Merry-Go-Round - Fast & Fun Lap Quilts

It's Week 6 of my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book Tour and today I am sharing a second version of the Merry-Go-Round quilt! And with all of the negative space in this quilt, I just couldn't help but use a dark background!!!     And what goes better with a dark background than low volumes!!! 

 Don't you just love how all of those beautiful low volume prints just pop!!!  For this version of Merry-Go-Round, I was really trying to show how great it is to use up all of the low volumes .   Most of the low volumes in this quilt are actually the low volume 10" squares that I had left over from making all of the 9 quilts in the book.   It's so fun to see how you can just take all of the different prints in so many different colors and they just play so nice together because they all have a white/cream background.  I just love it!!! 

So what is that gorgeous background making all of those beautiful low volumes pop . . . It's actually a Dark Grey Linen from Riley Blake.   I just love the added texture and weight that the linen gives it.  And it makes the texture of all the quilting pop all the more.   All in all, I was going for a super snuggly quilt as this finishes at 78 1/2" x 78 1/2" so it is a great cuddle up in front of a good movie quilt.  

Since I custom quilted all the quilts in the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts  I thought it would be fun to do all over designs for these second versions.   For this Merry-Go-Round quilt, I quilted all over open center swirls.   It is such a fun design to quilt and I love adding just a little twist to my basic swirls.   It makes it so fun how the centers just have a fun open texture.  And no, I didn't use Pearl . . . I used a nice Dark Grey So Fine thread so that it would match in the background ;) 

And that is another Merry-Go-Round quilt, the sixth lap quilt in my new Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book !  You can find the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book in your local or online quilt shops,  C&T Publishing, or if you would like a personalized signed copy, you can order from my Etsy shop.  And if you make your own Merry-Go-Round quilt, I would love to see it!!  You can share your quilts with me on social media using hashtag #happyquiltingwithmc and #fastandfunlapquilts and tag me @happyquiltingmc or you can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com.   

Thanks so much for popping in for another Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book day of fun.    And if you haven't had a chance to enter Jen's Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Giveaway for a beautiful Crossweave Layer Cake that you can use to make your own gorgeous Merry-Go-Round quilt like Jen's, be sure and pop on over and enter.  

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day! 

Merry-Go-Round - Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book Tour

 It's Week 6 of my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book Tour and today I am sharing the Merry-Go-Round quilt! This quilt is made up of one basic lattice unit and then some sashing.  I love making no-waste lattice blocks!  They are so fast and fun to make and with the quick trim, they come out absolutely perfect every time.     And this quilt has a whole lot of negative space, so you can really have some fun quilting it!!  

Here is the introduction I wrote about Merry-Go-Round in the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book.  "It' so fun to play with interlocking units when designing quilts.  here I experimented with no-waste lattice units to create a honeycomb effect.  When the quilt was finished, it was so bright and happy it felt more like a playground than a honeycomb; thus, the name of Merry-Go-Round.  Oh, and if you've never made no-waste lattice units before,  you're gong to have fun making this quilt!"

When writing this book, I tried to give you all of the tips and trick that I would share if I were teaching a quilting class.  This is my favorite tip from the Merry-Go-Round quilt.  I love using washi tape to mark my rulers, it truly is the best for easy marks, that can be removed with no residue.  And having the right ruler for the job is always a great way to make things fast and fun.   I have a wall of rulers and I just love always being able to grab just the size I need, but ya, 6 1/2" square is my all time favorite :)

Merry-Go-Round was made using Indigo Garden fabrics by Heather Peterson for Riley Blake Designs.  All the quilts in Fast and Fun Lap Quilts are made with 1 Layer Cake/10" Stacker and a background fabric.   You will use 41 of the 10" squares for this quilt so you really use up just about every last piece.  This quilt finishes at 76 1/2" x 76 1/2", making it a generous square lap size quilt perfect for snuggling up in.    

I had so much fun custom quilting each of the quilts in Fast & Fun Lap Quilts .  For this Merry-Go-Round quilt, I quilted echoed paisleys in the background, straight lines in the piecing, and pebbles in the small background squares. I just love filling up so much negative space with gorgeous flowing quilting.   And you know  I used 402 So Fine thread to blend perfectly into the white background and all of the prints.   What can I say, it's my favorite thread :) 

And that is my Merry-Go-Round quilt, the sixth lap quilt in my new Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book !  You can find the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book in your local or online quilt shops,  C&T Publishing, or if you would like a personalized signed copy, you can order from my Etsy shop.  And if you make your own Merry-Go-Round quilt, I would love to see it!!  You can share your quilts with me on social media using hashtag #happyquiltingwithmc and #fastandfunlapquilts and tag me @happyquiltingmc or you can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com.   

And speaking of making a Merry-Go-Round Quilt, my good friend,  Jen Belnap has made up her own Merry-Go-Round Quilt using one of my favorite textured fabrics.  I am so super excited that Moda is now making Layer Cakes of their gorgeous Cross Weave fabrics!!  These will be coming to shops soon, and if you haven't tried Cross Weave, I highly recommend them.  The warp and weft threads are a different color so when they are woven together they create a shimmery effect that is just so pretty!!   And as you can see from Jen's quilt, it makes an absolutely stunning finish!!!   You can see all the details at Jen's Instagram, The Smitten Chicken. 

And while you are visiting Jen at The Smitten Chicken, be sure to enter her giveaway. Like I said, this fabric isn't out until December, but my good friends at Moda have shared a Cross Weave Layer Cake to giveaway!!  How awesome is that!!!  You can enter the giveaway at her Instagram.  

And that is it for today, thanks for popping in for Week 6 of the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book!

I am just so happy to share this merry-Go-Round quilt and be sure to pop back in on Friday when I will share a second version of the quilt.  

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 are going to announce the winners of last week's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of the Betsy's Sewing Kit 10" Precut from Poppie Cotton   is . . . #345   . . . Congrats to minniequilts !!!  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 amaze me with everything they have going on at their shop!!!     And did you know they have a 24 Hour Flash Sale  and Precuts of the Week!!   You can also save big on the Basics of the Month!!!!     This month All Mammoth Flannel  by Robert Kaufman are on sale!!   Also, All Stash N' Store Products are on sale for the Notion, and all  G.E. Designs Patterns are on sale for the Pattern.   Save 20% off of all of them for the whole month of November!!  So great ;)  

In Celebration of the release of my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book , for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway, Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a Brand New Moon Garden 10" Squares Precut by Tula Pink for Free Spirit!!!   I have been so excited for this line to arrive, it is just so pretty!!! 

 

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 could grow anything in your garden, what would it be??? 

 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, November 15th, 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!!!

BOHO Heart Block of the Month - Month 6

 It's Month 6 with my good friends at Stitchin' Heaven  doing their BOHO Heart Monthly Block of the Month program and that means another month of fun tutorials!!

Month 1                Month 2               Month 3             Month 4            Month 5               Month 6

Month 7                Month 8               Month 9            Month 10           Month 11              Month 12

And since each month has Lots and Lots of Tutorials in them . . . Here is a list to jump right to the tutorial you need for this month 6:  

Half Square Triangle Block               Square In A Square Block                        Four Patch Block

Little Checkerboard Block             Sashed Half Square Triangle Block            Four Links Block

                              Courthouse Steps Block                    Framed Ohio Star Block                     

   Sewing Section 6                            Sewing Section 7                           Sewing Section 6 & 7       

                                   Sewing Group 2                         Sewing Group 1 & 2

So you have your Month 6 BOHO Heart Packet . . .  Lets get started!!! 

We'll start with our first block, and it's one we have already done, the . . .

Half Square Triangle Block

From your Month #6, Half Square Triangle bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.    I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will trim.   

Using the cut squares and the Half Square Triangle Block Directions from Month 1 make your 2 blocks.   The Half Square Triangle Block will be measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.    And save the second Half Square Triangle Block, we won't use it today, but we will use it in Group 3 Section 5 to form the bottom of the heart ;) 

And now we can move onto another familiar block , the . . .

Square In A Square Block

From your Month #6, Square in a Square bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list. 

Using the cut pieces and the Square in a Square Block Directions from Month 1 make your block.   The Square in a Square Block should be measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.   

And with that done, we will move onto a final familiar block , the . . .

Four Patch Block – 2 Blocks

From your Month #6, Four Patch Bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.   Also, if you are using the "Gold Fillers" instead of the patchwork fillers, cut your Gold Filler.    But please note - The gold filler should be cut at 2 1/2" x 8 1/2", even though the cutting directions say 8", be sure to add that extra 1/2" ;)  

Using the cut pieces and the Four Patch Block Directions from Month 2 make your block.    The Four Patch Blocks should be measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.   

And now we get to move onto a new block, the . . . 

Little Checkerboard Block

From your Month #6, Little Checkerboard bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list. 

We will start with Strip Piecing some 2 Patch units.  Place the Black and Yellow strips with right sides together.  Align the raw edges and stitch a 1/4" seam along the long edge.  Press the seam towards the dark fabric.  

Now, place your strip set onto the cutting mat aligning the horizontal lines with the top and bottom of the strip set.  Cut a straight edge.   Then continue to measure in 1 1/2" and sub-cut 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" two patches.  Cut 8 Two Patches total.

Now we are going to make 4 Four Patch units.  To do this, simply place a Two Patch Unit onto a second Two Patch Unit with Opposite squares aligning and right sides together.  Align and Pin/Nest the center seam and stitch 1/4" seam.  Press the seams open.  Repeat to make 4 Four Patch Units total.  

  

Layout the 4 Four Patch Units as shown below, taking note of the color placement. 

Place the Units in the right hand column onto the Units on the left hand column with right sides together.  Align and pin the seams and then stitch a 1/4" along the pinned edges.  

Press the seams open.  

Place the top row onto the bottom row with right sides together.  Align and pin the seams.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Press the seam open.  

And just like that, you have an adorable Little Checkerboard Block  that should be measuring 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" unfinished.  

And now we get to move onto another familiar block, the  . . . 

Sashed Half Square Triangle Block

From your Month #6, Sashed HST Bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.   I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will plan to trim the HST's.  

Using the cut pieces and the Sashed HST Block Directions from Month 2 make your block.    The Sashed HST Block should be measuring 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" unfinished.   

And now, we get to make another familiar block, the  . . . 

Four Links Block

From your Month #6, Four Links bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list. 

Using the cut pieces and the Four Links Block Directions from Month 5, and taking care to watch the color placement, make your block.    The Four Links Block should be measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.   

And now one last Familiar block,  the  . . . 

Courthouse Steps Block

From your Month #6, Courthouse Steps bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list. 

Using the cut pieces and the Courthouse Steps Block Directions from Month 5, and taking care to watch the color placement, make your block.    The Courthouse Steps Block should be measuring 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.   

And now one last new block,  the  . . . 

Framed Ohio Star Block

From your Month #6, Framed Ohio Star bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list taking into account the following changes.   Note - There are a Few Changes to the cutting, but no worries, you will still have plenty of Fabric :)  From the Gold Print, cut (4) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares and (1) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square.   From the Blue print cut (1) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square.  The Dark Print and Light Print are cut the same as listed.  

 Gather 2 Black 3 1/2" squares, a Light 3 1/2" square and a Gold 3 1/2" square.  Pair them into two groups as shown below. 

Using the paired Squares and the Half Square Triangle Directions from Month 1 make 4 Half Square Triangles but do not trim them.    

We will now turn the HST's into Quarter Square Triangles.  Align two different HST's with the black triangles opposite as shown below.  Place the Light HST onto the Gold HST with right sides together.  Align and Nest the center seam.  The Black Triangles should be on opposite sides.   Draw a line diagonally from corner to corner on the opposite side of the seam.  Sew a 1/4" seam on either side of the drawn line.  Repeat for both sets of HST's .  

Now cut on the drawn line of both sets.  Press the seams open to create 4 Quarter Square Triangles.  Using a 2 1/2" Square ruler, align the diagonal on the ruler with the diagonal seam and the center circle of the ruler with the center of the block.   Trim the block to 2 1/2" square. Trim all 4 Quarter Square Triangle units.  

Layout the 4 Quarter Square Triangle units, 4 Gold 2 1/2" squares, and the 1 Blue Center square as shown below.  

Place the units in the center column onto the units in the first column with right sides together.  Align and Pin and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the 3 pinned edges. 

Then, place the units in the last column onto the units in the center column with right sides together.  Align and Pin and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the 3 pinned edges. 

Press the seams in the first and third row out towards the Gold squares.  Press the seams in the second row in towards the Blue square.  

Now, place the First Row onto the Second Row with right sides together.  Align and Pin the seams and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  When stitching, be sure to stitch directly along the bottom of the thread V's to give you perfect points.  

And now, place the Third Row onto the Second Row with right sides together.  Align and Pin the seams and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge catching the points of your thread V's.    Press the last 2 seams open.  

Now layout, the 4 light rectangles around the Ohio Star Unit as shown. 

Place the 2 short rectangles onto the sides of the Ohio Star Unit with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.  

Press the seams outwards.  Place the 2 longer rectangles onto the top and bottom of the pieced center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.     Once again, Press the seams outwards.  

And now you have made a Framed Ohio Star Block that should be measuring 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.  

And now you are ready to start sewing the blocks into sections.  We will start with . . . 

Sewing Section 6

We will start by sewing the Strip Sets together.   Press the seam allowances to the Larger Number fabric.   

From Fabric 21, 22, 23, and 24, sew a 2 1/2" Strip Set together as shown. 

From Fabric 33 and 34, sew a 8 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.  

       (or cut out a 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" Gold Fabric Filler)

Now we will sew the Block to the Strip Set.   Press the Seams Open.   

Sew the Pink Four Patch Block and the 21/22/23/24 Strip Set together as shown.

Sew the Four Patch Unit and the Four Links Block  together as shown.

Sew the Courthouse Steps Block and the 33/34 Strip Set together as shown. 

And now to finish Section 6

Sew the Four Patch Four Links Unit and the Sashed Courthouse Steps Unit together as shown.

Press the Seam Open. 

And your Group 2 - Section 6 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" high.

So now, we can move onto . . .

Sewing Section 7

Once again, we will start by sewing the Strip Sets together and there are a lot of them for this section.    Press the seam allowances to the Larger Number fabric.   

From Fabric 19. 20, and 21 sew a 24 1/2" Strip Set together as shown. 

From Fabric 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 sew a 19 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 27 and 28 sew a 12 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 27 and 28 sew a 2 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 29 and 30 sew a 14 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 31 and 32 sew a 12 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 33 and 34 sew a 10 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

Now we will begin to sew the Blocks to the Strip Set.   Press the Seams Open.   

Sew the HST Sashed Block and the 22/23/24/25/26 Strip Set together as shown.

Sew the 27/28 12 1/2" Strip Set, the Blue Four Patch Block and the 27/28 2 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.  

Sew the Square in a Square Block and the 29/30 Strip Set together as shown.

Sew the HST Block and the 33/34 Strip Set together as shown.

Sew the Four Patch Unit and the Square in a Square Unit together as shown.

Sew the 31/32 Strip Set and the Half Square Triangle Unit together as shown.

Sew the Sashed Half Square Triangle Unit and the Little Checkerboard Block together as shown.

Sew the Four Patch Square Unit and the Sashed HST Checker Unit together as shown.

Sew the 19/20/21 Strip Set and the Sashed HST Unit together as shown.

Sew the Four Square HST Checker Unit and the Sashed Ohio Star Block together as shown.

And finally, Sew the Sashed HST Sashed Unit and the Four Square HST Checker Star Unit together as shown.

Press the Seam Open. 

And your Group 2 - Section 7 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 24 1/2" high.

And now, we can move onto   . . . 

Sewing Section 6 & 7

Layout Section 6  and Section 7 as shown below.  

Place Section 6 onto Section 7 with right sides together.  Align, pin, and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Press the seam open.  

And your Group 2 - 6 and 7 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 32 1/2" high.

And now, all of the sections are done in Group 2 so we can now get to   . . . 

Sewing Group 2

Layout Sections 1-7 as shown below in the 3 groupings they are sewn into.  

Place Section 1&2 onto the top of Section 3,4,&5 with right sides together.  Align, pin, and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Then Place Section 6&7 onto the bottom of Section 3,4,&5 with right sides together.  Align, pin, and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press the seams open.

And your Group 2  is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 83 1/2" high.

And now, we get to sew half of the quilt top!!!  Let's get to    . . . 

Sewing Group 1 &2

Layout Group 1 and Group 2 as shown below.  

Place Section Group 2 onto Group 1 with right sides together.  Align, pin, and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press the seams open.

And Half of your Quilt Top is Complete!!!  So Exciting!!!

It should measure 34 1/2" wide by 83 1/2" high.

And that is it for BOHO Heart Block of the Month, Month 6 :) 

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

Hope you have so much fun making all of this months blocks and then sewing them all together:)

 Looking forward to Next Month!!