quarter Square Triangles together as shown to measure 2 1/2 inches.

3).  Arrange the pieces as shown and sew together into rows; press.  Sew rows together; press.
Block should measure 6 1/2 inches unfinished.

Easy breezy blocks showcasing fun fabrics!  Thanks for sewing-along with me today!  Part Three next week!  See you then...

Pam

Pocket Patchwork ~ Busy Work ~ Part One

Welcome to the first ever Pocket Patchwork sew-a-long project!  I've named our little quilt Busy Work, because the Prairie Women tucked their bits and pieces of fabric into the pockets they wore under their skirts, where they'd have some stitchin'...busy work... handy while they sat and chatted with their friends.

Here's some stuff you need to know.  We'll work on our quilt over six weeks and I'll post instructions once a week.  Hopefully, that will be do-able for you.  I'm making my quilt from three colors ~ black, brown and neutral, and it's scrappy.   The blocks finish to 6".  I'll give cutting instructions with a photo of the block assembly and of the finished block. 

Here we go........

Cutting Instructions

*Cut (4) 2 1/2 inch black squares for corners.
*Cut (2) 3 1/4 inch light squares - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (1) 3 1/4 inch black square - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (1) 3 1/4 inch brown square - crosscut twice on diagonal for Quarter Square Triangles.
*Cut (2) 1 7/8 inch black print squares for Half Square Triangles - Pinwheel.
*Cut (2) 1 7/8 inch light print squares for Half Square Triangles - Pinwheel.

Piecing Instructions


1). Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of both 1 7/8 inch light print squares.  Match with black squares.  Sew 1/4 on each side of drawn line; cut apart and press to dark.  HST should measure 1 1/2 inches.  Sew into a pinwheel to measure 2 1/2 inches.

2). Sew Quarter Square Triangles together as shown to measure 2 1/2 inches.

3).  Arrange the pieces as shown and sew together into rows; press.  Sew rows together; press.
Block should measure 6 1/2 inches unfinished.

Block one is done.  It's always so much more fun to sew with a friend!  Thanks for sewing-a-long with me.  Let's do it again next week! 

Pam

P.S  It not too late to join our Pocket Patchwork sew-a-long!  The best way to receive the block photos and instructions is to sign up to receive emails of my blog postings.  It's easy!  Type in your email address where it says "Follow by Email", on the right hand column of this blog page.  While you're at it, I invite you to become a Follower, too!