Safe Keeping Sew Along ~ Part Four

Here we are....the final week of my Safe Keeping Sew along.  Week four?  Already?  These weeks seem to have flown by.

Our block this week is another favorite of mine....Cake Stand.
I adored this block long before I became a quilter.  There's something about a basket block that I just love.  Can't think of a version I don't like.

Cake Stand fabrics are from my New Circa Essentials and Bess' Flower Garden collections.

Let's get started....

Cutting Instructions for Cake Stand block

From the light print
Cut (1) 3 1/4" sq for large Half Square Triangle
Cut (1) 2 7/8" square - crosscut once diagonally
Cut (2) 2 1/4" squares for the small Half Square Triangles
Cut (2) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles
Cut (1) 1 1/2" square

From red print
Cut (2) 2 1/4" squares for small Half Square Triangles

From black print
Cut (1) 3 1/4" square for large Half Square Triangle
Cut (1) 1 7/8" square - crosscut once diagonally

Directions

1).  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of (2) 2 1/4" light print squares.  Match with (2) 2 1/4" red print squares.  Sew 1/4" each side of the drawn line.  Cut apart and press to the dark.  Trim (4) Half Square Triangles to measure 1 1/2" unfinished.


2).  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of (1) 3 1/4" light print square.  Match with (1) 3 1/4" black print square.  Sew 1/4" each side of the drawn line.  Cut apart and press to the dark.  Trim (1) Half Square Triangle to measure 2 1/2" unfinished.  Save the remaining HST for another project.

3).  Using the (2) light print rectangles and the (2) black print triangles (previously cut once diagonally,) sew the triangles to the rectangles exactly as shown; press to the rectangle.

4).  Arrange the units for the block as shown.  Sew the small Half Square Triangle units to the large Half Square Triangles first.  Then, sew the rectangles to the HST unit, followed by the light print triangle at the bottom of the basket.  

Your Cake Stand block should measure 4 1/2" square.

Safe Keeping Runner 

Here's what you've been making!  I separated my blocks with (3) 1" x 4 1/2" strips.  I auditioned the black and light prints but chose red strips for my quilt.  You should audition fabrics for your strips, too.  Red seemed to work the best for me for the binding as well.  Cut (2) 1 7/8" x WOF binding strips.

Do you like it?  Oh, I hope you love your scrappy little runner!

These little runners seem to work well in numerous places in my house.  

This antique spool cabinet is right next to my favorite family room chair.  After awhile, I get tired of looking at the same 'ol quilt and like to change things up.  Easy to do with a little runner like this.  

You can move them all over the house...even the kitchen near the stove.  

I hand quilted my runner because I love hand quilting.  You can easily machine quilt this baby, too.  I would love to see your Safe Keeping runner when completed.  Please post to your favorite social media using hashtag #SafeKeepingRunner 
That way, we can all see them anytime!  

It is my pleasure to bring fun, little projects for your stitching pleasure as a big, giant THANK YOU for all you do for me!!!! Please know how I appreciate your support, patronage of my business, emails, blog, Instagram and Facebook comments.  You keep me in business to be able to keep doing what I love, and hopefully what you love, too!  Thank you, thank you!

My next Quilt Archaeology kick-off will be May 22nd.  

In the meantime, did you know my friends at Red Crinoline Quilts are about to start a series of Monthly Mini Mystery quilts??  YES!!!  They don't often do mini's, so I intend to get them all!  The first mini is coming Monday, May 11th.  Check out the details here.

As we begin another weekend, stay safe and create at home.

I sincerely hope this sew along has brightened your day.  I'd love to read a comment from you.

I encourage you to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes posts that don't appear here on the blog.  

Be well, my friends....keep on stitching!

Safe Keeping Sew along ~ Part Three

This is the third week of my Safe Keeping sew along.  Already?!
It seems time has flown when you think of this as week three, yet in so many ways, time seems to be standing still right now as we so wish this horrible virus would go away!  

Well...I'm hoping this little sew along is helping to keep you busy with something you enjoy doing.  

This weeks block is also a favorite for me.....

Colorado Beauty

It's very similar to the LeMoyne Star in the units we make for it.  Relatively easy, especially when I don't screw up the cutting instructions!  Sorry about that!  

Cutting Instructions for Colorado Beauty block:

From the light print
Cut (4) 2 1/4" squares for Half Square Triangles
Cut (4) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles for Flying Geese

From the red print
Cut (2) 2 1/4" squares for Half Square Triangles
Cut (8) 1 1/2" squares for Flying Geese

From the black print
Cut (2) 2 1/4" squares for Half Square Triangles

Directions

1).  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of (4) 2 1/4" light print squares.  Match (2) with a 2 1/4" black print square, and (2) with red print squares.  Sew 1/4" each side of the drawn line.  Cut apart and press to the dark.  Trim (8) Half Square Triangles to measure 1 1/2" unfinished.

2).  Sew (4) black and light print Half Square Triangles into a Pinwheel unit measuring 2 1/2" square.

3).  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of (8) red print 1 1/2" squares.  Using the Connector Corner method, sew the red print squares to a 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" light print rectangle; press and trim.  Repeat on the other side of the rectangle with the remaining (4) red print squares.  Make (4) Flying Geese measuring 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.  

4).  Arrange the units for the block as shown in the photo above.  Sew together into rows; press to Flying Geese units.
Sew rows together; press.  Your block should measure 4 1/2" square.

I received a few emails asking what fabric collections I used in making my blocks.  The reds come from Bess' Flower Garden.  Some of the backgrounds come from Bess as well.  The black print and the background in this week's block are from New Circa Essentials.  All are still available on my website....just in case they are call you.  

My quarantine organization continues.  It's getting boring now, but I carry on as this is the best time to do this.  Once the weather is nice here, I won't be doing anything like that until the fall.  So...I make myself continue up to one hour a day.  Little by little, it will get done.  What is keeping you busy?

Next month, I will be hosting another.....

I sure hope you join me!!  

You'll see the first sneak peeks on Instagram and Facebook, so please follow me there.  Once I decide on an official start date, I'll be sure to post that info here as well and a peek at the antique quilt we will replicate.  

In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend.  Next Friday is our last block and the reveal of what our sweet little scrappy runner looks like.  

Stay safe and keep creating!  Be well....

Safe Keeping ~ Part Two ~ Correction

My apologies everyone!!  I have a mistake in the cutting directions for the LeMoyne Star.

From the light print:

Cut (4) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles.....

not 1 1/2" x 3 1/2".

Also, trim your Half Square Triangles to 1 1/2"
square.

So, so sorry about this!!  At least your pieces are bigger than need be and you can cut them down to the proper size. 

My bad!!  I feel terrible....ugh!

The corrections are in my original blog post in red.  

Katie O...thanks for your comment alerting me to the problem.  I think it's my brain that's fried!

Safe Keeping Sew-Along ~ Part Two

Safe Keeping

Welcome to part two of our scrappy little runner.  I love star blocks and the LeMoyne Star is my favorite!

Cutting Instructions for LeMoyne Star block:

From light print
Cut (4) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles  
Cut (4) 1 1/2" squares

From black print
Cut (2) 2 1/4" squares for Half Square Triangles
Cut (4) 1 1/2" squares

From red print
Cut (2) 2 1/4" squares for Half Square Triangles
Cut (4) 1 1/2" squares 

Directions

1).  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of (2) 2 1/4" red print squares.  Match each with a 2 1/4" black print square.  Sew 1/4" each side of the drawn line.  Cut apart and press to the dark.  Trim (4) Half Square Triangles to measure 1 1/2" unfinished.

2).  Sew the (4) Half Square Triangles into a Pinwheel unit measuring 2 1/2" square.

3).  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of (4) red and (4) black print 1 1/2" squares.  Using the Connector Corner method, sew the red print squares to a 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" light print rectangle (watch positioning of the black and red print squares); press and trim.  Repeat on the other side of the rectangle with the (4) black print squares.  Make (4) Flying Geese measuring 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.  

4).  Arrange the units for the block as shown in the photo above.  Sew together into rows; press to Flying Geese units.
Sew rows together; press.  Your block should measure 4 1/2" square.

Block two done!  We're half way there.  I could make tons more LeMoyne Star blocks.....I just love every one of the them.  Can't wait to see yours!  Post a photo using this hashtag #safekeepingsewalong

Guess what else is new from Heartspun Quilts?

Freedom Trail made with Bess' Flower Garden fabrics (Marcus Fabrics) by Pam Buda

My new Freedom Trail quilt is all done!  I just love this quilt.  It's not too big, and not too small.  Perfect to cozy under while sitting outside on a cool and breezy summer night.  It will look great with my patriotic decor as well.  So happy it's finished. 

 I like to take some closeup photos of the fabrics, blocks and quilting.

I pulled the shades for soft daytime lighting to highlight the quilting and make it easier to see.

I chose this cute e2e design with stars and big swirls...love it!
Wouldn't it make a great Wounded Warrior quilt?!! 

Freedom Trail is one of two new quilts made with my new Bess' Flower Garden collection.  

Would you love a Freedom Trail kit?  Click here!

Prefer to own the pattern?  Sure....click here!

As we begin another weekend, stay safe and create at home.

I sincerely hope this sew-along cheers your spirits.

I encourage you to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes posts that don't appear here on the blog.  

Be well, my friends....keep on stitching!

Safe Keeping Sew-along ~ Part One

Safe Keeping

Welcome to part one of our scrappy little runner sew-along.  Let's get right to work.

Cutting Instructions for Eccentric Star block

From light print 
cut (2) 2 1/4" squares for Half Square Triangles
cut (8) 1 1/2" squares 

From red print
cut (4) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles

From black print
cut (2) 2 1/4" squares for Half Square Triangles
cut (4) 1 1/2" squares

Directions

1).  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of (2) light print 2 1/4" squares.  Match each with 2 1/4" black square.  Sew 1/4" on both sides of diagonal line.  Cut apart, press to black.  Trim them to 1 1/2" square.

2). Using (4) 1 1/2" light print and (4) 1 1/2" black print squares, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of all (8) squares.  Refer to the rectangle unit above the block in the photo above.  Sew a light print and a black print connector corner square to the red rectangle.  Press then trim.  Repeat to make (4) connector corner rectangle units measuring 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.

3). Sew the remaining (4) 1 1/2" light print squares to the (4) Half Square Triangles as shown in photo; press to the light square.  Make (4) units measuring 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.

4).  Sew a Half Square unit to a connector corner rectangle unit; press.  Make (4) units measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.  

5).  Arrange the units for the block as shown in photo above.  Sew together into rows; press for opposing seams.  Sew rows together; press.  Your block should measure 4 1/2" square.  

That was easy, right?  

We're well on our way.  I hope you enjoyed piecing this block as much as I did.  It's a variation of the classic Eccentric Star block.  I'm already looking forward to next week!  

The best way to get the instructions for the sew-along is to receive my blog posts via email.  Each time I post to my blog it will come to your email inbox!  Then, you can print the directions if you'd like.  

To do this, click here to go to my blog.  Scroll down until you see
the Follow by Email icon shown at the right.

Then, simply enter your email address and submit.  You will receive a verification email from FeedBurner.  You must verify your email with them by following the directions to click the link.  That's it!  Easy, peasy.  You'll be all set for next weeks post to come to your inbox.

How is everyone doing staying home?  I'm feeling cabin fever setting it...longing to go out to restaurants and be with friends.  It helps to take a drive...not a long drive, but even a short drive around the neighborhood.  It's not helping that we are having unseasonably COLD weather here in Chicagoland.  It snowed yesterday and we're expecting up to 6 inches of snow today.  Oh, com'on!!!  The snow is gone in 24 hours, but it's still cold enough to snow.  Not helping the cabin fever situation.

What is helping is that I've been very busy.

My fellow Marcus Fabrics designers and myself have been brain storming ideas on how to help the quilting community; quilters and shop owners alike.  We formed the new Marcus Designers Block Stars and our first project is Heroic Hearts.  Watch for our big announcement next week!  

Should you be in need of retail therapy, I just added bolts of fabric from my new Bess' Flower Garden to my website.

All new blues....all new light prints...

all new red prints.  You'll notice that many of the fabrics I used in my scrappy little runner are from Bess' Flower Garden!  I have fat quarter bundles of this collection as well.  

I also just received a shipment of bolts of the pretty neutral print from Rachel's Tribute.  I know many of you have been wanting this fabric.  Click here to order.  






And last but not least, I have a whole new crop of color bank bundles.  I know you love these bundles as much as I do.  

There are three new shirting bundles and one new neutral bundle.

I'm also cutting a new brown color bank and green color bank bundle....coming very soon!  You can browse all of my fabric bundles here.

That's all the news for today.  I'm already excited to share next weeks block with you.  It will be here before we know it.  

So stay safe and create at home.  I encourage you to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes posts that don't appear here on the blog.  

Be well, my friends....keep on stitching!

New Sew Along Inspiration

Hi to everyone from my home to yours!

I'm all ready to begin our little sew along and wanted to share my inspiration with you.  I'm not a lover of large table runners.  I find them too big and bulky and they're almost never the right size for where I would want to use them.  I much prefer square toppers or really small table runners. 

The runner you see in the photos above is the perfect size for me.  I can have the runner on top of the spool cabinet and still have a place for my tchotkes.

It's also amazing how versatile they are.

Used with permission - Meredith Corp - American Patchwork & Quilting magazine

Many years ago, this little cutie appeared in a special edition of American Patchwork & Quilting.....

Used with permission ~ Meredith Corporation

It is long out of publication but you may be able to find it on eBay.  Anyway....

I do love my little runners and have been wanting to make a new one for the large spool cabinet next to the chair where I stitch.  

So, a scrappy little runner is what we will be making.  It's just four blocks that are four inches.  Won't be a lot of work and you'll have a mini runner of your own in no time.   And, I'll show you how many places I can use it in the house beyond just my spool cabinet/end table.

Here's what you'll need to gather.......

These are the fabrics I used in my little runner.  No yardage is required...work from scraps.  That's what I did.  

I suggest you choose a color theme to work from, or go all out scrappy.  Each of my blocks have three fabrics.  

I'm calling this sew along.....

Safe Keeping

My scrappy little runner, Safe Keeping, will begin this coming Friday 4/17.  I'll post each of the four blocks in four consecutive weeks with the 'big 'reveal the fifth week.  Oh, boy....this is gonna be fun!!

Coming soon from all of the Marcus Fabrics Designers.....

Marcus Block Stars present......

Our  new collaborative project

I'm so JAZZED!!!  It's gonna be big!

Stay safe and create.....

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes photos and newsy posts!