Aurora - Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book Tour

 It's Week 4 of my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book Tour and today I am sharing the Aurora quilt! This quilt is made up of two blocks, that area actually pieced with the same units.  I love how you can create two totally different blocks with the same pieces, so cool!!!   Oh, and I always love adding a "chain" in one of my quilts from a book (see the reason here) and this chain is subtle, but it is the perfect finish for this Aurora quilt.  

Here is the introduction I wrote about Aurora in the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book.  "I absolutly love designing Star blocks!  Truly, they are my go-to bread and butter of designing.  In Aurora, I added a pieced frame to a basic Ohio Star to create an amazing block.  Then a simple change n fabric placement and orientation made a wonderful new second block that forms a chain across the quilt top.  The two blocks combine to make a stunning 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 Aurora quilt.  It is the same as the "pin trick" that I share here, and it a total game changer in lining up lots of points.  My pinwheels have never looked so great :)   And this quilt has lots and lots of points, and they come out so perfect with this little trick ;)  

Aurora was made using Beautiful Day fabrics by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics.  All the quilts in Fast and Fun Lap Quilts are made with 1 Layer Cake/10" Stacker and a background fabric.  You will use 33 of the 10" squares for this quilt, and the Plan Ahead tip will help you divide your fabrics, so you know exactly where each fabric will go in your quilt and can plan accordingly.  This quilt finishes at 68" x 68", making it a great square lap size.  

I had so much fun custom quilting each of the quilts in Fast & Fun Lap Quilts .  For this Aurora quilt, I quilted swirls in the background, and then straight lines and pebbles in the blocks.  I left the center stars unquilted so they pop :)   And you know, it's my favorite 402 So Fine thread that I used to blend perfectly into the white background and all of the prints.   I just love how it all came together. 

And that is Aurora quilt, the fourth 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 Aurora 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 an Aurora Quilt, my good friend, Vanessa Goertzen has mocked up Aurora using her new Christmas Eve fabrics that will come out in May of next year!!!   Isn't that just so amazing!!!!  This design looks so amazing in Christmas and this has totally been added to my "to make" list.  You can see all the details at Vanessa's blog , Lella Boutique .

And while you are visiting Vanessa at Lella Boutique, be sure to enter her giveaway.  Christmas Eve isn't out until May of 2023, but Vanessa scored one Christmas Eve Layer Cake to giveaway!!  How awesome is that!!!  You can enter the giveaway at her blog.  

And that is it for today, thanks for popping in for Week 4 of the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book!

I am just so happy to share this Aurora quilt and be sure to pop back in on Friday when I will share a second version of the quilt (and it just so happens to be made with more of Vanessa's fabrics, so fun :)  

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!

Fast & Fun Lap Quilts - Christmas Bonus Quilt with Free PDF Pattern!!!

It's summer and that means sewing Christmas!!!   Christmas sewing in the summer has always been a favorite of mine.   And ever since we started the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Blog Tour and Vanessa shared her Aurora Quilt in Christmas Eve fabrics, I just knew I had to make a Fast & Fun Lap Quilt in Summer Christmas sewing ;)    And since I had a few extra designs from the submission of Fast & Fun Lap Quilts . . . I thought I would share this as a brand new Bonus Fast & Fun Lap Quilt!!!   Here is The Christmas Star and you can get the FREE PDF Pattern here ;)    

Just like all of the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts, it is made with 1 Layer Cake and some background fabric. I used the above mentioned Christmas Eve Fabrics by Lella Botique for Moda and paired it with my favorite . . . Grunge!!!  This is Grunge Black Dress and it just so makes these happy Christmas fabrics pop!!!  I just love it ;)    

And while this quilt might look a little complicated, it actually quite Fast & Fun to make, surprise, surprise!!!   The quilt is made with No-Waste Flying Geese, (which if you haven't made yet, you are going to love!!) and Half Square Triangles.  Those go together with some basic piecing of 12 blocks that are then surrounded by some tiny cornerstones to make this amazing The Christmas Star quilt.  It finishes at 56" x 74" so it is a great lap size quilt to snuggle up in ;)    

When it came time to quilt my The Christmas Star quilt, I decided to to an all over echoed paisley design. I love how it adds so much movement to all of those crisp points. And if you love this design, I just happen to have a free Video Tutorial for creating this free motion quilting design on your home machine ;)  It's always fun to be Happy Quilting!! 

I hope you love this The Christmas Star quilt as much as I do and if you make your own (or any of the quilts from Fast & Fun Lap Quilts) I would love to see them! You can share your projects with me on social media with the hashtags  #happyquiltingwithmc and #fastandfunlapquilts and tagging @happyquiltingmc or email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com. I can't wait to see your Quilts!!

And one last note before I sign off . . . Just in case you missed it . . . the Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt Along finished yesterday, and there were some amazing finishes ;)   If you didn't have the chance to join in the quilt along, no worries, you can still make the Fast & Fun Sampler Quilt.  All you need is the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book and the Fast & Fun Sampler Supplemental PDF Patterns that you can download here. I can't wait to see all of your Fast & Fun Sampler Quilts as well as your Christmas Star quilts!!!

 

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

Aurora - Fast & Fun Lap Quilts

 It's Week 4 of my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book Tour and today I am sharing a second version of the Aurora quilt! It's always fun to see how different a quilt can look by changing things up the fabrics, and wouldn't you know, Vanessa was my guest blogger this week, and she is also the fabric designer of this second version, to fun!!!    

 And doesn't it look just stunning in a dark background!!!  For this version of Aurora, I was really trying to highlight how much using a dark background can change up the look of the quilt.   Isn't it just incredible how the chain and the star centers just pop.   I love it so much!!!!    Using a dark background can really make your colors so vibrant, it is a great way to make the fabric stand out :)

This version of Aurora was made using Country Rose fabrics by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics.   This is the same fabric I used to make the Bloomers Quilt, and I loved it then, and I love it all the more with a dark background.   All the quilts in Fast and Fun Lap Quilts are made with 1 Layer Cake/10" Stacker and a background fabric.  And like I said, Country Rose was the perfect Layer Cake to just pop on this black polka dot background.  It is just so happy making ;)   The quilt finishes at 68" x 68".  

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 Aurora quilt, I quilted all over swirls and paisleys.   These are two of my favorite designs to quilt all over, and I just love all the yummy added texture it gives the quilt.   And when doing an all over using a black background, with pretty print colors, I recommend a nice soft grey thread.  It will blend into the black, but not stand out as much on the prints :) 

And that is another Aurora quilt, the third 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 Aurora 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 Vanessa's Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Giveaway for a beautiful Christmas Eve Layer Cake that you can use to make your own gorgeous Christmas Version of Aurora, be sure and pop on over and enter.  

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!!!