My thoughts on “Bloom”

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So here is the final picture of my quilt!

It’s so cute! It’s not big enough for a twin size bed but it’s going to be a fabulous playtime, picnic, & cuddle blanket!

It takes 1 honeybun, a partial charm pack and some background fabric (I think it’s around 1 3/4 yds… don’t quote me on that though 🙂 ) It calls for it to be mostly fat quarters on the pattern, and the strips are instructed to be cut to 2 1/2″ x 17″ but I had access to a honeybun in Soiree whose strips are precut at – 1 1/2″ so I decided that I would just double the amount of 17″ strips and it would be perfect!  So off I went arranging strips… Soiree strips…and skipping most of the cutting section of the pattern.  Woohoo!  I love being able to skip a step!  It did require most of the honey bun, with only a small section leftover.

Camille of Thimble Blossoms singled out one section as tricky, the part of cutting and applying the wavy edge.  After reading it over I thought “shoot, no problem”  and started off.  I ended up not cutting my applique seam ‘n’ sew material right, though not tragically.  I cut on the lines I drew, instead of in-between them, so I had to draw an extra section of the wavy line.  Then after applying it and securely stitching the edge down your supposed to trim the excess strip pieced material on the underside of the quilt.  Here’s the picture I took while thinking I might tutorial this…

Oops cutting… If you’ll notice I had the fabric spread apart, lined up my scissors, and took the picture without a second thought.  Until I was checking the picture and realized my scissors were in place to cut off the top of the quilt… oops!

trimming the strips
I had to laugh at myself!

So, I reset my fabric and scissors, took the right picture and thanked my lucky stars that I had been trying to tutorial this because other wise I might have royally screwed up this quilt top!

It was a good reminder to go slow and pay attention!  While this part is not incredibly tricky you do still want to pay attention 😉  The only real problem I had was that it calls for one strip to be pieced together to a length of around 60″ because it needs to go across the entire bottom of the quilt.
As shown here.Bloom long strip

Since I was using a honeybun you know that they traditionally only have one strip of each fabric… hmm… so, I had to find two strips that were similar enough that when pieced together it wasn’t that noticeable that the two fabrics were different… Thankfully the multi colored stripes were perfect and I just had to line up the seam under one of the applique petals (which was not hard because really you can put the flower wherever you want!)  and voila!  I had an approximately 88″ long strip which I then trimmed 17″ off of.  Then I added the 17″ piece to the tall section of 17″ strips for the side of the quilt and was left with a piece approximately 70″ long.  Still, plenty long enough to stretch across the bottom of the quilt to give it that fun pieced look!

Everything else was pretty simple.

The pattern was well explained and the applique was mostly simple large shapes that were easy to work with (This was my first applique project on my own so I appreciated the large shapes 🙂 ).

I did a straight stitch, free motion, faux applique technique on the polka dots and flowers.  It worked out pretty well, though needle turned would also be beautiful!

I think the biggest thing to remember when making this pattern is that it is not a bed size quilt.  It could easily be made into one with a little measuring and planning ahead.  As it stands, it will make a fun, happy quilt that any little girl would love to cuddle up and play in!

I would definitely recommend this pattern!

I would place the level of this pattern at beginner to intermediate.

It’s the perfect pattern for the beginner looking to explore the world of applique, without too much stress!

Enjoy, and happy quilting!

In case you haven’t figured it out yet…..

I am a beginner.  As in-I have NEVER quilted a thing in my life!   For real!  Mom taught all of us girls to sew growing up, and I hated it.  Could care less about it and literally hoped and prayed I wouldn’t EVER have to do it again!!!  Somehow, I got roped in to opening a quilt shop with Mom, (still confused a little on how it happened)   🙂    and have fallen in love with this world.  You know, the quilting world.  And believe me when I say it is a WORLD all it’s own!  I have met the nicest people while hanging out and I am happy to admit I have been bitten by the bug……(yes, it’s a bug.  OBVIOUSLY very contagious.  really)  I sewed my very first quilt top.  Just imagine me, a little embarrassed and a LOT excited!

I had heard about the disappearing nine patch on a ton of blogs…. Natalie did a baby quilt and showed me the basics.  Instantly I knew this was the quilt for me.  It looks like a TON of work, but it is actually very basic and easy.  So, I bought 3 charm packs and started to sew.

Charm packs make it easy because there is minimal cutting and instant results.  And I am all about instant results! 🙂  If you haven’t tried the disappearing nine patch DO IT!  It is so fun and amazing.  Really, I felt like I could really sew!  I am still not convinced I am a quilter…….but I am getting more used to the idea.     🙂    (I mean, I have always admired quilters and girls with sewing skills…I just never thought I would be among them!)  But,  I had a blast and I can’t wait to finish it!   I am actually thinking about more ideas….different quilts I want to do and try….

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Disappearing 9 patch top

And in case you are interested, in the forums they are talking about doing a virtual sewing bee…..*squeal* this is it, Girls!  This is our year!!  All you ‘non-sewers  let us unite.  We can be quilters too!!  🙂   Go pick out a favorite charm pack and lets do this together!  :)Here is a picture of my finished top.  I used Sweet, by Urban Chik’s. (obsessed much?  Ok, so I like Urban Chik’s…. A Lot.)  Is it healthy?  Doubtful.  But I do love them.   I think I might get 3 more charm packs and double the size…..hmmm  I will let you know.  🙂

Hope you have a fabulous day Ladies!!

Sarah

It’s Time For Sewing Lessons!

After my fun time sewing honey bun strips together for the “bloom” quilt I wasn’t about to throw them away!  I decided that the “lil zipper bag” featured on Moda Bake Shop earlier this month would be the perfect sewing project for my young sewing daughter 🙂  Ally was more than excited!

This is most of what we started with…100_02381

(This project would also go well with Natalie’s series of honey bun projects it only requires 9 -9 1/2″ long strips from your honey bun!)

This is Ally learning one of the most important skills of any seamstress…100_0243The art of the seam ripper!

This is Ally quilting the bags outer fabric layers… I’m so proud of her!100_0249

I helped with the zipper…

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and the lining…

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But otherwise it was pretty much all her!  ( I spurred a few helps and ideas 🙂 ) But here’s the finished product!

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And guess who couldn’t be happier!?100_0260

A Sneak Peek…

at what I’ve been working on…

p3110020Yes!!! It’s an adorable coin quilt made out of my favorite Nouveau charm packs…It’s almost done!

and….Zippity Doo Dah in diamonds! It is going to be soo cute! I can hardly wait !p3100005Keep those fingers crossed that I will have time this weekend to get them done!!!  🙂 Have a lovely day!

Natalie

We Have a Winner!!!

That’s right folks, it’s that time again. Time to announce the lucky winner of the Weekly Giveaway over in the forum.

Congratulations shell.scraps, you’re the big winner this week!

We’ll be sending you your Baskets of Blessings Charm Pack Pattern soon!

We’d also like to give a nod to last week’s winner, tilelady!

She won a Ruby’s Flower Garden Charm Pack!

A giant THANK YOU to everyone who participated by letting us know your most intimidating quilt pattern. We had some great posts, and some gorgeous pictures. (Seriously! I was impressed ladies!)

If you don’t know what the heck we’re talking about (you’re not alone,) let us catch you up!  Each week we have a giveaway for anyone who responds to a question we ask on the community forum.  All you have to do is be part of the discussion and you’re automatically  entered to win.  Add a pic to your post and you double your chances!

For full details about the Weekly Giveaway, click here.

To learn how to register and use the forum, click here.

There’s a new giveaway up RIGHT NOW! So come join the conversation!