Swirling Leaves - A Cover Girl Quilt!!!

Today I am so super excited to share a secret finish that I made at the beginning of the year and it has been so hard to keep it a secret because I just love it!!   We all know I love Chain Quilts, well, I took a favorite chain and added some Fall Foliage to it to create Swirling Leaves!!!   Isn't it just so pretty!!!   

Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. ©2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.

And guess what . . . It is a Cover Girl!!!!   I totally squealed when my friends at American Patchwork and Quilting sent me this image :)  I have to say, 10 years ago when I started this blog, I never dreamed of seeing my quilt on the cover of American Patchwork and Quilting!!!  Wow, just wow!!!    You can find out about all of the amazing projects in this Oct issue of APQ right over here.    And it is available for purchase wherever quilting magazines are sold, including online stores like Fat Quarter Shop.  

Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. ©2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.

Swirling Leaves finishes at 90" x 90" so it is a great size to snuggle up with a good book or use as a queen size bedspread for fall :)    I know it looks a little complicated, but it is actually very easy when broken down to simple blocks of leaves and chains!!    You are going to love making this and giving it your own fall flair!!

Swirling Leaves is  Fat Quarter Friendly.  I decided to use Fat Quarters and Background in my favorite Grunge, and just picked out a variety of orange, yellow, and reds.  To see the exact Grunge Colors I used go to this post.     But of course, it would look amazing in prints or solids as well.  Just grab 18 Fat Quarters and your favorite Background fabric and you are good to go!!!  

When it came time to quilt mine, I decided on all over swirls.  I mean, if you are going to call the quilt swirling leaves, you might as well add some swirls to the quilting, right!!!   And I just love the added texture it gives to that already super textured grunge.   So great!!!

And I am just so thrilled to finally get to share this quilt!!!   It really is a fun one to make, and I always love getting to work with fall color themes, they are just so warm and good!!!   And I have to say, don't you just love the way APQ pictured this quilt . . . talk about warm and good, I totally want to sit in front of that fire wrapped up in this quilt :)  

Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. ©2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.

And that is my Swirling Leaves Quilt!!!    I hope you like my new Swirling Leaves Quilt as much as I do.   And if you make your own, I would love to see it!!!   You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to social media with  #happyquiltingwithmc ;)  I can't wait to see your Swirling Leaves Quilts!!!

 I hope that you have a very Happy Quilting Day, I know mine is sure starting with a smile :)

Need a Quilting Marathon!!!

 So in this last week I was tidying up the sewing room and realized that I had 6 sets of finished blocks all in different piles waiting to be sewn into quilt tops.   I don't know what hit me, but I decided that was just not gonna fly anymore.  So I got busy!!!  I sewed all 6 sets of blocks into quilt tops and made quilt backs for them all as well.  Then I was on such a Finishing tare, I decided I need to also finish the quilt tops and backs for the three new WIP I had just started.  So, I added 9 to the "To Be Quilted" and was blown away to find there were already 10 waiting!!!!   So ya, 19 Projects that have the quilt top, backing, and binding made and are just waiting to be quilted :)

Yup, I need to have a Quilting Marathon!!!  If only that were an Olympic Sport, tee hee hee.

I am hoping to start working through this soon, the kids go back to school in 2 weeks so I think I can really start making some progress then.

Can't wait to share more soon . . . and speaking of share, I have a secret sewing project that I will be sharing on Monday, so be sure to pop back in next week!!

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

P.S.  Just in case you are worried, I have also cut out 5 new quilts in the last week, so never fear, I don't think I will ever run out of Works in Progress :)   

Texas Monthly - Month 8

It's a new month and with that means a new block in the Texas Monthly Block of the Month program!   This BOM is hosted by Stitchin' Heaven  and is so much fun!!!    And we are moving on to Month 8 today :)   

So let's get going and there are 2 blocks this month and this is probably the easiest month we have had so far :)  So this is a great month to pull out some older blocks as well if you need to do a little catch up ;)   So let's get piecing!!!  

Cutting

I like to start out by pressing all of my fabrics.  Then it is time for cutting!!!  I like to cut all of my pieces for all of my blocks at the start.  Just be sure to keep them in piles separate for each block.  

And with all your pieces cut . . . you are ready to move on to the first block.

The Churn Dash Blocks

Churn Dash blocks are super classic and super fun and fast to make, especially with a little strip piecing.   Which is where we will start.   Gather your White and Purple 2" x WOF strips.  Place them with right sides together.  

Stitch a 1/4" seam along the long edge.   When strip piecing, I like to use a smaller stitch length so my stitches don't unravel when the pieces are subcut.   It's totally okay if your strips do not match perfectly at the ends.   Just fold the WOF Strip set in half, and cut a straight edge along the two edges.  

Now press your strip set towards the Purple strip.   Take care when pressing a strip set that you don't stretch the material.  I like to press from the front and run my finger along the edge of the seam just in front of my iron.  This keeps bubbles out of the seam and ensures no stretching.    

Once you have pressed the strip set, fold it in half again and lay it on your cutting mat so the top is aligned with a horizontal line on your mat.   Measure in 3 1/2" from your straight edge and cut a side unit.  

Continue measuring in 3 1/2" and cutting sub-cutting side units until you have a total of 8 Side Units measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/2".   The remainder of the strip can be scrapped.  

And now we are moving on to Half Square Triangle Units.  (Note, the cutting instructions are for no trimming HST's, but if you prefer to cut your HST squares to 4" and then trim down after sewing, you can see this tutorial for details :)    Gather your 3 7/8" White and Blue squares.  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of your 4 White squares.   

Place a marked square onto the Blue Square with Right Sides Together.     Stitch a 1/4" seam on either side of the drawn line.  I like to chain stitch all 4 squares on the right side of the line, and then chain stitch all 4 squares on the left side of the line.    Cut directly on the drawn line to make 2 triangles.  Press towards the  seams towards the Blue Triangle and then trim the dog ears to make 8 Half Square Triangle Units total all measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/2". 

And now, the units are made and we are ready to piece the block.  Layout the 4 Half Square Triangle Units, 4 Side Units, and 1 White 3 1/2" squares as shown.   Layout 2 blocks to look just like this. We will chain stitch the next few steps so we make both blocks at the same time.  

Place the center column pieces onto the left hand pieces with right sides together.   Align and pin if desired.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units of both blocks. 

Then, place the left hand column pieces onto the center pieces with right sides together.   Align and pin if desired.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units of both blocks. 

Press the top and bottom row open.   Press the center row outwards towards the Purple rectangles. 

Place the top row onto the center row with right sides together.   Align and pin the seams.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge of of both blocks. 

And now, place the bottom row onto the center row with right sides together.   Align and pin the seams.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge of of both blocks. 

And just like that, you have two classic Churn Dash Blocks that should measure 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" unfinished.  

So now you are ready to move onto to making the . . . 

Blue Truck and Alamo Pieced Panels

And these are super easy and quick.   Gather your Blue Truck Panel, the Alamo Panel, and your 2 White 3" x 9 1/2" rectangles.   We are basically just going to trim the panels and then add the White strip to the bottom.  

So let's start with the Blue Truck Panel.  We will be trimming this to 7" x 9 1/2".  So I find it easiest to use a 9 1/2" Square ruler.   Center the ruler on the panel by measuring 5/8" to the top of the roosters head at the top of the panel and 5/8" from the 7" line to the bottom of the grass on the bottom of the panel.  That centers it horizontally.  To center it vertically measure 1" in on either side to the edge of the grass hedge.  Now that you are all aligned, trim along the 3 sides of the panel.  

And then just flip the panel 180 degrees, align the ruler with the raw edge on the sides and with the 7" mark on the ruler with the "top" of the panel.   Trim the bottom of the panel along the edge of the ruler.  

Onto the Alamo Panel.  Again, we will be trimming this to 7" x 9 1/2".  Center the 9 1/2" square ruler on the panel by measuring 3/4" to the top of the blue sky at the top of the panel and 3/4" from the 7" line to the bottom of the building on the bottom of panel.  That centers it horizontally.  To center it vertically measure 1" in on either side to the edge, the right hand the building sticks out a bit, and the left hand align with the side of the tree.  Now that you are all aligned, trim along the 3 sides of the panel.  

Once again, flip the panel 180 degrees, align the ruler with the raw edge on the sides and with the 7" mark on the ruler with the "top" of the panel.   Trim the bottom of the panel along the edge of the ruler.  

Now take your trimmed panels and place the 3" x 9 1/2" White rectangle along the bottom of the panel with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge on both panels and then press towards the White rectangle.  

See, super fun and fast!!!  Now you have two Pieced Panel blocks that should measure 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" unfinished.  

And that is it for  Texas Monthly Month 8!!!   It's always nice to have a fast block every once and a while :)

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

Hope y'all enjoy making this month's blocks! 

 Looking forward to Next Month!

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!

 It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!! Let's have some fun :)

First, we need to announce the winner from last Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of the Dwell in the Possibility Layer Cake from Kimberly's Fabric Stash is . . .   Number #100 . . . Congrats rainequilts !  I have messaged you :)  

           

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by  Thousands of Bolts .   Thousands of Bolts has incredible prices that will have you super excited!!!  There are thousands of bolts to choose from and all at amazing prices, staring as low as $5.39 a yard!!!   And they have just introduced dozens and dozens of new fabrics to the inventory!!  Be sure to check it out :)

And for Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway,  Thousands of Bolts is giving one lucky winner at $25.00 Gift Certificate!!!  You can get just what you always wanted :)   And good luck picking because there are literally thousands of bolts to choose from!!!!    And after you have shopped, they would sure love it if you could post a review on Google ;)  

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 worked at a circus, What job would you choose??

 ENTRY 2 - Lets show Thousands of Bolts some Love!!!!   You can follow them on   Facebook or Instagram.  Or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Thousand of Bolts Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, August 10th 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!!!

Serendipity Quilt Along - Finish!!

 The Serendipity Quilt Alonghosted by the Fat Quarter Shop has just come to an end and I am thrilled to be sharing my finished quilt!!!!  This has been such a fun quilt to make and I am so excited with how much was raised for Make a Wish Foundation, as in $120,000!!!!  Isn't that just amazing!!!    I just love participating in Fat Quarter Shop's annual charity QAL as not only do I finish with a beautiful quilt, but it also benefits so many wonderful children and their families!!!

I did not do the Pieced Backing on my quilt, just a basic one so I didn't bother to take a picture of it.  But if you want to do the original backing (it is a super cute flower ), you can find the Backing Pattern Here.    It is a super cute way to finish up the quilt, but I was just happy to get the quilt finished up with all of the craziness that is July :)  

And when it came time to quilt mine, I decided on an all over echoed paisley.  I haven't quilted this in a little while, and it is still a favorite all over design.  In fact, there is a video tutorial of how I do it right over here ;)   I just love all of the beautiful texture it adds to the quilt!!!

I can't even begin to say how much I have enjoyed this QAL!!!  This is my 7th year participating in the annual Charity Quilt Along (2015 Snapshots, 2016 Crossroads, 2017 Patchwork,  2018 Clementine, 2019 Threadology, 2020 Bloomtopia and of course, this year with Serendipity) .   And I have loved it every bit as much as the previous years and now I get to look forward to next year's !!!!

Be sure to share all of your Serendipity finishes on social media with #serendipityquiltalong!!!    I can't wait to see all of your finished quilts!!!!   What an amazing QAL this has been for such a wonderful cause :)  And here is to looking forward to 2022's Charity QAL!!!! 

Thanks for popping in today ;)  I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!