Monday, December 27, 2021
Surprise Fabric Sale!!!
Friday, December 17, 2021
Glad Tidings ~ Part Three
Another week has passed and I hope you found a little time for yourself to sew this past week. I did! I spent quite a bit of time last Saturday, and snuck in some time here and there during the week to sew. It just feels so fulfilling to me.
Let's get started on finishing our sweet little quilt!
Arrange your six blocks like the photo above. Sew the blocks into rows; press. Sew the rows together; press. Check your pattern for the quilt center measurements as we need to know them for the next step.
Sew the side borders to the quilt; press. Sew the cornerpost squares to the top/bottom borders; press to the border. Then, sew the top/bottom borders to the quilt top. It's so cute already!
I sincerely hope you have enjoyed making Glad Tidings with me. It's a pleasure to sew along with all of you and bring these old quilts to a new life. Please post photos of your quilt on social media with the #QuiltArchaeology hashtag. We would all enjoy seeing each other's quilts!
Friday, December 10, 2021
Glad Tidings ~ Part Two
Gee...is it just me, or are the weeks flying by even faster this time of year? So much to do and not enough time. That said, it's good for us to take a little 'me time' to sew after all we're doing for our family and friends.
Knowing how busy you are, our task this week will be another quick one. Let's get started!
Sew (2) Two Patch units together into a Four Patch. Make a total of (12) of them. Check measurements stated in the pattern.
Note: There is an error in the pattern where it says to make (24) Four Patch units. Change that to (12) please!
Sew (12) red Half Square Triangles to (12) Four Patch units exactly as shown. Check your measurements.
Sew (2) of the previous units together to make a block. Make (6) blocks and check you measurements. That's it! All of the blocks are done, and next week we will assemble the quilt top. I hope you feel this sewing has been do-able as you prepare for the holiday.
I'm happy to find a few minutes each day to sew for myself. Ya know, when I was making the Circa 1880 Nine Patch quilt a few years ago, I started early in the morning each day in my sewing room sewing strips or blocks. Gotta say, that was a wonderful way to start each day. No matter what else happen that day, I had already clocked some 'me time' and it felt great. Somehow, that habit faded away, and I'm thinking I need to make time for me in the morning again. Maybe your best time is at the end of the day, or during a lunch break? Whenever it is, we owe it to ourselves to do what makes us happy and fulfilled! Even if it's only for 15 minutes.
Keep your needle busy and your heart content. Stay safe out there, my friends, and be well.
Friday, December 3, 2021
Glad Tidings ~ Part One
Hi Dear Quilting Friend,
Such a super busy time of year! I hope you all had a pleasant Thanksgiving with family and friends. So much better than this time last year, although it seems we must still be vigilant in protecting ourselves from the Covid menace.
After Thanksgiving, my family and I go right into Christmas decorating mode. At last, the house is all decked out, and I feel better with all those boxes put away. Still a lot left to do, and while we all prepare for our holiday, I hope we can steal a few minutes for ourselves, and sew something special, which brings me to our Glad Tidings Sew-along.
I really like this project because it will be super quick to piece. If you find more time, and want to sew ahead...please do! Better to get it done, relax and enjoy than not get it done. If you need a little reminder and a bit of motivation, follow along with me as we make Glad Tidings in three weeks.
Follow along in your Glad Tidings pattern to make a total of (6) Half Square Triangles.Next step is to sew the Aged Muslin strip to your green strip. Then, subcut (24) Two Patches as directed in the Glad Tidings pattern. That's it for this week!
If you're hearing about the sew-along now, it's not too late to join us. You can get the Glad Tidings pattern here.
IN THE STUDIO....
I am preparing for my brand new Pinks of the Past sample yardage to arrive any day now. The Love & Hope basket quilt pattern is being written now, and then we will begin piecing this very pretty quilt.I'll try to post some pictures on Instagram and Facebook. The fabrics are oh so different, and really very old. I have several that I can share what the vintage fabric looks like and how I had it reproduced. Yummy stuff!
Plans are also in the works for another Monday's With Marcus event coming in January, more sew-alongs from me, and of course, new fabric lines to keep our creative hearts happy.
Keep your needle busy and your heart content.....and please! Be safe, and be well....
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Quilt Archaeology ~ Glad Tidings REVEALED!!!!
Today is the Big Reveal of the quilt I have chosen for my next Quilt Archaeology event!! I named this quilt..... Glad Tidings.
Here is the antique quilt that inspired Glad Tidings. I thought it was the perfect little Christmas quilt that can be pieced in a jiffy. It will only take us three weeks to make the quilt and we'll be finished by Dec 17th. Quilt size is 14 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches.
Thank you all for your continued support of my little company. I just don't know where I would be without you! The free pattern and free quilt kit is my Thank You gift for your support. I know you have a lot of choices when shopping for quilting goodies, and I appreciate you more than you know!
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Quilt Archaeology Coming Soon!!
I'm so excited to offer another Quilt Archaeology! That means, I have 'dug up' another old quilt to replicate.
The big reveal will be Friday, November 19th.
You will receive a FREE Quilt Archaeology quilt kit with a $45 purchase on my website!!!
The quilt pattern will also be a FREE digital download from Friday, Nov 19th through Sunday, Nov 21st.
So mark your calendar, and let's meet right back here Friday morning.
Friday, November 5, 2021
Decorating With Quilts Idea
Awhile ago, I was rummaging around an antique shop and found...
....this old towel hanger. Hhmmm.....I know just what to do with this!
A new coat of paint....
....a drill and two screws.
And, Voila! I have a tiny quilt crane to display a favorite quilt.
If I had just the right corner, I could display two quilts. I love it, and hope it sparks inspiration for you. You never know what you'll find when hunting antiques!
Fat quarter bundles of Cheddar & Coal are now available!!
Click here to order one before they're gone.
In The Studio This Week....there's a lot going on but not much new to report. Working on shipping orders, planning events for next year, getting some design ideas together for new fabrics and quilts, you know...the usual. It's a slower time of year, and I'm welcoming it. Once Thanksgiving is here, we all begin preparing for the Christmas holiday, so there's nothing slow about that! I'll enjoy the lull while it lasts.
Keep your needle busy and your heart content....Be well!
Friday, October 29, 2021
Dear Prudence Sew~Along Part Four
Hi~ I trust your blocks are all made and looking pretty. I do so love this part of quilt making, when you get to lay out the blocks, and setting, and get the first look at what the quilt will really look like!
I lay the blocks out on the design wall and place the setting triangles....then the moving of blocks begins. This part I don't enjoy because you move, and move, trying not to place two of the same fabrics together....and then you move again. Ugh! Even with a totally scrappy quilt, you'll end up having two reds together or something that will drive you crazy. Then, I think of all of the quilts I have made....when I snuggle under them, do I think about those two fabrics together? Nope! So, I try my best, and then resign not to sweat the small stuff. How about you?You are welcome to follow my block layout or arrange them as you desire.
Follow the instructions in the Dear Prudence pattern and add your borders. Isn't she sweet?I sincerely hope you have enjoyed making Dear Prudence. I think she's adorable, and I thank you all for sewing along with me. If you're just now finding out about this little quilt, you can get the pattern here.
In The Studio This Week......
We are knee deep in folding, packaging, boxing and shipping Walnut Hollow and Tokens-Halloween Spirit quilt kit orders. That is our main focus! Additionally, I am working on new fabric lines for next year, a new BOM, a few more Quilt Archaeology events and a new Teeny, Tiny Quilt Club project for right after the New Year.
Because of you and your support, I can keep creating fun things for us to do together. And, after 19 months of staying home, my family and I are taking a much needed vacation to see family in CA.
Keep your needle busy and your heart content. Be well, my friends.
Friday, October 22, 2021
Dear Prudence Sew~Along Part Three
I hope your Birds in the Air blocks are coming right along. Did you use the Seam Align glue? How do you like it?? I hope you found it super helpful with the points of the triangles. No doubt by now, you've got this block mastered!
This week's assignment is to complete the remaining blocks with the two gray fabrics....
and the two black fabrics. Next week, we will sew the quilt together. Prudence is coming along nicely!
In The Studio this week......
I'm delighted to announce that my Tokens of the Past~Halloween Spirit pattern is finished! Oh, I am jazzed about how great these little quilts turned out.
Both the Tokens of the Past~Halloween Spirit pattern......
Friday, October 15, 2021
Dear Prudence Sew~Along Part Two
I hope you had some "me" time to sew all of your Half Square Triangles and trim them all to 1 1/2" square. You're ready to begin making your Birds in the Air blocks.
They can be a little tricky but have confidence! Sew slowly if you'd feel better. Sewing accurately is all about having control over your patchwork.Arrange (3) Half Square Triangles, all of one matching dark print, and (3) pink triangles (previously cut once diagonally) as shown.
Sew the pieces for the block into rows. Use your Patchwork Pins (very thin and made for sewing patchwork.) Gently press (you have exposed bias edges on those small pink triangles, so press gently so as not to stretch the raw edge) the rows in opposite directions to create opposing seams.
Sew the rows together; press.
The next step is to sew the large dark triangle to the pieced triangle unit. We're dealing with two pieces that are all bias edges.