Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Introducing Starburst - A Tutorial and Giveaway!!

***NOTE***  I am excited to announce that we will be doing a Quilt-A-Long of this quilt in Jan 2013.  Check out the teaser and grab your button here!!    It's sure to be lots of fun and have lots of prizes!!

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the wonderful staff at Pat Bravo.   I was thrilled when they asked if I would be willing to do a giveaway of her beautiful Indie line. Of course!!!!  Stay tuned for the Giveaway, it's at the end and it is fabulous!!!   I was even more thrilled when we decided to do a tutorial along with the giveaway.  These fabrics are so beautiful and the feel is divine!!  They were an absolute pleasure to work with.  You can visit Pat Bravo here to find out more about these glorious fabrics :)

Fabric Collections    Blog      Facebook     Twitter      Pinterest 

So Let's get to it!!!  I am happy to introduce to you my newest tutorial . . . Starburst!!!!



And it even comes in 3 size options!!  So pick a size and get quilting!!!  (Pictured above is the 24" block option)

You will need:
12 Fat Quarters - I used an assortment from both Colorway's of Pat Bravo's Indie line
Background Fabric - Amount is listed in the chart below depending on the size quilt you desire to make.

STEP 1 - CUTTING

Divide your Fat Quarters with like prints together into 3 groups of 4.  Use the largest prints for the Center Star, the medium prints for the Star Surround, and the small prints for the Burst Points.  (Regardless of what size quilt you choose you will only use 12 Fat Quarters.)
* Sew WOF strips together to create the desired length of sashing.

Cut your fabrics according to the chart above.  Sort your fabrics into piles of similar Descriptions.  This will make it easier as you begin to put the pieces of the block together.  (They are not sorted that way in the picture below.)

The block is made up of 3 basic types of sub-blocks:  the Flying Geese Block, the Half Square Triangle Block, and the Goose in the Corner Block.  We'll start with the Flying Geese Block.

STEP 2 - FLYING GEESE

Gather all of the pieces described as FG.  Sort them into 2 piles as shown below.  To save time be sure and repeat each of the sub-steps in an assembly line fashion making an entire flock of geese rather than making 1 set of  geese at a time.  (I will show an example of the print as the Sky and the print as the geese)

With right sides together, lay two small squares onto your large square as shown.  Using your ruler, draw a pen line diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.

Now pin both sides of each square adjacent to that drawn line.  Make sure to put them out far enough that your presser foot won't hit them as you sew on by :)  Stitch a 1/4" seam along both sides of the drawn line (the black lines represent your stitching lines :)  Remember, you are doing these assembly line so go ahead and chain stitch all the sets on the right hand side of the line first, and then go back and do all the sets on the left hand side.

Clip your threads and then align your ruler along the drawn center line.  Cut your pieces apart along that drawn line.

Press your seam up towards your 2 little triangles.

Now, take 2 more little squares and align them on your two stitched pieces as follows with right sides together.  Once again, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the little squares from corner to corner.

Now pin each piece far enough out that your foot will go by and then once again, stitch a 1/4" seam along both sides of the drawn diagonal line.  (Remember to chain stitch to save time :)

Clip your threads and then using your ruler aligned along the drawn line cut your 2 separate pieces apart.


Press up toward the little triangles again.  Lastly, trim off the little corners.


And you are done!!!  Perfectly precise flying geese blocks without throwing away any scraps and without sewing a single triangle.  Fabulous!!  You should have 32 Flying Geese total.

STEP 3 - HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES

Onto the Half Square Triangles.  Gather all of the pieces described as HST.  Sort them into 2 piles as shown below.  To save time be sure and repeat each of the sub-steps in an assembly line fashion.

On the wrong side of the print fabric using your ruler, draw a pen line diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.

Lay your print square on your background square with rights sides together.  Pin both sides adjacent to that drawn line.  Make sure to put them out far enough that your presser foot won't hit them as you sew on by :)  Stitch a 1/4" seam along both sides of the drawn line (the black lines represent your stitching lines :)  Just like before, you are doing these assembly line so go ahead and chain stitch all the sets on the right hand side of the line, and then go back and do all the sets on the left hand side.

Clip your threads and then align your ruler along the drawn center line.  Cut your pieces apart along that drawn line.

Now press towards your print fabric.

And now you are ready to trim up your HST.  You will trim to 3 1/2 for the 24" block, 4 1/2" for the 32" block and 5 1/2" for the 40" block.  I will use the 3 1/2" trim for the example.  Start by aligning the 45 degree line on your square ruler with the seam line on your half square triangle.  Make sure that the raw edges of the half square triangle are over the 3 1/2" line's on your ruler.  Trim the 2 sides along the edge of the ruler.

Now spin your block 180 degrees.  Once again, align the 45 degree line on your ruler with the seam line on your half square triangle.  Align the raw edges of the half square triangle under the ruler on the 3 1/2" lines on your ruler.  Trim the 2 sides along the edge of the ruler.

And now you have Perfect Half Square Triangles.  They take a bit to trim but are totally worth it for perfect points!!  You should have 64 Half Square Triangles total.

STEP 5 - GOOSE IN THE CORNER

Lastly, the Goose in the Corner.  Gather all of the pieces described as GC.  Sort them into 2 piles as shown below.  And by now, you know to save time be sure and repeat each of the sub-steps in an assembly line fashion.

On the wrong side of the print fabric using your ruler, draw a pen line diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.

Lay your print square on your background square in any corner with rights sides together.  Pin both sides adjacent to that drawn line.  Make sure to put them out far enough that your presser foot won't hit them as you sew on by :)   Stitch a seam directly on top of your drawn line.  Remember, assembly line stitching.

Clip your threads and then align your ruler 1/4" over your stitched line.  Cut along the edge of the ruler.  Scrap your loose triangles.

Now press towards your print fabric.

And now you have cute Goose in the Corner blocks.  Quick and easy!!  You should have 16 Goose in the Corner Total


STEP 6 - BUILDING THE BLOCKS

And now that all of the sub blocks are made, you are ready to sew together a large block.  Gather the following and lay out as shown below.   2 sets of Flying Geese blocks in similar prints, 1 set with the sky in print fabric and 1 set with the goose in print fabric.  16 similar print Half Square Triangles.  4 coordinating Goose in the Corners.  The coordinating CS square.  And 4 each of your B pieces.

When sewing the block together placement is key!!  Place close attention to the direction of each piece.  All seams for sewing the block together are 1/4".  Press each seam after sewing.

Start your block by sewing the center star first.  Sew the star into three rows as follows.  For row 1 and 3 simply sew a background square to either side of your flying geese.  For row 2 sew a flying geese to either side of your center square.   Now sew the three rows together taking care to align and pin the seams.  Set the center aside.

Next, you will create the Side Bursts.  To do this you will sew three columns.  For Column 1 and 3 sew two HST's together (watch the placement) For column 2 you will sew your background rectangle to your flying geese.  Now sew the three columns together taking care to align and pin the seams.  Make 4 of these total.  (Once again, you can assembly line piece to save time :)

Now you can sew the entire block together.  Once again, we will be creating 3 rows.  For row 1 and row 3 sew a Goose in the Corner to either side of your Side Bursts you just created.  For row 2 sew a Side Burst to either side of your Center Star.  Now sew the three rows together taking care to align and pin the seams.

And your block is complete!!  Now repeat the Building Block steps to create a total of 4 blocks.

STEP 7 - SEWING THE QUILT TOP

With your four blocks complete you are ready to add your sashings and finish your quilt top.  Start by adding your smallest sashings in between the 2 rows of blocks as shown.  Sew the sashing to the right hand block first with a 1/4" seam.  Press towards the sashing.  Then sew the left hand block to the sashing creating 2 rows.  Press towards the sashing.

Now gather your three medium length sashings and lay them out as follows.  Once again, sew the sashing to the rows first using a 1/4" seam.  You will sew a sashing to to top and bottom of the first row and to the bottom of the second row. Press towards the sashing. Then sew the two rows together using a 1/4" seam.  Press towards the sashing.


Now simply gather the remaining 2 large sashings and lay them on the sides of the quilt as follows.  Finish by sewing the sashign to the sides of your quilt using a 1/4" seam.  Press towards the sashing.


And your quilt top is complete!!!  Doesn't it look stunning!!

STEP 8 - FINISHING UP

To finish you quilt go ahead and Baste it, quilt it, and bind it.  I know that's a lot of work to put into one sentence.  If you are new to quilting and need some pointers on how to finish your quilt you can see my video tutorials going over basting, quilting, and binding in detail.  


And if you like the quilting I did on this particular quilt, you can see the following video tutorial on how to create the all over echoed paisley design.  Enjoy!



Now enjoy your Indie Starburst Quilt!!!  If you make this quilt i would love to see a picture of it.  You can email it to me or add it to my Inspired by Happy Quilting Flickr Group.



GIVEAWAY CLOSED

And now, for all of you super patient readers, let's get to the GIVEAWAY!!!

A huge thank you goes out to Pat Bravo for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway!!!



So what's up for grabs??   A Fat Quarter Bundle of Pat's  Indie collection in one colorway, plus her newest skirt pattern La Boheme!!!  I just loved working with Indie and am so excited to be able to share these beautiful fabrics with one of you lucky readers!!

 

Want a chance to play with these stunning prints??  Here's how to enter:

1 - Leave me a comment telling me your most favorite print in this stunning Indie Collection.

2 - Follow Pat Bravo on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter, and then leave a comment here telling me how you follow.

3 - And If you follow my blog, new or old follower,  you can have a bonus entry. I love all you fabulous readers!!   Just leave me a comment letting me know.

That's Three chances to win for a total of 3 comments max!!

Enter now through Friday morning, September 28th.  Mr Random.Org will pick a winner that will be announced Friday Morning at 9am (ish) MST.

GOOD LUCK!!!!  And Happy Quilting!!
Pin It!

825 comments:

  1. Wow!! That is just stunning! Don't want to be entered in the giveaway, but just love that quilt!!

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  2. Thanks for the great tutorial, I did the Oh My Stars QAL this year so have made a stack of stars and am always on the look out for new ones to try!
    Oh my how tricky to choose - but I love Artists Kisses in Lime - delicious, thanks for the giveaway

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  3. My favorite is artist kisses lime!

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  4. I follow your blog - thanks for another great tutorial!

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  5. I'm a follower. Great tutorial, thanks!

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  6. I like the Geisha in both colors. Follow on Pinterest

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  7. Hard to choose a favourite, but I like Wanderlust Luna.

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  8. Thanks for the tutorial - I love the Hidden Treasures Gem print.

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  9. And I follow you through Google Reader.

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  10. Wow, gorgeous quilt! The print I like best from Indie is Artist Kisses Mint.

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  11. I thought I would say that my favorite print was Fusion Dusk, but today Hidden Treasures Gem really grabbed me :-)

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  12. Beautiful quilt and tutorial! I love the Artist Kisses Pastel. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  13. I follow Pat through her blog, Facebook and Twitter.

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  14. Hard to pick just one! Probably Dynasty Saffron...love that gold!

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  15. I am a happy follower of your blog. This is such a wonderful tutorial! It is somewhat Swoon-ish without being a Swoon :-) I really like the extra emphasis on the star itself - very nice!!

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  16. I love the marqueterie in ginger!

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  17. Wow! Why a beautiful pattern. You are so talented! Thanks for sharing.

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  18. I follow Pat Bravo on pinterest!

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  19. I have been following your blog via rss!

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  20. From the Indie collection I love Marqueterie Ginger.

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  21. My favorite print is the tapestry calypso. Thanks for the chance to win--love the starburst!

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  22. What a great tutorial! I'd love to give it a try. When the chart says hsts are 4 inches, is that what I cut or finished size?

    My favorite is hidden treasure in gem and gold. Pretty!

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  23. What a beautiful quilt, and what beautiful fabric! My favorite (of many) is the Marqueterie Ginger - love the combination of colors!

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  24. LOVE this collection. Afro Fusion Dark is my fave print.

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  25. Thanks for your wonderful pattern and tutorial, Melissa. Great idea to make it in different sizes, so versatile. Pat has out done herself again, my favorite is Artist Kisses in lime, it wasn't an easy choice. Thanks again for a fantastic tutorial, I lilke that you included step by step photos, even which way to press. Off to pick fabric from my stash... ;-> Toni Anne

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  26. Of course I'm a follower. ;-> Toni Anne

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  27. Dynasty Mandarin, or Artist Kisses Lime, how to pick just one??? Beautiful fabric line!

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  28. Difficult to decide all Art Gallery fabrics is so beautiful and lovely to sew with, but I do like Royal Nature Nectar

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  29. Am a follower.
    Thanks for the wonderful tutorial! May just have to rush through canning today (my day off,lol) just to work on this!!! 40" squares??? Love the idea, can't wait to play with this!

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  30. I follow your blog. Great tutorial.

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  31. What a fantastic tutorial. I love that block, especially the giant size 40 inch block. My favorite from Indie is Dynasty in Mandarin, but it was a difficult choice.

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  32. I love Geisha Passion. The colors in this line are wonderful!

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  33. I am a happy follower of Happy Quilting.

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  34. You know I follow you :-) and I love the Starburst block. Hugs x

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  35. I really like the tapestry calypso print!

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  36. Thanks to you and Pat Bravo for the giveaway--my fav form the line is Marqueterie Berry

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  37. I follow your blog and I think this quilt is just stunning.

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  38. I Stalk Art Gallery and Pat on all the social media apps. Love their fabrics.

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  39. Great tutorial! I like the tapestry calypso.

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  40. I am in love with the whole Indie range but the orange print just grabs me.

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  41. I am also a follower of you! I love this block. I think I will make the large 40" star for a baby quilt!

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  42. It is a beautiful quilt, thank you for the great tutorial! I´m a follower of your blog:-)

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  43. I like the Geisha Bliss though it's hard to pick just one--they are all beautiful!

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  44. Liked them on FB. My favorite is Geisha Passion!

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  45. The block is beautiful! My favorite is Geisha Bliss!

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  46. I follow Pat Bravo on Facebook and Twitter!

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  47. I follow your blog! Thanks for the chance. :)

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  48. Royal Nature Mist, and thanks for the great tute!

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  49. I love Artist Kisses in Mint - your stars are stunning!! Lovely quilt!

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  50. Geisha Bliss is my favorite print in this collection. I don't even care for blue so much, but somehow I LOVE that print, and it is winning me to blue.. how does that happen?? PAT BRAVO!

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  51. I already liked Pat Bravo on Facebook.

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  52. I do follow your blog, and I loved your tutorial by the way. I didn't know you could make a quilt with so few fat quarters. I am fairly new to quilting, and I just get stuck with not knowing how many it takes. Of course I have white to go with it, but it is hard to know just what it takes to get a top done. Thank you for this tut!

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  53. What a great tutorial! Love the size options and use of 12 FQs! I am a happy follower.

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  54. Yay I follow Pat Bravo on Twitter - I am @amycansew. Thanks for the chance to win :)

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  55. I love royal nature mist.. I think i am going to make a purse out of it..

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  56. What a great tutorial you put up.. I am your follower..

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  57. I absolutely love the print Wonderlust in Soleil- so pretty! I can think of several uses- pillows, purses, etc!

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  58. I follow Art Gallery/ Pat on twitter and Facebook.

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  59. Love this collection and your quilt and tutorial. I've gotten back into everything purple so I think I like the wanderlust luna or artist kisses lime. Tough choice but think it will be the artist kisses.

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  60. I love both of the geisha colors... too hard to choose! Beautiful starbursts, I love the way you do your Flying Geese... had not seen it done that way before! Thanks for the tutorial and the giveaway!

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  61. And I follow your blog! Love the tutorial- it's on the ever-growing list of things I want to make (now, to try to finish some of the things I've started, first- perhaps if I get my tetris quilt quilted and bound, then I can start something new).

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  62. My favorite fabric is Afro Fusion Dusk : thanks for tutorial . I think it would be my next project.

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  63. Thank you for the tutorial, I really like your collection :)

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  64. I'm a follower of yours.
    Just two entries for me, as I don't use neither FB nor Twitter.

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  65. I'm following Pat Bravo on Facebook!

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  66. My favorite print in Indie is Geisha Passion.

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  67. This is gorgeous Melissa!!! Sooo glad I'm a follower of your blog!!!

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  68. Melissa, your new block is gorgeous!! Thanks for the great giveaway - I love the Geisha Bliss print. :)

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  69. Love the quilting you did. My fav fabric is Artist Kisses, any color.

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  70. I love geisha Bliss and Geisha Passion. The colors are gorgeous in the entire collection. Lovely giveaway.

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  71. I follow you on Google Reader. The blocks are beautiful. I will have to pin this, so I can come back later and try them. Thanks you.

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  72. I love them all, but a favorite is Marqueterie Ginger! :-)

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  73. I like Pat Bravo on Facebook-- thank you for the chance to win! :-)

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  74. I am a follower. Thank you for the giveaway and also for the wonderful tutorial!!! I'm going to pin it-- because I definitely want to make one of these quilts someday!! It is gorgeous!

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  75. I love them all but the Afro Fusion in dusk is my favourite. Thanks for the chance to win, and for the tutorial.

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  76. Wonderlust Luna is my favorite, but they are all beautiful!

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  77. I am a follower! Yippee skippy!

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  78. Geisha Passion. Great tutorial and beautiful quilt!

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  79. I love the Marqueterie Ginger print.

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  80. My favorite print is Dynasty in either of the color ways, Mandarin or Saffron. Love the quilt.

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  81. I like Pat Bravo on FB already!

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  82. Thanks for the great tutorial. My favorite is Artist Kisses Lime.

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  83. I love the Geisha Bliss. That turquoise and mustard together are awesome!

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  84. I am a follower. thanks so much for that tutorial. I want to go sew right now.

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  85. I really like Wonderlust Soleil from this collection.

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  86. I would have to pick the Artist Kisses Lime as my favorite.

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  87. Love the Royal Nature Mist! And the whole collection, really!

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  88. I follow Pat Bravo on facebook (celia L)

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  89. I am one of your followers. Your quilt is beautiful and thanks so much for the tutorial.

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  90. That is a stunning line. I especially like the artist kisses.

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  91. Afro Fustion Dusk is my favorite by far. I'm thinking of making a dress with it...

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  92. I like the Hidden Treasures Gem. Thanks for a great giveaway.

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  93. I follow Pat on Facebook and her blog. I love her fabrics.

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  94. I follow you on GFC. I love your star block.

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  95. I love this tutorial, you rock for offering 3 different sizes! I think my fave print is Afro Fusion Dusk.

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  96. Thanks for a great tutorial--AND a great give away!

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  97. I follow Pat on fb and Pinterest.

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  98. And of course I follow you too : )

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  99. My favorite is the Afro fusion dark, but only slightly. They are all beautiful patterns. Love the quilt and great tutortial! Nice job.

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  100. And I'm a loyal follower. Thanks

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  101. I follow your blog and pinterest. Great stuff!

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  102. I follow Pat Bravo on Pinterest.

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  103. It was hard to choose a favorite, but I think Wonderlust Soleil is great.

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  104. What a great tutorial! How nice to offer different sizes. I think my favorite print is Dynasty in Saffron. I really love all the prints in the Midnight Temple colorway. Pat Bravo is so talented.

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  105. I follow Pat on FB and Pinterest.

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  106. I follow you! Thanks again for a great tutorial!

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  107. I love your new tutorial! My favourite print from the indie line is Geisha Passion. Thanks the the amazing giveaway.

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  108. I now follow all of Pat's quilty related boards on Pinterest.

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  109. I'm a new follower of your blog, via google reader.

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  110. Mmm...like the mint artist kisses. Fun name too!!

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  111. I happily follow you via my google reader. :)

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  112. I love the geisha bliss, sooo pretty!

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  113. I follow you in my google reader:) Thanks for the great tutorial!

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  114. Wonderlust Luna is my favourite! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  115. And I am your new follower to your blog!

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  116. What a wonderful quilt! :) I particularly like the Artist Kisses Pastel and Afro Fusion Dawn amongst many! What a lovely range. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  117. Dynasty Mandarin might be my favorite! Today anyway!
    Thanks for the beautifully done tutorial!
    loritfrench@comcast.net

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  118. I like the print Dynasty Mandarin.

    sntbosch(at)msn(dot)com

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  119. Great collection & quilt! I like geisha in bliss.

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  120. my favourite has got to be Artist Kisses Mint/Lime i follow pat on facebook and that's how i found this so i will now be following you after such a great tutorial , another project to add to the list , thanks

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  121. I just love the royal nature mist

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  122. I follow on pinterest.

    sntbosch(at)msn(dot)com

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  123. I am a FB follower of Pat's, that is how I found this lovely blog!
    loritfrench@comcast.net

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  124. I follow Pat on Facebook, twitter and pinterest!

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  125. I love this line of fabric!
    my favorite is Dynasty Saffron!

    You pattern is really cute..thank you

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  126. Oh, how does one chose a favorite print among so many lovely ones ~ if I have to it would be Dynasty Saffron ~ I love flowers and the saffron tone is beautiful!

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  127. I follow Pat on Facebook and her blog and that's how I found your blog!

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  128. And now I follow your blog Melissa!

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  129. I follow you in my Google Reader. Happy Tuesday!

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  130. I'm a new follower of your blog ~ Starburst is beautiful and thank you so much for the tutorial! I have so many things on my list to make and this one will be going on it!

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  131. I love the print afro fusion dusk in the indie collection. Thanks for the chance :)

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  132. I follow Pat Bravo on facebook and her blog!

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  133. I am a new follower of your blog. Thanks for the awesome tutorial! You are so talented :)

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  134. Thanks so much for the lovely tutorial, Melissa. It's a beauty!!

    I am in love with Pat Bravo's Dynasty Saffron print, and I follow her on FB.

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Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I just love hearing from you!!
Have a Happy Quilting Day :)

Melissa