Kings Crossing - A Finish and Tutorial!!

Today I am super excited to share with you a new quilt finish along with a tutorial for it!!!!!   This is Kings Crossing and I have to say, I love it!!!

A little while back I was asked by the wonderful folks at Ink and Arrow Fabrics if I would like to make a quilt with some of there beautiful fabrics.   I instantly fell in love the little Pixies.  They are the perfect little blender dotish,  They are actually kind of like a dot that has been squared off on the ends, so cute :)    And I just knew with all those adorable squarish dots that I had to some fun interlocking geometric design to really show them off.  After a little bit of playing around with some sketches, I came up with this design.  And wha-la, Kings Crossing!!

And speaking of  Ink and Arrow Fabrics, Kings Crossing will be hanging it in their booth at Market!!!!  Such a special treat for me :)  Oh, and you might have guessed by the colors, but yes,  after it comes home from market this will be another quilt donated to my Alma Mater :)

I had so much fun making up this quilt.  It really goes together quick because it is made with a whole lot of strip piecing!!!  And who doesn't love a speedy bonus ;)   And I just love all of the wonderful movement this quilt has, the interlocking block design just keeps your eyes dancing around the quilt!!

And while I was having so much fun making this quilt up, I took some pictures along the way so I could share it with all of you!!!!   So . . . Let's get to the tutorial for making your own Kings Crossing Quilt!!!

To Make your own 72" x 72" Kings Crossing Quilt you will need:
3 Yards of Pixies Dots White
2 Yards of Pixies Dots Red
1 3/4 Yards of Pixies Dots Black
5 Yards of Pixies Dots Charcoal for Backing

Got all your fabrics . . . Let's get started!! 

STEP 1 - CUTTING

Be sure and press all of your yardage before cutting.  That is a huge help in accuracy.

From the Red Pixies Dot Yardage cut:
     (7) 4 1/2" x 42" strips - trim selvage
     (9) 3 1/2" x Width of Fabric strips
From the Black Pixies Dot Yardage cut:
     (4) 3 1/2" x Width of Fabric strips
     (8) 2 1/2" x 42: strips - trim selvage
     (7) 1 1/2" x 42" strips - trim selvage
     (28) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares
From the White Pixies Dot Yardage cut:
     (2) 21 1/2" x 21 1/2" squares
     (2) 13" x 13" squares
     (5) 3 1/2" x Width of Fabric strips
     (6) 1 1/2" x Width of Fabric strips
     (5) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares
     (26) 1 1/2" x 11 1/2" rectangles
     (26) 1 1/2" x 9 1/2" rectangles

Sub-cut the (2) 21 1/2" x 21 1/2" squares in half diagonally twice.   This will leave you with 8 large setting triangles.  You might need to use 2 rulers lined up in order to cut all the way across the squares ;)

Sub-cut the (2) 13" x 13" squares in half diagonally once.   This will leave you with 4 small corner setting triangles.    And now the cutting is done and you are ready to start piecing.

  STEP 2 - STRIP PIECING

This quilt is mostly strip pieced which will save a lot of time.   Strip piecing is simply sewing long strips together first, and then sub-cutting the pieced units you need.   Whenever I strip piece I always like to shorten my stitch length slightly so that the stitching won't unravel after it has been subcut.  And don't worry if your ends don't always match up perfectly, they will be trimmed anyways ;)

We will start by strip piecing a 1 1/2" white strip to a 3 1/2" red strip.  I just like to align my strips as I sew.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the entire strip edge.  Chain stitch 6 of these red/white strips and then clip the threads between the strip sets.    (and if you are new to quilting, chain stitching is just where you don't cut your threads between sewing.  So just keep feeding strip sets through your machine until you have sewn all 6 sets.)

Now,  we are going to take the 6 strip sets from the previous step and sew them together in sets of 2 too make 3 strip sets.  Place two of your sew strip sets with right sides together aligning the red and white strips again.  Chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge to strip piece 3 sets.  Clip the threads between the strip sets.

And finally, grab the remaining (3) 3 1/2" x WOF red strips.  Place the red strip along the white strip with right sides together.  Chain stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge to strip piece 3 sets total.  You will have 3 strip sets now that each have 3 red strips and 2 white strips between the reds ;)  Clip the threads between the strip set and set them aside for the moment.

And now, more strip piecing.  Place a 3 1/2" x WOF black strip onto a 3 1/2" x WOF white strip.  Once again, stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge aligning as you go.  Chain stitch 3 sets total.  Clip the threads between the strip sets.

Now, place a 3 1/2" x WOF White strip onto the pieced black strip and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge aligning as you go.  Chain stitch 2 sets total.  Clip the threads between the two strip sets.

And finally, grab the remaining pieced strip and a 3 1/2" x WOF Black strip and align the black strip along the pieced white strip.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge aligning as you go.  You only need to make the one strip set in this layout.

And now, move on over to your ironing board.  Press the seams of all your strip piecing towards the dark fabric.  So in the case of the red/white strip sets, press towards the red and in the case of the black/white strip sets, press towards the black.

   STEP 3 - SUB-CUTTING

It is now time to sub-cut our strip piecing to get all of our piecing units.  If you are new to sub-cutting strip piecing, I recommend checking out this little sub-cutting tutorial.  It goes into a little more detail than I do here ;)

Place your red/white strip piecing strip onto your cutting mat folded in half and aligning the top of the strip with a horizontal line on your mat. (stack your 3 strip sets if you like ;)    Using a vertical line on your cutting mat as a guide, cut a straight edge. (notice, you need 42" of usable fabric, so cut the straight edge close to the edge of the selvage.)    Measure in 3 1/2" inches and sub-cut your strip making a 3 1/2" x 11 1/2" strip set.

Continue in this fashion measuring and cutting 6 times which will result in 12 strip set units.  If you stacked your strip piecing you are done, if not, go ahead and sub-cut the other two red/white strip sets so you have a total of 36 red/white strip set units.

And now onto our black/white strip sets.  Place your black/white strip piecing strip onto your cutting mat folded in half and aligning the top of the strip with a horizontal line on your mat.  (again, stack your strip sets if you like) Using a vertical line on your cutting mat as a guide, cut a straight edge. (and again, keep the straight edge close to the edge of the selvage.)    Measure in 3 1/2" inches and sub-cut your strip making a 3 1/2" x 9 1/2" strip set red/white units.

Continue in this fashion measuring and cutting 6 times which will result in 12 strip set units.  If you stacked your strip piecing you are done, if not, go ahead and sub-cut the other two black/white strip sets so in the end you have a total of 24 white/black/white strip set units and 12 black/white/black strip set units.

And we need 3 more strip sets but we are just going to piece them as I didn't want to waste the rest of a strip set.   So layout (5)  3 1/2" x 3 1/2" white squares and (4) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" black squares as show below.

Sew the three sets into rows.  To do this, just place the middle square onto the first square with right sides together and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 3 sets.  Then place the last square onto the now pieced together first and second square and chain stitch a 1/4" seam along all 3 sets.   Press the seam allowance towards the black fabric.  (so that will be the first two inward and the last one outward.)

Place these with your other black/white strip sets.  You should now have 26 white/black/white strip set units and 13 black/white/black strip set units.

   STEP 4 - MAKING THE BLOCK

And with all of the strip piecing done, you are ready to start making blocks!!!  We are going to be making 9 patch blocks.  Place a white/black/white strip set unit onto a black/white/black strip set unit with right sides together.  You can pin the seams or simply nest/lock them as you sew.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Chain stitch 13 sets like this and then clip your threads.

Now, to finish the 9 patch, place a white/black/white strip set unit onto the raw edge of your black/white/black pieced unit.  Pin or nest the seams as you go.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge and continue chain stitching all 13 sets.  Clip your threads between blocks and  press the seam allowances open or to one side, depending on personal preference.

And now, we are going to add a little white border to the 9 patch blocks.   Place a 1 1 /2" x 9 1/2" rectangle on the top of a 9 patch block with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge. Chain stitch all 13 blocks like this and then clip your threads.   Now, repeat the same process, only chain stitch  a 1 1/2"x 9 1/2" rectangle to the bottom of all 13 blocks.  Clip the threads between the blocks and press the seam allowances outwards.

And now, onto the sides.  Place a 1 1 /2" x 1 1/2" rectangle on the left side a 9 patch block with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge. Chain stitch all 13 blocks like this and then clip your threads.   Now, repeat the same process, only chain stitch  a 1 1/2"x 11 1/2" rectangle to the right hand side of all 13 blocks.  Clip the threads between the blocks and press the seam allowances outwards.

And now you should have 13 Bordered Nine Patch blocks that each will measure 11 1/2" x 11 1/2" and you are ready to start putting your quilt top together.

   STEP 5 - MAKING THE QUILT TOP

Layout your Bordered Nine Patch Blocks, Strip Set Red/White units, remaining 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" black squares, Side Setting triangles, and Corner Setting triangles as shown below.

To start, in the skinny sashing strip rows, place your cornerstones onto the red/white sashing strips with right sides together.  In the block rows, place your red/white stashing strip onto the blocks with right sides together.   Sew a 1/4" seam along all the edges.  I like to stack everything up and take it to my sewing machine so that once again, I can chain stitch all of these and save time and thread.

Clip your threads and then press the seams of the sashing rows towards the black cornerstones and the seams of the block rows towards the blocks.  This avoids the most seams and allows everything to lie nice and flat.

Now, you can start to sew your rows together. Place the second block in the row onto the first with right sides together as shown in row 2.  Align and pin the seams.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Do the same for the skinny sashing row.     Then place the third block onto the now sewn together first and second block with right sides together as shown in row 3.  Align and pin the seams.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  And again, do the same for the skinny sashing row.    Continue in this fashion until all the units in a row are sewn together.  Repeat for all rows, both blocks and sashing rows.

Once again, press the seams of the sashing rows towards the black cornerstones and the seams of the block rows towards the blocks.  Your quilt top should look a little something like this.

Now, we need to add the sashing rows to the block rows.   Place the sashing rows onto the block rows with right sides together as shown below.  Notice the center row will have a sashing row on both the top and bottom of the row.   Align and pin the seams.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along all the pinned edges.

Press the seams open or to the side depending on preference.And now, you are ready to add the setting triangles.

Place the setting triangles on the ends of each pieced row with right sides together.  Align the Side Setting triangles with the edge of the row and center the Corner Setting triangles.   I like to pin them in place, just because it is easy to accidentally have them facing the wrong way if they slide off and get twisted on the way to your machine.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along all the pinned edges.

Clip your threads and press towards the setting triangles.   And now, all that is left is to sew the rows together.  I like to start on both ends and work my way inwards.   Place and center the Corner Setting Triangles onto the first rows with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge and press outwards towards the Corner Setting Triangles.

And sorry, I somehow, missed taking a picture of adding the next row, but it is the same process.  Just place the row moving inwards onto the next row with right sides together.  Align and pin the seams.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  I like to press these seams open, but if your prefer, press them to the side.

And continue in this fashion until all the rows have been sewn together!!!  Now, using your mat, ruler, and rotary cutting, square up your quilt, trimming the slight bit of excess setting triangle 1/4" away from the the points of the cornerstones.

 STEP 6 - ADDING BORDERS

And now, you just have to add the borders!!!  Grab your (7) 1 1/2"x 42" black strips and sew them together end to end to make one giant long strip.

Do the same for your (7) 4 1/2" x 42" red strips.   Press the seam allowances to one side of both the black and red strips.

We will start with the black border.  Place the black strip onto the top of the quilt top with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge, aligning as you go.  When you get to the edge of the quilt top, trim the strip even with it.   Repeat this process for the bottom of the quilt top.

Press the seams outwards towards the black strip.  And now add the two side borders in the same fashion.   Place the strip onto the left hand side of the quilt with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge aligning as you go.  Clip the strip at the edge of the quilt top.  Repeat for the left hand side of the quilt and press the seams outwards towards the black strip.

Now repeat the exact same process for the red border strip, adding it to the top and bottom of the quilt first and then pressing.  And then adding it to the two sides and pressing.

And your beautiful 72" x 72" quilt top is done!!!!   Isn't it just so fun!!!

 STEP 7 - FINISHING

And all that is left is to just Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind It!!!  Which is a whole lot in one little sentence.  If you are new to quilting, you can see my Finishing Your Quilt Series of video tutorials that will walk you through Basting, Quilting, and Binding step by step ;)

I had a lot of fun quilting mine with some custom quilting of double swayed arches, pebbles, swirls, and paisleys.

I will say, I wish I would have used white thread on the white background, but I was trying to pick a nuetral color grey that would work on the red, black, and white.  Ah well, live and learn ;)  But I sure do love all of that fun quilting ;)  And you have to love all of the yummy texture it creates.

Use the remaining (8) 2 1/2"x 42" black strips for binding the quilt.

And now, just sit back and enjoy your beautiful Kings Crossing Quilt!!!  It really is the perfect size (72" square) to take on a picnic and enjoy the summer sun!!

 I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and if you make your own Kinds Crossing Quilt I would love to see it!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to my flickr group here ;)

Oh, and if you happen to be in Salt Lake for Market, be sure to stop by the Ink and Arrow Fabrics booth to see Kings Crossing in person ;)

And that's all for today!!!  I hope you all have a super Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking up this finish to Sarah's and Amanda's and Quilt Story ;)

Crafted Applique Blog Hop!!

Today I am super excited to share with you a fantastic new book all about a truly innovative way to do applique!!!  The new technique is called Crafted Applique and it is so fun!!!  The brilliant mind behind Crafted Applique - New Possibilities is Lara Bucella, who is a long time reader of Happy Quilting and a wonderful friend!!!

Crafted Applique is a new idea for applique that allows for no more fusible webs or glue sticks.   The book explains all the ins and outs of Crafted Applique and has a great comparison breaking it down against other forms of applique.  But the thing I really love is how great this method is for no-fray raw edge applique.   Just look how perfect this hot pad from Lara's book is!!!

As mentioned, the book goes through the whole Crafted Applique technique.  When I flipped through the book, I totally knew I wanted to try Crafted Applique on this gorgeous project !!!!  It is called Fork Art Christmas and I just love it!!!  And what better project to try no-fray applique than with all of those gorgeously tiny curved pieces.   So pretty!!!

Oh, and if you happened to see Lara guest blogging at Sew Mama Sew yesterday as part of the tour, you would have seen these totally adorable Call Me Maybe Mug Rug Tutorials.   So ya, those might have just been added to the list as well.  I mean, how cute are those!!!

So ya, I know have 2 projects added to the list and I can't wait to give this Crafted Applique  a try!!!  Be sure to pop on over to Lara's and check out all of the amazing stops on the Crafted Applique Blog Hop!!!  There is a lot of amazing applique eye candy to be seen and of course more giveaways!!

And speaking of giveaways . . . Lara has generously offered to give 1 lucky Happy Quilting reader a copy of her new awesome book Crafted Applique!!!  To be entered for a chance to win, simply leave a comment telling me your 411 on applique . . . love it, hate it, never tried it, looking for a new method . . . you get the idea :)

The giveaway will be open until Saturday the 14th and I will announce the winner at the end of the day.  One entry per person please.  Good Luck and Happy Quilting!!

Winner and Trunk Show!!!

It's time to choose a winner of the 100 Blocks Vol 13 Magazine!!!!   I just love these magazines, they are just so full of quilt block goodness!!!  And I want to say a huge thank you to all of your sweet comments on my Box It All Up Block and Baby Quilt!!!  You all are just so sweet.
 And now, without further ado . . . the winner is . . . #39 . . . Kathy L!!!  Congrats, I have emailed you ;)

   

And a quick little tidbit before I sign off today.   If you happen to be in the Southern Utah area, I will be doing my Irish Chain Quilts Trunk Show tomorrow for the Cedar Chest Quilters Guild ;)   I will be at 489 E 200 S, Cedar City, UT 84720 at 10 am sharing the quilts from Irish Chain Quilts,  as well as signing books and answering any questions might have.  Just an all around good time!!!

Have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!  

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  Fat Eighth Bundle of Summerfest  from  Fat Quarter Shop  is . . .   Number #409 . . . Congrats Kathy!!!   I have emailed you :)    

 

    

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by The Intrepid Thread.  Julie carries an amazing variety of fabrics in her shop!!!  She always has amazing bundles that will blow you away.  And to really be blown away, be sure and check out her fabulous Sale Section for some great deals you won't want to miss!!! And Julie is having a special Monday May sales all this month and they are awesome :) 

   

Today's  Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is for some Holiday Fabric Goodness!!!  The Intrepid Thread is offering one lucky reader a warm Garland Fat Quarter Bundle by Cotton + Steel!!! I just love all of these cute Christmas prints in happy colors!!!

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 telling me  your favorite number and why it is your favorite.  (mine is 13 because it was my water polo number in high school ;)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your The Intrepid Thread love. You can follow them on Facebook, Bloglovin,  or Instagram.  You can Sign up for The Intrepid Thread Newsletter (right side bar) ,  Follow Their Blog, or you can Visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your The Intrepid Thread love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, May 17th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Patchwork Playtime

My sweet little nephew arrived a little early last week making his debut into the world on Cinco De Mayo!!!  I have to admit, I have been pretty busy with some secret sewing (market) that this little arrival sort of sneaked up on me.  Nothing like a little afternoon patchwork playtime to solve that ;)  

Sometimes I forget how enjoyable it is to just sew some simple patchwork.  It really is just so therapeutic to stitch and not really have to think so much about it :)  And it is so fast and so very fun, it really is like playtime!!!  I made This All Star Baby Quilt  for this little arrivals brother 2 years ago, and I wanted this new little brother's to be similar but not the exact same.   So I used an Varsity Layer Cake by Sweetwater for Moda cut into charms for the patchwork, and then decided to just add another row of patchwork and a border instead of the applique strip.

Now just to get it all quilted up and ready to give to mom!!!  And since I was at it, and had lots of charms from the Layer Cake, I made a second quilt top as well.  Now I have a back-up when another little one sneaks up on me ;)  

I will share both finishes just as soon as I can get them on the long-arm.  I just have to get one of those aforementioned secret sewing projects off first ;)  Gotta love Market time!!

And now I am just curious, When was the last time you did some simple patchwork??  Do you find it therapeutic and/or fun as well??