Friday, December 11, 2015

Sugar Pop N Change Mini - A Finish and a Tutorial!!!

I am super excited to be sharing a new Moda Bake Shop Tutorial today as part of their December Mini Celebration!!! And wouldn't you guess, it's Purple!!!!



The Moda Bake Shop asked some of it's chefs to take one of their favorite Moda Bake Shop tutorials and make it mini for this month ;)  I choose one of my first tutorials, the Sugar Pop N Change quilt ;)  This was so much fun to make in mini.  Those little "coins" are just 1" x 2".  So cute!!!


I choose to use Vanessa Christensen's Simply Colorful 2 in wonderful Purple.  And all you need is a cute little Junior Jelly Roll and a bit of white ;)  It really goes together super fast, don't you just love that about mini's, and would make an adorable last minute Christmas Present ;)


And now that this Moda Bake Shop Tutorial has been published for a while, I can now post it here on my blog for your convenience ;)   So just follow along below for the full step-by-step tutorial.  And if you love it, you can get the printer friendly version here :)  


This quilt/project finishes at 23" x 23".  So let's get to it!!!  Here is what you will need :

1 Junior Jelly Roll of Simply Colorful 2 by Vanessa Christensen (I choose purple, as that is my favorite,  but it would look awesome in any of Vanessa's 6 color palettes)
1/3 a yard of Moda Bella Solids White for background fabric
1  yard of backing fabric

IMG_2151


STEP 1 - CUTTING

From your Moda Bella Solids White cut (6) 1" x 25" strips and (24) 1" x 7 1/2" strips.  I like to starch my white yardage before cutting as I will be cutting very thin strips that stretch easy.
From your Simply Colorful 2 Junior Jelly Roll Strips cut (189) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles

IMG_2152

I found the easiest way to cut my print rectangles was to layout 7 jelly roll strips on my mat, trim the selvages, and then measure in 1 1/2" using my mat and cut.  Continue doing this until you have 27 rectangles per strip.

IMG_2153


STEP 2 - MAKING THE COIN ROWS

Each block has 3 "coin" rows that each consist of 7 "coins".  You will be sewing a total of 27 coin rows, each with 7 coins in them.   The easiest and fastest way to do this is to chain stitch.

IMG_2155

So, start by sewing a 1/4" seam along the long side of 2 print rectangles with right sides together.  Then, without removing them from your machine or clipping your threads, stitch another 1/4" seam on a set of 2 print rectangles.  Continue in this fashion, until you have sewn 27 2 print rectangle sets.     It is like making a long snake, or chain, of pieces.

IMG_2157

Then, go ahead and clip your threads between each paired rectangles.

IMG_2158

Then it is back to your machine.  Place a third rectangle onto the now sewn together pair of rectangles with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Once again, chain stitch a third rectangle on to all 27 pairs.   Then clip your threads between each set.

IMG_2159

Repeat this process to add the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh "coins" to each of the 27 sets.

IMG_2160

When you have all 7 "coins" in each row, clip your threads and you are ready to now move to the iron.

IMG_2161

When pressing the rows, take care not to stretch them.  I like to use little starch when working with these small pieces as it makes it easier to piece the blocks together.  Press the seams in one direction and be sure to pull in that direction slightly so you don't get any little tucks in the seams.

IMG_2162

You should now have 27 "coin" rows that look a little like this and measure appx. 2 1/2" x 7 1/2".
IMG_2163


STEP 3 - MAKING THE BLOCKS

We will be making 9 blocks for this mini, and just like making the "coin" rows, it will save you a lot of time if you chain stitch each one of the following parts of Step 3 nine times so that when you get to the end of the step, all of your blocks are done.
Layout 3 "coin" rows and 2 small sashing strips as shown below.

IMG_2165

Place the sashing strips onto the coin rows with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.  Press the seam allowance towards the sashing strips.

IMG_2166

Then place the second coin row onto the first coin row with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Finally, place the third coin row onto the now sewn together first and second coin rows and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Press the seam allowances towards the sashings.

IMG_2167

If you were chain stitching you now have 9 blocks ;)  If you weren't repeat Step 3 until you have 9 blocks total.  The blocks should measure appx. 7 1/2" x 7 1/2".

IMG_2168


STEP 4 - MAKING THE MINI TOP

Layout your 9 blocks and 6 small sashings as shown below.  Take care to watch the placement direction of the blocks.  Making the mini top is just like making the blocks, only on a larger scale.

IMG_2170

Place the small sashing strips on to the block sides with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.  Press the seam allowances towards the sashing.

IMG_2172

Place the second block in each row onto the first block with right sides together.  Sew a 1/4" seam allowance along the edge.  Then place the third block in each row onto the now sewn together first and second block with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam allowance along the edge.  Press all of the seam allowances towards the sashings.

IMG_2173

And now you are ready to add in your large (or long) sashings.  Layout 4 large sashing strips along each of your rows as shown below.

IMG_2174

Place the sashings strips on the rows with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge, aligning as you go.  Trim or clip away the excess amount of strip.  Press the seam allowances towards the sashing strip.

IMG_2175

Place the second sashed row onto the first with right sides together.  Take care to align and pin each of the sashing strips where the blocks line up.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Then repeat the process placing the third row onto the now sewn together first and second row, aligning the seams, and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press the seam allowances towards the sashing strips.

IMG_2176

Now all you have left to do is add the two side sashing strips.  Place two large sashing strips onto the two sides of your mini with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Trim or clip the excess and then press the seam allowance towards the sashing strips.

IMG_2178

And just like that . . . you have an awesome Sugar Pop N Change Mini quilt top!!!  Your quilt top should measure appx. 23 1/2" x 23 1/2" unfinished.

IMG_2179


STEP 5 - FINISHING

Now all that is left is to Baste It, Bind It, and Quilt It!!!!  If you are new to the quilting world and that little sentence was a little overwhelming, you can check out my Finishing Your Quilt Video Tutorials right here  They will walk you through each step and give you lots of help along the way :)

IMG_2199

I decided to do some tiny cross hatch for the quilting using invisible thread.  I love all of the yummy texture.  And for the binding, I used three of the left over Junior Jelly Roll Strips.  So fun :)

IMG_2203


STEP 6 - ENJOY 

And that is your Sugar Pop N Change Mini!!!  This quilt mini finishes at 23" x 23" and would be perfect on any wall, especially to add to a Mini collection ;)

IMG_2195

Mine is now hanging on my purple sewing room wall, with all of my other purple mini's, right next to my sewing machine and it makes me smile every time I stitch ;)  Ya, did I mention, I love purple  ;)

IMG_2204

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and if you make your own Sugar Pop N Change Mini Quilt I would love to see it!!  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 Sugar Pop N Change Mini Quilts!!!


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

Linking up this finish to Amada's and Sarah's ;)

Pin It!

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Crossroads Quilt Along - Coming Soon

Fat Quarter Shop has recently announced their 2016 Crossroads Quilt Along to benefit  March of Dimes and I am so excited to be Quilting Along with them again this coming year!!!


The Crossroads Quilt was designed using vintage-inspired blocks to commemorate the crossroads of our lives.  The blocks are just beautiful in their tiny detail and I am so looking forward to stitching them up.  


As a kick-off, Fat Quarter Shop has asked us to share one of the Crossroads in our life ;)  I think one of the biggest Crossroads in my life was moving across the country far away from home starting some amazing journeys.  Here is the story :)
     My sweetheart and I had been married for about 3 1/2 years when he was accepted to school in Kentucky.  I was so excited that he had been accepted, but super scared.  I had never lived outside of Utah before and I knew we would be far away from home and family.   So with a prayer in my heart, we packed up our things and drove across the country to start a whole new adventure.  I had no idea at the time how amazing it would be!!
     I will always be grateful for that crossroad in my life.  I can not even begin to explain how much I grew in those years away, not only as a person, but as a couple and a family.  We relied on each other completely and grew together through the ups and downs.  We welcomed new little ones into the family and made amazing lifelong friends that became every bit as close as family.  And yes, I still burnt through a whole ton of phone cards to call home, especially when I had to make Thanksgiving Dinner on my own for the first time ;)  All in all, It was an amazing experience that helped to shape who I am today.
     And it also helped to shape another part of who I am today.   This particular crossroad was also the start of my quilting journey!!!  Right before we left, I asked my mother to teach me the basics of quilting as I figured I had a lot of quiet nights while my sweetheart studied.   Just like how our family grew, I never would have guessed that wanting to learn a hobby to keep me busy would grow to where it is today.   I am daily grateful for this amazing quilting journey and for all of you that join me in it.


And that is my Crossroads Story ;)

And a bit more on the Quilt Along before I sign off today.  The Crossroads Quilt Along will be just like the Snapshots Quilt Along that I have been sharing all this year ;)  Each month, starting in February, there will be a block posted with a suggested $5.00 donation to download it.  I will be sharing my blocks in Strawberry Fields Revisited by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda just like the original :)  


The fun all starts in February!!!  Be sure to pop on over and save this page for all of the details and monthly updates!!!  So are you going to come Quilt Along??  It is going to be so much fun!!!!!
Pin It!

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!!!!

It's Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!!!  I love this day!!!  Now I know it's not Tuesday (for those of you who are visiting for the first time, there is a Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day each week at Happy Quilting) but I haven't missed a Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day since I started this blog so it is tradition now.  With that said,  I know you have lots of places to visit so lets get right to it :)



Up for grabs is a Fat Quarter Bundle of Anna Maria Horner's True Colors!!!  Can I just say . . . I love this bundle!!!  Anna Maria's way with colors and prints always blows me away.  I have been holding on to this bundle for some time, but today, it is time to share  ;)



And along with this bundle, I will add a signed copy of my book, Irish Chain Quilts ;)  


So what do you have to do for your chance to win???  Simple . . . 

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 here telling me what is Truly your favorite Color.   (mine is purple :)

 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 Sunday December 13th and  I will randomly select and announce a winner on Monday Morning :)

Oh, and by the Way . . . If you are stopping by for the first time, Welcome!!   I am so glad you visited and hope you will come back often.  I have so much fun sharing my passion for quilting here with lots of  free tutorials, giveaways, fabric eye candy, and of course, general Happy Quilting times!! And be sure to come back next week for Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day :)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!
Pin It!

Tuesday, December 8, 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 wonderful $25.00 Gift Certificate to The Intrepid Thread is . . . . . .   Number #213. . . Congrats Heather.!!   I have emailed you :)     



  


  
   
And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Discover Fabric!!   You will find a wonderful selection of fabrics from a large variety of manufactures at Discover Fabric and at a great price :)  And be sure to check out their awesome Sales and Clearance Section!!  
   


And the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Discover Fabric!!!   One lucky reader is going to get to choose their favorites!!!    So 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 your favorite Christmas ornament on your tree ;)

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Discover Fabric love. You can follow them on FacebookTwitter, or Pinterest.  You can Sign up for the Discover Fabric Newsletter (middle of the page) ,  or you can Visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Discover Fabric Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, December 15th  when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!
Pin It!

Monday, December 7, 2015

Festival of Trees - The Quilt Block

This last weekend was the Festival of Trees here in Utah.  It is an annual fundraiser held to benefit Primary Children's Hospital.  You might recall me sharing a while back about my sweet nephew David, who spent the first 2 months of his life at Primary Children's Hospital undergoing two major heart surgeries and one stomach surgery.  We as a family can never say thank you enough for the amazing care the doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and volunteers gave to David.  


So this year, my family and I decided we wanted to give back.  So we thought we could donate a Tree to the Festival of Trees.   We decided we wanted to go with a sailing or nautical theme since David loves all things water ;)  And the plan was to put this Smooth Sailing quilt (that I made Fall 2014 Market) under the tree.  So fun right!!!



Well. life happened, and we realized that we were trying to jump on the bandwagon way to late to have an entire tree done in time for the deadline.  And I have to admit, I was pretty bummed out, because I was so looking forward to being able to give back.   So I was surfing around the Festival of Trees Website when I found it!!!!   The Festival of Trees has branched out since the last time I attended (like when I was a young girl)  Not only do they auction off Trees . . .but they do Centerpieces, and Gingerbread Houses, and Wreaths, and you guessed it . . . a Quilt Auction!!!  I totally squealed out loud when I saw this!!!


I immediately called up the gal in charge of the Quilts and asked if I could still register.  I made it just in time and dropped my quilt off to her over Thanksgiving Break. I was able to include a  little note with the quilt about David and his experience at Primary's and how we are all hoping that everything from here on out is "smooth sailing" for him ;)   That made the whole thing so incredibly special and touching.


The quilt auction was this last weekend and I am so excited that my quilt helped raise quite a tidy sum for the hospital.  That was just an added cherry to the top of this whole experience!!!!    I can not even begin to express the joy and gratitude that has filled my heart these last few weeks.  I am so incredibly thankful that this love of quilting has allowed me to give back to those that gave us back our sweet little David!!!


I plan on making this an annual thing, and look forward to picking a special quilt each year to donate to the Festival of Trees!!  In fact, I have already picked one for this next year ;)  Remember all of those fun Snapshot blocks I have been posting all year . . . Hello next years Festival of Trees Quilt.  So fun!!!


And no, this is not my Snapshots quilt all finished.   I still have a block to go and then to put it all together and am so looking forward to quilting it.   This is the Fat Quarter Shop's Snapshots quilt that they are currently auctioning off and the proceeds will go to St. Jude's Research Hospital, another fabulous Hospital taking care of wonderful children!!!


Anne Sutton and Pat Sloan are also auctioning off their completed Snapshots Quilts as well.  So if you or anyone you know is interested in a stunning completed Snapshots Quilt, be sure and pop on over to bid ;)   All of the proceeds from all 3 quilts go to St. Judes, so amazing!!!


I am sure all of you have had the wonderful blessing and opportunity  of giving a quilt and seeing it bring joy and happiness into someone's life.  If you would like to share a story in the comments I would love to hear it ;)

I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day and a very Happy Giving Season as well ;)


Pin It!