Welcome to Step 6 of making your Candy Corn Sampler!

Thanks for sharing pics on our FB group, Sewing With Susan!

Step 6 is Dresden Pumpkin Blocks.

No need to make the flying geese blocks today,

but you’re going to need to make them sooner or later, lol.

I borrowed these blocks from my new-ish Dresden Pumpkins table runner pattern.

2 Tiny Dresden plates for today & tomorrow.

You’ll need these…

Refer to page 11, for the complete instructions.

A couple more leaves for this block.

If you remember the leaf making video I showed you, use the small bar w beveled end for the straight parts of the leaf then use the pointed end for the round parts.

If you don’t already have Apliquick Bars & Bohin glue you can find them & all the tools that I use for my appliqué on my website by clicking here.

More tiny blind hem stitch for the circle & leaf appliqué.

Can’t wait to see your pumpkins!

If you’re not already a member of my Sewing With Susan Facebook group, please join & share pics.

Find the group by clicking here to join.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Quilt Along, Applique quilt projects, Dresden Plate Quilt, Halloween quilts, Mini Dresden Patterns, New quilt pattern

Candy Corn Sampler Quilt-Along Step 3, HOOT Block

October 5, 2021October 5, 2021 suznquilts

Welcome to Step 3 of making your Candy Corn Sampler!

Thanks for sharing pics on our FB group, Sewing With Susan!

Let’s start Step 3!

Tiny Dresden plates are the main topic for today.

Tip for today is to spray & iron all of your fabrics with Mary Ellen’s Best Press. Your plates will lie flatter when they’re complete.

I use the hand pump bottle when spraying yardage & the finger pump bottle when I’m spraying my finished plates or blocks. Its spray is really fine & won’t super saturate the small pieces & make them go wonky.

Refer to page 7, “HOOT Block” to get started.

Good news, Step 4 will be a lighter load, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, sorry, but maybe you can use Thursday & Friday to get caught up.

I again chose to use freezer paper machine appliqué method for this block.

If, like I mentioned in Step 2, you cut multiple appliqué templates at once for the birds, you’re saving time! If not, you can still do so since there are more birds on this quilt.

Just stack up to 6 layers of freezer paper a bit larger than the shape to cut out & staple a template on top.

(Be sure the freezer paper is stacked up correctly. Notice some birds on the quilt face right & some face left, but you can cut them all at once. See notes on each block’s instructions)

Using serrated scissors helps to cut through lots of layers. I use a staple remover to remove the staple without tearing the paper layers.

You know I love this part of the quilt!

Having the right tools makes all the difference!

Use your favorite appliqué method!

Below I show how to manipulate a point with my favorite tools; Apliquick Bars. Use this short video to help with the birds.

Here I show how simple it is to manipulate a circle. Yes, simple! Just practice.

You’ll need them for the Tiny Dresden plates.

If you don’t already have Apliquick Bars & Bohin glue you can find them & all the tools that I use for my appliqué on my website by clicking here.

Be sure you have enough contrast between the background fabric and appliqué pieces then position all the appliqué on the background fabric then glue (or fuse) it in place.

“HOOT” is going to be a tight fit, just be sure you position the letters inside the 1/4″ seam allowance.

I do A LOT of fabric auditioning while designing a quilt. I originally designed this quilt with white birds so that’s where I went with them.

Choosing the right center circles is yet another decision…

My double guessing of myself just wastes time!

For some reason I thought the white birds were too stark so I made black birds.

Obviously they were too dark for me!

As you can see, my original idea of white birds was perfect! I think what makes it work is the pretty black designs in the light cream fabrics.

What I’ve learned over the years is that I like low contrast in fabrics across my quilts. You may think my quilts are too busy, if so, you probably like high or at least more contrast. Make your birds stark white, or maybe orange! lol

Good grief, grandma!!! Lol

I love of the tiny blind hem stitch* for plates & freezer paper appliqué. Done small enough it resembles hand stitching. If you don’t know what I mean, use the blind hem setting, but make the stitch length & width very small. *IF your machine won’t let you adjust the blind hem stitch, use a different one!

#1 rule, have fun oh, & ask questions!

If you’re not already a member of my Sewing With Susan Facebook group, please join & share pics.

Find the group by clicking here to join.

I can’t wait to see your HOOT blocks & your bird fabric choices!

If you have any appliqué questions you can ask them there too.

If you’re still undecided on your fabrics

you can order your Candy Corn Sampler kit today from Need’l Love by clicking here.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Quilt Along, Applique quilt projects, Dresden Plate Quilt, Halloween quilts, Mini Dresden Patterns, New quilt pattern

Candy Corn Sampler Quilt-Along Step 1, Candy Corn Blocks

October 1, 2021October 1, 2021 suznquilts

Hello from Emma, my little pumpkin spice baby, & me!

Welcome long-time followers & all of my new followers

to Step 1 of making your Candy Corn Sampler!

I’m glad you’re taking this sewing journey with us to make my newest favorite quilt.

Hopefully you’ve made at least a few fabric decisions…

This Hootenanny fat 1/4 pack was a large part of my inspiration for this Candy Corn Sampler Quilt. It looks nice with this Grunge piece, don’t you think? I didn’t end up using it but Grunge goes with almost everything!

If you’re still undecided on your fabrics you can order your Candy Corn Sampler kit today from Need’l Love by clicking here.

Let’s start with Step 1!

My first step with any quilting these days is to spray & iron all of my fabrics with Mary Ellen’s Best Press. It doesn’t make the fabric stiff like starch does. It gives it more body & helps it press flatter which is really helpful especially when working with little pieces of fabric. I’ve also noticed that if I need to reposition something & press it again the first creases will press out unlike the results of using regular starch.

The next task is to start cutting & making candy corns!

Refer to page 4, “Candy Corn Blocks” & “Cutting” to cut the strips then sew the strip sets together. Next, refer to the cutting diagram to cut the “trees”.

NOTE: Do not rotate the template to cut the candy corns or half of your candy corns will be upside down!

The in-between triangles will be discarded or if you’re like me, put away for another day…

Follow assembly instructions, page 4, to make the blocks. I sewed these blocks on my featherweight machine. That was fun!

In case you noticed, “real” candy corn has orange in the middle, but I prefer my fabric candy corn to have the orange on the outside.

Sew the left background onto the candy corn then press.

Sew the right background onto the candy corn then press again. Don’t forget to do the little bit of trimming. These blocks should measure 3 1/2” x 4 1/4”.

Make 48. Don’t worry, they go quickly & you have 2 days to make them (just 1 per hour lol) before we move on to Step 2!

Emma says they’re a snap!

If you’re using super cute fabric who cares how long they take?

I played with one of the super cute Hootenanny rick rack stripes to make a few trees too. I’m not sure where they’ll end up.

I love the ease & accuracy of this block’s construction. ❤️ I hope you do too!

If you’re not already a member of my Sewing With Susan Facebook group, please join & share pics.

Find it by clicking here to join.

I can’t wait to see your candy corn blocks.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

Applique quilt projects, My Life, New quilt pattern

National Quilting Day 2021

March 20, 2021 suznquilts

Today is National Quilting Day!

What does this mean?

In my sewing room,

any day that ends in “y” is a quilting day, you?

On this “National Quilting Day”

I thought I’d give you a peak

at my very favorite of the new patterns

I’ve been working on

the past several months.

I showed you a few sneak peeks last fall when I was creating it, remember?

It’s the perfect spring quilt with these Winkipop fabrics

by Jen Kingwell for Moda.

I used freezer paper applique steps,

but you can use your favorite.

Having the right tools is key to

“Having Fun In Your Sewing Room”

which I can teach you & your friends

when you have me over for a workshop & lecture!

Dresdens In The Park is full of my favorite little Dresden plates.

Both my Tiny & Mini Dresden plate templates

are used in this pattern

& you probably already own them by now,

but no worries if you don’t

because the paper templates are included the pattern.

Easy & fun!

I put Dresdens In The Park on my website this morning.

You can purchase the PDF & start working on it today,

this National Quilting Day,

or you can pre-order the paper version

& I’ll ship it to you as soon as it’s available!

I hope you have fun in your sewing room today!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

Applique quilt projects, Dresden Plate Quilt, My Life, New quilt pattern

Does Freezer Paper Appliqué Scare Or Excite You?

November 8, 2020 suznquilts

If freezer paper appliqué scares you,

you should know that you’re not alone!

I used to be one of those people,

but the experience of making the centers of little Dresden plates

has changed all of that for me.

I now – LOVE – freezer paper appliqué.

& I think I’ve gotten pretty good at it.

Practice is the only real solution to this obstacle.

Practice easy techniques using the best tools available.

I now find it to be very easy & I love the challenge &

the self satisfaction that comes with each completed project.

That’s the best advice that I can offer you,

that & show you those easy techniques.

Sit back & view these images & short videos & also

go to my Instagram for more short videos that I made just for you!

First use the Apliquick bars to cover the freezer paper shapes. It’s a little different for the round shapes vs. a straight edge & point. You can see the differences in these 2 vidoes.

After the appliqué shapes are made

glue them onto the background fabric.

Stitch them with the tiny blind hem stitch that I use,

or use your favorite appliqué stitch by machine or by hand.

The threads should match the appliqué shape being stitched down,

not the background fabric.

Next you’ll need to CAREFULLY cut slits behind each shape

so the freezer paper templates can be removed.

Use sharp serrated scissors for best results.

With a white cloth, generously wet the shapes.

It’s only necessary to wet the applique shapes.

No need to get the whole block wet.

Let the piece sit for a few minutes

until the glue has a chance to release the paper.

A gentle pull on opposite sides of each shape

will release the paper from the stitches.

If the paper doesn’t easily release,

it’s probably not wet enough.

I’m loving Jen Kingwell’s newest line,

Winkipop by Moda.

I hope that I’m changing your mind about trying freezer paper applique.

It truly is worth the effort!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

Applique quilt projects, Dresden Plate Quilt, New Quilt pattern sample

Laborious Labor Day 2020

September 7, 2020September 7, 2020 suznquilts

Carnivals canceled, large groups not allowed,

what are you doing this Labor Day Weekend?

Today I’m sewing,

making circles for my ongoing new pattern sample.

Have you seen bits of the construction already,

perhaps on FB or IG?

I’m mostly using Cider by Basic Grey for Moda.

So far I’ve made all the baskets.

The stripe fabric is the only non Cider fabric.

Next I made the pile of petals into plates!

So this afternoon it’s on to center circles.

The Apliquick Bars are my best friends for making

perfect applique shapes with freezer paper!!!

You can find all my favorite notions on my website here,

including the Apliquick Bars.

The leaves were snap to make too.

I’m ready to finish the blocks!

Can’t wait to see the finished quilt, can you?

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

Applique quilt projects, Dresden Plate Quilt, My Life, New Pattern Sample, New quilt pattern

Sunny Labor Day Sewing

September 2, 2019 suznquilts

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but…

I love the time of year when the early

morning sun shines in my sewing room

windows!

When I woke this morning & the sun was already up,

I knew the task I needed to accomplish would be made better

because I’d be greeted by the sun!

I appreciate the extra light,

but for some reason

the sun shining in my sewing room

just

makes

happy!

It doesn’t hurt that I’m also using some

brighter than usual for me fabrics too!

I know we’re pretty far from the longest day of the year already

& soon enough the days will be way too short,

but today I’m excited to have spent a couple of hours

sewing in the sunshine!

Here is a sneak peek

at a new design that I’m working on, shhhhhhhh.

What are you doing on this Labor Day 2019?

I hope you’re doing something fun!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

Applique quilt projects, My Life, New quilt pattern, Tiny Dresden quilts

International Spring Quilt Market 2018 & New Patterns

June 18, 2018June 18, 2018 suznquilts

I ALWAYS come back from market with a million & one things to get done.

Top that off with the stuff that was ignored because of market prep (perhaps months worth of stuff) and before you know it I can’t even remember going to market so I forget to post any market photos or tell you of my new patterns.

Good Grief! I miss my brain!

So, our booth…

The best part of market was getting to spend time with both of our daughters!

Chloe has helped me lots of times, but this time Clare was able to go with us.

I have 14, yes, 14 new patterns!

I have been busy.

So, let me show you the first one, Baker’s Dozen.

It all started almost 2 years ago when I bought this American Jane, Bread ‘n Butter charm pack & coordinating piece of fabric…

I made fabric decisions; background squares vs. Tiny Dresden petal squares.

Taking pics like this helps me remember what I had decided.

Thank goodness for artificial intelligence!

Then I set to cutting.

I can cut 6 petals from each 5″ charm square.

In my pattern I show you how to do that.

14 Tiny Dresden plate blocks in the making.

Again, thanks to my phone for capturing and helping me to remember all of this!

I did all this the summer of 2016. At least that’s what my pics say.

And now I regret to inform you… I just found a bunch more images that I forgot I’d even taken.

You may want to get a snack or take a nap…

They are pretty however…

I started sewing petals… It was so interesting that even Dori (RIP) had to stop what she was doing to watch me!

Before long I had this beautiful pile ‘o petals.

Blake & I had recently gone to an estate sale where I found this adorable little iron.

I cut the string apart.

Unfortunately the iron is just a toy, but cute! I pressed with my un cute iron.

Then turned them all right-side-out.

Now you’re starting to see why this quilt, a mere 17″ x 21″,

took me two years to make, Lol!

Petals were sorted.

Then sewn together into pairs.

Then strung up over my cute little cutlery box (OH, GOOD GRIEF!).

Pressed & then sewn to another pair.

Pressed again.

Finally the complete plates were completely sewn.

But they still needed to be pressed ;)

This is where they get more Mary Ellen’s Best Press.

Next to make and applique the center circles, wet them to remove center templates & let dry.

And press again with more Mary Ellen’s Best Press.

Then what to do with the blocks once they’re finished…

For a minute I thought they may look nice around this beautifully stitched picture, but no.

Set with this cute sashing, but no.

Maybe with black cornerstones, no.

This is where my brain took a hiatus from this madness.

No more pics until Augusts, 2017!

I found this adorable metal box at Litchfield’s Picker’s Market and it inspired me to get the blocks out & finish a quilt!

I decided that I liked them set next to each other best.

Then I dreamed up these incredibly cute cornerstones.

That required a few more petals & circles.

But then what?

I needed a border.

The original pink polka dot that was part of the collections wasn’t “it”.

The black really set off the blocks.

Next, I pin basted & quilted it myself.

Than chose a binding fabric.

Those poor pink dots… I wonder whatever happened to them.

The perfect binding fabric I think.

Meet Baker’s Dozen.

12 Tiny Dresden blocks, with one more (in 4 pieces) on the corners.

Thanks for taking that trip back in time with me.

They’re now available on my website.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

Applique quilt projects, My Life

Robin’s Wreaths, An AQS 5 Part Quilt Series, Part 1

June 16, 2018 suznquilts

I’m so excited I received my copy of AQS’s American Quilter magazine this week!

My very good friend, Robin Koehler has a stunning 5 part quilt series included!!!

Of course I have to make my own.

Today I made fabric selections

then set to cutting & sewing.

Robin mentioned earlier in the week how the templates for the applique placement needs to be enlarged 200% because the size of the blocks is bigger than the magazine page and wouldn’t it be cool to make them the size of the printed page instead and then reduce the size of the whole quilt???

Robin mentioned it in her Facebook group today too… so….

That’s what I decided to do.

This afternoon I set to Best Pressing all of my fabrics and started cutting & sewing.

Soon I had all of the half-square triangle blocks made.

12 light/medium & 12 medium/light, Bazinga!

They’re all the same!

I just made 2 piles admiring beautiful fabrics & the precision of my blocks.

I know stupid quilter humor…

Then I made them into the pinwheel & square in square blocks.

Next, I made the tiny bias tubing.

I had a Clover 1/4″ bias tape maker,

but I literally had to wipe the dust off the package because I’d never used it!

It’s just as easy to use as the bigger sizes that I’ve made many times.

You just start with smaller size bias strips.

Don’t worry,

I’m only making mine this small to challenge myself &

to try something new,

the pattern actually uses the 1/2″ size bias tube maker.

Next, I copied the placement page & cut through it with my baby rotary cutter so I could draw through it with a pencil to mark the placement of the vines on each block.

I think it’s easier than using a light box to trace the design.