A Little Happy Tutorial ~ Rainbow Kisses Quilt

A few weeks ago we launched our brand new Fabric Monthly Subscription Club, called the 'Rainbow Fabric Club' .  We announced it on social media and by newsletter and had a great response and the places filled up super quick.  However we have subsequently received quite a few request to join, so after a few calculations, we are delighted to announce that we will be able to reopen the club for a few extra members!

Each month (until March 2019), you will receive a gorgeous bundle of cherry picked pretty fabrics through your letter box. Your monthly bundle will contain 9 different quilting weight fabrics including gorgeous florals (of course!) and blender prints (dots, stripes, text etc) from a variety of your favourite fabric houses, Moda, Riley Blake Designs, Penny Rose Fabrics, Windham, Marcus Fabrics, Dashwood... all carefully chosen and cut by us Fat Eighth size pieces.  

As the club title suggests, included in your bundle will be a delightful mix of rainbow colours red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet...plus a little Pretty Fabrics and Trims twist....the addition of pink and grey.  Within each colour over the year you may receive a variety of shades, so for example, in green, you may receive shades such as mint, olive, grass green etc and blue and indigo may include baby blue, aqua, teal, royal and navy..

You can read more about the club and subscribe (until the places are taken) HERE.

Obviously you are totally free to use the fabrics for which ever project you so wish..imagine a Rainbow Queens Walk quilt or a Rainbow Poppsy Doodle Dandy quilt!  I did however think it would be fun to design a new quilt..... so here you go..introducing the Rainbows Kisses Quilt.

The pretty quilt combines classic nine patch blocks mixed with a pretty appliqued centre, doesn't it look quite different depending upon how you choose to lay out the blocks....in rainbow order or randomly.  The completed quilt measure 76 1/2" square.

Rather than computer generated appliques shown, I will be adding some hand drawn appliques so it will look slightly different and unique from the computer images.  Obviously it goes without saying that the real quilt will have a wonderful spectrum of colours rather than the flat colours shown!  

Here's the schedule for when I'll be sharing the various stages to make the quilt:

Today  ~ Is all about the 9 Patches

November 2018 ~ Centre Applique 

January 2019 ~ Putting it all together and Quilting Ideas

March 2019 ~ The Big Reveal

Obviously feel free to use fabrics from your stash!  I know from Instagram that some of you are thinking of using some of your fabrics left over from the Flirty 30's Club....great idea!  The important part is that you have lots of happy stitches!

LET'S GET STITCHING

BEFORE STARTING Always Remember to:

1. Read all instructions before you begin.

2. RST means right sides together.

3. All seam allowances are  1/4”.

4. FWOF means width of fabric.

5. If you need help, please do get in touch!

Today I'm going to talk to you about the 9 Patches.  I love 9 patches, such a classic and easy block to make and one that feels both traditional, yet modern.

In addition to the 'Rainbow' club fabrics, you will also need a Background fabric.  If like me you are planning on using just one fabric (I've chosen Bella Solid in Off White available HERE), I would allow 5 metres.  You may get away with less depending upon how economically you cut.

You could alternatively use a whole host of low volumes.....I look forward to seeing what you choose!

I've made a start on my nine patches (benefits of curating the club)......

In total for the quilt you will need to make 84 Nine Patch blocks, this is regardless of whether you choose to make the Rainbow Kisses quilt in rainbow order or random order.  This is broken down in colours and quantities as follows:

I am going to make one 9 patch each month from each of the 9 fabrics received in the Rainbow Fabric Club bundle.  So in 10 months time I will have all the 9 patches made..... a nice and steady amount to make each month!

Here is how each block is made.....

For each individual 9 patch you will need to cut 9 squares each one measuring 2" square.

So for example, to make this:

You will need to cut:

(5) 2" squares from a red fabric

(4) 2" squares from a background fabric.

A little happy top tip......  The most efficient way to cut the background squares, is to cut a 2" strip FWOF and then subcut this into 2" squares.  In total to complete the (84) 9 Patches required for the quilt, you will need to cut (18)  2" x FWOF strips and subcut each of these into (20) 2" squares.  This will yield 360 squares, so there will be a few extra's for your next project!

To piece each 9 patch, lay out the 9 squares into 3 rows.

With RST sew the 3 squares in each row together.  Remember to use a 1/4" seam allowance and as usual I had Aurifil 50wt in #2311 in my machine.

Press the stitches to 'set' them , then press with the seam facing in the direction as indicated by the arrow.  By pressing the seams in alternating directions on each row, when it comes to sewing the rows together in the next step, the seams will 'nest' together, helping you to achieve nice matching points!

With RST, sew the rows together. Press the stitches to 'set' them, then press the seams open.

The completed 9 Patch unit should measure 5” square.

It's a simple as that!  I'm going to decide upon my final layout once I have made all my 9 patches.

I hope that you will sew along with me.  

Happy Stitches!

A Little Happy Tutorial ~ Poppsy Doodle Dandy Dresden Quilt

Today I'm going to share (at last I hear you cry!) how to make my Poppsy Doodle Dandy quilt, named after my gorgeous girl Poppy for whom this quilt was made for. 

I absolutely love making Dresden Plate quilts whether they be English Paper Pieced or by machine piecing using a Dresden Ruler.  This one is machine pieced and I used a Dresden ruler to accurately cut the blades.  One day last year I was pondering the idea of making one with tipped edges that gave the illusion of an inner circle....after a bit of trial and error this was what I came up with.

For my quilt, I used a bright and cheery mix of pretty Tilda fabrics from across various Tilda collections alongside co-ordinating Bella Solids.  The quilt measures 60" square.  I hand quilted mine using Aurifil 12 wt #2310 in a star burst, radiating out from the centre Dresden, a simple but effective idea for the quilting.  It reminds me of rays of sunshine, which really does sum up the almost always cheerful Poppy.

So, as promised, here's how I made it (and yes,  just in case you were wondering kits are available on my website, I'll link to all the Scrummy Supplies at the bottom of the post) ....

BEFORE STARTING Always Remember to:

1. Read all instructions before you begin.
2. RST means right sides together.
3. All seam allowances are  1/4”.
4. FWOF means width of fabric.
5. If you need help, please do get in touch!

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS

For the Dresden Blades, from each of 30 different fabrics cut:

• (3) 5" x 6 1/2" rectangles.  (you will have 90 rectangles in total)

For the tips of the Dresden Blades, from each of 9 different co-ordinating solids cut* :

• (1)   4" square
• (10)  1 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles (you will have 90 rectangles in total)

*If you have purchased a kit, here's a cutting diagram for you:

From the Background fabric cut:

• (9)  21" squares
• (9)  6 1/2" squares

PIECING INSTRUCTIONS....Let’s get stitching!

To start off with you will need to sort your 90 Dresden Blade fabrics each measuring 5" x 6 1/2" rectangles into 9 groups.  Each group will have 10 different fabrics. 

Allocate a solid colour to each group, put the solid 4" square to one side for the time being.

You will now work on one group of fabrics at a time, each group of 10 fabric rectangles will create one Dresden Plate.

With RST, sew a 5" x 6 1/2" rectangle to a solid 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangle.   Press on top of the stitches to ‘set’ them, then press with the seams open.  This unit should measure 6" x 6 1/2".

To make the Dresden Plates, you will need a Dresden Ruler/Template that makes a 20 Point Dresden Plate that is a minimum of 6" tall, such as the EZ Dresden Ruler that I have used in the past for various projects.  However, rather excitingly, if you do not already have a ruler, I have had some specific Poppsy Doodle Dandy acrylic Dresden ruler and Circle template sets made up, which in addition to this pattern can also be used to make different sized Dresdens using the ruler marks etched on them ...watch out for more fun patterns in the future!

The Poppsy Doodle Dandy Dresden ruler includes a 1/4" seam allowance.  The nesting circles designed for the centre of the Dresden Plate are finished size and do not include seam allowances.

Place the Poppsy Doodle Dandy Dresden ruler on top of the rectangle.  Make sure you allow enough room to cut 2 blades.

The Poppsy Doodle Dandy ruler should line up exactly with the top and bottom edges and the seam line, aligning with the 4 3/4" BOLD line marked on the ruler, as indicated by the arrow on the picture below.

Carefully using a Rotary Cutter, cut two blades. 

Repeat this process with the remaining 9 Dresden Blade fabrics and 9 solid rectangles from the first group.  In total you will have 20 blades.

You're now ready to sew them together.  To create the point on each of the blades, fold it in half with RST as shown below.  Take care to match up the seam lines.  You may wish to pop a pin in to hold,  but normally I just fold and sew as I go.

Sew along the top short solid edge of the solid fabric..remember to use a 1/4" seam allowance.

Chain stitching is extremely useful here...so, as you finish sewing the first blade, stop the machine, place the second blade in position then continue sewing, repeat until you have sewn the top short edge on all 20 blades.

Then carefully snip the thread in between.

Turn through the solid fabric, ensuring that the seam is central.  Use something like a chop stick to push out the point, taking care not to rip the fabric or seam.

Then press, again taking care to ensure that the point remains centred, press the seam allowance to one side.

Layout the 20 blades into an order that you find pleasing.  It is easiest to sew the Dresden in two halves (10 blades per half) .....

Take two blades and with RST match up the seam line between the solid tips as shown.  Take your time and this is what will create a nice neat finish ....

.....then sew along one side edge, press on top of the stitches to ‘set’ them.

  Then open and press with the seam facing in the direction as indicated by the arrow. 

Repeat with the remaining blades, into two halves with 10 blades per half.  Then sew the two halves together.

Repeat the process for the remaining 8 groups until you have made 9 Dresden Plates.

Using thread to match the solids not the background fabric, applique each Dresden to the centre of a Background fabric 21" square.  I used Aurifil 50wt thread, 80wt thread is also lovely for applique.

For the centre circles, using the 3" and 5" circular Poppsy Doodle Dandy templates* (or make your own circular templates),  prepare in your chosen method of applique: 

• (9) 5" circles from the Background fabric
• (9) 3" circles from the 4" squares of solid fabrics put to one side earlier,  make (1) in each colour

*Remember that the Poppsy Doodle Dandy Acrylic templates are finished size and DO NOT include seam allowances.

For my circles, I used the Interfacing Method of applique, for which you can find 'a little happy' tutorial HERE.

Once appliqued to the centre of the Dresden Plates, trim the background squares to 20 1/2" taking care to keep the Dresden Plates centred.  Then with RST sew them together in a 3 x 3 layout.

Layer with wadding and Backing fabric.  Allowing for a 4" overhang whilst quilting, you will need a minimum of 175cm if purchasing a wideback 108" fabric.  If you are planning on using standard quilting width fabric you will need double this as you will have to join two lengths.

Quilt as desired.

Finally add your binding.  On this occasion, I chose to bind using the same background fabric so that the focus remained on the pretty Dresdens.  You will need 1/2 metre of fabric.

Here's another picture of my quilt.....

Obviously I couldn't stop at just one quilt and the eagle eyed will have spotted that in addition to the 5" & 3" circle acrylic templates in the set, there is also a 1" circle... oh what fun can be had with that.......

I couldn't resist making a mini quilt, which equally could be cushion/pillow.  I used a pretty 'colour wheel' inspired mix of 20 Liberty of London Tana Lawns, tipped in Art Gallery Pure Elements in White Linen, appliqued on to Essex Linen in Putty.  Oh what a gorgeous combination of fabrics to sew with!

I made this using the method described above, all be it with 20 fabrics rather than the 10 and I cut my background square slightly smaller so I could cut it from a Fat Quarter.  So I cut as follows:

For the Dresden Blades, from each of 20 different Liberty fabrics (this is a great scrap buster) cut:

• (1)  5" x 3 1/2" rectangle
• (1)  2" Square

For the tips of the Dresden Blades, from a Fat Quarter of Pure Elements White Linen cut

• (20)  1 1/2" x 3 1/2" White Linen rectangles
• (1)    4" square White Linen

From a Fat Quarter of Essex Linen in Putty cut:

• (1)    19 1/2" square (trimmed back to 19" after applique)
• (1)    6 1/2" square 
• (1)    2" square 

As you can see for my Liberty Poppsy Doodle Dandy, I used the 1" circle to add a third circle in the centre from the linen and made 20 circles using the Liberty which I appliqued just above the tips of the Dresden Plate......

For smaller circles I find the best applique method, is one that I saw Sarah Fielke demonstrate on one of her You Tube video's.  First off, you make some 1" cardboard circles.  I cut mine from an old cereal boxe and write the circle size on them,  I then keep and reuse them.  Cut the fabric approx 1/4"  larger than the cardboard circle.  Then using silver foil, make a little parcel wrapping the fabric around the cardboard circle, take your time with this.  Then iron, the heat marks a crease on the circumference and folds under the seam allowance, leaving you with perfect little circle ready to applique in place. 

In keeping with the colour wheel inspiration I then used 20 different colours of Aurifil 12wt to hand quilt, although it would look just as lovely hand quilted in my favourite shade  Muslin #2311.

I used my favourite Hera Marker to mark the crease line (which is what I also used on the main quilt).

All that is left to do is add the binding!

So there you have two different versions of the Poppsy Doodle Dandy quilt!  Below you can find a list of the scrummy supplies I used and talked about today.

SCRUMMY SUPPLIES

A Quilt Top Kit which includes the Tilda, Bella Solids and Background fabrics I used, with the option to add the binding fabric is available HERE

The Poppsy Doodle Dandy Acrylic Ruler and Template set is available HERE

The EZ Dresden Ruler if you prefer is available HERE

I had my favourite Aurifil 50wt in #2311 in my sewing machine and I used the following shades to applique #2830, #2845, #2910, #5016, #2410, #4020, #2150, #5001 & #2720.  You can find these all HERE

I used Aurifil 12wt cotton in #2310, which is available HERE

You can find our pretty selection of 108" widebacks HERE

We've put together a 'Colour Wheel' bundle of Liberty of London Tana Lawns fat eighths HERE

The lovely White Linen Pure Elements fabric can be found HERE

The background Essex Linen in Putty can be found HERE

The Aurifil 12 wt colours I used for the hand quilting were #2260, #2277, #2230, #2150, #2214, #2975, #2130, #2110, #2908, #2882, #2888, #2845, #1148, #2710, #2720, #2783, #2520, #2410, #2479, #4020 and are all available HERE

Thanks again for popping by my blog and I hope that you enjoy making your version of the Poppsy Doodle Dandy quilt.  Make sure that if you share a picture, so that mum and I can take a peek, that you use the following hashtags when you share on social media:

#POPPSYDOODLEDANDYQUILT and/or #PRETTYFABRICSANDTRIMS

See you again soon!

Blog Hop ~ Vintage Home BOM

Today I'm sharing my block from the Vintage Home Block of the Month pattern designed by Jo Avery of the blog My Bear Paw which is published in the super popular Today's Quilter Magazine.  The very lovely Block of the Month started back in November and is being released over the course of year,  you can read all about it on Jo's lovely blog HERE.

Each month, Jo has designed to two blocks for the quilt, inspired by vintage home wears and kitchenalia,  this months blocks are inspired by plates.  At home we have a blue and white service that we have used day in day out for over 20 years.  It's called Indies by Johnson Bros and sadly is no longer made.  Like most loved and used china sets, I have lost various pieces over the years, however, thankfully up until now it has been replenished with various car boot and charity finds, but soon I will have to go back on the hunt, my desert plates seen to have taken a bashing lately!  It's like part of the family and l love it now as much as I did when I originally chose it.

Moving on to this months block, as generally speaking most plates are round, in quilting terms this therefore means the dreaded curve.   For her first block Jo has designed a gorgeous 'Fancy Plate', inspired by a Dresden Plate block, but I was very drawn to her second 'Side Plate' design a Porthole style plate block. Both blocks are accompanied by clear instructions and photo's, so please don't be put off by the curve .... and as you can see mine isn't perfect, but I love it all the same!

 The block is a combination of machine and hand stitches, but could easily be stitched all by machine.

I picked the gorgeous Liberty Betsy P as the 'star' print for my block.  I know you shouldn't have favourites, but the combination of mustard, dusty blues, olive greens and coral pinks is just divine.  I pretty much wear the same thing most days, a stripey Breton top, a tunic, dress or skirt and always a cardigan.  I must admit that I have a pretty collection.....I'm in the ' you can never have too many cardigans and stripey top camp'....anyway.... Mum and I always have a giggle when ever we open up new fabrics,  I nearly always lean across each new bolt and state which colour cardi would look lovely with it.... all I can say is that I think I could colour match every shade in this fabric, so watch out I see a new top heading my way!

Anyway I digress, I used a lovely Art Gallery Pure Element solid alongside Essex Linen in Black.  I'm not one for using dark backgrounds, but I think the black really makes the Liberty pop, don't you think?

I also think that an entire quilt top made with this block, would be stunning and a great way to showcase 'star' prints.....

You can find Jo's versions of the Side Plate and Fancy Plate block on her blog today and her clear instructions in the magazine which is landing, I believe, in UK stores today.  Subscribers may already have had their issues pop through the letterbox.

Thanks again Jo for asking me to contribute to the Blog Hop!

SCRUMMY SUPPLIES

Finally, here's a recap of the pretty fabrics and threads I used today.

You can find our pretty selection of Tana Lawns HERE (new ones being added all the time!)
The Essex Linen in Black can be found HERE
As always I had Aurifil 50wt in my machine in my favourite shade Muslin #2311 which can be found HERE.
I also used #2311 in 80wt to hand applique the block to the background which can be found HERE using Clover Black Gold Applique/Sharp needles in size 10 which can be found HERE.
We have a selection of Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Elements on order which should be here soon.