Mini Dresden Patterns, New quilt pattern, Tiny Dresden quilts

New Patterns Spring 2018, #5

New pattern #5 is

“Dresden Daisies”.

This is the only new pattern that uses both my Tiny Dresden and Mini Dresden templates.

I designed this quilt a while back.

I guess was waiting for just the right fabrics to put it together with.

The darker green fabric is from Jo Morton’s “New Hope” collection by Moda.

I’ve used plenty of half Dresden plates in my quilts, but for this one, since it’s going to be appliqued on top of the border and not sewn into it, I had to first press and glue the seam allowances under before adding the center.

To do this, I drew intersecting straight lines on my ironing board cover with an ultra fine Sharpie marker.

This allowed me to place the seam allowance on the vertical line, then press the seam allowances up to the horizontal line.

I’ve done this before with another quilt I was working on that had a lot of 6 1/2″ blocks. It’s a good way to quickly check accuracy before moving on.
Ironing board covers are not permanent.

For instance the one pictured is long gone!

Next I made the centers.

I only appliqued the full plates’ centers.

Since the edge of the half plates’ centers overhang the petals,

they would need to be appliqued down after they were on the border.

Before long, my daisy garden was complete!

Aren’t they sweet???

This is why I quilt.

I love the process!

Next step was to double check my green fabrics.

Then see if my piano key borders were working…

I noticed shadowing of the darker green fabric coming though my daisy petals, so I had to fix that by making a lining for each one.

That was easily done with my Olfa circle cutter and some plain white fabric.

(Instructions in the pattern)

Shadowing all gone!

Now to assemble the quilt.

Positioning, gluing & stitching the half Dresden plate daisies.

Adding the last border.

Putting it on the “to be quilted” pile I noticed how it lined up with the edge of “With All My Heart” and wondered if it needed another border…

“No!” I’m going small & less complicated!!!

But I liked that idea…

Meet Dresden Daisies.

Just 31 1/2″ x 31 1/2″!

Uncomplicated & cute…

They’re now available on my website.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

New quilt pattern, Tiny Dresden quilts

New Patterns Spring 2018, #4

New pattern #4 is Loads of Lollies.

This quilt makes me smile every time I see it.

Perhaps it’s the brighter than usual fabrics.

I typically photograph the different stages of the design process to get a feel of how the fabrics will look for the cover photo.

Wheelbarrow too dark…

Black fabric too colorful…

It reminds me of the fairy godmothers in Sleeping Beauty fighting over the color of the gown. Blue! No, Pink! No, blue…

Liking this…

Ooh & I like those for a border…

Black rick rack was the obvious choice for the lines of the wheelbarrow.

Unfortunately this is too big.

I had to go find the baby black rick rack!

This is much better suited to the scale of the quilt.

It’s just so cheery, don’t you think?

Meet Loads of Lollies.

Just 4 cute Tiny Dresden plates.

Yup! It’s available on my website!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

New quilt pattern, Tiny Dresden quilts

New Patterns Spring 2018, #2

New pattern #2 is “Blessings of Friends”.

It’s the prefect little quilt to make for each of your friends!

It’s a small one, just 8″ x 10 1/2″

& it has just one Tiny Dresden plate.

The original design was made last summer with these lovely fabrics.

I displayed it on an Ackfeld 6×9 stand.

For the cover photo quilt I chose brighter fabrics.

Just 1 Tiny Dresden plate.

Notice how FLAT my plate is?

Want to know my secrets?

Mary Ellen’s Best Press & an accurate scant 1/4″ seam allowance.

That’s it!

Meet Blessings of Friends.

I talked with my Ackfeld family about making the feet smaller on the stand so they didn’t come up in front of the quilt.

This is a new stand #35202.

Both the pattern & the stands are available on my website now.

More to come.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

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

International Spring Quilt Market 2018 & New Patterns

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Life, New Pattern Sample, New quilt pattern, Quilt Market

Spring Quilt Market 2017 Recap

It’s been a busy year here so far in the land of Suzn Quilts.

I have a dozen new patterns that we introduced at

Spring International Quilt Market.

It was practically in our backyard at the St. Louis convention center.

It was nice not having travel across the country to get to the show,

but oddly enough it didn’t really feel like I was at market since it was so close.

The best part (besides being with my daughter, Chloe, & my market friends)

was not having to worry about fitting everything into 4 suitcases

that weigh no more than 50 lbs. each+ 2 carry-ons.

The down side of that was more work for us since I decided we could have a bigger booth since we didn’t have to travel!

That also meant more “fluff” to bring to display with!

But, I loved the way that our booth turned out.

Between market shoppers we were able to visit with our market friends that are scattered around the country.

Diane & her sister, Linda of Puffin & Company.

They have lovely quilting and sewing tools to help those who enjoy hand work.

Celine & Molly of Perkins Dry Goods.

Celine has more beautiful patterns for those that love patchwork.

Susan of The Quilt Branch (Karen her helper had to leave early to attend a graduation).

Susan has lots of cute new designs to use that Creative Grids “House” ruler that you already have!

& we have lots of new patterns to show you!

So, stay tuned &

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

 

 

Mini Dresden Patterns, New quilt pattern, New tiny Dresden plate quilts, Suzn Quilts Patterns, Tiny Dresden quilts

New Pattern, Spring Fling

In case you can’t guess,

new pattern #2 also has little Dresden plates!

Spring Fling

Suzn+Quilts+Spring+Fling#242+Cover+WEB.jpg

The wings are a combination of Tiny & Mini Dresden petals.

Spring Fling was made using a layer cake and a bit of yardage of Pumpkin Pie.

Remember me showing you those fabrics here?

Using  a layer cake makes it easy to use a rainbow of fabrics without buying a lot of different yardages and having a lot left over.

Suzn+Quilts+check+Dresden+plate+accuracy+petals

I just pop in a movie and the time flies by!

Suzn+Quilts+check+Dresden+plate+accuracy+mini+tiny

The wings were fun to make.

I’ve been collecting old cutlery trays to keep my petals corralled.

It makes it easy to transport ALL OF THEM from my cutting table to the sewing machine and ironing board.

spring-fling-antenna

The antennas are really easy to create with baby rick rack.

I have fool-proof instructions for making each antenna perfect and I even give you instructions  on how to sew the buttons on with your sewing machine.

Loraine tested this one for me.

She got the entire top put together in about 2 days!

She is a speed demon!

It was her first experience with the Sulky 12 wt. thread.

I love the way it makes my applique “POP!”.

She probably has it quilted by now on her new long arm machine.

I hope you’re enjoying the show of my new patterns.

Spring Fling is available on my website for $10.00 plus shipping.

Back tomorrow with #3.

Just keep sewing…

Susan

My Life, New quilt pattern

New Patterns for You While I’m off to Houston Fall Quilt Market 2016

On one hand it seems like I’ve been working up to this moment for forever and thought it was never going to get here,

then on the other hand I can’t believe the end of October is already here.

Where did the summer go?

I spent 99% of it indoors designing, sewing and writing patterns.

I have 4 new patterns ready to go.

(Well, I’m waiting on 1 cover that experienced technical difficulty at the printer apparently, because it had to be reprinted and still has not shipped, ugh!)

When having to rely on so many people to get everything together, it’s bound to happen.

While I’m away at quilt market I thought I’d show you the new patterns,

so here goes.

Poppies

Do you remember me showing you the Mini Dresden plates in progress last summer?

Suzn+Quilts+Reds

Remember these wonderful reds?

They’re all new Modas with the exception of the far right one.

It’s my all-time favorite fabric I think & it’s from the original “Buttermilk Prints” Thimbleberries collection!

Suzn+Quilts+Field+of+red+flowers

How can you resist these?

Suzn+Quilts+stitching+red+Dresden

I was working on them with my new-to-me sewing cabinet before I got the insert for my machine. That seems like eons ago!

Suzn+Quilts+Filler+sewing

It’s 52″ x 68″.

It will make a nice lap or wall quilt.

suznquiltspoppies241coverweb

My tester, Theresa, made hers with purples.

purple-poppies

She thought the pattern was easy to follow.

She also thinks it’s the best she has ever done on a quilt.

I think it looks stunning too!

Thanks, Theresa.

I’m pretty sure this quilt will look great in any color combination.

I really like the way the corners of the block resemble an Irish chain block when they’re sewn together.

I literally cannot get enough of my little Dresden plates.

It is now available on my website for $10.00 plus shipping.

3 more new patterns to go.

Just keep sewing…

Susan

Mini Dresden Patterns, My Life, New Pattern Sample, New quilt pattern, New tiny Dresden plate quilts, Quick Little Projects, Quilt Market, Suzn Quilts Patterns, Tiny Dresden quilts

New Patterns Fall 2015

I know I’m a bit late to the party…

International Fall Quilt Market was over two weeks ago…

Moda+Fall+Quilt+market+2015

(Image from Moda’s Cutting Table Blog)

I wasn’t able to attend, but I do have new quilt patterns that would have been there. I was with my family instead since my wonderful Mother-in-law passed away the day before Chloe & I were to fly to Houston.

How appropriate that this is the first of my three new patterns.

Suzn+Quilts+Tiny+Dresden+Friends+cover+RGB

I’m sad, I’m tired & I’m so blessed to have such a wonderful family & such dear friends. Getting older is not an easy thing for anyone involved. I will miss my mother-in-law dearly. She was one of my best friends. I’m so thankful that she was able to live independently in her own home & will not be going into assisted living or to a nursing facility.

So, if you’ve been wondering why I’ve been lacking in presence here, she is one of the reasons. Also, my dad had heart surgery the day Chloe & I were to fly to Minneapolis for spring quilt market back in May. We did fly out the next day though so we didn’t miss that. I then spent the majority of the next six weeks at the hospital & then rehab with him helping him to recover from the surgery. I’m happy to report that he was able to resume baling hay this summer, his passion!  Once a farmer, always a farmer…

One of the reasons I do what I do is because of the ability to work around my family & its many schedules. I can work at any hour & stop at the drop of a hat to help whoever needs me at that moment. It started with raising our children but more recently it’s been helping with our parents.

I’m very fortunate & I’m so thankful they at least take turns!

How appropriate that this is my next new pattern.

Suzn+Quilts+My+Happy+Place#240+cover+RGB

I’m definitely in “My Happy Place” with my family & in my sewing room!!!

My third & final new pattern: Suzn+Quilts+Tiny+Dresden+Happy+Birthday+cover+RGB

All three use my Tiny Dresden Template,

SuznQuilts+Tiny+Dresden+Plate+Template+RGB+web

& “My Happy Place” also uses my Mini Dresden Template.

Suzn+Quilts+Mini+Dresden+Plate+Template+insert+front+11-24-14

Like my previous Dresden plate patterns,

the paper template is included in the pattern, but you’ll want to also purchase the plastic template because it will make your cutting so much quicker & more accurate.

Look for them on my website & hopefully soon at your local quilt shop!

Just keep sewing…

Susan

Dresden Plate Quilt, New Moda Fabric Collection, New Pattern Sample, New quilt pattern, Suzn Quilts Patterns

New Patterns-Spring 2015-Garden Romance

I have new patterns & they’re ready to ship!

All but one have a common theme;

they incorporate both my Tiny Dresden Template

Tiny+Dresden+template & my Mini Dresden Template.

Suzn+Quilts+Mini+Dresden+Plate+Template+insert+front+11-24-14

First is Garden Romance.

Suzn+Quilts+Garden+Romance+Cover+RGB

I’m having a lot of fun using the very traditional

Dresden Plate templates & making nontraditional quilts!

Have you noticed this theme???

That’s me, the “rule breaker” living on the edge…

When I introduced these at Quilt Market in Minneapolis last month,

it was fun watching some shop owners process the fact that these are “Dresden Plates.”

Yep, you don’t have to sew 12 Dresden petals into a circle,

then applique a circle to their centers, really!!!

This quilt was a lot of fun to design & make.

I used the new “Mill Book 1892” collection by Moda.

Collections+Mill+1892

Along with Dresden petals,

I also used Clover’s fusible bias tape maker to quickly & easily make the vines.

I’m all about quick & easy.

You may not make this quilt in a day, but each step is easy.

Full-size illustrations are included to help you lay out the vines perfectly so they all match.

Paper Dresden templates are included in the pattern,

but you’ll want to use the plastic templates for quicker, more accurate cutting.

If you don’t see Garden Romance at your local quilt shop,

you can find it here.

More new patterns to follow.

Just keep sewing,

Susan

New quilt pattern, New tiny Dresden plate quilts, Uncategorized

Tiny Dresden Seasonal Series

 

Back in May, just in time for spring market in Pittsburgh, I got the brainy idea to design a series of

REALLY TINY seasonal quilts to fit a tiny,

Ackfeld Wire 6 x 6 frame.

Ackfeld+6x6+stand+88017

I wanted to use my new Tiny Dresden Template,

Tiny+Dresden+Template

& I wanted the quilts to be seasonal, one for each month.

Within a week, I had the samples ready to go to market (in hind sight, that was the easy part)

but then once market was over came the task of creating the twelve patterns!

  • writing
  • testing
  • editing
  • photographing
  • pricing
  • more testing
  • sending files
  • ordering buttons & charms
  • waiting…

Finally:

 Suzn+Quilts+Tiny+Dresden+January+Cover

Suzn+Quilts+Tiny+Dresden+February+Cover

Web+Tiny+Dresden+March+Cover

Web+Tiny+Dresden+April+Cover

Web+Tiny+Dresden+May+Cover

Web+Tiny+Dresden+June+Cover

Web+Tiny+Dresden+July+Cover

Suzn+Quilts+Tiny+Dresden+August+Cover

Suzn+Quilts+Tiny+Dresden+September+Cover

Web+Tiny+Dresden+October+Cover

Web+Tiny+Dresden+November+Cover

 Web+Tiny+Dresden+December+Cover

Each quilt:

  • measures 6″ x 8″
  • incorporates hand embroidery with perle cotton thread
  • uses Tiny Dresden petals that make a seasonal design
  • button(s) or charm included in pattern
  • $7.50 ea. retail per pattern
  • fabric kits available $8.00 (limited supply)
  • extra button kits available $2.00 per month

With the exception of the hand embroidery & the binding,

every step was done on my sewing machine

even sewing on the buttons & making the label,

which I’ve included instructions for!

–Patterns–

–Extra button kits

— Fabric kits (limited supply)

–Wire stands

are available on my website now &

hopefully at your local quilt shop soon!

If you’re a shop & would like to carry my patterns,

send me an email or visit

Checker  or United Notions.

Now you know how I spent my summer!

Presently I’m working on more ways to use my fun

Tiny Dresden Template…

Until next time,

Susan