Texas Monthly - Month 10

 Its October and along with a Chill in the air, we also have a new block for the Texas Monthly Block of the Month program!   This BOM is hosted by Stitchin' Heaven  and I am thrilled to share tutorials for the blocks each month.  

Month 10 is more Paper Piecing!  And by now, you are hopefully really starting to get the hang of paper piecing ;)  .  If you need a reminder, you can check out Month 2 and Month 3 for helpful hints.   This is going to be great.   So get your fabrics pressed and grab your  Add a Quarter Ruler, straight edge, rotary cutter, seam ripper, and thread scissors. So let's get going!!!  

Cutting

First off, we need to cut out all of the pieces.  Use the guides in your instructions as well as the color sheet you received with your first block to cut out all of the pieces you will need for your two blocks.  

And just a reminder, it is super helpful to write the placement of each piece on the wrong side of the fabric.  It will make piecing go much faster so you aren't constantly having to look up again what piece you need next ;)

And while we are talking reminders, remember, chain piecing is your friend.  You are making 4 units for each block so chain piecing each step for all 4 units will save you lots of time!

The Galveston Block

First up is the Galveston Block.   You need to Paper Piece 4 Units.  

Trim your units to 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" using the dotted outer line as a trimming guide. 

Layout the 4 units as shown below.  

And now, finishing the block is just like sewing a four patch.    Place the right hand side units onto the units on the left hand side units with right sides together.  Align and Pin the edges and then sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edges.

Press the seams open.  And now you can sew the rows together.

Place the top row onto the bottom row.  Again, align and pin the seams, especially the center seam.   Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.    Press the seams open. 

Now, all that is left is to add a border.  Layout your 4 border strips around your block as shown with the shorter strips along the top and bottom of the block.

Place the top and bottom strip onto the block with right sides together, aligning and pinning the edge.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.

Press the seams outwards towards the background strips.  Then repeat for the two side background strips . . .  aligning, pinning, sewing a 1/4" seam and pressing outwards. 

And just like that . . . you have a beautiful Galveston Block!!!  It should measure approximately 14 1/2" x 14 1/2".   Isn't it just so pretty!

And that means it's time to move on to the

All My Ex's Live in Texas Block

For the All my Ex's Live in Texas block you need to Paper Piece 4 Units.  

Again, you will trim your units to 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" using the dotted outer line as a trimming guide. 

Layout the 4 units as shown below.  Now, using the same instructions from the Galveston Block, Sew the 4 units together like a 4-patch.   Take care that you align the seams highlighted below when you sew the units together.  Press the seams open.  

And once again, using the directions from the Galveston Block, add the border to the block.

And just like that . . . you have a beautiful All My Ex's Live in Texas Block!  It should measure approximately 14 1/2" x 14 1/2".   

And that is it for Texas Monthly, Month 10 :) 

If you have any questions on this tutorial, please don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or leave a comment.  

Hope y'all enjoy making this month's blocks!  Just remember, have fun with it!

 Looking forward to Next Month!

September Sew Sampler Box!!

My September Sew Sampler Box arrived and it continues to be my favorite mail day!!! The theme this month was Adventure Awaits and this box is just filled to the brim with quilting goodness :)  I can't wait to dive in and start playing with it all :)  

I was thrilled to find an 8 Piece Fat Quarter Bundle of Minick and Simpson's new Belle Isle!!!  These are just beautiful prints!!   And I have a Seeing Stars Quilt still waiting to be quilted that I made in Northport for a sample a few years back.   Wouldn't pillows made from this awesome Summit Pattern just be perfect to go with it :)   I see that project getting finished soon ;)  

And the notions this month are just so great!!!!  I have seen the new Bowl Cozy's popping up all over the place and so wanted to make one, (especially as I find myself making lots and lots of soups as it gets chilly).   They are just so cute and so handy!!  Now with the Small Bowl Cozy Template and can get one whipped up in no time :)  .And the Thred Cutterz is going to so coming in handy, especially on the long arm :)   And the Flatter spray went right next to my iron, I love that stuff for some of those super bulky seams!!!  

And of course, with a new month means a new block in our QAL;)   Here is  Block 6 of the Bright Side Quilt along!!   I just love seeing all of these blocks come together in all of the Basic Grey goodness!!    I just can't wait to see these all come together, especially with some basic grunge blocks that yes, I still need to make :)

And just a note,  Sew Sampler boxes currently have No Waiting List!!!  So you can sign up right away and get a box on your door step next month!!! So fun :)  

And that is September Sew Sampler Box!!  Looking forward to seeing what next month will bring ;)  I am hoping for some Fall goodness!! 

I hope you all 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 Cozy Up Layer Cake  from  Fat Quarter Shop is . . .   Number #517 . . . Congrats kath_eng29!  I have messaged you :)  

     

            

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by  Thousands of Bolts .   Thousands of Bolts has incredible prices that will have you super excited!!!  There are thousands of bolts to choose from and all at amazing prices, staring as low as $5.39 a yard!!!   And they have just introduced dozens and dozens of new fabrics to the inventory!!  Be sure to check it out :)    And after you have shopped, they would sure love it if you could post a review on Google ;)  

And for Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway,  Thousands of Bolts is giving one lucky winner at $25.00 Gift Certificate!!!  You can get just what you always wanted :)   And good luck picking because there are literally thousands of bolts to choose from!!!!   

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 if you tried anything flavored Pumpkin in the last week??  (I had a Pumpkin Spice Cupcake the other day that Jessi made in her foods class and it was so yummy!!)  

 ENTRY 2 - Lets show Thousands of Bolts some Love!!!!   You can follow them on   Facebook or Instagram.  Or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Thousand of Bolts Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, October 5th 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!!!

All the Trimmings Mystery Quilt Along - Block 4

 Today is the Fourth Block release of the All the Trimmings Mystery Quilt Along and today we are making Trees!!!   These have got to be some of the cutest tree blocks ever!!!   This is Fat Quarter Shop Christmas in July project and I am so excited to be quilting along:)     And you can join in too!!!  The patterns are free and you can find this  Tree Block release here . . . 

This tree is made with lots of stitch and flip, and I just love how they made each of the layers a different size.   It really gives it a cute Christmas tree feel, especially with the added stitch and flip in the bottom.   So adorable!!! I am using Christmas Morning by Lella Boutique, but of course, any Christmas Fabric would look awesome in this fun Mystery Quilt along!!!    The Materials Needed can be found here, and this quilt is Layer Cake Friendly, so fun!!     

And be sure to watch Kimberly's You Tube video tutorial that walks you through the Tree Row step by step.   How great is that!!!  So come join in on the Christmas in July Mystery Quilt Along :)  It's going to be so much fun  :)  

And once you have your blocks done, be sure to share your All the Trimmings progress on social media with #AllTheTrimmingsQAL and check out Fat Quarter Shop's All the Trimmings Quilt Along Page for lots more Inspiration!!!

Thanks for popping in today ;)  Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Did You Get Them All - Free PDF's??

So over the last little bit, I have started to share a few Free PDF Patterns with my quilts instead of step by step tutorials.   So now I am wondering, what do you think?? 

 Do you prefer the PDF with multiple size options or would you rather have a step by step tutorial??    (and I know, both is an awesome option, but time is a huge factor there :)    I have lots of technique step by step tutorials, so I thought maybe a  PDF with reference to the technique tutorials might be preferred.   Oh, and if you do like the Free PDF Patterns . . . I am debating about remaking some of my older, more popular tutorials into a Free PDF pattern as well . . .would you like that??   And if so, what older tutorials would you like to see done up in Free PDF Patterns??  

Okay, and with all of that, I wanted to make sure that you didn't miss any of the Free PDF patterns :)

So here is a quick review of recently released Happy Quilting Free PDF Patterns.  Just click on the names of the quilts to be taken to the post about them where you can get the free PDF's :)

Did you see Cabin Among the Stars??

Cabin Among the Stars is an awesome scrap buster and combines two of my favorite blocks, a  Sawtooth Star and Log Cabin :)  It uses No Waste Flying Geese and there is a technique tutorial for it right here.  

And how about  State Fair??

 State Fair is Charm Pack Friendly and is a super quick and fun quilt to make!!!    It is made with Half Square Triangles and there is a technique tutorial for HST's right here.  

And last but not least, I just released Moonstones, did you get it??

Moonstones is Fat Quarter Friendly and is a wonderful play on Sawtooth Stars that have curved centers!! It uses Modified Drunkards Path Units and there is a technique tutorial for them right here.  

So did you get them all??   If you have any questions at all on the Happy Quilting Free PDF's don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com :)

Happy Quilting!!!