Sweater Weather for Snuggle Up!!

I have wanted to make my Sweater Weather  pattern with a dark background since I finished the original (the first original that is :)  So when my wonderful friends at Poppie Cotton asked if I wanted to participate in their Snuggle Up for Christmas Week, I knew that it was the perfect fit.  And here is my new  Sweater Weather quilt, isn't it just so cute!!!  Yup, I just love it :) 

This Sweater Weather quilt is made with Poppie Cotton Country Confetti and Seeing Spots Basics.  I used my favorite Blue Ribbon Dark Blue for the background and Pale Moon for accent and binding!!  The quilt is Fat Quarter Friendly, so for the blocks of this lap size quilt, I choose 8 Fat Quarters in varying shades of blue. And it turned out just so adorable!!  I am teaching classes for this quilt in Jan, Feb, and Mar, so it will be so fun to see both the original white background, and this new version next to each other.  It just gives it a whole new look!!      

Sweater Weather  is an experience beginner skill level pattern, and regardless of your skill level, you will love making this quilt!     The quilt is made of two separate blocks and then pieced in a alternating layout with a small sashing.    The pattern teaches techniques including strip piecing, stitch and flip corners and lots of tiny patchwork in that chain. And because the piecing of everything else beyond the chain is pretty large, the quilt blocks come together pretty quick!  

And when it came time to quilt this I opted for an all over large swirl :)  Because I custom quilted the original, it is fun to do an easy over all design for the new quilt so that when students see both quilts, they can get ideas of which way they want to go with their own quilting.  And I used a beautiful country blue thread that just blended perfectly in the background and pops in the white hearts.  So cute!! 

And that is my new  Sweater Weather quilt!!!       And I am just so happy to share it with all of you!!!   Now all we need is some of the White Stuff in the pictures to make it truly Sweater Weather ;)   But for now, I will just keep snuggling up in this quilt and dreaming of snow!!    If you make your own Sweater Weather Quilts I would love to see them!!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to social media with  #happyquiltingwithmc and #sweaterweatherquilt ;)  I can't wait to see your Quilts!!!

Thanks for popping in today and sharing this new finish with me :)   And thanks to my wonderful friends at Poppie Cotton for creating the perfect opportunity for me to make this quilt that I have been imagining for a year ;)  

I hope you all have a Happy Quilting Day!!! 

New Happy Quilting Pattern - Sweater Weather!!

 Let's start sharing these new quilts for my 4 new Happy Quilting Patterns!!!   Today is all about Sweater Weather!!!   This quilt was inspired by a winter sweater that I had when I was a little girl.  Once the first snow fell, I  wanted to wear it every single day!  So I made it into a quilt so now I can snuggle in it every day ;)    And isn't it just so great with the combination of a Snowflake Block and a Heart  Block that makes an beautiful secondary chain design.  I just love it!!! 

The  Sweater Weather Pattern can be found in my Etsy Shop in both a Paper version as well as a PDF version.  And it is on Special for it's release with PDF Patterns at $6.00 and the Paper Patterns are $7.50!  The patterns are full color and the paper version is in book format.   

 Sweater Weather  is an experience beginner skill level pattern, and regardless of your skill level, you will love making this quilt!     The quilt is made of two separate blocks and then pieced in a alternating layout with a small sashing.    The pattern teaches techniques including strip piecing, stitch and flip corners that have nested diagonal seams and lots of tiny patchwork in that chain. And because the piecing of everything else beyond the chain is pretty large, the quilt blocks come together pretty quick!  

This Sweater Weather quilt is made with Grunge Basics by Basic Grey for Moda and is the queen/king size.  You all know how much I love grunge, and it is such a great basic when you want to do a monochromatic quilt like this because there are so many shades of each color to choose from!!  The quilt is Fat Quarter Friendly.    And of course, it would look amazing made with a Fat Quarter Bundle as well, you don't have to stick to monochromatic basics.  Make it your own!!   

But, just in case you want to make it just like mine . . . ya know, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!!   And this is actually the second time I have made this quilt and they both look the exact same (more on that later).   Anyhow, . . . here are the grunge fabrics I used ;) 


For the Accent Fabric - Grunge Basics Peacoat 30150 353 (the hearts and binding) 
   For the Background Fabric - Grunge Basics White Paper 30150 101 

And for the blocks I used the following 16 Grunge Fat Quarters: 

Grunge Basics Sky 30150 218                           Grunge Basics Sapphire 30150 221
Grunge Basics Cobalt 30150 223                       Grunge Basics Bright Sky 30150 299
Grunge Basics Royal 30150 300                        Grunge Basics Sea 30150 301
Grunge Basics Horizon Blue 30150 306            Grunge Basics Prussian Blue 30150 307
Grunge Basics Powder Blue 30150 347             Grunge Basics Delft 30150 350
Grunge Basics Surf The Web 30150 351            Grunge Basics Regatta 30150 352
Grunge Basics Faded Denim 30150 387             Grunge Basics Crystal Sea 30150 480
Grunge Basics Harbor 30150 481                       Grunge Basics Storm 30150 482

And when it came time to quilt this I opted for some fun custom quilting.  I tried a new background filler of small loop de loops with tiny stars, that just happen to also look like snowflakes falling :)  So cute!!  For the snowflake blocks I quilted lots and lots of pebbles in a medium blue.  That way it blended with all of the shades of blue.   And finally, in the hearts, I quilted lines of wishbones, cause it reminded me of the knitting on the sweater ;)  Its quilted in a super dark navy so it is hard to see, but a perfect blend!!     And I left the small squares of the chain and snowflake blocks unquilted, just stitching in the ditch around them so they would really pop!  It took me about 10 hours to quilt, but it was so worth it for the amazing beautiful finish and the wonderful snuggly texture :) 

Sweater Weather like all of my Happy Quilting patterns, has multiple size options so you can make whatever size quilt works for you ;)     The pattern has 5 size options :  Baby, Lap, Picnic, Twin and Queen/King.     

And that is my new  Sweater Weather quilt and Pattern!!!       And I am just so happy to share it with all of you!!!   I really think you are just going to love making this quilt ;)   And of course,  if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out to me ;)  And when you make your ASweater Weather Quilts I would love to see them!!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to social media with  #happyquiltingwithmc and #sweaterweatherquilt ;)  I can't wait to see your Quilts!!!

So are you ready to start making your Sweater Weather Quilts???  Pop over to my Etsy Shop, to pick up your Patterns.   Again, PDF Patterns are just $6.00, the Paper Patterns are $7.50,  until September 9th :)    And while you are there, check out these other newly released  patterns that are also on the same special ;)  Always good to save on shipping!! 

And one quick story before I sign off.  I mentioned this is the second time I have made this quilt . . . well here is the first.  Looks the exact same but different quilting.   This quilt was supposed to be in a quilting magazine for winter 2024.  But a year ago, I got an email with the craziest news.  The quilt had been stolen from the publishers office.  I know, crazy right!!  The publishers looked into everything, but in the end, the quilt never turned up.   A good friend told me you know you have really "made it" when a quilt of yours gets stolen . . . so I took that as the silver lining in the situation.   I also decided right then and there that I needed to make this quilt again because it was just to pretty of a design to get forgotten.  So it took a year . . . but here we are.    And I am just so happy to be sharing this Sweater Weather quilt with all of you!!  

Thanks for popping in today.  Be sure to come back tomorrow for more Happy Quilting Pattern fun :)  

I hope you all have a Happy Quilting Day!!! 

Dutch Days for SUU!!!

It's that Homecoming Time of year and that means I get to share another SUU Quilt in my favorite Red, White, and Black color combo!!! I decided to make an SUU Fast & Fun Lap Quilts  and how cute is this Dutch Days Quilt!  I just love it ;)

For this version of Dutch Days, I used Red and White prints from the Red Hot Fabric Line from Riley Blake.  It is another perfect match for an Alma Mater quilt and paired with a Black Basic background, it just makes those red and white prints pop!!!!   And I made a scrappy binding of the white prints from this line and I love how it gives a great low volume look there.  Such a fun way to finish the quilt.  

And as always, the Homecoming quilts need an SUU layered applique to the corner of the quilt. The applique is the SUU Mascot, they are the Thunderbirds :)   And when it comes to a custom applique the sky is truly the limit.  It is such a fun way to personalize quilts!!   You can find the step by step tutorial here for layered applique :)   

When it came time to quilt this Fast & Fun Lap Quilt  I decided on all over Loose Feathers;)  I just figured I wanted something to add texture that would quilt up fast, and this is always the ticket for that!!    And of course, a black thread was perfect for this quilt.  

And that is my SUU Dutch Days quilt from my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book !  Dutch Days finishes at 72" x 72" so it is a great size and it has already found a new home with an SUU Alum ;)  I hope you love this quilt as much as I do and if you make your own Dutch Days 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 quilt finish!!

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day! 

Fast & Fun Lap Quilts - All the Quilts - All The Details!!!

Wow, I have had so much fun on the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book Tour and hope you have as well!!!  Thank you so much for all of the  Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Love!!!!  

  And now,  I can't wait to see all of your Fast & Fun Lap Quilts!!  You can share them with me via email at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add them on social media with #FastandFunLapQuilts and #happyquiltingwithmc.   

Fast & Fun Lap Quilts is available to order a signed copy directly from me, or you can get a copy from  your local quilt shop or wherever quilting books are sold. 

The following is the details on all of the quilts I have made from Fast & Fun Lap Quilts :)

Fast & Fun Lap Quilts 

All the Quilts and All the Details   

9 Patterns for 10" Squares

Quilt: Three in a Row, Original Version
Size: 54 1/2" x 65"
Fabrics Used - 1 One Fine Day Layer Cake  by Bonnie and Camille for Moda
                        3 1/4 Yards of Bella Solids Bleached White for the Background
                        5/8 Yard of One Fine Day Navy Dot for Binding
                        3 1/2 Yards of One Fine Day Aqua Sunnyside for Backing
Quilting: Custom Quilted Swirls, Wavy Crosshatch, Pebbles, and Ovals by me on an HQ Avante

Three in a Row, Original Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Keystone Corners, Original Version
Size: 60 1/2" x 60 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Meander Layer Cake by Aneela Hoey for Moda
                        3 1/2 Yards of Meander Cloud Field for the Background
                        5/8 Yard of Meander Navy Tiny Square Dot for Binding
                        4 Yards of Meander Denim Foxes for Backing
Quilting: Custom Quilted Swirls, Straight Lines, Loops, and Cobblestones by me on an HQ Avante.

Keystone Corners, Original Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Diamond Dash, Original Version
Size: 64 1/2" x 64 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Seashore Drive Layer Cake by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda
                        3 3/4 Yards of Seashore Drive Sweet Pea Ivory for the Background
                        4 Yards of Seashore Drive Sky Pebble for Backing
Quilting: Custom Quilted Curly Q's, Ribbon Candy, and Echoed Arches by me on an HQ Avante.

Diamond Dash, Original Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Aurora, Original Version
Size: 68" x 68"
Fabrics Used - 1 Beautiful Day Layer Cake by Corey Yoder for Moda
                        4 1/8 Yards of Beautiful Day Cloud Star Gazing for the Background

                        5/8 Yard of Beautiful Day Slate Rose Buds for Binding
                        4 1/8 Yards of Beautiful Day Cloud Wild Rose Floral for Backing
Quilting: Custom Quilted Swirls, Echoed Arches, Straight Lines, and Pebbles by me on an HQ Avante.

Aurora, Original Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Dutch Days, Original Version
Size: 72" x 72"
Fabrics Used - 1 Harmony 10" Stacker by Melissa Lee for Riley Blake Designs

                        2 7/8 Yards of Texture Cream for the Background
                        5/8 Yard of Harmony Grape Bloom for Binding
                        4 3/8 Yards of Blossom Apricot Blush for Backing

Quilting: Custom Quilted Curls and Echoed Arches by me on an HQ Avante.

Dutch Days, Original Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Merry-Go-Round, Original Version
Size: 76 1/2" x 76 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Indigo Garden 10" Stacker by Heather Peterson for Riley Blake Designs

                        4 7/8 Yards of Texture Cream for the Background
                        4 3/4 Yard of Large Hashtag Teal for Backing

Quilting: Custom Quilted Echoed Paisleys, Straight Lines, and Pebbles by me on an HQ Avante.

Merry-Go-Round, Original Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Jacks, Original Version
Size: 62 1/2" x 77 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Paisley Rose Layer Cake by Crystal Manning for Moda

                         4 71/2 Yards of Bella Solids Porcelain for the Background

                         4 3/4 Yard of Paisley Rose Golden Rose Garden for Backing

Quilting: Custom Quilted Pebbles, Wishbone, Ribbon Candy, and Loop d loop by me on an HQ Avante.

Jacks, Original Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Puzzle Box, Original Version
Size: 62" x 62"
Fabrics Used - 1 Morning Light Layer Cake by Linzee McCray for Moda

                         2 3/4 Yards of Morning Light Cloud Downy Phlox for the Background

                         3 7/8 Yard of Morning Light Dew Pansy Yardage for Backing

Quilting: Custom Quilted Meandering in Framed Boxes and Straight Lines by me on an HQ Avante.

Puzzle Box, Original Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Treasured, Original Version
Size: 52 1/2" x 68 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Sonnet Dusk 10" Stacker by Corri Sheff for Riley Blake Designs

                        3 Yards of Blossom on White Rose Gold Sparkle for the Background
                        3 3/8 All About Plaids Tartan Black for Backing

Quilting: Custom Quilted in Wishbone, Pebbles, and Feathered Swirls by me on an HQ Avante.

Treasured, Original Version - Blog Post

Bonus Patterns for 10" Squares

Quilt: Fast & Fun Sampler
Size: 92" x 92"
Fabrics Used - 2 Sunnyside Layer Cakes by Camille Roskelley for Moda

                        9 Yards of Grunge White Paper for the Background
                        5 1/2 Yards of Sunnyside Floral for Backing

Quilting: All Over Swirls and Echoed Paisleys quilted by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Fast & Fun Sampler - Bonus Pattern and Blog Post

Quilt: Thunderbird, Bonus Fast & Fun Lap Quilt Pattern
Size: 60" x 72"
Fabrics Used - 1 Persimmon Layer Cake  by Basic Grey for Moda
                        3 1/4 Yards of Grunge White Paper for the Background
                        5/8 Yard of Persimmon Floral Yellow for Binding
                        3 1/2 Yards of Persimmon Floral Yellow for Backing
Quilting: All over Echoed Paisleys by me on an HQ Infinity

Thunderbird, Bonus Pattern and Blog Post

Quilt: The Christmas Star, Bonus Fast & Fun Lap Quilt Pattern
Size: 56" x 74"
Fabrics Used - 1 Christmas Eve Layer Cake  by Lella Boutique for Moda
                        3 1/4 Yards of Grunge Little Black Dress for the Background
                        5/8 Yard of Christmas Eve Red Stripe for Binding
                        3 1/2 Yards of Christmas Eve Red Floral for Backing
Quilting: All over Echoed Paisleys by me on an HQ Infinity

The Christmas Star, Bonus Pattern and Blog Post

More Fast & Fun Lap Quilts

Quilt: Three in a Row, Wild Meadow Version
Size: 54 1/2" x 65"
Fabrics Used - 1 Wild Meadow Layer Cake by Sweetfire Road for Moda
                        3 1/4 Yards of Spotted Powder for the Background
                        5/8 Yard of Wild Meadow Sweet Pea Berry Bramble Stripe for Binding
                        3 1/2 Yards of Wild Meadow Boysenberry Wildberry Blossoms for Backing
Quilting: All Over Quilted Wavy Lines by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Three in a Row, Wild Meadow Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Three in a Row, Big Sky Version
Size: 54 1/2" x 65"
Fabrics Used - 1 Big Sky Layer Cake by Gingiber for Moda
                        3 1/4 Yards of Pale Green Solid for the Background
                        5/8 Yard of Green Solid for Binding
                        3 1/2 Yards of Green Print from Stash for Backing
Quilting: All Over L and E quilted by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Three in a Row, Big Sky Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Keystone Corners, Ciao Bella Version
Size: 60 1/2" x 60 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Ciao Bella 10" Stacker by Carina Gardner for Riley Blake Designs
                        3 1/2 Yards of Confetti Cottons Riley White for the Background
                        5/8 Yard of Ciao Bella Main Midnight for Binding
                        4 Yards of Blossom Peony for Backing
Quilting: All Over Quilted Wavy Arches by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Keystone Corners, Ciao Bella Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Keystone Corners, Fleur Noire Version
Size: 60 1/2" x 60 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Fleur Noire 10" Stacker by My Minds Eye for Riley Blake Designs
                        3 1/2 Yards of Poplin Beach for the Background
                        5/8 Yard of 1/4" Black Stripe for Binding
                        4 Yards of Blossom Beach for Backing
Quilting: All Over Quilted L and E by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Keystone Corners, Fleur Noire Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Keystone Corners, Alma Mater Version
Size: 60 1/2" x 60 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Fleur Noire 10" Stacker by My Minds Eye for Riley Blake Designs
                        3 1/2 Yards of Riley Red for the Background
                        4 Yards of Black Solid for Backing
Quilting: All Over Wavy Arches quilted by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Keystone Corners, Alma Mater Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Diamond Dash, Nantucket Summer
Size: 64 1/2" x 64 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 2 Nantucket Summer Layer Cakes by Camille Roskelley for Moda
                        3 3/4 Yards of Indigo Chambray for the Background
                        4 Yards of Nantucket Summer Cream Mulit for Backing
Quilting: All Over Loose Feathers by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Diamond Dash, Nantucket Summer Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Diamond Dash, Red, White, and True
Size: 64 1/2" x 64 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Red, White, & True 10" Stacker by Dani Mogstad for Riley Blake Designs 

                        3 3/4 Yards of  Denim Bee Cross Stitch Basic for the Background
                        4 Yards of Navy Sparkler for Backing
Quilting: All Over Swirls by me on an HQ Infinity Long Arm.

Diamond Dash, Red, White, and True Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Aurora, Country Rose Version
Size: 68" x 68"
Fabrics Used - 1 Country Rose Layer Cake by Lella Boutique for Moda
                        4 1/8 Yards of Country Rose Charcoal Magic Dot for the Background

                        5/8 Yard of Country Rose Charcoal Climbing Vine for Binding
                        4 1/8 Yards of Country Rose Charcoal Country Boquet for Backing
Quilting: All Over Paisleys and Swirls by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Aurora, Country Rose Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Aurora, Honeycomb Hill Version
Size: 68" x 68"
Fabrics Used - 1 Honeycomb Hill 10" Stacker by Katherine Lenius for Riley Blake Designs 
                        4 1/8 Yards of  Oxford Blossom for the Background

                        5/8 Yard of Honeycomb Hill Main Navy for Binding
                        4 1/8 Yards of Oxford Blossom for Backing
Quilting: All Over loose feathers by me on an HQ Infinity Long Arm.

Aurora, Honeycomb Hill Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Dutch Days, Ombre Galaxy Version
Size: 72" x 72"
Fabrics Used - 1 Ombre Galaxy Fat Quarter Bundle by V and Co.  for Moda

                        2 7/8 Yards of Ombre Galaxy Putty for the Background
                        5/8 Yard of Ombre Galaxy Onyx for Binding
                        4 3/8 Yards of Ombre Galaxy Graphite Grey for Backing

Quilting: All Over Fireworks by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Dutch Days, Ombre Galaxy Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Dutch Days, Ally's Garden Version
Size: 72" x 72"
Fabrics Used - 1 Ally's Garden 10" Stacker by Dani Mogstad for Riley Blake Designs

                        2 7/8 Yards of Texture White Basics for the Background
                        5/8 Yard of Ally's Garden Cream Floral for Binding
                        4 3/8 Yards of Sparkler Boy Boue for Backing

Quilting: All Over Loose Feathers by me on an HQ Infinity Long Arm.

Dutch Days, Ally's Garden Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Merry-Go-Round, Low Volume Version
Size: 76 1/2" x 76 1/2"
Fabrics Used - Lots and Lots of Low Volume Scraps

                        4 7/8 Yards of Linen Dark Grey Texture for the Background
                        4 3/4 Yard of All About Plaid Hounstooth Black for Backing

Quilting: All Over Open Centered Swirls by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Merry-Go-Round, Low Volume Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Jacks, Scrappy Rainbow Version
Size: 62 1/2" x 77 1/2"
Fabrics Used - Lots and Lots of Rainbow Scraps

                         4 1/2 Yards of Grunge Gris Fonce for the Background

                         4 3/4 Yard of Creativity Grows Blackboard You Are Loved for Backing

Quilting: All Over Echoed Paisleys by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Jacks, Scrappy Rainbow Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Jacks, Alma Mater Version
Size: 62 1/2" x 77 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Red Hot 10" Stacker for Riley Blake Designs

                         4 1/2 Yards of Blossom Black for the Background

                         4 3/4 Yard of Black Solid for Backing

Quilting: All Over Swirls by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Jacks, Alma Mater Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Puzzle Box, Blossom Basics Version
Size: 62" x 62"
Fabrics Used - 1 Blossom Basics Fat Quarter Bundle by Chris Thompson for Riley Blake Designs

                         2 3/4 Yards of Blossom Black for the Background

                         3 7/8 Yard of Daisy Tone on Tone Black Yardage for Backing

Quilting: All Over Echoed Loop D Loops by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Puzzle Box, Blossom Basics Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Treasured, Expressions Batik Version
Size: 52 1/2" x 68 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Expression Batiks Meadow 10" Stacker for Riley Blake Designs

                        3 Yards of Hand Dyed Pale Pink Batik for the Background
                        3 3/8 Multi Wideback Expressions for Backing

Quilting: All Over Curly Q's by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Treasured, Expressions Batik Version - Blog Post

Quilt: Treasured, Porch Swing Version
Size: 52 1/2" x 68 1/2"
Fabrics Used - 1 Porch Swing 10" Stacker for Riley Blake Designs

                        3 Yards of Black Solid for the Background
                        3 3/8 Yard of Black Stash Print for Backing

Quilting: All Over Curly Q's by me on an HQ Avante Long Arm.

Treasured, Porch Swing Version - Blog Post

And that is Fast & Fun Lap Quilts 

All the Quilts and All the Details

Any other information you would like to have listed on these quilts please just let me know in the comments ;)

Oh, and I made a Button on the Side of the blog that will bring you straight to this post ;)  Any time you visit my blog you can just click on this button on the right hand side of my blog to be taken right to this post to see all about Fast & Fun Lap Quilts ;) 

Happy Quilting!!!