Roundabout Quilt-Along - Flying Geese

**  NOTE  - This post is part of a series of posts for the Roundabout Quilt-Along.  If you would like to join (and have a chance to win one of three $75.00 Gift Certificates from Fat Quarter Shop ) you can find a list of the post links here :)  Here is the schedule

August 30th -Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement

September 13th - Cutting 

September 27th - Flying Geese - That's Today!!

October 11th - Half Square Triangles with Goosed Corners

October 25th - Drunkards Path

November 8th - Building Blocks

November 22nd - Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky

December 13th - Roundabout Parade and Grand Prize Winners

Now, first off for this week, we need to pick a winner for the Cutting Assignment.   And great job to everyone on finishing that assignment, I am so excited to be quilting-a-long with you all!!!

The cutting assignment winner who gets a 3 Timeless Charm Packs from Green Fairy Quilts is . . .

#4 - The Days Dewing's.!!! - Congrats :)

   

So here we are, our first sewing assignment , so let's get right to it :)  If you are just finding this QAL, it's never to late to join in the fun, we've just getting started!!!! 

THIS WEEKS ASSIGNMENT - FLYING GEESE

I use the No-Waste method to make flying geese.   The great thing about making flying geese this way is that, obviously, you don't waste any fabric and you never have to sew a triangle.  Double bonus!!  It also makes 4 flying geese out of each unit, so the flock grows quickly :)  If you have never made them this way you are in for a treat.   So, let's get to it :)

We will start by gathering all of our squares to make the flying geese.  These were the squares you marked FG and you will have 1 large squares from each of your Print Fabrics and small squares from your Background Fabric.  I have listed the multiple sizes on the picture below just so you can double check that your two stacks each match one of the listed sizes ;)

Now you don't have to keep track of where these will be going in your block or anything, just know that you will be making 1 set, ie 4 Flying Geese Units for each of your blocks aka Print Fabrics.   And now you are ready to start making your Flying Geese.  To save time, I like to do each of these steps in assembly line fashion, however, the pictures will just show a Flying Geese units of one fabric.

With right sides together, lay two small backgrounds squares onto your large print square as shown.  Using your ruler, draw a line diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner shown on the right.   Or, if you like, you can start by just drawing lines on the back of all your background squares as shown on the left.  It takes a little bit of time but it is nice to have it done and it is a great time to watch a movie while drawing ;)

Now pin both sides of each square adjacent to that drawn line.  Make sure to put the pins out far enough that your presser foot won't hit them as you sew on by :)     Again, remember we are assembly line piecing these, so pin all of your units.  

We will be stitching a  1/4" seam along BOTH sides of the drawn line (the black lines represent your stitching lines :) but to save time and thread, we will chain stitch these.    And you will notice, you still have a pile of extra small background squares.  No worries,  we will get to those in a bit.  

So to start, chain stitch the 1/4" seam on the left hand side of your drawn line.  I just chain stitched through the entire pile and it went so fast :)  For those who are new to this, Chain stitching is where you don't clip the thread between each unit sewn, just keep feeding units through the machine until you have stitched your entire pile.

Once the entire pile is stitched, you can now clip the threads between the squares.   Then, go ahead and stitch the 1/4" seam on the right hand side (or other side) of the drawn line on all your units.  You'll  have some super long fabric snakes :)  Clip the threads between the units and make a large pile ready for cutting.

Now, place your unit on your cutting mat and align your ruler along the drawn center line.  Cut along the edge of the ruler creating 2 large triangles.  I only ever cut these one at a time, as I worry that stacking them would shift and I might cut through my seams.  Takes a second more, but worth it to play it safe ;)  

Press the seams up towards the 2 sma.l background triangles.  I find it easiest to press these from the front, but you can press from whichever side you prefer.    And you are half way there!!!  Now to use up those remaining small background squares. 

And it's just like starting over. We repeat all the same steps, it's just smaller and more units.  Take the small background squares and align them on your stitched units as shown with right sides together. Once again, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the small background squares from corner to corner. (unless you did all of the drawing lines at the start, then you can just lay them in place :) 

Now pin each square far enough to leave room for the presser foot, then once again we are going to be stitching a 1/4" seam along BOTH sides of the drawn diagonal line.  

And again, we will be chain stitching to save time and thread.  So chain stitch along the left hand side of the drawn line on all your units, clip your threads,  and then chain stitch along the  right side of the drawn line on all your units, and then clip your threads one last time :)

And just like before, place your units on your cutting mat, and using your ruler aligned along the drawn line to cut your unit in half .  So now what started as 1 large squares, is 4 units.   And that is where your 4 flying geese come from.

Press your seams up towards the background square to match the other seam.   You can press from the front or the back, whichever your prefer.   Lastly, trim off the little dog ear corners at either side and the top of your unit.  Note, Just trim the dog ears, don't trim the tops to where the point is, you will need that 1/4" overlap for your seam allowance.  

And you are done!!!  Perfectly precise flying geese blocks without throwing away any scraps and without sewing a single triangle.  Fabulous!!  

 For those of you that are new to this method of No Waste Flying Geese,  I wrote a previous tutorial on  No Waste Flying Geese that also goes over the math of making them so you can make any size Flying Geese you like.  Thought you might like it :)

 And that's it!!  Here is my Flock of geese all ready to fly away :)  In total, you should have however many number of blocks you are making, times 4 geese.  So for me, 25 blocks equals 100 total geese :)    So now it's your turn to make up a gaggle of Flying Geese!!!  And once you are finished be sure to link up below to enter to win the weekly prize :)

The Weekly Prize is sponsored by Four Peaches Fabric and a huge thanks goes out to them for their support of the  Roundabout Quilt-Along.  And, since today' is Wendy's Birthday she is giving a prize to everyone, whether you are quilting along or not.  Use the code BIRTHDAY to get .49 cent shipping on all orders over $20.00.  This coupon is valid until Saturday so be sure to pop on over and find something fun for yourself ;)

This weeks prize is a collection of Matilda Fat Quarters brand new from Ella Blue by Emma Jean Jansen!!!   Isn't this line just fantastic!!!  So fun!!!    Someone is going to have a great time playing with these happy prints :)

    

So what do you have to do for a chance to win these beautiful fabrics?  Simple . . . Just link up your Flock of Flying Geese at the end of this post :)  You can link to a blog post or a flickr picture, or whatever.  Just make sure to link up by the early morning of October 11th as I will be announcing a winner in next quilt-a-long post :)

If you don't get your Flying Geese done by next week you can still link it up :) (just not in time for the prize :) The linky will remain open until the end of the Quilt-A-Long.  So if your out of town, or just had a busy week, no worries!!!  Just link up when you can :)

And Don't forget to add your flock of flying geese to the Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Flickr group and to post it on social media with using #roundaboutquiltalong.    I am so excited to see all of your flocks of geese ;)

So let's get sewing!!!  Yippee for getting all the cutting behind us and moving on to sewing!!! Oh, and if you have questions, don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com.  Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!

Sorry it's a little late today, it couldn't be helped ;)  But It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day so let's have some fun :)

But first, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of $25.00 Gift Certificate from Olie and Evie is . . .   Number # 118. . . Congrats rosemarychild!!!   I have emailed you :)        

 

  

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop .    Did you know that Jamie makes a new Lou Lou Bundle every Tuesday!!!  Along with hosting the giveaway, Jamie is also offering all Happy Quilting readers a special discount of  20% off your purchase with the code happyquilting good until Sunday!!! (Excludes pre-orders and sale products)  Oh, so much fun shopping!!!

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for some shopping goodness!!  Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is offering one lucky reader a $25.00 Gift Certificate perfect to use on anything in the store, including the awesome Lou Lou Bundle!!  Just perfect!!!!

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 about something that made you smile today ;)

 ENTRY 2 - Lets show Lou Lou's Fabric Shop some Love!!!!   You can follow them on   Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram.  Or you can follow their blog or  visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Lou Lou's Fabric Shop Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, October  3rd when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Just Keep Quilting :)

Before I get into today's post, I want to say a huge Thank You to all of the kind words you all sent on my See Squared quilt I posted last Friday!!!   I just can't say how much all of your sweet comments mean to me.  They so made my day and just left me smiling ear to ear over this quilt.  I found out over the weekend that See Squared was not a finalist in the Challenge, but like I said before, I am so okay with that, and am just so happy with the finish and again, am so grateful for all your sweet words about it :)

So onto the weekend!!!   I spent a good part of this weekend, quilting and then quilting some more!!!  Remember those fun metallic pops from Zen Chic's Modern Luster Background I shared back here,  well, that quilt top got finished up and was the first to go on the Long Arm this weekend :)  I opted for some fun open center swirls like I did on this quilt.   This is the second time I used this twist on the swirl and I am just loving it!!!  And now all I have to do is get the binding on this quilt and I will be sharing the finish this Friday!!!  

Next, the Joel Dewberry Florabelle quilt went on the Long Arm.   I was just so happy with how the blocks from here went together in such a pretty quilt top that I decided to do some of my favorite feathered swirls for the quilting which I just thought would add to the beautiful prints!!!  These are always fun to quilt and I love the wonderful movement they give the quilt :)  Again, time to bind this one and I will be sharing it at the first of October and it is going to come with a Tutorial as well!!!

And finally, I squeaked in one last quilt ;)  Remember my Baby Petal Pop from National Sew a Jelly Roll day . . . It's all quilted and I am so super excited!!!   I kept the quilting pretty small on this one and am just so loving all of the wonderful texture it gives the background :)  I used all of my favorites to fill in the background and then I even tried some feathers (which still make me a little nervous) in the Petals.   Eeekk, so fun, I really need to get this one bound fast because I can't wait to share it all finished ;)

So ya, it was a ton of quilting this weekend and the funny thing is . . . that was only half of the quilt tops that I was hoping to get done.  (Ya, it was probably a little unrealistic to think I could quilt 6 tops in a weekend ;)   I still have my second National Jelly Roll Day quilt top, the Jelly Roll Slice to quilt up.   I think I want to quilt an all over curl, but haven't for sure decided on that yet ;)

And then there is the Chuckles quilt top that I finished back here.   I decided on a cute simple wave design that I think will be so adorable with the fishes.

And finally, remember that Square Dance pattern that I decided to do at the end of National Sew a Jelly Roll Day  . . . well, I took the fabrics with me this week to Layton Utah where I was teaching at the Utah Quilt Guild Retreat, and when I wasn't teaching, I was sewing away in my room.   And yippee, I managed to finish the quilt top.  So one more to be quilted right ;)

Luckily, all three of these are baby size so they should go pretty quick once I get them on the Long Arm :)   So here's hoping lots of finishes to share soon!!!  I best get back to quilting :)

I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

See Squared

So remember when I shared the (extremely late) start to my Bella Challenge Quilt over here . . . Well today I am so super excited to share my finished Bella Challenge Quilt with all of its tiny piecing goodness.  It's called See Squared and I just love it!!!!   Oh, and since it happens to be Bloggers Quilt Festival as well, and I haven't missed a BQF in years, I am sharing it over there too ;)

See Squared was such a wonderfully fun quilt to make!!!  Everyone working on the challenge was given the parameters of using the same 12 colors of Bella Solids to create their quilt from.  I was immediately reminded or Legos and Rubik's cubes from my childhood when I saw these colors and set out to create something that was inspired by both.   The idea evolved into squares made of squares creating a fun, individual, pix-elated look for each of the 45 squares in to quilt top.

To achieve this look in a super speedy kind of way, since I waited so long to start my quilt, I opted for some serious strip piecing.   I cut my fat quarters into strips ranging from 1" to 2 1/2" varying the sizes by 1/4" and then sewed them up into groups of similar sizes.

Then, once they were all pressed, I sub-cut them into small strips the same width as their unfinished strip.  So ya, lots and lots of strips of tiny squares.

Then I sewed each of the sub-cut small strips into a super long strip ready to start piecing the blocks with.   I just loved seeing the strips laid out like this.   It so reminded me of large Lego stacks I used to make for hours playing with the color patterns ;)

To make the blocks, I simply used the strips of squares and pieced them in a log cabin layout around some white squares, alternating the size squares I used in each layer of the block.     Once all the blocks were made (an audiobook and a half later)  I added some white sashing and then trimmed each block 12 1/2" square ready to be sewn into the quilt top.  

I love that using a variety of sized center squares and patchwork squares made each block unique.  It adds so much visual variety while still having the structure of a square made of squares which makes my accountant brain happy :)   This was one of my favorite finished blocks just because the color graduation ended up being so cool, totally by coincidence of course ;)

And this is my all time favorite block, mostly because it is just lots and lots of super tiny piecing.   Each of those squares measure 1/2" finished and there are 4 layers.  And you know how I just love tiny piecing.   So cute!!!

When it came time to quilt this, I decided to stick with the ideas of tiny squares and quilt a 1/2" square grid across the entire quilt.   And I just love it!!!  I quilted all of the horizontal lines using the channel locks on the long arm, and then reloaded the quilt the opposite direction and quilted all of the vertical lines.  And yes, I got a whole lot of step in to quilt this one :)  But I am just so happy with how much it adds to the squared concept of the quilt.  Yippee!!!

And of course, with a 1/2" grid, the texture is just amazing!!!!   I really does make you See Squared ;)  Just so much fun!!!

Oh,and I can't forget to share the back of the quilt!!!  I had some leftover strips from all of that tiny square piecing and decided it would be perfect to add a fun little element to the back of the quilt.   So, here it is.   A little pop of color to keep the back just as fun as the front.

And that is my See Squared quilt!!!  I am so glad that I decided to make this up, even if it was at the last minute.  It was so much fun to push myself out of my creative comfort zone with these super bold Bella solids and with this bold design.   I don't have any expectations for the challenge itself, but I am just so happy I quilted along as I am just thrilled with the finish and how much it pushed me to think and work in a new creative way.

And thank you so much for popping in today and sharing this See Squared finish with me ;)  I just love having this amazing place to be able to share my creative quilt journey with each of you!!!

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking up this finish to Bloggers Quilt Festival, Amanda's, Sarah's, and Myra's :)

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

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

But first, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of Sundrops Jolly Bar as well as a LuLu Lane Charm Pack from Fat Quarter Shop  is . . .   Number # 236. . . Congrats thatfabricfeeling.com!!!   I have emailed you :)        

 

  

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Olie and Evie.  Rhonda has just launced her brand new site!!!!  The new site combines the fabric shop we all know and love along with longarm quilting, a customer gallery of quilts, gift certificates, preorders, and a destash page!!  New lines have arrived including Moda's Sample Spree and it has all been listed.  Rhonda is also now offering fabric cut in 1/4 yards and be sure to check out the fun feature when you purchase items which will total the amount of yardage you purchased and provide the cost.  And as a special treat, Rhonda is offering 10% off orders this week with the coupon code WELCOME.  So be sure to pop on over and check it out!!!

And Rhonda's has a fantastic Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!!       Olie and Evie  is giving one lucky winner a $25.00 Gift Certificate to use in her new shop!!!    So awesome, now you can choose just what you want!!!

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's New with you ;) 

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Olie and Evie love.   You can follow them on  Facebook, Instagram  or Pinterest or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Olie and Evie Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday,  September 26th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Getting Jelly!!!

So Saturday was National Sew A Jelly Roll Day   (I love that Moda makes up fun stuff like this!!) and boy did I get Jelly with it!!!  I had so much fun participating in Project Jelly Roll and am pretty excited about how much I was able to get done!!!   Remember the strips I had all cut out and ready to make a baby version of my Petal Pop quilt . . . Well, I got the entire quilt top made up and I am so just loving it!!!   The pinks and blacks from Lella Botiques Farmers Daughter fabric line are just perfect together and really make this pattern pop!!!

And once I had it all sewn together, I sat back and realized I still had all of the yellow, tan, white and a few more black strips left from that same jelly roll.   So I popped on over to Fat Quarter Shop's Jelly Roll Shortcut Quilts (because they really are so fun and fast!!) and decided on the Jelly Roll Slice.   It was just perfect for using up all of my leftover strips.  And just a bit of cutting, strip piecing, and pressing later, I had a second quilt top finished.   So fun!!!

And I was having so much fun getting Jelly with it, I didn't want to stop.  But my kids wanted to eat dinner so I guess I had to stop, right ;)   Well, sort of, tee hee hee.   As soon as dinner was fixed, I managed to run back downstairs and plan one last Jelly Roll quilt.  I made this Square Dance quilt a while back and am working on making it into a pattern with size options.  The baby size would be perfect for my SIL new little guy expected next year and it is totally Jelly Roll Friendly!!!  Good thing I saved this Road15 Jelly Roll by Sweetwater, it's going to be perfect :)   Now the Project Jelly Roll can keep on keeping on!!!  

If you want to see more of my Project Jelly Roll day you can pop on over to my Instagram feed to see lots more pictures that go through some of the process of making these quilt tops :)   

Thanks for popping in here today and every day!!!

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting (and maybe even get a little Jelly with it) Day!!!

Patchwork Quilt Along - Grandmother's Choice Block

It's  time for the ninth set of  Patchwork Quilt Along Blocks hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop!!!! And I just have to say, I am getting so excited to be able to start putting these blocks into a quilt layout in the next few months!!!!   Their tiny patchwork is just so fun and is going to look awesome all together ;)  Today's Patchwork Quilt Along blocks are the Grandmother's Choice Blocks and they are just so cute!!!  

I just love the "border" in each block.  It reminds me of a crimped edge tart cutter and that just makes me smile because it makes me want to make some tarts :)  And I am still just loving the Desert Bloom fabrics by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda that I choose to use.   I just love how each block really reads a specific color so that it can show off all of that tiny piecing.  

So if you are quilting along 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  ;)  The goal has been reached and now it is fun to see just how much we can raise!!!  

And don't forget to check out the super cute  You Tube video that walks you through making the block (this one is a little trickier with those corners to this video helps :)  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 Grandmother's Choice Block eye candy :)    I just love seeing everyone's blocks in happy little stacks!!!

*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)

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, you can still join in and quilt along!!!!   This tiny patchwork is so addicting, you will be caught up in no time at all!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Playful Posies - A New Finish and Pattern!!

I am super excited this morning to share my newest quilt finish as well as my newest Quilt Pattern in the Happy Quilting pattern lineup ;)   It is called Playful Posies and I just love it!!!

The pattern can be found  found in my Craftsy Shop or in my Etsy Shop,  and like all my new Pattern Releases, It is on Special!!!!  This week Playful Posies will be marked down to $5.50!!! After that, it will be marked at the regular pattern price of $8.50 :)

I originally designed this block for Fons and Porter way back here in 2015 and I have been wanting to remake the quilt and turn it into a pattern ever since then.   I just love the fun and whimsy of the quilt, and because they are large flower blocks, they go together pretty fast too :)

This version of Playful Posies is made up using Amanda Herring's Curiosities line for Riley Blake Designs.   It was the perfect fabric to incorporate that wonderful whimsy I was going for with the design.   And I just love the colors, so pretty!!!

And when it came time to quilt it I went all out with some custom quilting!!!  I did echoed petal arches in the "petals" of the flower, and three echoed feathers in the pinwheel center.  Then to fill in the background center I did pebbles and then an allover echoed paisleys and swirls in the quilt background.  And can I just say, this was just so much fun to quilt!!!!  I really loved every minute of it.  

And the resulting texture of all that quilting . . . eeekk!!!!   I can't help but just run my hand over the quilt repetitively.  It just feels so awesome and I might add, it think it looks pretty awesome too.  And I used my favorite 402 Pearl So Fine Thread so it all blends just perfectly as well.  Bonus ;)

And I just had to share a picture of the backing and binding because I just loved the basic gingham and polka dot together.   So classic and I wasn't going to use the hot pink at first, but I am so glad I did because I just love how happy and bright it is !!!

And that is my new Playful Posies quilt!!!!  I am just head over heals with this finish and am so excited to finally be able to share this design in a pattern form.  So let me tell you a bit more about the pattern ;)

Like all my patterns, Playful Posies has size options so you can make the quilt size that fits you ;)  You will find 4 size options, a Baby, Lap, Twin, and a Queen size.  The block varies in size so the piecing isn't to tiny, which helps it go together faster, even if you are making the queen size :)

And this quilt is Fat Quarter friendly, so it is super easy to grab a bundle and get going.   And I included a second option in the pattern for a Two Print Block Layout, so you can choose that if you prefer it to the scrappy layout shown.  Either way, the quilt will look incredible!!!  And my quilt is the queen size, so it is 92" x 92" and still only 16 blocks to make, yippee!!!

 And just like all my patterns, this is a full color pattern that can be printed in either page format or book format.  It is filled with lots of wonderful illustrations to guide you along each step of the way.   You are going to have so much fun putting this together ;)  And of course,  if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to email me ;)  

And that is my new Playful Posies quilt and pattern!!!!  Again, the pattern can be found  found in my Craftsy Shop or in my Etsy Shop and will be on special for $5.50 all this week ;)

Thanks for popping in today and I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking up this Quilt Finish to Amanda's and Sarah's :)