Tokens of the Past: Attic Treasures

Introducing my newest pattern in the Tokens of the Past series, called Attic Treasures! 

Once again, the units and blocks for all three of these cutie quilts were made from just one 10 inch precut of my new Antique Cotton fabrics (for Marcus Fabrics)!!  Add some yummy sashing, border and binding fabrics and you're all set.  

I thought you'd like to see some up-close pictures of the quilts, and the wonderful quilting by my friend, Ronda.

Back In Time from Tokens of the Past: Attic Treasures

The first quilt is called Back In Time.  It was inspired by a nineteenth century doll quilt I saw recently and fell madly for.  So unusual, so simple, so stunning!  All of the quilts in this pattern were inspired by very simple patchwork.  Lovely colors, great fabric prints, and simple patchwork make for classic quilts!  Quilt size is 21 x 21.

Remembering Mama from Tokens of the Past ~ Attic Treasures

The second quilt is called Remembering Mama.  Sixteen Patches and Sawtooth Star blocks make for a simply beautiful combination.  I knew those alternate blocks would be a place for gorgeous quilting, and the design really makes this quilt come alive, don't you think?!  Classic patchwork and great colors and prints really make for another classic, sweet little quilt.  Love, Love!!  Quilt size is 20 x 24.

Forever Memories from Tokens of the Past ~ Attic Treasures

 

The third quilt, called Forever Memories, is actually just one large block.  I have always loved this block, called Birds on the Tracks, and thought it was a great choice for an eye-catching small quilt.  Again, simple patchwork triangles and the sashing X are the only thing needed for a center that really pops in this classic quilt.  It was fun and super easy piecing these three small quilts, and I hope you'll have fun making them, too!!  Quilt size is 27 x 27.

The Tokens: Attic Treasures patterns are available now!!  To order the pattern, click here.

PRE~ORDER the 

Tokens: Attic Treasures Quilt Trio ~ Complete Kit

The Antique Cotton 10 inch precuts will be available in early October!!  As I so often like to do, I'm inviting you to pre-order the complete Tokens: Attic Treasures Quilt Trio complete kit, which includes the pattern, the 10 inch precut, and all borders and binding to make all three quilts.  Regular price for the kit is $111.00.  Your special pre-order price is just $96.00!!  A $15 savings!!  Offer ends October 2nd.  

To pre-order your Tokens: Attic Treasures complete kit, click here.  Your kit will ship in October, as soon as the fabrics arrive!

A Prairie Gathering Quilt of the Quarter ~ Month Nine

This is an exciting month!  Another border will be added, and our quilt is growing.  I'm sure you enjoyed the drastically reduced cutting this month!  Yahoo!!  

Construction of our Four Patch border is the first task.  I've had about half a dozen emails in the last few weeks about pieced borders that don't fit.  This is a very common problem!  The solution?  Hate to sound like a broken record, but measure, measure, measure. So much of quilting is mathematics....like it or not.  Our impossible mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make as close to a perfect quilt as your skills allow.  Unless you're willing to take months, if not years making the perfect quilt, it's not likely that each and every unit and block will be truly perfect.  

I promise you, the only truly perfect quilts I make are constructed in Electric Quilt!!  

That said, I do everything I can to be as perfect as I can, with skills and tools (if they truly help) to get me there.  Measuring is one skill that is paramount in every unit, block and quilt you make.  It's easy and the results are soooo worth it. Onward....

Your (on point) Four Patch blocks should measure 3 1/2 inches.  Sew 7 pairs together, press, then measure again.  They should measure 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 unfinished.  If they don't, you only have one seam to look at and correct.  Don't proceed until all measure what they should.  

Next sew two pairs together, press and check that they measure 3 1/2 x 12 1/2.  Repeat to make a total of three groups of 4 Four Patch pairs.  (You'll have one pair left over.)  Proceed to sew the border together, using the three 4 Patch groups and the single

pair unit.  Your border should measure 3 1/2 x 42 1/2 unfinished.  Repeat to make four Four Patch borders.

Sew two borders to the sides of your quilt center, press.  

Sew a Four Patch cornerpost unit to both ends of the remaining borders, press.  Sew to the top and bottom of the quilt center, press.

The red "chain of squares" will bend the corner nicely!  Refer to your pattern and check to be sure your quilt measures what it should.  Then, proceed with sewing the next plain border to your top.  

Here's what our quilt looks like after Month Nine!!  So exciting!!  You'll also be constructing some Shoo-Fly blocks and working on Half Square Triangles for the Triangle Sawtooth border.  

It's all coming together!!  Only a few more months to go!  

What To Do With All These Quilts?

I'm blessed with a growing business and for the last year have had some growing pains.  What to do with all the "stuff".  Bolts of fabric, more patterns, Fat Quarters and bundles.  It's a nice problem to have, and I'm not complaining.  I'm in the process of renovation to accommodate all these goodies, and I'm just not coming up with a good plan for storing quilts I don't use very often.  Mostly holiday quilts I made years ago.  So, I'm wondering... 

What you do with your quilts?  

How do you store quilts you don't use or display in your home regularly?  

Any advice would be appreciated, and I think many others would benefit from your ideas!  

Guess what's coming soon??  

Another Pocket Patchwork Sew-Along!!  

This will be short and sweet and use nothin' but scraps.  Details will be posted right here in a couple of weeks, and it will be over before the holidays.  So....get ready for a little stash raid!! 

Antique Cotton Bundles Are Ready!!

My Antique Cotton fabrics have begun to arrive!  Finally!  I've been so, so jazzed about receiving them.  We've been busy cutting bundles for you and they're ready to ship.  

 Just in case you'd like a refresher.....

 ...of what the fabrics in the collection look like....

 ...here are the prints for your viewing pleasure.

There are eleven assorted light shirting prints....

 ...and two prints each of seven dark colors.....

....black, brown, green, blue, red, plum and dusty pink!

Your local quilt shop should be getting their order as well.  So, pick up some Antique Cotton to add to your collection of fabrics!! You can see the entire collection on the Marcus Fabrics website.

Click here to order a Fat Quarter bundle of Antique Cotton.

Click here to order a Fat Eighth bundle of Antique Cotton.

Also, I wanted to remind you that my Love Worn quilt kit special offer is about to end on Monday, September 14th!!  This is a great deal and so many of you have already taken advantage of this.  The fabrics are due to arrive very soon, and we'll be getting this kit and sending it on its way to everyone.  Click here to read all about this great deal!  This quilt features all of the Antique Cotton fabrics.

Hoping you find some time for slow stitching!!

Pattern Sale!!!

September and October bring lots of new and exciting things from my studio.  The new Antique Cotton fabrics are beginning to arrive with the precuts coming soon.  New pattern releases in time for fall market, and a very exciting and different celebratory event coming in October all have me looking for space for all this new stuff.

So...I'm having a pattern sale!!!  

Purchase each pattern for just $5 !!  

And...that includes postage within the US!

Quilt size 73 x 84

I just adore Fritzie's Closet!!  It hangs on a quilt crane in my bedroom and every day I enjoy looking at the blocks of fabric combos and it makes me happy.  If you love matching fabrics for blocks, you'll love making this quilt.   The sashing is added to each block, then the blocks are sewn into rows.  If you love scrappy...you'll love this quilt.  

Quilt size 72 x 82

There are so many fun design possibilities with Ada's Prairie Stitches!  This easy block has a lot of movement to it giving life to the quilt while you play with the fabrics in the setting and border.  Another quilt for playing with fabrics in the blocks....I just love that!  

5 inch block quilts!!

I was inspired to create the first Wee Whimsies pattern because I wanted a little touch of fabric here and there.  Hung from a door knob or a drawer pull, tucked inside a basket, decorating a gift for a quilting friend, the possibilities are endless!  I wanted them to look like they had binding, but certainly didn't want to bind a 5 inch quilt.  Easy and fun were the criteria, and that's just what they are, and I had so much fun creating them, I did it again with the second set of block quilts in Wee Whimsies Round Two!!  Most are pieced blocks, some are paper pieced and just a few are appliqued.  If you ever want to try a new technique, this is the way to go because you don't have a big investment of fabric and time.  They make great Christmas ornaments, too, and would be very cute pincushions!!    Oh and....ssshhhh...one of these cuties will be seen in a national magazine very soon!!  

Click here to order these patterns for just $5!!!

Available while quantities last.  I'm so sorry, but offer available to U.S. addresses only.  Back to designing in the studio......

Introducing my Love Worn Quilt!!!

Love Worn quilt by Pam Buda ~ Heartspun Quilts
Featuring Antique Cotton fabrics for Marcus Fabrics

Meet my newest quilt called Love Worn!  

Love Worn is a quilt I designed showing my twist on a very classic type of traditional quilt that uses a beautiful variety of light shirtings and classic dark prints without being framed with a dark focal border.  There are tons of antique quilt examples just like this that were made without focal borders, and are among the most treasured, used, and Love Worn quilts around. 

I designed a collection of fabrics that would accurately represent the types of fabrics I've typically seen in these old quilts, and Love Worn was made using those fabrics.  All are from my Antique Cotton fabric collection for Marcus Fabrics.

Simple patchwork blocks fill the center of the quilt accented with Sawtooth Stars that sparkle within the sashing.  Striking pieced borders bring a WOW factor to the traditional center.  Don't be put off by the pieced borders!!  If you can sew Half Square Triangles and Connector Corners, you will have no problem piecing the borders, and my directions and graphics will break it all down every step of the way!  The quilt size is 78" x 93".

PRE-ORDER A LOVE WORN QUILT KIT!!

You can make a Love Worn quilt of your very own, and buy it with a special, limited time offer!  I like to do something special for you, dear readers, when a new pattern and fabric line are about to come out, so.......

Pre-order your kit no later than Monday, September 14th and receive the Love Worn pattern FREE, and pay only $5 in shipping within the US!!!  

Kits will ship late September or early October.  If you live outside of the US, email me at Pam@HeartspunQuilts.com to order and get $5 credit toward shipping to your home.

Click here to pre-order the quilt kit!!

Click here to order the Love Worn quilt pattern.

Fat Quarter and Fat Eighth bundles of Antique Cotton coming soon!!!  

My thanks to all of you for your kindness and encouragement.  It sure keeps me going!!

Prairie Gathering Quilt of the Quarter ~ Month Eight

Hello Prairie Gatherers!  

How did you fair with piecing your Flying Geese borders?  I'm hoping you have been measuring each step of the way, and that your Flying Geese borders fit snugly and perfectly. I'm sure hoping the pieced border hints I gave not only helped you with this border, but will help with all pieced borders to come....in this quilt and many more!

Here's what your quilt top should look like.  It's really a nice table topper at this point, but we're piecing onward!

We're about to add another border!  So exciting!!!  The Checkerboard border is what's coming next.  

After piecing the remaining red/red print Two-Patch units, we will begin to sew them into pairs or Four-Patches.  Be sure each Four-Patch measures 2.5 x 2.5 inches unfinished.  If not, unsew and do-over.  Those seams aren't that big, so it won't take long, and you'll be so glad you did.

Then proceed in sewing two Four-Patch units together.  They should measure 2.5 x 4.5 inches.  If not, you know exactly what seam to look at.  

Continue adding Four-Patch units, always checking the measurements as you sew along.

This isolates any problem seams so if there is a measurement discrepancy, you know exactly what seam to correct.  Follow your pattern directions, adding a single Two-Patch at the end to complete your border to the correct size.

Then you can sew your Checkerboard borders to the quilt center.  Now that feels like real progress!! 

Your next task this month is to add triangles to your Four-Patch units.  To make this a little easier, I suggest carefully folding your triangle in half and finger-press a crease marking the half way point.  With right sides together, match the crease with the center seam of the Four-Patch.  That way, your triangle is sure to be centered.  They should all measure 3.5 inches.

Lastly, you'll be making a few Odds & Ends units for upcoming blocks.  What can I say...easy, breezy.  Just another type of Four-Patch.  Be sure this unit measure 2.5 inches.  One of the things I check for is to make sure there isn't a shortage in a corner.  Ya know, one of those corners in the unit just doesn't quite make it to the edge.  Hhmmm.  Why does that happen?  Well, you may not have matched the raw edges squarely and evenly.  Perhaps your seam was a little too big when you began.  No matter, if the unit isn't quite square and perfect..do take a few moments to unsew and make it right.

Geez....all this talk about sewing makes me want to sew something.  I think I can search my sewing room and find something to work on!

Enjoy the journey.....take your time, and slow stitch your patchwork.  More fun next month!

Scrap Mail

WOW!
I mean WOW, WOW, WOW!!
I never, ever expected to get so many comments from all of you!  I LOVED IT!!  You blew me away, and I enjoyed reading each and every comment.  I must confess that it's a little intimidating for me to write this blog post this morning as I'm having a kind of stage-fright here.  Normally, I don't think too much about how many people will be reading my posts, but this morning, I can't stop thinking about it.  

If you haven't had a chance to peruse the almost 700 comments, let me tell you that quilters from near all 50 states and countries around the globe chimed in.  For a person like me who loves to travel, it was fascinating and so fun.  Many places I have been, and so many more I'd love to visit someday.

My heartfelt thanks to all of you who took the time from your busy day to post your comment, and tell me a little about the places you call home.  I truly enjoyed hearing from you all....so much that I honestly wish I had a bag of scraps to send to everyone.  I have a lot of scraps, but not that many!!

Let's get right to our winners.  I have ten bags of scraps, and so I have chosen ten winners.
They are....  

Christie who said …Thanks for the chance to win! I live in Mableton, Georgia

Robin who said…I live in South Jordan, Utah. A pretty little oasis in the mad scramble of this valley

Sue K…   Too many scraps? Never!

Sue from beautiful northern Iowa, Sheffield to be exact!

Primdollie who said…LOVE your work and thnx for a chance! Wellington, OH

Linda B who said…I live in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

Karen who said….Those look like some pretty yummy scraps! I live in Breezy Point, Minnesota.

Letitia who said…..Good grief, looks like your scraps are very popular. Happy to receive some in Buderim Queensland Aussie x

Grann616 who said…Oh, I would be in heaven with your scraps. I do have some of your fabric so more is better! Love your work and live in Ohio.

Linda who said….Love scraps! Thanks for your generosity! I reside in Mandeville Louisiana.

Jubama who said….thank for this giveaway ! I live in Burgondy from France !

Winners, please email your mailing address to me at Pam@HeartspunQuilts.com, and I will get your package on its way to you!!  

I still have a couple more large boxes full of scraps to go through, and will have more give-aways in the near future, so stay tuned!

Scrap Give-away!!!

As you might have guessed, I make a few quilts in a year's time.  That, along with cutting up a few kits, and making Fat bundles, I acquire more than a few scraps of fabric.  

And, while I L*O*V*E scrap quilts, having this many scraps is a little ridiculous...even for me!

So....I thought they should go to a good home....LIKE YOURS!!!!  

I have packaged up a bunch of zip bags full of assorted scraps to give-away.  They're all  my fabrics in different colors, prints, and sizes of scraps, and all looking for a new owner.

There will be multiple winners, and I'd enjoy sending them to you.  Just leave me a comment simply stating where you live!  City and state, and your country if you live outside of the U.S. I'll pick winners on Friday.  This will be so fun to see where you all call home!!  

American Patchwork & Quilting, October 2015

Used with permission of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.
Copyright 2015 Meredith Corp, all rights reserved.

Have you picked up the latest copy of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine??  As always, there's lots and lots of great projects in there, and there just happens to be one that I'm particularly fond of!

Used with permission of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.
Copyright 2015 Meredith Corp, all rights reserved

I spotted this gorgeous antique at a show not so long ago knowing it just had to go home with me!  I'm not an authority at dating fabrics, but it sure looks to be nineteenth century to me.   Amazing how vibrant those fabrics still are!  All hand pieced and hand quilted (sure, a treadle machine could have done the work back then!) it's a found treasure to be sure.

Used with permission of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.
Copyright 2015 Meredith Corp, all rights reserved

What really called to me is the unique block setting.  Isn't it grand?!!  And...there are make-dos in there, too.  What's not to love?  If you're thinking...'that's way too hard for me to make', think again.  The pattern steps are nicely explained and laid out for you in the pattern, all included in your copy of the magazine.  And....editor Jody Sanders cleverly shows you an alternate way she devised to make the blocks.  Way too fun, and I'm definitely gonna try for myself. 

So, if your copy didn't land in your mailbox, head on out to the newsstand now.  You'll enjoy every page!!

On Saturday, I'm packing my car and headed out to visit the Lincoln, Nebraska Quilters Guild!!  I am so, so jazzed about this.  I will be giving a lecture and visiting with everyone on Monday evening, August 10th, at 7pm at the College View Seventh Day Adventist church, located at 4801 Prescott Ave., in Lincoln.  I'd love to meet you!  (The workshop the next day is completely full.)  I'm also getting a chance to tour the International Quilt Study Museum, and will try to take what pictures are allowed, and report back some info for you, in case a trip there is in your future.

Now....go pay some attention to your sewing machine.  She misses you!

Primitive Quilts Magazine Winners!

Cover photo used with permission of Homespun Media LLC

My thanks to everyone who shared a comment for a chance to win a copy of Primitive Quilts, Fall issue!  We are a busy bunch of quilters, that's for sure!  I don't think we'll ever have the problem of being bored, right?  You all shared your plans for the coming season, and the many projects on your to-do list, assuring us all that we're not alone in that regard.  

Here are the three randomly chosen winners:

Kelli H said…

How time flies! I need to get started on a Christmas wool project for my sis! Also, would like to finish a quilt I started - has pumpkins and gourds - love it because fall/winter are my favorite seasons! Thanks for doing a give away.

KMSC said…

I haven't been sewing much this summer but I am going to be a new grandmother in November so I will definitely be sewing a quilt for my grandson.

  

Sunny said…

I love your quilt! And what perfect fabric for it. As summer is heading into its final month, I'm quilting like crazy, trying to work through a rather large pile of tops. I may save the binding for cooler weather. What better way to cozy up than with a quilt in your lap! thanks for a chance to win.

Congratulations!  Thank you so, so much for your comments.  Please email your snail mail address to me at Pam@HeartspunQuilts.com, and I'll have those copies mailed to you mucho pronto!

In every issue, Primitive Quilts asks a unique question of all of the project designers on a wide variety of subjects.  In this issue, they asked us to share "Who in your family or circle of friends supports your stitching and design endeavors?"

It goes without saying that my family: hubby, Ryan and Nicki, support me wholeheartedly and have from day one.  They have all cheered my success, encouraged me, stuffed patterns, packed boxes and loaded the car, and cooked and changed laundry when I was under a deadline crunch.  That's just what families do, and I am very blessed.

Ronda Dranter and Debbie McClarence

And since my family have careers of their own, of course, I still need help with many of the day to day tasks, and these two dear friends help me immeasurably.  Answering the magazine's query in the Designer Notes column was my chance to thank my dear friends who work with me behind-the-scenes.  

Ronda, pictured on the left, quilts 95% of my quilts and does just a phenomenal job.  Her talents truly bring my quilts to life in stitches she sews into my quilt tops!  She has a terrific eye for detail, and the quality of her work is just outstanding.  I never, ever fret about how my quilts will turn out, and am so happy to show off her work whenever possible.  

Debbie, pictured on the right, works just about every day with me.  There is almost nothing that she can't do!  She cuts fabrics, makes kits and bundles, stuffs patterns, fills orders, does bookkeeping, and the list goes on and on.  She pieces some of the new quilts, and does so with perfection and skill. 

I was so happy when Primitive Quilts posed this question as it was a perfect opportunity to give credit to the many people who help me be all that I can be.  I am so very blessed with a wonderful, supportive family, and the greatest friends, and honestly, I don't know what I'd do without them. 

And, allow me this opportunity to thank all of you as well, for your support, your kind comments, and your purchases, too.  They all allow me to keep doing what I love.  I am truly grateful!