Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Cutting It Close

So ya, it's the last day of the month, so can you guess what I have been sewing this morning.  That's right, Bee Blocks ;)   Sad to say, once again I have procrastinated these to the very last minute.  Ahh, well, they are done and it is still September, so I suppose that is all that counts ;)

For Susan, it was 3/4 log cabin blocks this month in super bright colors.  I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but I got Barbara (amazing MIL) to join in the Beejeebers Bee this year and so we actually spent the morning stitching together and had a great time!!  I mean, how can you not have fun when working with such happy colors!!


And then for the Bees Knees group, Abby asked us to make a Spell it with Fabric letter and sent me the letter M, I am assuming for Melissa ;)  I have made these letters before for this and this quilt and I just find them to be so much fun to put together.  Making this M made me want to make a whole new alphabet again.  Add it to the list ;)


Now I am off to drop these in the mail.  Tomorrow is a whole new month with new blocks, looking forward to see what I will be making next, and hopefully not on Halloween Day ;)

Happy Quilting!!!

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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day . . . let's have some fun :)

First, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!   The winner of the $25.00 Gift Certificate to Discover Fabric  is . . . . . .   Number #117 . . . Congrats annemarie!!   I have emailed you :)     


 



    
And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.   Fat Quarter Shop has everything you could ever want  and they always have amazing sales!!   This week they have two awesome sales going on!!!! First off, 20% off everything you could ever need for Binding!!!   And second, 20% off all Cotton + Steel!!!   Be sure to pop on over and check it out!!!!

       


And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away these 3 awesome Simply Colorful II Junior Jelly Rolls to one lucky reader !!! I just love these prints and the junior jelly rolls are so cute and fun!!!!




You have two entry chances, the second being optional, and please leave a separate comment for each.  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries.  Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment that tells me some memory from your Junior Year in High School . . .and if you can't remember anything, just a comment with the word Junior in it will do too :)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Fat Quarter Shop love.   You can follow them on   FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestYou Tube or at their Blog.  You can Sign up for their Newsletter which will ensure you catch all of their amazing sales, or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Fat Quarter Shop Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, October 6th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!
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Monday, September 28, 2015

3 Down, 3 New To Go

So, I realized yesterday night that in the last 5 days I have posted 3 finished quilts on my blog!!  Sometimes it is funny, the way deadlines work that they all seem to come at the same time, so while I have been working on all 3 quilts for most of the month, I finally get to share them all wham bam, one right after the other ;)

  


But the super funny part is, this morning I was in my sewing room realizing I had new projects that I need to get going on.  And wouldn't you know it . . . I managed to pull fabrics for 3 new quilts!!  And the funny thing is . . . none of these are ones that I had thought about until this morning and realized I needed/wanted to squeeze them in ;)

First off, I realized my twin sister's due date for her sweet little baby girl is like in less then a month.   I knew that this quilt was coming and got these beautiful Brambleberry Ridge by Violet Craft Fat Quarters from Southern Fabric like the month after I had found out she was pregnant.  But had I made a plan, of course not.  So, that was first on the list this morning and I am happy to say I now have a design for these gorgeous prints and I am so excited!!!


Second, I had a friend have a baby last week and since they decided to keep the sex of the baby a surprise, I didn't know whether to do baby girl or baby boy quilt.   Well, I found out on Saturday and it is a baby boy, and wouldn't you know it, I have like 5 baby girl quilts made and ready and 0 baby boy quilts.   So I am using my "go-to" Charm Bracelet pattern from Irish Chain Quilts and some awesome boy colored Reel Time fabrics by Zen Chic to whip up a quick present.   Don't you just love go to designs that you can whip together in no time ;)


And finally, while I was flipping through my Irish Chain Quilts book for the Chram Bracelet pattern, I realized that at the last market I picked up this stunning bundle of Studio E Fabrics Peppered Cottons specifically for remaking my Bitty Bits quilt but in the opposite layout, of colors in the background and whites in the chain.   And I set it on my shelf and totally forgot.  So now, I have pulled it back out and I am so excited to make a quilt just for fun and for me ;)


Time to get Pressing and Cutting!!!

I hope your day is filled with lots of Happy Quilting as well!!

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Sunday, September 27, 2015

Traffic Jam - A Quilt Tutorial for Jaftex 85th Anniversary Celebration!!

Good Morning and Welcome to Happy Quilting if you are popping in for the first time ; )  I am so excited to share with you my newest quilt finish and a tutorial for it all as part of the Jaftex 85th Anniversary Celebration.   And so let's show you the quilt . . . I call it Traffic Jam and I so love it ;)


When I was contacted by the wonderful folks at Jaftex a few months ago to participate in their anniversary celebration I was instantly on board and so very excited.  I mean, who doesn't love a month long Blog Hop celebration!!!    And what an honor to be part of such a fun party!


I was sent this gorgeous Fusion Illusion Fat Quarter bundle from Blank Quilting.  And let me tell you, the ideas started churning.  Now, if you have been around here for anytime at all, you would have expected me to gravitate towards those jewel tones on the bottom right ;)  Which was my initial pull, but then I decided, I had all of these amazing colors to pick from, so why not try something a little different for me.  


So I went with what I have deemed the "Urban Jungle" colors and once I had decided on those the design just involved into this super fun Traffic Jam.  So let's show you how to make your own!!


You Will Need:
(7) Fusion Illusion Fat Quarters
2 Yards of Solid White
3/8 Yard of Solid Black (or favorite color) for Binding
1 1/3 Yard of Solid Black (or favorite color)  for Backing (and some scraps from your Fat Quarters)


STEP 1 - CUTTING

From your Solid White yardage cut:
(21) 2" x 18" strips                                 (5) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares
(10) 2" x 7 1/2" rectangles                     (10) 2" x 4 1/2" rectangles
(8) 1 1/2" x 9 1/2" rectangles                  (8) 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" rectangles
(8) 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles                  (8) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles
(10) 1" x 10 1/2" rectangles                  (10) 1" x 9 1/2" rectangles


From each of your 7 Fat Quarters cut
     (3) 2" x 18" strips.    For a total of 21 2" x 18" strips.
 It is okay if your fat quarter is not exactly 18" wide, these will be sub-cut so you have some wiggle room.  Just stack up a few fat quarters,  trim the selvage, and then cut the three strips ;)


The rest of the cutting will be from the remaining Fat Quarter Pieces.  For each cutting step, simply stack up the designated number of fat quarters, choosing different color combo's each step, Cut the given number and sizes of strips and then sub-cut the pieces.

From each of 4 Fat Quarters cut (4) 1" x 18" strips.  From the strips sub-cut (2) 1" x 10 1/2" rectangles and (2) 1" x 9 1/2" rectangles.  Scrap the remnants of the strips.


From each of 4 Fat Quarters cut (2) 2" x 18" strips.  From the strips sub-cut (2) 2" x 7 1/2" rectangles and (2) 2" x 4 1/2" rectangles.  Scrap the remnants of the strips.


From each of 4 Fat Quarters cut (1) 2 1/2" x 18" strip.  From the strip sub-cut (1) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square.  Scrap the remnants of the strip.


From each of 5 Fat Quarters cut (4) 1 1/2" x 18" strips.  From the strips sub-cut (2) 1 1/2" x 9 1/2" rectangles and (2) 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" rectangles.  Scrap the remnants of the strips.


From each of 5 Fat Quarters cut (1) 1 1/2" x 18" strip.  From the strip sub-cut (2) 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles and (2) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles.  Scrap the remnants of the strips.


And that is all of the cutting.  I know it seems like a lot, but it will go fast ;)  Once you are done all of the cutting, group your fabrics in like sizes, aka match the white rectangles to the print rectangles ;)


STEP 2 - MAKING THE SASHING

We will start by making the sashing for the quilt.  You will need to 2" x 18" strips in white and prints to do this.   Place a print strip on a white strip with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Again, it is okay if the ends do not line up perfectly, so you can simply align the two pieces as you stitch.


When you get to the end of the first pair, you will simply feed the next pair into your machine.  Don't clip any threads until you have stitched all 21 pairs.  This is called Chain Stitching and it saves a lot of time and thread ;)


Once you have stitched your 1/4" seam along all 21 sets, go ahead and clip your threads between sets and then press all of the seams towards the print fabric.


And now it is time to subcut the strips ;)  From 14 strips, 2 strips from each color, you will subcut (3) 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangles.  To do this, simply align  4 strips with a horizontal line on your cutting mat so they are nice and straight.  Place your ruler along the left hand side of the strips and use a vertical line on your cutting mat to cut a straight edge.   Then measure over 5 1/2" inches which you can check on both your ruler and cutting mat.  Cut along the edge of the ruler.  Repeat this two more times.  Scrap the remnants from the ends of the strip.  Repeat for all 14 strips.


Then from 7 strips, 1 strip from each color, you will subcut (5) 3 1/2" x 2" rectangles and (1) 3 1/2"x 5 1/2" rectangle.  To do this again, align  4 strips with a horizontal line on your cutting mat and cut  a straight edge along the left hand side of the strips.   Then measure over 2 inches which you can check on both your ruler and cutting mat.  Cut along the edge of the ruler.  Repeat this four more times.  Then measure over 5 1/2", checking your ruler and mat again, and cut along the edge of your ruler.  Scrap the remnants from the ends of the strip. Repeat for all 7 strips.


And now, with the subcutting done you can piece the sashing units ;)  Layout 4 Sets of 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" units as shown below, 2 sets together in opposite layouts.  I know they look like you can flip them and they would be the same, but they are not ;)   You will be making 12 sets of each of the 2 layouts and once again, chain stitching here will save you time and thread.   Place the right hand units onto the left hand units with right sides together.  Nest or pin the center seams.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all 24 sets.   I like to press the seams open so there is less bulk, but if you prefer them to one side, that is great too ;)


And lastly, we will do the cornerstones of the sashing.  Once again, we will be chain stitching all 16 sets.  So place (2) 2" x 3 1/2" units together with right sides together, taking care that the print and white squares are opposite, and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 16 sets.  Press the seams open or to one side.   And now you can set aside all of this sashing as we move onto the blocks ;)


STEP 3 - MAKING THE BLOCKS

This quilt has 9 blocks.  There are 4 blocks of one layout and 5 blocks of the opposite layout.  But they are all sewn the same way so the instructions will walk you through both layouts at the same time  I will be chain stitching each step sewing both the 4 blocks in the first layout and the 5 blocks in the second layout as this will save lots of time and thread ;)    Take care that whenever you are using prints, you use the same color for all 4 pieces in a border.

Start by laying out your 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares in the center and the 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles along the sides of the squares and the 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles along the top and bottom of the squares taking care that the white solids are matched to the print squares and the print are matched to the white square as shown below.


Place the side rectangles onto the center square with right sides together.  Chain Stitch a 1/4" seam along the left hand side  for all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and then chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the right hand side of all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and press the seam allowances outwards.


Place the top and bottom rectangles onto the center square with right sides together.  Chain Stitch a 1/4" seam along the top for all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and then chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the bottom of all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and press the seam allowances outwards.


Now layout your center units and the 2" x 4 1/2" rectangles along the sides of the squares and the 2" x 7 1/2" rectangles along the top and bottom of the squares taking care that the white solids are matched to the print outer border and the prints are matched to the white outer border as shown below.


Place the side rectangles onto the center unit with right sides together.  Chain Stitch a 1/4" seam along the left hand side for all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and then chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the right hand side of all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and press the seam allowances outwards.


Place the top and bottom rectangles onto the center unit with right sides together.  Chain Stitch a 1/4" seam along the top for all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and then chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the bottom of all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and press the seam allowances outwards.


Now layout your center units and the 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" rectangles along the sides of the squares and the 1 1/2" x 9 1/2" rectangles along the top and bottom of the squares taking care that the white solids are matched to the print outer border and the prints are matched to the white outer border as shown below.


Place the side rectangles onto the center unit with right sides together.  Chain Stitch a 1/4" seam along the left hand side for all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and then chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the right hand side of all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and press the seam allowances outwards.


Place the top and bottom rectangles onto the center unit with right sides together.  Chain Stitch a 1/4" seam along the top for all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and then chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the bottom of all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and press the seam allowances outwards.


And finally, layout your center units and the 1" x 9 1/2" rectangles along the sides of the squares and the 1" x 10 1/2" rectangles along the top and bottom of the squares taking care that the white solids are matched to the print outer border and the prints are matched to the white outer border as shown below.

Place the side rectangles onto the center unit with right sides together.  Chain Stitch a 1/4" seam along the left hand side for all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and then chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the right hand side of all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and press the seam allowances outwards.


Place the top and bottom rectangles onto the center unit with right sides together.  Chain Stitch a 1/4" seam along the top for all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and then chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the bottom of all 9 sets.  Trim your threads and press the seam allowances outwards.


And just like that, you have 9 awesome blocks!!!  5 in the center square white layout and 4 in the center square print layout.  And now we are going to turn them into a traffic jam ;)


STEP 4 - ALTERING THE BLOCKS

Now we are going to cut each block into 4 quarters.  To do this, place your ruler onto the block ad align the 5 1/4" mark along the edge of the block.  Your ruler should also be aligned on the center square seam at 1", double check that so you know it is nice and straight.  Cut along the edge.  Now, without moving your pieces, repeat the seam process on the horizontal to create (4) quarters that will each measure apprx. 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".

Turn the quarters outwards and mix and match the 4 quarters of your block within the two layouts  (don't mix the two layouts together)  as shown below.  These will be our new block layouts.


Now it's time to stitch them back together.  Place the right hand side quarters onto the left hand side quarters with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Once again, you can chain stitch all of the sets here to save time.  I still pressed my seams open, for consistency, but you can press the top row to the right and the bottom row to the left if you like so they will nest ;)


Now simply place the top row onto the bottom row with right sides together.  Pin or nest the center seam and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Chain stitch all 9 sets and the press the seams open.


And now, we have 9 great Traffic Jam Blocks!!!  Lay them out as shown below, mixing the colors until you have a layout that is pleasing to the eye.


STEP 5 - MAKING THE QUILT TOP

And now, you are ready to add the sashing back into the quilt top to make it a true Traffic Jam!!   Place the Cornerstones and Sashing between the blocks as shown below paying close attention to the placement of the whites and prints of the sashing.  Once again, you can play with the layout of the prints until you get a look that is pleasing to the eye.  When you have a layout you like snap a quick picture of it, it is wonderful for reference.


And now you are ready to sew your quilt top together.  we will start by sewing the pieces into rows.  For the sashing rows, place the cornerstones onto the horizontal sashing units with right sides together.  For the Block rows, place the vertical sashing units onto the blocks with right sides together.  You can nest here, but I recommend pinning all of the seams.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edges and then press the seams open.  Repeat for all the rows.


And now, you can sew the sashed units into rows.  Place the second sashed unit in each row onto the first sashed unit.  Align the seams and pin or nest them.  Then stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Then, place the third sashed until onto the now sewn together first and second sashed units.  Again, align, pin, and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Repeat for all the rows and then press the seams open.


And now your rows are all made and all that is left to do is sew them all together.  This is just like making the rows only on a longer scale.  We will start by attaching the sashing rows to the block rows.  Place the sashing rows onto to the block rows with right sides together.  Pin each of the seams (and there are a lot) and the stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.   Press the seams open.


Now place the sashed second row onto the sashed first row with right sides together.  Pin the seams and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Finally, place the third sashed row onto the now sewn together first and second sashed rows and pin the seams and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.   Press the seams open.


And Wha La!!!!  You have an awesome 41" x 41"  completed Traffic Jam Quilt Top!!!  Yippee!!



STEP 6 - FINISHING THE QUILT

Now it's time to Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind It ;)   I know, that is a lot in one quick little sentence.  If you are new to quilting and want some pointers on these steps, you can check out my Finish Your Quilt Video Tutorials, they will walk you through step by step on how to do each of these three components ;)


For the backing, you will want to piece in about a 4" strip of your leftover fat quarters  That way you backing will be long enough and you are not having to fiddle with tiny little amounts of overhang :)


And when it came time to quilt mine, I decided to add to the concept of a Traffic Jam by doing a fun grid quilting.   I used straightish lines both vertical and horizontal to give it that extra little pop and it came out just perfect and so added to the overall design.  I love it!!!  Then it was a quick binding and done!!!!



STEP 7 - ENJOY!!!

And now you can sit back and enjoy your adorable 40 1/2" x 40 1/2" Traffic Jam quilt!!!  This is the perfect size for that new little wee one and all of the amazing colors and movement are sure to keep him/her squirming around on the quilt top ;)


I hope you have enjoyed this Traffic Jam Tutorial ;)  If you make your own Traffic Jam quilt someday I would love to see it ;)  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to my flickr group here ;)  Happy Quilting!!!


Thank you so much to the the Jaftex Corporation for having me as part of their 85th Anniversary Celebration!!!  It was so much fun!!!!  I hope you will join in the celebration!!!  There is so much fun going on this month!!!


First off, you can win some totally amazing prizes!!!  Sewing machines, Aurifil Threads, and Needle Tins for the top three winners!!!  To enter, just pop on over to the Henry Glass Blog right here ;)  



And be sure to check out this whole month's worth of amazing projects!!!  There is some serious eye candy and lots and lots more giveaways!!!

September 1 - Kim Diehl guest posting @ American Patchwork & Quilting
September 2 - Pepper @ Pepper at the Quilt Studio 
September 3 - Anjeanette @ Anjeanette Klinder 
September 4 - Leanne @ The Whole Country Caboodle   
September 5 - Mark @ Mark Lipinski's Blog
September 6 - Heather @ Heather Kojan Quilts  
September 7 - Heather @ Trends and Traditions  
September 7 - Martha @ Wagons West Designs  
September 8 - Linda @ Linda Lum DeBono 
September 9 - Heidi @ Red Letter Quilts 
September 10 - Jill @ Jillily Studios  
September 10 - Dana @ My Lazy Daisy  
September 11 - Penny @ Sew Simple Designs  
September 12 - Ida @ Cowtown Quilts 
September 13 - Liz and Beth @ Lizzie B Cre8ive  
September 14 - Melissa @ Sew Bitter Sweet Designs
September 15 - Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl    
September 16 - Amy @ Kati Cupcake 
September 16 - Barbara @ QuiltSoup2 
September 17 - Erica @ Kitchen Table Quilting 
September 18 - Leona @ Leona's Quilting Adventure 
September 19 - Margot @ The Pattern Basket  
September 20 - Sylvia @ Flying Parrot Quilts   
September 21 - Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts  
September 22 - Kim @ Aurifil Threads  
September 23 - Rebekah @ Don't Call Me Becky   
September 24 - Julie @ The Crafty Quilter 
September 25 - Mary Ellen @ Little Quilts  
September 25 - Mary Jane @ Holly Hill Designs 
September 26 - Daisy @ Ants to Sugar
September 27 - Melissa @ Happy Quilting  (you are here!)
September 28 - Janet @ One S1ster
September 29 - Jenny @ Martingale& Co.
September 30 - Teresa @ Third Floor Quilts

And speaking of lots and lots of Giveaways, Let's have one!!!!

Jaftex has graciously sent me an extra Blank Fusion Illusion Fat Quarter Bundle for one lucky reader!!!   

For a chance to enter simply leave a comment below :)   It can be anything you like just please one comment per person ;)   The  giveaway will close on Friday the 2nd at midnight and I will announce a winner Saturday morning ;)   GIVEAWAY CLOSED

The winner is  . . .



Congrats Anita!!! I have emailed you ;)


Thanks so much for popping in today and have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!
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