Thursday, October 6, 2022

BOHO Heart Block of the Month - Month 5

  It's Month 5 with my good friends at Stitchin' Heaven  doing their BOHO Heart Monthly Block of the Month program and that means another month of fun tutorials!!

Month 1                Month 2               Month 3             Month 4            Month 5               Month 6

Month 7                Month 8               Month 9            Month 10           Month 11              Month 12

And since each month has Lots and Lots of Tutorials in them . . . Here is a list to jump right to the tutorial you need for this month 5:  

Pinwheel Block                Small Framed Square Block                Grandmother's Flower Garden Block

Present Block                    Four Links Block                                Small Framed Dresden Plate Block

                         8" Courthouse Steps Block                10" Courthouse Steps Block

Sewing Section 3           Sewing Section 4               Sewing Section 5           Sewing Sections 3-5


So you have your Month 5 BOHO Heart Packet . . .  Lets get started!!! 


We'll start with our first block, and it's one we have already done, the . . .



From your Month #5, Pinwheel bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.    I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will trim.   


Using the cut squares and the Pinwheel Block Directions from Month 1 make your 2 blocks.   The Pinwheel Blocks measuring 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" unfinished.  


And now we can move onto another familiar block , the . . .



From your Month #5, Small Framed Square bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list. 



Using the cut pieces and the Mini Framed Square Block Directions from Month 2 make your block.  It is made the same way, just on a slightly larger scale.  The Small Framed Square Block should be measuring 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" unfinished.   


And with that done, we will move onto a final familiar block , the . . .



From your Month #5, Grandmother's Flower Garden Bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list.   Also, cut at least 7 stiff paper templates of the Hexagon shape.  


Using the cut pieces and the Grandmother's Flower Garden Block Directions from Month 4 make your block.    The Grandmother's Flower Garden Block should be measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.   


And now we get to move onto some new blocks, starting with the . . . 



From your Month #5, Present bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list. 


Start by making 4 two patch units.  To do this, simply place a yellow square onto a teal square with right sides together and stitch 1/4" seam.  Press the seams open.   


Now, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of 4 Yellow squares.   Place a Marked Square onto each of the 4 multicolored Fabric rectangles with right sides together as shown and pin them in place.   Sew a seam directly on the drawn line.  Trim 1/4" over the stitched line and scrap the excess.   Press the seam allowances upwards towards the Yellow Triangle.  


Now we repeat on the opposite side.  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of 4 Teal squares.   Place a Marked Square onto the opposite end of the 4 multicolored Fabric rectangles with right sides together as shown and pin them in place.   Sew a seam directly on the drawn line.  Trim 1/4" over the stitched line and scrap the excess.   Press the seam allowances upwards towards the Teal Triangle.  


Layout the two units you have made as shown.  Place the top row units onto the bottom row units with right sides together.   Align and pin.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the 4 units.  Press the seams open.


Layout the 4 Present Units as shown.


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


Press the seams open. 


Place the top row onto the bottom row with right sides together.   Align and pin/nest the seams and you can use the Pin Trick for the center seam.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge, stitching through the base if the Fabric V at the center.    Press the seams open.  


And just like that, you have a Present Block with perfect points that should be measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.  



And now we get to move onto another fun new block, the  . . . 



From your Month #5, Four Links bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list. 


Pair each of the Print Squares with a Background Square.  Also pair each Print small rectangle with the matching background rectangle.  


Place the Print pieces onto the Background pieces with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" along the edge of each pairing.  


Press the seams towards the Print Fabrics.  Layout the 8 units you just sewed matching the prints as shown. 


Place the Bottom row pieces onto the top row pieces with right sides together for each of the 4 pairings.  Stitch a 1/4" along the edge of each pairing.  


Press the seams towards the Print Fabric rectangle.  Layout the large rectangle matching the prints as shown below.  


Place each large rectangle onto the 4 pieced units with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" along the edge of each of the 4 pairings.  


Press the seams towards the Large rectangles.  Layout the four 4 Links Units as shown so the prints "link".  


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


Press the seams open. 


Place the top row onto the bottom row with right sides together.   Align and pin.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units.  Press the seam open.


And now you have made a Four Links Block that should be measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.  



So now it is time for one of my favorite blocks,  the  . . . 



From your Month #5, Dresden Plate bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.   You will need to use the small 1 1/4" Circle Template and the Small Dresden Plate Template.  


Now you are ready to start making your Dresden plates.  Fold each plate in half with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the widest top edge.  Chain stitch all 12 plates along the widest edge.  Then clip the threads between  all of your Dresden plates.


Finger press the seams open.  If you desire, you can clip away a little of the excess fabric at the point to help it lay flat, but just be very cautions not to clip your seam.  Turn the wedge right side out so that the seams are now hidden on the inside.  You can use a turning tool to help press out your points so they are nice and crisp.  Then press the edges.  


When pressing, take care to keep the seam centered in the plate.    They may want to shift on you a bit.  Try to make sure the seams are lined up :)



And now that the plates are all sewn and you are ready to start sewing them together.  We will sew the plates into 4 quadrants. Layout your plates as shown below.  


Lay the first plate onto the second plate with right sides together in each of the four quadrants.  Be sure to line up your folded edges along the top.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the 4 side edges. 


Then place the third plate onto the second plate with right sides together in each of the four quadrants.  Again, take care to line up your folded edges along the top.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the 4 side edges. 


Now you want to press the seams.  I like to press the seams open, but you can also press them to one side, just make sure to press them all in the same direction.  


Now place the right hand quadrants onto the left hand quadrants with right sides together.   Align and pin.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of the two units.  


Press the seams in the same manner you pressed the previous seams.  


Place the top quadrants onto the bottom quadrants with right sides together.   Align and pin.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge taking care to clip the threads between the two seams so it doesn't pull on the second seam.  Press the seams in the same manner you pressed the previous seams.  


And now, we are going to add our Dresden Plate into a block.  Fold your Gold square in half twice and finger press the crease.   Align the creases in the Gold Square with the points of the Dresden Plate.   Pin the Dresden Plate in place, I like to pin around the center of the plate so the pins won't get in the way when I secure stitch.   



Align the Center applique circle on the center of the Dresden plate.   Dab some applique glue or just use a little glue stick or a pin to secure the Circle Applique in place.  



And all that is left is to secure stitch your applique to your block.   I start with the center circle applique.  I used a grey neutral thread so it would match with all of the colors.   And as always, you can hand stitch or machine stitch using your favorite stitch.


When secure stitching around the Dresden Plate, you only need to stitch around the outside of the plate.  you do not need to secure stitch down the side seams. 


Almost there, we are just going to frame it now.  Layout the center Dresden square and the 4 purple rectangles as shown below.   


Place the small rectangles onto the top and bottom of the center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.  


 Press the seams outwards towards the black rectangles.   Place the longer rectangles onto the sides of the center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.    Press the seams outwards towards the black rectangles.    Press the seams outward again.  


And now you have a beautiful Small Framed Dresden Plate Block that should be measuring 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.  


And so now, it's time to move onto the . . . 



From your Month #5, 8" Courthouse Steps bag, cut the fabrics according to page 1 of the supplemental cutting list.  


 Layout the center square and the 4 smallest (yellow) rectangles as shown below.   


Place the 2 short rectangles onto the sides of the center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.  


Press the seams outwards towards the rectangles.


Place the 2 longer rectangles onto the top and bottom of the center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.  


Press the seams outwards towards the rectangles.  Now layout, the 4 medium size (white)  rectangles.   


Place the 2 short rectangles onto the sides of the pieced center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.  


Press the seams outwards.  Place the 2 longer rectangles onto the top and bottom of the pieced center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.    


Press the seams outwards.  Now layout, the 4 large size (purple) rectangles. 


Place the 2 short rectangles onto the sides of the pieced center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.  


Press the seams outwards.  Place the 2 longer rectangles onto the top and bottom of the pieced center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.    Press the seams outwards.


And now you have made a Courthouse Steps Block that should be measuring 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.  


And now the next block is easy because it is the same only it is a  . . . 





From your Month #5, 10" Courthouse Steps bag, cut the fabrics according to page 2 of the supplemental cutting list.  



Using the above 8" Courthouse Steps Block tutorial and the below picture for a fabric reference, stitch the Center Courthouse Steps Unit.   Layout the remaining 4 Black rectangles as shown.


Place the 2 short rectangles onto the sides of the pieced center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.  


Press the seams outwards.  Place the 2 longer rectangles onto the top and bottom of the pieced center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.    Press the seams outwards.


And now you have finished the final block for this month and your Courthouse Steps Block that should be measuring 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" unfinished.  



And now you are ready to start sewing the blocks into sections.  We will start with . . . 



Layout the Small Framed Dresden Plate Block and the 8" Courthouse Steps Block as shown.  


Place the Courthouse Steps Block onto the Dresden Block with right sides together.  Align, pin, and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Press the seam open.  


And your Group 2 - Section 3 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" high.



So now, we can move onto  . . . 

Sewing Section 4


We will start by sewing the Strip Sets together.   Press the seam allowances to the Larger Number fabric.   

From Fabric 25, 26, 27, and 28,sew a 2 1/2" Strip Set together as shown. 
       (or cut out a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" Gold Fabric Filler)


Now we will sew the Block to the Strip Set.   Press the Seams Open.   

Sew the Small Framed Square Block and the  25/26/27/28 Strip Set together as shown.


And now to finish Section 4

Sew the Present Block, the Sashed Square Unit, and the Four Links Block together as shown.

Press the Seams Open. 


And your Group 2 - Section 4 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 6 1/2" high.



So now, we can move onto  . . . 



Once again, we will start by sewing the Strip Sets together.   Press the seam allowances to the Larger Number fabric.   

From Fabric 19 and 20 sew a 4 1/2" Strip Set together as shown. 


Now we will begin to sew the Blocks to the Strip Set.   Press the Seams Open.   

Sew the 19/20 Strip Set and the Pinwheel Block together as shown.


Now, Sew the Grandmother's Flower Garden Block and the Sashed Pinwheel Unit  together as shown.

Press the seam Open.



And finally, Sew the Grandmother's Pinwheel Unit and the 10" Courthouse Step Block together as shown.

Press the Seams Open. 


And your Group 2 - Section 5 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 10 1/2" high.


And there is only one thing left . . . 



Layout Section 3, Section 4, and Section 5 as shown below.  



Place Section 4 onto Section 3 with right sides together.  Align, pin, and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Press the seam open.  


Place Section 5 onto Section 4 with right sides together.  Align, pin, and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Press the seam open.  


And your Group 2 - Section 3, 4, and 5 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 24 1/2" high.




And that is it for BOHO Heart Block of the Month, Month 5 :) 

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

Hope you have so much fun making all of this months blocks and then sewing them all together:)

 Looking forward to Next Month!!


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Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Three In A Row - Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book Tour

It's Week 1 of my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book Tour and today I am sharing the Three In A Row quilt! This is such a fun quilt to make.  It uses Stitch and Flip corners to create the X's and O's and the pressing directions allow for all the angled seams to "nest", making it much easier to line up all those pretty points.    Angled seams that nest are my favorite and of course, it makes this quilt faster to piece.


Here is the introduction I wrote about Three In A Row in the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts Book.  "Often, while out to dinner with my family, I'll see something that inspires a quilt idea.  I'll sketch it on my paper napkin using crayons that are on the table for the kids.  It never fails - right after I finish my sketch, my daughter will promptly draw a tic-tac-toe board on that same napkin and want me to play.  So I figured, why not use that for the inspiration behind a design?  And that's how Three In A Row came to be."  


When writting 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 Three In A Row quilt.  Bonus Units are so great!  Surprise, surprise, I don't like a lot of fabric waste, so making little bonus units from my stitch and flip units is a great way to use every scrap and will make an adorable matching pillow to go with your quilt.  


Three In A Row was made using One Fine Day fabrics by Bonnie and Camille 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 35 of the 10" squares for this quilt, and the Plan Ahead tip will help you divide your fabrics so you have an even mix between the X and O blocks.  The quilt finishes at 54 1/2" x 65" making it a great lap size quilt.

I had so much fun custom quilting each of the quilts in Fast & Fun Lap Quilts .  For this Three in a Row quilt, I quilted wavy crosshatch in the X blocks, large swirls in the O blocks, and echoed ovals in the sashing.   I used my favorite 402 So Fine thread to blend perfectly into the white background and all of the happy print colors.   I just love all of the yummy texture it added to the quilt and really echoed the X and O shape of each block.   

  

And that is Three In A Row, the first 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,  Martingale Publishers, or if you would like a personalized signed copy, you can order from my Etsy shop.  And if you make your own Three In A Row 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 a Three In A Row quilt, my wonderful friend, Sherri McConnell has made an adorable table runner version of Three In A Row.  Isn't that just so cute!  Now I totally want to make a table runner version as well ;)   Sherri used her newly released Emma Fabrics to make her project, and it is just beautiful.  You can see all of the details of her project at her blog, A Quilting Life.  


And that is it for today, thanks for popping in for Week 1 of the Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book!

I am just so happy to share this Three In A Row quilt and be sure to pop back in on Friday when I will share a second version of the quilt :)  

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!


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Tuesday, October 4, 2022

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 #46  . . . Congrats Michele!  I have messaged you :)  
       
   
                     
And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Happy Quilting!!!  Yup, little ole me today ;)    In Celebration of the release of my Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book today, I am giving not one, but two  lucky winner 's a signed copy of my book :)  




You have two entry chances here, the second being optional, and please leave a separate comment for each.  All Entries are welcome, just leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment telling me what have you done this week that was just fun ;) 
 
 ENTRY 2 - Show your Happy Quilting love. You can follow Happy Quilting on Bloglovin, or Email Updates, to get daily updates. (see on right side of blog)  Or you can like Happy Quilting on InstagramFacebook, or Pinterest   Any one way will do . . . Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Happy Quilting Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, October 18th, 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!!!
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Monday, October 3, 2022

Petal Pop Quilt in Fable!!!

 Hello Quilting Friends! Today I am thrilled to be sharing my newest quilt finish with you featuring the adorable Fable Fabric Collection by Jill Finley When I saw this line, I just knew it would fit perfectly for my Petal Pop quilt pattern, and since I taught this pattern as a class at Garden of Quilts, I was in need of a new and updated sample. Truly a perfect match that made an absolutely gorgeous quilt!!!

This Petal Pop quilt pattern is so much fun to make and it is Jelly Roll/ Rolie Polie friendly, so you can just grab 2 of your favorite Rolls and get to cutting and piecing in no time!!! All you need is to add some background fabric and binding fabric. I used Blossom on White Grey for my background fabric and I just love how it adds a little pop in all of that beautiful white space!

And while this might look a little complex, it truly is an easy beginner quilt. It is built much the way a Courthouse Steps block is made, only you piece the strips before adding them to your block center. And all those blocks come together to make an absolutely lovely finish.

And when it came time to quilt mine, I opted for a favorite of mine. The all over loose feather free motion design. I was in a super time crunch to get this quilted and this design has the added bonus of not only being beautiful, but super fast to quilt!!! I used my favorite 402 So Fine thread as it blends perfectly into the white as well as the prints.

And just look at all of that yummy texture. This quilt is so ready to be snuggled in!!! And the nice thing is, the Petal Pop pattern has multiple size options, so you can make whatever size you need. This is the Queen Size, but I have also made the baby size lots and love how quick it comes together, perfect for a last minute baby shower ;)

And speaking of how fast and fun it is . . . look at all of these amazing blocks that we made in the Petal Pop class at Garden of Quilts!!! Aren't those just so fun!!! Everyone in class finished their first block, and several got the second done as well. That's half way to finishing a baby size in one class time. Truly, super fun and super fast!!!



And that is my Fable Petal Pop quilt! I hope you have enjoyed this post and consider making your own Petal Pop quilt!!! And if you do, I would love to see them! You can share your projects with me on social media with the hashtags  #happyquiltingwithmc and #rileyblakedesigns and tagging @happyquiltingmc or email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com. I can't wait to see your Petal Pop Quilts!!

Thank you so much for popping in and sharing this finish with me today!!! 

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

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Friday, September 30, 2022

Playing The Scales - HQM Quilt 26 - Celebrating the Finish with a Free PDF Pattern!!!!

 It's Week 26 of the Happy Quilting Marathon and can you believe it!!!!   It's the last quilt of the Marathon ;)   I am so, so, so excited to share the last of the Happy Quilting Marathon Quilts today.   And here it is, Playing the Scales!!!   And to share in the excitement of this Marathon finish I made a FREE PDF Playing the Scales Pattern so you can all make your own as well :)  


I originally made Playing the Scales back in 2013 (ya, it's an old one)  and shared a step by step tutorial for it.   It has always been a super popular tutorial, but I have to say, it was a little hard to follow.  I have learned a thing or two in 10 years of writting ;)   And with the release of my new Fast & Fun Lap Quilts book next week, it seemed only fitting to share an all time Favorite Lap Quilt as a FREE PDF Pattern.  


These fabrics in this version of Playing the Scales is Dwell in Possibility by Gingiber.   You can use Fat Quarters or Jelly Roll Strips to make this quilt, the main thing is that you separate your fabrics into what I like to call High Volume and Low Volume prints.   You just really want to make sure there is good separation between the two, so you can really let the design shine.  

And for quilting up my Playing the Scales, I went with pretty feathers quilted in a nice Gold thread.   I love how the thread just pops.   And I did the feathers on the High Volumes and Low Volumes in opposite directions, just to add additional movement.   I remember when feather's used to scare me so much, I am so happy that they have become a favorite quilting design of mine ;) 


 Don't you just love the movement the quilting adds to it, so great!!!   I have to say, I am just thrilled with the finish!!!!   Not only do I have a new super fun version of Playing the Scales, but there is a Free PDF Pattern for each of you to make your own as well ;)  It finishes at 62" x 66" so again, amazing lap size!!!



And that is Quilt #26 - Playing the Scales ;)  I can't believe I made it!!!   Thank you so much for all of your support and cheering along the way.  This was a huge quilting goal to pull off, and I couldn't have done it without all of your wonderful motivation and kind words!!! 


And that is it for today, thanks for popping in to share this finish with me as well as all of the previous 25 finishes in the Happy Quilting Marathon!!! 

Now I am making a goal to quilt up the top as soon as it is finished being pieced, no more 26 quilt top build ups ;)   Well see how it goes, tee hee hee ;)  

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


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