Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!    Let's have some fun!!!

But  before we get to today's giveaways . . . First,  we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the Fat Quarter Set as well as 2 Yards of your choice of Sweet Dreams from Shabby Fabrics is . . . Number #241. . . Congrats Rosemary B!!!!! I have emailed you :)    


 



So on to today's


Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  Julie has a fantastic new shop with lots of amazing fabric goodness!!!  And, she always has amazing prices (including the awesome Clearance Selection) that make it so fun to fill up a cart ;) 




And the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for a $25.00 Gift Certificate to The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co.  Yup, we all love a good little shopping spree in a brand new store!!!  Isn't it fun to get to pick out your favorites ;)



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 your favorite Candy Bar??  (I just finished a Milky Way Simply Caramel, so yummy!!!)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. love.   You can follow them on   Facebook or Sign up for their Newsletter (just scroll down a bit) .  Or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Scarlet Thread Quilt Co. Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, June 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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Friday, May 26, 2017

Time to makes some Quilt Sandwiches :)

So I might have mentioned that in the last little bit I was doing some secret sewing.  Well, I finished up all that last week and looked around my sewing room to realize that I was now only working on only 1 new project.  So I grabbed my stacks of blocks that have been waiting patiently to be finished before  I could be tempted to cut out something new ;)  So in the last few days I  finished up 3 quilt tops and pieced 3 quilt backs, yippee!!!  I would say it is time to make some quilt sandwiches and start humming away on the long arm ;)


Thank you so much to everyone on Instagram for your help picking a sashing for my Sew Sampler Recipe Card quilt!!!  I am so excited with how this turned out with the Moda Chambray Sashing, it just gives it the perfect summer picnic feel.    And you might remember back here  where I said I would have to set them aside for about a month . . . well it turned out closer to 2, but now the quilt top is done and I decided on a happy bright yellow backing to give it that extra bit of sunshine happiness.  Can't wait to get this one finished up, and I already know how I want to quilt it, so it will probably get done first ;)  


I also finished up my Mosiac Quilt top and backing this week.  I cut this quilt out clear back in February  and finished the blocks at about the same times as I finished the blocks above.   To finish this one I opted for a simple white sashing that really makes all of those happy blues and green's pop :)   Then for the backing, I choose a fun lime print from my stash, and then added a navy stripe to the pieced backing just for that bit of contrast.   So fun!!!


And finally, I am so super excited that I can say that I finished piecing my Splendid Sampler Quilt top!!!!   (Well, it actually still has to be pressed, but close enough right ;)    And I am love, love, loving it!!!!   This thing is a huge King Size quilt so I  knew I was going to be doing some serious piecing for the backing.   So I pulled out my stash of Grunge fabrics.   I had some bits and pieces left from other projects, and wouldn't you know, it was just the perfect amount to piece together a rainbow grunge backing!!  I totally squealed when I finished sewing it together.  So fun!!!!


And now if you are thinking, why don't you open all these quilt tops and back's up and show us . . . Sorry about that.   I know, such a tease right.   It's just that I want to keep the "big reveals" for when they are all quilted and bound and pretty!!!!   But I promise . . . soon ;)  Time to get quilting!!!!

I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Weekend ;)  


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Thursday, May 25, 2017

May Sew Sampler Box!!

It's always a good day when my Sew Sampler box arrives on my doorstep :)  And I am getting better and not peeking on Instagram, so it is always such a fun surprise!!!   And this month I opened my box to find a rainbow of quilty goodness!!!


I was so excited to see these beautiful Fat Eighth Bundle of Karen Lewis' Blueberry Park!!!!  I just finished a quilt top (I'll share soon :) in blues and greens in this fabulous line and I just love it.  I can't wait to get started on something with this rainbow goodness.  I mean, how can you not be happy when you are sewing up a rainbow ;) 


And I might just be planning to use the bundle on this Pacific Quilt, a Sew Sampler exclusive pattern.  I have heard so much about the Quilt in a Day Small Flying Geese Ruler so it would be fun to give that a try in this pattern as well ;)   Trying new things and quilting a rainbow, double bonus!!!   (But what do you think about maybe a grey background instead of white  . . . I'll have to think on that ;)


And the notions this month are so fun!!!  I have already filled up that little Snap n' Store case with all of my marking utensils and I am excited to have them all in one place now ;)   And that little seam roller is so going to come in handy!!!   And I just had to share the new sticker this year, how cute is that!!!! 


And finally, if you remember from last month, we are making Basket Block's this year!!!   And I am doing mine in a patriotic theme using Sweetwater's Freedom fabric line.    And here is Basket  #2 :)   Two blocks in and I am just loving these little guys!!!  This is going to be such a fun quilt when it is all done ;)


And that is the May Sew Sampler Box  . . . Now to wait a whole month until my little blue box arrives on the doorstep again ;)   Good thing I have lots of other projects, not to mention the kids out of school as of today, to keep me busy until then ;)

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!
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Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!    Let's have some fun!!!

But  before we get to today's giveaways . . . First,  we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of Weekend Quilting Book from Happy Quilting is . . . Number #139. . . Congrats patricia ludwiczak!!!!! I have emailed you :)    

 


So on to today's


Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Shabby Fabrics!!   Shabby Fabrics has so many fantastic Kits and Projects and I absolutely love their Laser Cut Kits!!! Shabby Fabrics  also has an amazing  Clearance Section, you are sure to find some amazing deals here :)



And for the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway  Shabby Fabrics is giving one lucky winner a Fat Quarter Set as well as 2 Yards of your choice of Sweet Dreams by Maude Ashbury for Blend Fabrics.      How adorable is that, whether you pink the pink or the blue set, you will be all set to put together a super cute baby quilt !!!


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 something fun to do with kids in the summer.  (School finishes tomorrow and I need to start making a game plan ;)   

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Shabby Fabrics love. You can follow them on FacebookTwitterYou TubePinterest, or Instagram.  You can Sign up for the Shabby Fabrics Newsletter (top right hand corner) or Follow their Blog,  or you can Visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Shabby Fabric Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, May 30th 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, May 22, 2017

Bee Block Done - Time to Trim

We still have a whole week left of the month and I am putting my Bee block in the mail!!!   Trish  (who I met at the first Sewing Summit and is the nicest person you will ever meet!!!) asked us each to make one of these adorable Going to Grandma's Quilt Blocks by Pretty Little Quilts for her this month.   And yes, I am sure it is no surprise that I have added a Going to Grandma's Quilt to my make list.   I mean how can I not ;)     That suitcase is just so stinking adorable!!!  



And now, with that in the mail, (which I have to admit, it was hard to put in the mail because I so wanted to keep it :)  I can get back to my newest project.   On the cutting mat today is 128 Half Square Triangles waiting to be trimmed ;)  But if you have to trim, it sure is nice to look at these gorgeous Curiosities prints by Amanda Herring.  I just love these colors ;)   And of course, I always listen to a good book while trimming, it is so nice to still get to enjoy books, even if I don't make time to actually sit down and read them :)


I hope you have a very Happy Quilting (and maybe some trimming too) day!!!
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Saturday, May 20, 2017

A Stack for Seniors

I have the wonderful opportunity to serve with the 16-18 year old young women in my church.    I am  so blessed to get to know each of them as we learn and grow together I and truly come to love them through this service.   So when May comes around it is always bitter sweet.  I am so excited to see the older girls graduate from High School and move on to their next big adventures in life, but of course, it is always hard to say goodbye.  So last year I started a new tradition of giving each of my Senior Girls a quilt that they can take with them into their new big step in life.
  

This year I have 6 young women graduating and I had such a lovely time this morning going through my stacks of quilts to pick out the perfect quilts for each of them.  I just love that as I think of each girl and their special personality, that the right quilt just jumps out at me.  Each one really fits the recipients and represents the special uniqueness that is them.


They are all tied up in pretty ribbons just waiting to be delivered now.  Well, I have to write the cards as well, but that part always makes me cry so I am saving that for later ;)  I know I have said it before, but I am so grateful to have this wonderful way to wrap someone special in a quilty hug and show how much they mean to me!!!


Congrats to Emily, Kassie, Macey, McKenna, Melissa, and Rebecca!!!!  I am so excited for you and can't wait to see what the future holds for each of you :)  
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Thursday, May 18, 2017

April Aurifil Designer BOM

So I know, April has come and gone, but with all of the secret sewing I was doing last month, the Aurifil BOM kind of slipped through the cracks.  But I am happy to say I am now all caught up!!!     April was all about Red-Purple and  Sue Marsh designed this super fun block called A New Direction block.    Isn't it just so fun with all of it's triangle goodness!!


This block was a lot of fun to put together.  I don't often work with equilateral triangles in piecing, and I forgot how fun they are to sew together.  I just love all of those super happy points!!!  And when they are tiny like these, that just makes it all the more fun.  I think I need to make an entire quilt of equilateral triangles one of these days, add it to the list ;)


And the block went together super quick once I finally picked the fabrics from my scrap stash.  Even though purple is my favorite color, it is the color I have the least amount of scraps of and finding the right Red-Purple shade was a little tricky.  But using my  Aurifil 4020 Fuchsia as a guide made it easier to find just the right shade.  And don't you just love that polka-dot background!!!   I just love me some polka dots ;)


So that is my Aurifil April Block, better late than never!!!  You can find  Sue's pattern complete with templates for this block right over here and then be sure to pop over here to read Sue's interview.    

Now I am all set for June!!!  Can't wait ;)    

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!
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Wednesday, May 17, 2017

May Aurifil Designer BOM

The May Aurifil Designer Block of the Month was released a few days ago and I had so much fun sewing it up yesterday!!!   May is all about Red and  Mathew Boudreaux created the coolest block called Faux Weave block and I might be crazy, but I totally want to make this again and again.   Isn't it just so fantastic!!


I mean, how can you not love the weave look.   And those little sashings along the sides of the weave finish at 1/4", so ya, we are talking some tiny piecing. It was a huge help to starch my fabrics before staring and then to press everything open, because some of those seams are going to overlap on the back ;)  


Even though it is a ton of tiny piecing, the block went together pretty fast with some great strip piecing to start.  And using my Aurifil 2250 Red as a guide made it super easy to pick out beautiful reds.  Of course,after the fact, I am wishing I would have choose a slightly different red for the sashing so it would stand out a bit more, but I was really trying to stay in the true red family.   Ah well,   I guess that is probably why I feel like making another one ;)  And that is always fun!!!


So that is my Aurifil May Block!!!  You can find  Mathew's fantastic pattern for this block right over here and then be sure to pop over here to read Mathew's  interview.     And if you make your own Faux Weave Block, be sure and enter a picture of it at Pat's blog ;)  Every entry  is eligible to win a Large Aurifil Thread Kit!!!!!  

And I will be back tomorrow with April's block that kind of got missed due to some deadlines.  But I am so catching up today ;)    

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!
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Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!    Let's have some fun!!!

But  before we get to today's giveaways . . . First,  we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!   The winner of the Modernist Layer Cake from  Fabric Please!  is . . . Number #29. . . Congrats Barbara Woods!!!!! I have emailed you :)    
  


So on to today's


Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Happy Quilting.   I was just recently sent a copy of Weekend Quilting by Jemima Flendt.  This was such a fun book to go through.  It is so perfect for beginners, teaching you the basics of piecing HST, Flying Geese, Pinwheels, and Equilateral Triangles.  And then it also teaching you some basic techniques including English Paper Piecing, Applique, and Foundation Paper Piecing.   And the nice thing is that all of the projects in the book are Mini's or small quilts, so you really can learn a skill and finish a project in the weekend.  Such a great way to start without getting overwhelmed.   And as you can see from the cover , the projects are all just so fantastic!!!




And for Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway I just happen to have a copy of Weekend Quilting for 1 lucky winner!!!   Cross your fingers that you get super lucky so you can add this  to your book collection.  



 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 what quilting you did this weekend??

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Happy Quilting love. You can follow Happy Quilting on BloglovinEmail Updates, or RSS to get daily updates.  Or you can like Happy Quilting on InstagramFacebookPinterestTwitter or Flickr  Any one way will do . . . Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Happy Quilting Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, May 23rd, 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, May 15, 2017

Patchwork Quilt Along - Homestead Block

It's the 15th and that means it's time for the Fifth set of  Patchwork Quilt Along Blocks hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop!!!!  Can you believe we are already at month 5!!!  Wow, time flies when you are having fun sewing tiny patchwork ;)  Today's Patchwork Quilt Along blocks are the Homestead Blocks.  


And can I just say how much I love those tiny little plus signs in the middle of each block!!!  I mean, how cute are they, especially the Navy one because the fabric has the same little plus signs.  Eeek,  love it!!!   I am just loving seeing each of these little 5" blocks come together and this months blocks sewed up pretty fast with those "big" HST's in each corner ;) 


If you are quilting along with all of this tiny Patchwork fun,  you can download the block pattern right here and then you can pop on over to  donate $5.00 to the Make a Wish Foundation for your download  ;)  To date there has been just over $9,000 raised!!  Wow, it's almost made that $10,000 goal!!!


And don't forget to check out the super cute  You Tube video that walks you through making the block and you even get to listen to some super peppy tunes along the way!!!    







And be sure to share all of your Patchwork progress on social media with #patchworkquiltalong and pop over to all of the fabulous bloggers who are quilting along for some Homestead Block eye candy :)    I just love seeing all of the different fabrics everyone is using!!!

*Bonnie of Cotton Way (@bonniecottonway)
*Camille of Thimble Blossoms (@thimbleblossoms)
Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl (@jedicraftgirl)
Amy of Diary of a Quilter (@diaryofaquilter)
Andy of A Bright Corner (@abrightcorner)
Debbie of Happy Little Cottage (@happylittlecottage1)
Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)
Heidi of Buttons and Butterflies (@buttonsandbutterflies)
Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)  (that's me :) 
Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)
Pat Sloan of PatSloan.com (@quilterpatsloan)
Renee of Sewn with Grace (@sewnwithgrace)
Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)
Sherri of A Quilting Life (@aquiltinglife)
Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)
Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)
Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)
Carrie Nelson/Miss Rosie of Moda Cutting Table

If you have any questions about the quilt along, you can pop on over to the Patchwork Quilting Along page and your pretty sure to find the answer there ;)  And if you haven't started yet, there is still plenty of time to join in and quilt along!!!!   This tiny little patchwork is so much fun!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!
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Thursday, May 11, 2017

Crossroads - A Quilt Tutorial featuring Gingham Girls!!!

I was so very excited when my wonderful friend Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter announced that she can now add Fabric Designer to her list of many talents.   And when she asked if I wanted to make a quilt up using her debut line, Gingham Girls for Penny Rose Fabrics, I was absolutely delighted!!!!    And now I am super excited to get to share the finish with you all.   I call it Crossroads ;)


I just love Gingham Girls!!!  It is such a wonderful reminder of my childhood.  When I was little, my mother would make matching clothes for my twin sister and I.  She was always in red and I was always in blue (to help tell us apart ;)   And you better believe there were quite the few red and blue gingham summer outfits.    I was hoping to share a photo, but my Mom is out of town so there was no one to go searching through the old family albums.   Anyhow, you can just enjoy the pictures of these wonderful Gingham Girl Fabrics instead ;)

The fun thing about Crossroads is that I have been wanting to make it for sometime.  You might recall that I designed a block for Quiltmaker's Back to School Blog Party back here.   Well, ever since then, I have had it in the back of my mind just waiting for the perfect fabrics for the design.   And as soon as I saw Gingham Girls, I knew it was the perfect fit!!!   Doesn't it just make you want to have a summer picnic complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, and maybe even some fireworks!!!     


And like it says in the title . . . I have written a Quilt Tutorial for Crossroads!!!!   Yippee, now you can make your very own Crossroads quilt too :)   And it goes together super fast so you can totally have it ready in time for summer!!!     So let's get to it . . . 


Here's what you will Need:
(2)  Gingham Girls 5" Stackers 
2 Yards of Gingham Main Navy
2 1/2 Yards of White Solid
4 Yards of a Matching Print for Backing



STEP 1 - CUTTING

From the Gingham Girls 5" Stackers cut:
(16) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares
(128) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares  (that is 32 squares cut into fourths)  

From the Gingham Main Navy Print cut:
(4) 5 1/2" x width of fabric strips
(4) 3 1/2" x width of fabric strips
(7) 2 1/2" x width of fabric strips for binding  (which I actually already sewed and pressed before remember to take a picture ;)  

From the White Solid cut:
(4) 2 1/2" x width of fabric strips
(32) 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangles
(64) 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangles
(32) 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles
(64) 2 1/2" x 4" rectangles
(64) 2 1/2" x 2" rectangles




STEP 2 - STRIP PIECING THE ROWS

Well start by doing a little strip piecing.  If you have never done strip piecing before it is just like it sounds.  You sew the strips together first and then sub-cut the size pieces you need.   And because you are sub-cutting, it helps to turn your stitch length down just a bit.

So we will start by stitching (2) 3 1/2" x WOF Navy Strips onto either side of a  2 1/2" x WOF White strip.  And the strips are folded to fit them in the picture, but you want to be sure and unfold them when you start sewing.



Lay the White Strip onto the Navy Strip with right sides together.  Align the raw edges as you stitch a 1/4" seam along the entire length of the strip.   Repeat to make 2 strip sets.


Now you can add your second Navy strip to the set.   Place the second Navy strip onto the now sewn together Navy and White strip with right sides together.  Align as you go and stitch a 1/4" seam along the entire edge.  Repeat for the second set as well.


Press the seam allowances outwards towards the Navy strips.    You will now have 2 strip sets measuring 8 1/2" x Width of Fabric.


And now, you can subcut the strips into the size units we need for the block.  Layout both strip sets folded in half on your cutting mat and subcut the units 2 1/2" wide.   You will cut a total of (32) 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" strips to make your short rows.    If you are new to sub-cutting strip piecing, there is a tutorial right here that will walk you through it in more detail ;)


Now repeat the same steps from above only use (2) 5 1/2" x WOF Navy Strips onto either side of a  2 1/2" x WOF White strip.  And again, you want to make 2 Strip sets and press them outwards.


Subcut these strips into units 2 1/2" wide as well.   You will cut a total of (32) 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" strips to make your long rows.  


So now you have (32) 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" short strip pieced rows  and (32) 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" long strip pieced rows.  You can set these aside for the moment as we move to the pieced rows ;)



STEP 3 - SEWING THE PIECED ROWS

The next rows are all piecing and again there will be a Short Row and a Long Row.   For the Short Row layout (2) 2" x 2 1/2" white rectangles, (2) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" print squares, and (1) 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" white rectangles as shown below.   For the Long Row layout (2) 2 1/2" x 4" white rectangles, (2) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" print squares, and (1) 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" white rectangles as shown below.   You want to make 32 of each row so it is easiest if you just stack an additional 31 pieces onto each pile so all 32 sets of both rows are laid out.


To sew the rows together we chain stitch to save time.  If your not sure what chain stitching is I explain it in the next photo.   We will start with the Short Row.   Place the 2" x 2 1/2" White rectangles onto the 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" Print squares and chain stitch a 1/4" seam on all 64 sets (32 on the right and 32 on the left).  Then place the right hand pieced units onto the center 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangle with right sides together.  Chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 32 sets.   Finally, place the left hand pieced units onto the center pieced 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangle with right sides together.  Chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 32 sets.    You will now have 32 Short Rows.  


So, if you weren't sure about chain stitching, it is simply when you don't clip your threads in between sewing units.   So once you have sewn the seam along the edge of your first set, just simply feed the next set through.  You will end up with a big "chain" of stitching sets.   You can do this for each of the three steps above and it will save you a lot of time and thread ;)


Now with your short rows sewn, you can use the exact same 3 steps as above to sew the Long Rows that you have laid out.  It is the exact same except that in the first step you will be placing the 2 1/2" x 4" White rectangles onto the 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" Print squares and chain stitching.   You will make 32 Long Rows.


And now, it is time for some pressing!!  Press the seam allowances of all of your 32 short and 32 long rows inwards towards the print squares.   (Always good to put on a favorite movie at this part ;)


And now you have (32) 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" Pieced Short Rows and (32) 2 1/2" x 16 1/2" Pieced Long Rows.  Again, these can be set aside for the moment.


STEP 4 -  ASSEMBLING THE BLOCK

And now to make the block, it is just simply starting with the center and adding layers to it.   Again, we will be chain stitching, so each time you layout your units for the block, you will want to stack them in piles of 16 so it is quick and easy to chain stitch them.

Start by laying out a 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" print square, (2) 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" white rectangles, and (2) 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" white rectangles as shown below.   Remember to stack 16 in each pile.


Place the 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" white rectangle onto the 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" print square with right sides together.   Chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all 16 sets.


You will want to chain stitch all 16 sets on the left hand side.  Then clip your threads.   Then, you are ready to chain stitch all 16 sets of the right hand side.   Easy as that.


Press the seam allowances outwards towards the white rectangles.   Then you can add the top and the bottom.   And it's just like adding the sides.   Place the top 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangle onto the pieced center with right sides together and chain stitch 1/4" seam along the edge of all 16 units.   Then clip your threads and repeat for the bottom 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangle chain stitching a 1/4" seam for all 16 units.


Press the seam allowances outwards again.  This makes the first layer of the block.  And now, you are ready to add the second layer.   Layout 16 Short Strip Pieced Rows on either side of the Center and 16 Long Strip Pieced Rows on both the top and bottom of the Center as shown.


And it is just like before.  Place a Short Row onto the Left hand side of the Center with right sides together and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 16 sets.  Clip your threads.   Then place a Short Row onto the right hand side of the Center with right sides together and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 16 sets.


Press the seam allowances Open (or to one side if you prefer :)   And just like before, you can now add the Long Row onto the top and bottom of the Center.  Chain stitch the 16 Top sets, clip the threads, and then chain stitch the 16 Bottom sets.


Press the seam allowances Open again (or to one side) .  This makes the second layer of the block.  And you are ready for the final third Layer.   Layout 16 Short Pieced Rows on either side of the Center and 16 Long Pieced Rows on both the top and bottom of the Center as shown.  (and sorry this picture is blurry, don't know what happened there ;)


Your an expert at this now ;)   Place a Short Row onto the Left hand side of the Center with right sides together and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 16 sets.  Clip your threads.   Then place a Short Row onto the right hand side of the Center with right sides together and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 16 sets.

Press the seam allowances Open (or to one side if you prefer :)   And you can now add the Long Row onto the top and bottom of the Center.  Chain stitch the 16 Top sets, clip the threads, and then chain stitch the 16 Bottom sets.


And Press the seams Open (or to one side) for the last layer and just like that your Block is done!!! And you have 16 of them each measuring 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" unfinished :)  And now it is time to sew up your quilt top!!!



STEP 5 - SEWING THE BLOCKS INTO A QUILT TOP

Start by laying the blocks out in 4 rows of 4 blocks.  Mix the block placement around until you get a color placement that is pleasing to the eye.



Now you are ready to sew the rows together.  To do this, simply place the first block onto the second block with right sides together. (shown in Row 1)   Align and pin the seams and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Then place the third block onto the now sewn together first and second block with right sides together. (shown in Row 2).  Align and pin the seams and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.  And finally, place the fourth block onto your now almost sewn together row.  (shown in Row 3)  Align and pin the seams and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Repeat this process for all 4 rows.


Once the rows are all sewn together, time to move to the ironing board again.  I like to press the seam allowances open, but again, if you prefer you can press them to one side.  If you do that, be sure to press them in opposite directions for each row so they will nest.


And now, you are ready to sew the rows together into a quilt top.  This is the exact same process as sewing the blocks into rows, just on a larger scale.  Place Row 1 onto Row 2 with right sides together.  Align and Pin the seams.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Then place Row 3 onto your now sewn together Row 1 and 2 with right sides together.  Again, align and pin and stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.   Then repeat this process to add Row 4.


Now all that is left is to press the seam allowances, again, I prefer open but you can press to one side if you like.   Now just sit back and smile!!!  Your Quilt Top is Finished!!!!   (and yes, I somehow forgot to take a picture of just the quilt top, so you get the quilt finished, but it gives you the general idea, right ;)




STEP 7 - FINISHING QUILT

So now it is time to turn that finished quilt top into a finished Quilt ;)  Time to  Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind It!!!  Which is a whole lot in one little sentence.  If you are new to quilting, you can see my Finishing Your Quilt Series of video tutorials that will walk you through Basting, Quilting, and Binding step by step ;)


When it came time to quilt mine I decided on an all over medium size swirl.   I used a favorite 402 Pearl thread that blends perfectly with the white and all the prints and I opted to use a puffier batting.  I just love how the higher loft gives it a more vintage feel.  


And the extra puff sure makes for some gorgeous texture!!!  Doesn't that just make you want to snuggle up with, maybe while you watch fireworks . . .  Yes, if you haven't guessed by now, I really like fireworks :)


Use the  (8) 2 1/2"x 42" binding strips you cut at the beginning to create a binding and add it to the quilt.  And your Done!!!



STEP 8 - ENJOY QUILT

And now, just sit back and enjoy your beautiful Crossroads Quilt!!!  It finishes at 64" x 64" so it is a great lap size.  And as you can see, with all that chain stitching it will go together super fast and is so much fun to make!!!   And Gingham Girls is just the perfect fabric for it to have that wonderful Summer Time Vintage Feel ;)

  

 I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and if you make your own Crossroads Quilt I would love to see it!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to social media with the hashtag #happyquiltingwithmc ;)  I can't wait to see your Crossroads Quilts!!!


 Thank you so much to Amy Smart for taking me back to my childhood while I played with these fantastic fabrics!!!!   And for more Gingham Girls fun, be sure to Hop over to Amy's blog  to check out her awesome patterns and some more blogger goodies :)


Thanks for stopping in today to share this tutorial.  And thanks for popping in each and every day.  I am just so grateful to have this space to share my love of quilting!!!

Have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

Linking up this Finish to Amanda'sSarah's, and Myra's ;)
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