Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt Along - Coming Soon!!!

 Today I am super excited to be sharing a little teaser for my upcoming Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt Along!  I can't wait for this Quilt Along and hope you will be joining me in the fast & fun quilting.  

This is the sampler design for the Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt Along!  I had so much fun working on the design for this quilt along.  I used blocks from from each of the 9 quilts in the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book and put them in this fun medallion/row quilt layout.   It is a queen size quilt finishing at 92" x 92" and I am so looking forward to quilting it up along with all of you!

The Quilt Along officially starts April 5th with the first block release, and there will be a new block release each Wednesday until May 24th.   The Fabric Requirements will be released super soon (like most likely this Friday) but for now, you can start thinking about your favorite Layer Cake/10" Stackers that you will want to make your quilt in.  You will be using 2 Layer Cake/10" Stackers and you can use 2 of the same or mix and match your squares.  

And I am going to make 2 quilts as shown above.  The first quilt I will be using 2 Sunnyside Layer Cakes by Camille Roskelley for Moda.   The second quilt I will be using 2 Ally's Garden 10" Stackers by Dani Mogstad for Riley Blake Designs.   I wanted to show you what the sampler would look like with both  light and  a dark background, and I am excited to be making 2 versions along with all of you.  

This is going to be a super fun and super easy Quilt Along to participate in.   No need to sign up or anything, just follow along each week and make the assigned blocks and then share them.   Of course, we will be having prizes along the way as well.    So from beginners to an experts alike, you are sure to have a great time quilting along! 

Oh, and one last note.  You will need a Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book to Quilt Along.  And this just leads to more exciting news to share . . . my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book is now being published by C&T Publishing and will release on March 25th  and it is available for pre-order!!!  You can pre-order a copy of Fast & Fun Lap Quilts directly from C&T Publishing, or if you would like  a signed copy directly from me, that is an option as well ;)  And if you prefer E-books, you can get a digital copy of Fast & Fun Lap Quilts right here.   

So grab your book and start thinking about what fabrics you want to use.  The Fabric Requirements will be released soon along with lots more details for quilting along.   I am so super excited!  Only a few more weeks until April 5th and all the Quilt Along Fun ;)   

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!

BOHO Heart Block of the Month - Month 10

  It's Month 9 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 10:  

Mini Circle Block                      Square in a Square Block                Four Patch Block

Flying Geese Block                   Courthouse Steps Block                  Churn Dash Block

Centered Dresden Block            Cutting Background Strips              Sewing Section 1

So you have your Month 10 BOHO Heart Packet . . .  Lets get started!!! 

We'll this month, we are going to start out with some applique while making the . . .

Mini Circle Block – 2 Blocks

From your Month #10, Mini Circle Bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list and using the Mini Circle template.     

Using the cut pieces and the Mini Circle Directions from Month 1 make your blocks.    The Mini Circle Blocks should be measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished. 

And now onto another familiar small block with the . . . 

Square in a Square Block

From your Month #10, 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 another small block , the . . .

Four Patch Block

From your Month #10, Four Patch Bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list.   

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

And now we are going to make a familiar block with a slight modification, the . . . 

Flying Geese Block

From your Month #10, Flying Geese bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list. 

Using the cut pieces and the Flying Geese Block Directions from Month 4, make 2 Flying Geese Blocks that will now be Flying Geese Units. Layout the 2 Flying Geese Units as shown.

Place the bottom unit onto the top unit with right sides together.   Align and pin if desired.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of the units, taking care to stitch directly through the center of the Thread X.  

And your Block is done and you have a Flying Geese Block that should measure 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.  

And once again, we are going to make a familiar block with a slight modification, the . . . 

Courthouse Steps Block

From your Month #10, Courthouse Steps bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list.   

Using the cut pieces and the Courthouse Steps Block Directions from Month 5, and noting that you will stop after adding 2 complete borders to the center square, make your block.    The Courthouse Steps Block should be measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.   

And now, another familiar favorite, the . . .

Churn Dash Block

From your Month #10, Churn Dash 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 pieces and the Churn Dash Block Directions from Month 1 make your block.   The Churn Dash Block measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.  

And for our last block, another familiar block with a slight modification, the . . . 

Centered Dresden Square Block

From your Month #10, Centered Dresden Square bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list and using the Centered Dresden Square template and the 3" circle template. 

Using the cut pieces and the Dresden Square Block Directions from Month 3, make the Dresden Unit to the point of trimming taking care to note the fabric placement. Layout the Dresden Unit as shown.

And all that is left, is to trim the block to an 8 1/2" Square that is centered.  To do this, Use a large square ruler (mine is 8 1/2").  Align the ruler so the center lines on the ruler (4 1/4") are aligned with the seam lines of the top and bottom and two side Dresden Plates.    Once your ruler is aligned, trim along the right hand side, and top of the ruler.  

Now rotate the block 180 degrees on your cutting mat.  Align the ruler on the Dresden Unit so that the 8 1/2" lines are along the edges you just cut.   Once aligned, again, trim along the right hand side, and top of the ruler.   

And just like that, you have an Offset Square Dresden Block that should measure 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.

And now all your Blocks are made and that means it is time to start putting them together, but first, we are going to need some more of those Low Volume Background strips!!

Cutting Background Strips

Start by pressing all of your Low Volume Background pieces.  

From the Low Volume Strips sent with your Month #10 package, cut the fabrics according to page 2 and 3 of the supplemental cutting list.  

Just like Month 1 & Month 4, and Month 7, There is no right or wrong order to number your strips, you can do your low volume strips in any order you like, just make sure that you leave some of the larger strips for the last strips as you will need 3 strips to complete the cutting for 67 & 68.  

Also, most importantly, once you have cut all the pieces from one fabric, take care to keep them together and marked with the Number of that vertical row/fabric.  You are cutting the strips for Month 10,11 and 12 so you will be keeping these grouped and marked for some time.  

Background Strips for Grey Holes / Optional Gold Fillers-  And some more cutting.  Here is what you need to cut and group with the fabrics above to continue "piecing" the Grey Holes from the low volume strips like we have done, as well as the Grey Holes that you can choose to replace with Gold Fillers if you choose.  

Grey Holes

Fabric 51 - (1) 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" and (1) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Fabric 52 - (1) 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" and (1) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Fabric 53 - (1) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Fabric 54 - (1) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Fabric 55 - (1) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Fabric 56 - (1) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Fabric 57 - (1) 1 1/2" x 6 1/2"

Fabric 58 - (1) 1 1/2" x 6 1/2"

Optional Gold Filler or

Fabric 61 - (1) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Fabric 62 - (1) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Fabric 63 - (1) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Fabric 64 - (1) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

And now with all your Background Pieces cut, you can start  . . . 

Sewing Section 1

We will start by sewing some Strip Sets together.   For all of these strip sets, press the seam allowance to the Larger Number fabric.   Also, I found it very helpful to leave my extra pieces of marked background fabric to the side of my piecing so it can be used as a guide. 

From Fabric 51, 52, 53, and 54 sew a 3 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 55 and 56 sew a 3 1/2" Strip Set together as shown. 

           (Note - Don't sew these with the above strips as I have shown, I just had to unpick them later ;) 

From Fabric 57, 58, 59,  and 60 sew a 5 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 61 and 62 sew a 9 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 63 and 64 sew a 11 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 65 and 66 sew a 17 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 67 and 68 sew a 19 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

And last but not least, we need to piece your Optional Strip Set or cut your Gold Filler.

From Fabric 61, 22, 63, and 64 sew a 2 1/2" Strip Set together as shown

              OR

Cut a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" Gold Square from the provided fabric.

 Now we will sew Blocks and Strip Sets.   For all of these, press the Seams Open.   And still, the guide is very helpful to keep handy and make sure you are always putting the Blocks at the bottom of the Strip Sets. 

Sew the 51/52/53/54 Strip Set and the Flying Geese Block together as shown.

Sew the 55/26 Strip Set and the Four Patch Block together as shown.

Sew the 61/62 Strip Set and the Green Mini Circle Block together as shown.

Sew the 61/62/63/64 Strip Set and the Pink Mini Circle Block together as shown.

Sew the 65/66 Strip Set and the Square in a Square Block together as shown.  

Sew the Sashed Circle Unit and the 63/64 Strip Set together as shown.

Sew the Sashed Four Unit and the 57/58/29/60 Strip Set together as shown.

Sew the Churn Dash Block and the Sashed Pink Circle Unit together as shown.  

Sew the Sashed Square Unit and the 67/68 Strip Set together as shown.

Press the Seams Open. 

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

Sew the Centered Dresden Square Block and the Churn Circle Unit together as shown.

Press the Seams Open. 

Sew the Flying Geese Unit to the Left Hand Side of the Sashed Four Courthouse Unit as shown.

Then, Sew the Sashed Mini Circle Unit to the Right Hand Side of the Sashed Four Courthouse Unit as shown.  

Press the Seam Open. 

Sew the Sashed Flying Four Courthouse Circle Unit and the Sashed Dresden Churn Circle Unit together as shown.  

Press the Seam Open

Sew the Sashed Flying Four Courthouse Circles Dresden Churn Dash Unit and the Sashed Square in a Square Unit together as shown. 

Press the Seam Open

And your Group 4 - Section 1 is complete.  It should measure 18 1/2" wide by 19 1/2" high.

And that is it for BOHO Heart Block of the Month, 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 you have so much fun making all of this months blocks and then sewing them all together:)

 Looking forward to Next Month!!  We are getting so close ;) 

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 Sunwashed Layer Cake from Green Fairy Quilts   is . . . #393  . . . Congrats to im_sewoverit!!  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 Spotted by Zen Chic Basics   for Moda are on sale!!    Also, All By Annie Notions are on sale for the Notion, and all  Thimble Blossoms Patterns are on sale for the Pattern.   Save 20% off of all of them for the whole month of March!!  So great ;)  

And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway  Fat Quarter Shop is giving away this gorgeous Spring Hare Fat Quarter Bundle by Lewis & Irene Fabrics!!!  I am just discovering  Lewis & Irene Fabrics and I am loving so many of their prints!!!  I love this Evergreen Bundle for Fall, this Folk Floral Bundle for Spring, and I am looking forward to this Celtic Fairies Bundle to be released (you know I am a sucker for purple, hence why I also love this Spring Hare line ;)  

 

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 your favorite color of fabric to collect?? 

 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, March 14th 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!!!