State Fair Quilt and Free PDF Pattern!!!

 I am so very excited to share my finished State Fair Quilt and the State Fair Quilt PDF Pattern with it!!!!  A few weeks ago, my friends at Fave Quilts asked if I would be willing to share a fast finish with them for their new Quick & Easy Quilt Club Newsletter.   It is for Beginners and experienced quilters alike and is a free newsletter featuring pre-cut patterns, quick patterns, and more!  And since I have been so loving working with Charm Packs . . . I did a super fun and super quick Charm Pack pattern.   And here it is, State Fair!!  

This quilt is made with a simple big block that uses Half Square Triangles.   The Half Square Triangles are made using a charm square so the only cutting you have to do from the start is the Background Fabric.   So great!!!    And don't you just love all of the movement, it is just like pennants dancing in the wind, which we always have at our State Fair, hence the name :)  

I choose to use 2 Charm Packs of Bonnie and Camille's new One Fine Day fabrics that come out in November .   I just love how happy and bright they are, just makes for the perfect picnic quilt!!  And what really adds to the picnic feel is the Royal Chambray background fabric.   It almost looks like denim but sews much easier than denim and makes all of those happy bright prints just pop!!!   

When it came time to quilt it, I decided on an all over Open Centered Swirl in varied sizes.  I quilted on a slightly larger scale than I usually do so it went really fast and was oh so much fun to quilt. I used a nice denim color  So Fine  thread so it blended perfectly into the  background and still blended great on the darker prints.  Have I mentioned how much I love So Fine for blending ;)  

A quick binding and State Fair was done!!   And now, it's your turn to make your own State Fair Quilt .   This one really is super fun to make and will go together in no time.  I am already planning another because the baby size is just so cute with it's 4 big blocks!!!   I am thinking an all scrappy low volume background but I haven't decided on prints yet ;) 

And like I was saying, there are multliple size options in the PDF.   I made the Picnic Size and plan to make the Baby Size, you can also make a Lap Size, Twin Size, and a Queen Size.  All 5 size options are in the State Fair Quilt PDF Pattern.   Here is the details of what you will need and the finished sizes for each of the 5 quilt options.  

I hope you enjoy this free State Fair Quilt PDF Pattern and that you make your own quilts!!!  And if you do, I would love to see them ;)   You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to social media with the hashtag #happyquiltingwithmc and #statefairquilt ;)  I can't wait to see your State Fair Quilts!!!

Thanks so much for popping in and sharing this finish with me.  If you have any questions at all on making your own, don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com  

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

Texas Monthly - Month 9

  It's a new month and 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 9 today, only a few more to go :)   

So let's get going!!   There is only 1 set of blocks this month and we are going to make 2 of them.    And we are back to Paper Piecing!!!  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.  This month is super easy because there are only 2 fabrics to cut in two basic sizes.  

And with all your pieces cut . . . you are ready to move on to piecing.

Cardinals in Winter Block

And we are back to Paper Piecing!!!  So grab your Add a Quarter Ruler and Folding template, and make 2 copies of the Cardinals in Winter Paper Piecing Template.   Oh, and just a side note, double check your template that it measures 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" on the outer lines before you start stitching.  Some copiers can "shrink to fit" making your piecing off, ask me how I know ;)   

And we have done a lot of Paper Piecing by now, So I will just skim over that part.   But if you need a refresher course on Paper Piecing, see the Month 2 post and some helpful hints in Month 3 post ;)    Just remember, its all about Trim, Stitch, (using a smaller stitch length) Press, and Repeat.   And remember, we are making 2 blocks so you can chain stitch both blocks at the same time.  

Once all of your Paper Piecing is complete, trim the 2 Blocks along the Outside Line to create your 2 Cardinals In Winter Block.  

And just like that, you are done!!!   Wasn't this a fun and fast month ;)  You now have 2 beautiful Cardinals in Winter Blocks that will measure 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" unfinished.    

And now that your blocks are made all that is left for this month is to take those blocks and sew them into into Center Section of the quilt!!  

Center Section

So to do that, start by laying out your 2 Churn Dash and 2 Watercolor Blocks from last month with your Cardinals in Winter Blocks from this month as shown below.   

Place the Cardinals in Winter Blocks onto the Left Hand blocks with right sides together.   Align and pin the edge.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge taking care to stitch through the thread X's on the edges of your Cardinal Blocks  for perfect points. 

Now place the Right Hand blocks onto the Cardianl blocks with right sides together.   Align and pin the edge.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge again,  stitching through the thread X's.  

Press the seams of both rows outwards towards the Churn Dash and Watercolor Blocks.  

And all that is left is to add your Texas Applique block from Month 7.  Layout the two Pieced Rows you just made with the Texas Applique Block in the center as shown.

Place the Top and Bottom rows onto the Applique Block with right sides together.  Align and Pin the edges.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edges.  Again, if you take care to stitch directly along the bottom of the Fabric V and thread X's at the seams, you will ensure perfect points.    Press the seams inwards towards the Texas Applique Block.  

And now you are all done with the Center Section of your Texas Monthly Quilt and also with Month 9!!   Way to go!!! 

Wasn't  Texas Monthly Month 9 just so fun!!!  I know I sure liked it :)

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 $25.00 Gift Certificate from Lou Lou's Fabric Shop is . . .   Number #107 . . . Congrats Lisa!  I have messaged you :)  

    

           

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Olie and Evie.  Rhonda's shop is so fun and full of so much amazing quilting goodness!!!!  Of course, there is the amazing fabric shop we all know and love along with longarm quilting, gift certificates, preorders, and an awesome Clearance Sale!!   Be sure to pop on over and check it out!!! 

And Rhonda's has a fantastic Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!!     Olie and Evie  is giving one lucky winner a $25.00 Gift Certificate!!!   Then you can get just what you want ;) 

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 What is your favorite Sports Team??

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Olie and Evie love.   You can follow them on  Facebook, Instagram  or Pinterest or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Olie and Evie Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, September 7th, 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!!!

August Sew Sampler Box!!

 My August Sew Sampler Box arrived in the mail and I was just so super excited to open it up!!!  I even managed not to peek on Instagram this month, so it was a total surprise!!!  And the theme of Cute as a Button totally fits this month, because everything is just adorable!!!    August's Sew Sampler Box is just so cute!!! 

I just love this adorable In Stitches exclusive quilt pattern!!!  Isn't that just so adorable, what a cute baby quilt it will make!!   And the Stitch Jolly Bar by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs is just perfect for making it.  I love all of those adorable vintage designs and colors ;)  Yup, this one is adding to the "to Make" list.  

And the notions this month are also just so cute and handy as well!!!!  I love these adorable Stitch Buttons also by Lori Holt.   I don't know what I will use them for yet, but I am sure they will notch up the cute factor on several quilts.  I just love the little detail in each button ;)   And the Tiny Trinket Tin is just so adorable!!  It even has a second hidden lid, just to cute ;)   I am going to keep these buttons in it for now, until I decide what to use them for.   And finally, the Pastel Slap and Wrap Peels from Gypsy Quilter are just awesome.   Think slap bracelets for all of your tubes of interfacing, triangles on a roll, ect.   So great for keeping things neat and tidy!!!  

And finally, a new month means a new block ;)   Here is  Block 5 of the Bright Side Quilt along!!   Isn't that heart just so cute!!!   I am just loving these blocks in all of the Basic Grey goodness!!    And I am still thinking of making a second block of each month in all basic grunge in neutral tones.  I need to get going on that before I get to far behind :)

And just a note,  Sew Sampler boxes currently have No Waiting List!!!  So you can sign up right away and get a box on your door step next month!!! So fun :)  

And that is August's  Sew Sampler Box!!  Looking forward to seeing what next month will bring ;)

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

3 Iron Giants Quilts!!

 Well, today was the opening of the Iron Giants Mountain Biking Team  season and I was able to finish up these quilts for my two mountain bikers just in time!!!  (as in last night at 10, tee hee hee)   Aren't they just so fun!!  I mean, does it get better then a custom rally quilts for your team :)    They bike at a place called Three Peaks, that looks a lot like the peaks in the quilt, hence the inspiration for little "mountain geese".   

I used the Spell it With Moda Letters for the Iron Giants and did the quilt in the team colors.   That is Kona Carrot, Kona Jade Green, Kona Charcoal and Kona Black.    Don't you just love that there are so many color options in solids, makes it so easy to match it perfectly :)  

I also used my little Slice to cut out my kids names and the biking Logo's.  GRiT is for Girls Riding Trails and BRuH is for Boys Riding Hills.   Unfortunately, I wasn't told until after I had already appliqued them on that the u and the i are supposed to be lower case.   Luckily, they don't mind, they still think they are super cool and used them to stay warm at the race early this morning before the sun came out :)  

When it came time to quilt them, I wanted to try and make it look like "bike trails", so I opted for wavy lines moving across the quilt.   Always an easy design, but oh so much walking back and forth in front of the longarm.   I certainly got in a workout as well :)    Oh, and it is a bit hard to tell in the picture, but I alternated colored threads for the team colors as well.   Fun!!!

Oh, and why three quilts you ask . . . I can't begin to thank the Coaches for what they have done for my kiddo's!!!   Being a part of this team has really helped them to grow into the amazing little people they are.   So what better way to say thank you than with a quilt :)  

And just in case you are wondering . . . the race was awesome!!!  It was Kami's first time officially racing and she loved it (can you tell :)   We are so proud of these two.  Kristian (Nader for short) races later today and we are excited to cheer him on as well!!!  

And I didn't even know it when I was designing the quilts . . . but their uniforms this year totally match!!!  How fun is that, made this mama's heart happy!!   I am so glad to have these three quilts done, they were super fun to make, but I will say, making three of the exact same quilts can get a little monotonous.  But they were totally worth it to see my kiddo's smile from ear to ear this morning!!!

And that is it for today!  I got to head back to the race course in a few ;)

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