Charming Baby Sew Along - Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes!!!

Can you believe it!!!  No Foolin Around . . . The Charming Baby Quilts Sew Along starts in 1 week from today!!!   I can't wait ;)  So today we are going over all of the Nitty Gritty ;)  .   There will be a post every Wednesday starting April 8th, until May 13th going over all the piecing, and then a  Parade and Grand Prize drawing on November May 27th.  So lets go over how it's going to work!!

THE HOW TO

The Charming Baby Sew Along is my own quilt design and uses blocks from my new Charming Baby Quilts book to make a cute sampler quilt!!!  This is a beginner friendly quilt that will be super fun and super easy.   It finishes at a twin size of 66 x 88 so it will be great for a bed or just to snuggle up in. 

There will be a new assignment each week, so hopefully everyone will be able to keep up even with the crazy lives that we all lead.  (But if life does get crazy, and you fall behind, no worries!!!  The tutorials will always be on my blog so you can come catch up whenever it works for you!!!)      The schedule will be as follows

Intro, Fabric Requirements, and Prizes Announcement - Today!!!

April 8 - A Star is Born and Color in the Lines

April 15th - Dream Big and Hugs and Kisses

April 22nd - Just Blooming and On the Move

April 29th - Ring Around the Rosie and Shine Bright
May 6th - To the Moon and Twinkle Twinkle
May 13th - Quilt Fishing - Pieced Back - Grand Prize Linky

May 27th - Charming Baby Parade and Grand Prize Winner

So count on checking back each Wednesday to see what blocks you will be making :)

And with that, we are ready to talk fabrics!!!!

THE FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

Below is an image of the Fabric requirements along with a schedule of posts.   You can go here for a printable version of this page.     And Kimberly from Fat Quarter Shop is using the At Home Charm Packs, but that doesn't mean you have to use them.  You can choose any 5 charm packs for this Sew Along, they don't have to be any fabric brand or type!!!   And they don't even all have to be from the same line, mix and match as you desire ;)   You can even do a Charming Baby Scrap Quilt and just pull 5" squares from your scrap bin.   Just make it your own ;)

And just a side note,  I will be showing everything with a white background fabric as I am using a white background,, but you don't have to use white, feel free to choose any color you like for the background and also, it doesn't have to be a solid :)  For the binding,  I like to use darker colors so they create a good stop for the eye.   And when it comes to the backing,  we are adding a pieced block in it, so cute!!! 

You will also need a copy of my Charming Baby Quilts book to Sew Along as the cutting directions for each block will refer to the book.   You can order a copy of Charming Baby Quilts directly from It's Sew Emma, or from Fat Quarter Shop (with a pre-order discount) , or if you would like to order a signed copy directly from me, that is an option as well ;)    

THE PRIZES

I am so very excited about the Prizes for this Quilt-A-Long!!  I don't know about you, but I know that I am highly more motivated to keep up and finish when there are Prizes at stake ;)

   Moda Fabrics has an amazing grand prize giveaway for all those who finish their quilt tops to enter.   You could win this incredible collection of 18 Charm Packs, with these exclusive zipper pourches and cute sewing tins.   Isn't that so great!!!!   Think of all the Charming Baby Quilts you could make with all those Charms!!!

   

And there will also be prizes each week!!!  I have blogging friends sewing along with me and each week one of them will be hosting a giveaway for 2 Charm Packs and a coordinating Aurifil thread!!!   I will be sure to let you know each week where to go to enter the giveaway.   But you can follow all my friends and Fat Quarter Shop to see lots of Charming Baby Quilts Sew Along inspiration!!!

         

                                

Sewing Along Friends
      Amanda Castor - Material Girl Quilts
      Andy Knowlton - A Bright Corner
      Beverly McCullough - Flamingo Toes
      Melanie Call - A Bit of Scrap Stuff
      Pat Sloan - Pat Sloan's Blog
      Fat Quarter Shop Friends - The Jolly Jabber
   

So there is going to be a lot of wonderful fabric to be won!!!  So sew on!!!

SHARING

 It's always fun when we share what we are working on!!!    If you are Sewing Along and have a blog, It would be wonderful if you added the button to your blog :)   It really helps to spread the word and the more that Sew Along the better!!!  If you have already added the button, thank you!!!

And if you use Facebook or Instagram and are posting your progress on your social media, be sure and use the Hashtag #charmingbabyquilts   Then we can all easily find and see each others work on facebook and instagram as well ;)


If you don't use social media, I will be including a link at the end of each post where you can share a picture of your progress ;)  The Grand Prize will also be drawn from a Link :)

LET'S GET GOING!!

So that just about wraps it up!!! You have another week to round up your fabric and the first blocks will be posted on April 8th!!!

And if you have any questions at all regarding the Charming Baby Sew Along please do not hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or comment below.    And again, please feel free to make your quilt your own.   What ever you envision, you make it yours, all finished quilt tops will be eligible for the grand prize :)

Now . . .  Let's get Sewing-Along!!!  For this week you can . . .

SHARE YOUR FABRIC CHOICES!!

Add the fabrics you will be using for the sew along to social media using  #charmingbabyquilts  or email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com.     I am so excited to see all of your fun fabric choices  ;)

 Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Bloom-Topia Quilt Along - Release 5

Well it's April 1st, and no Foolin Around here today ;)  It's is the Fifth Block Release of the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop and I am super excited :)   These blocks are both super fun and I love all of those happy points!!!

So for Block 8,   you will make your block the exact same way of the the directions, only I choose to make Background A a Print A instead.   And make 2 blocks instead of 1.  Yup, this one is the least altered block so far ;)  

Which is nice, because for Block 9, there are a lot of changes.   First off, we are only going to make 1 block.  

For that block in Background Fabric you will need . . .  For B cut (8) rectangles, For C cut 8 squares, For G cut 4 rectangles, and for H cut 4 squares.   You do not need to cut A, D, E, or F.   But you will need to add sashing of (2) 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangles to go between the flower blocks vertically.   (1) 2 1/2" x 18 1/2" rectangles to go between the flower blocks horizontally.   And (2) 1 1/2" x 18 1/2" rectangles and (2) 1 1/2" x  20 1/2" rectangles to border the block.   

For the Print Fabrics you will need . . . From your first bloom print fabric cut all three of the following :  For I cut (2) rectangles, for J cut (2) squares, and for K cut (2) squares.    From your second bloom print fabric cut all three of the following: For L cut (2) rectangles, for M cut (2) squares, and for N cut (2) squares.  And finally, from each of your 2 leaf print fabrics, cut (2) O rectangles and (2) C squares (which I changed from background to print)  

Then just piece one block according to the directions and change the final layout so it matches as shown below with sashing between the blocks.   

 

So are you joining in the Bloom-Topia fun???  If so, you can download the block pattern  and it is requested for each pattern you download to donate $5.00  to the Make a Wish Foundation :)  This is Fat Quarter Shop's annual charity QAL that is raising funds for an amazing organization.  What a wonderful way for us all to make a difference!  And wow, so much has been raised!!! 

And just as a reminder, if you are new to finding the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along, this is the layout I will be making and are the alterations referred to above ;)     I am using a Breeze Fat Quarter Bundle by Zen Chic for Moda Fabrics with Gris Grunge as the background!!! And there are still a few Bloom-topia Quilt Kits and Backing Sets available if you want to make your's like the original ;) 

And like always, Fat Quarter Shop has made an awesome  You Tube video tutorial that walk you through making the blocks.  There are some great helpful hints and you can see it put together step by step!!!   

Be sure to share all of your Bloom-Topia progress on social media with #bloomtopiaquiltalong and check out Fat Quarter Shops post for Release 5 for lots more Block Inspiration!!!

And that's it for the fourth release in the Bloom-Topia Quilt Along!!!!   I will continue to share a new set of blocks on the 15th and 1st of each month. So what do you say, want to come Bloom-Topia Quilting Along??  You are going to have so much fun!!!

And just to make it easy to find . . .Here is a list of all the places to find my alterations

Layout Fabric Requirements Alteration
Release 1 - Block 1 and 2 Alterations
Release 2 - Block 3 Alterations
Release 3 - Block 4 and 5 Alterations
Release 4 - Block 6 and 7 Alterations

Thanks for popping in today ;)  I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

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

First, we need to announce the winner from last Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of the  $25.00 Gift Certificate from Olie and Evie is . . .   Number #288 . . . Congrats Robin Robertson Preston !!!  I have messaged you :)    

  

 

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.   Fat Quarter Shop is amazing and they never cease to blow me away with everything they have going on at their shop!!!     And did you know they have a 24 Hour Flash Sale every day with 2 Flash Sales on Tuesdays!!  And Fat Quarter Shop is all set for the Charming Baby Sew Along!!!  Read all about the Sew Along here ;)   And There might even be another Giveaway for the Sew Along Here ;)  

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a beautiful At Home Jolly Bar by Bonnie and Camille for Moda Fabrics!!! I just love this line, in fact, I am working on a project with these beautiful prints right now!!!    At it just seems fitting since we are all At Home ;)  

You have two entry chances here on the blog, 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 you plan to do today for fun while we are all "At Home".  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Fat Quarter Shop love.   You can follow them on   Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, You 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, April 7th,  when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

You can also pop over to my Instagram and/or Facebook to enter there as well :)  

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Garden of Quilts!!!

I am so excited to share that I will be teaching at Garden of Quilts 2020 this September!!!   I am so looking forward to, especially after recent quilting conferences had to be canceled due to COVID-19.   This is just the thing to look forward to when we will all be getting back to normal ;)   And I would just love for you to join me and all of the amazing teachers, presenters, and most importantly, quilts!!!

The first Garden of Quilts was held last September to celebrate Riley Blake's 10th Anniversary!!!  The event was a huge hit.   And you can see why in this fun  Garden of Quilts 2019 Review.  It truly is something special and I am so honored to be teaching at it this year!!!

Garden of Quilts 2020 will again be held at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi Utah  on September 16th - 19th, 2020.  There will be lots and lots of classes to choose from, as well as lectures, trunk shows, vendors, and of course, all of them amazing quilts in the outdoors!!!    I can't wait to see them all blowing in the breeze ;)  And you can submit a quilt for display . . . see all the details for submission here.  

I will be teaching 3 classes at Garden of Quilts!!!  Nordic Nights will be taught on Friday afternoon . . . and the class is already full!!!   But they are taking names for a wait list to possibly open a second class, so if you want to take Nordic Nights you can call the Thanksgiving Point Information Line at 801-768-2300 to be added to the wait list.    But you can get into my other two classes right now!!!  I am teaching Desert Rose on Saturday Morning and Stamp Collecting (a soon to be released new pattern) on Saturday afternoon.   I am so looking forward to all 3 classes and hope to see you in them ;)

  

And even if you are not from the Utah area, this event is so worth the trip!!!  It really is a rock star line up of teachers (which again, I am so honored to be a part of!!) as well as an incredible venue of over 55 gorgeous acres hosting an amazing line up of quilts all in the wild.   

You can see all of the details at the Main Garden of Quilts page .   I am just so looking forward to this and hope to see you there!!!!

Tutorial Throwback Thursday - Twists and Turns

Well, it's been a crazy week here.  But we are starting to settle into a new routine of online school and hanging at home. It just blows me away how everything just keeps changing daily, and we just have to roll with it and get ready for the new twist that will come the next day :0   So for the Tutorial Throwback  Thursday  we are throwing back 7 years to the Twists and Turns quilt.   I think it is pretty fitting for this week ;)

Twists and Turns is a fun take on a Log Cabin quilt.   It goes together super fast, and it oh so much fun to make.  And having the two focal yardage fabrics repeating really grounds the design.     It finishes at 84" x 84" so it makes a great size for a picnic quilt, or you can always add a border so it would fit a queen or king size bed :)    And there is even a printable version of this Twists and Turns tutorial, so great!!!!  

And as you can probally guess, this quilt is Jelly Roll Friendly!!!!  You Use two Jelly Rolls to make Twists and Turns and that includes the fun scrappy binding.  Then just pick two favorite focal fabrics and you are ready to go.    Don't you just love opening up a jelly roll, I think it is so fun to watch them "unroll" :)  

And like most log cabin quilts, there are endless possibilities for a layout for this Twists and Turns quilt!!!   And you can really play up those two focal fabrics in the layout as well.   Here are just a few options, but once you make the blocks, you will quickly see you can spend just as much time playing with how you want to piece it all together ;)   I love a block that has so many possibilities and each create a totally different look!!!  I

And that is my Twists and Turns Quilt!!!     I hope you have enjoyed today's Tutorial Throwback Thursday!!!    To make your own Twists and Turns quilt  just click on any of the project name links for the free step by step tutorial.    And when you are done,  I would love to see your Quilts!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, post it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc  or or add it to my flickr group here ;)  I can't wait to see your Twist and Turns Quilts!!!

Thanks for popping in today!!!   I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!!