Tag: Moda Fabrics

My Life

Trees, Trees & More Trees!

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I have 2 new patterns & 2 new sizes of tree template sets!

You’re going to love them.

The cutting is so quick & accurate with my brand new templates

& they’re super quick to sew too!

Woodland Forest is a generous lap quilt that finishes 56 1/2″ x 74 1/2″.

Woodland Runner is a nice size table runner or door or wall quilt that finishes 14″ x 54 1/2″.

My new Mini Tree Template Set makes the largest, 6″ x 9″ finished blocks.

How cute are these Mini Trees made with Renee Nanneman of Need’l Love’s fabrics?

And my Little Tree Template Set makes the middle size trees which finish at 4 1/2″ x 6″.

They are the perfect size to play nicely with my Tiny Dresden Plates!

The Little Tree Quilt is made with more of Renee’s fabrics.

And you’re already familiar with my popular Tiny Tree Template Set, the smallest trees, which finish at 3″ x 4 1/2″.

All of these can now be found on my website by clicking here.

Woodland Forest will make a great Christmas pic backdrop!

Emma & I had some fun before dropping it off at my quilter, Tamara’s shop.

This was Emma’s very first trip to a quilt shop!

She enjoyed herself immensely!

She had to check out everything!

Then we had more fun after we picked it up!

The extra wide red binding really sets off the trees.

Instructions for the extra wide binding are included in this pattern.

You have plenty of time to sew these up to enjoy for this Christmas & for many Christmases to come!

Check them out on my website by clicking here.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

My Life

Happy 4th Of July 2022!

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I hope you’re enjoying this 4th of July weekend!

Enjoy some fireworks or create your own with my Gnomes At Home patterns!

You can find the patterns,

each complete with buttons by clicking here.

I have the cute little stands & also offer complete button sets if you want to make a second set of quilts for a friend.

You can find them all by clicking here to go to my website.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

My Life

Galaxy featured in Simply Moderne

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My Galaxy quilt,

made with Jen Kingwell’s Winkipop fabrics by Moda is featured in Quiltmania’s Simply Moderne #28, coming to a quilt shop or newsstand near you!

I love their family of beautiful magazines & feel honored each & every time Carol Veillon chooses to feature one or more of my quilts in their pages.

The reason I love their magazines so much is not only are the quilts beautiful, but the quilt content is awesome!

I can spend hours with each edition, over & over again!

They feature quilters and their homes & also visit quilt shows around the world that I cannot visit in person.

For example, Galaxy will be hanging in Quiltmania’s booth at

Pour l Amour du Fil Show

20 – 23 Apr 2022

 PARC DES EXPOSITIONS, Nantes, France (wish I were going there with it!).

I look forward to seeing lots of pics from the show in an upcoming Quiltmainia publication.

If you would like to have their magazines come to your door,

you can order a subscription, paper and/or digital,

for one or all three publications on their website by clicking here.

Start collecting your fabric now to make my pretty Galaxy quilt.

I used 3 jelly rolls of Winkipop, but you can use 3 coordinating jelly rolls or the equivalent yardage. And if you don’t already have my Tiny Dresden Template, you can find that on my website by clicking here.

This is another version that I made with yardage from my stash.

Both were expertly quilted by Tamara.

Stay tuned, Simply Moderne #28 should be out soon.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

New quilt pattern

Another Fresh New Pattern, Baskets & Posies

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This new pattern is made with Cider by Basic Grey

for Moda Fabrics plus I added the stripe fabric.

Some of the prints are new Grunge colors,

as part of the Cider collection.

This quilt just sings spring, don’t you think?

I showed you some of the basket work last fall while I was making this quilt.

I love the check print.

My pattern tester, Heather used the check print for her baskets and varied the flower fabric colors.

It looks fantastic! I’m a bit jealous…

There were circles to make…

Of course…

A nice pile of petals were also made.

This is such a fun quilt to make!

Baskets & Posies is now available in both paper & PDF forms

on my website by clicking here.

The pattern instructions include;

my Tiny Dresden plate tricks & techniques, of course,

freezer paper appliqué

& the piecing of the basket blocks.

This would make a great workshop for you quilting group!

Do you know that I travel to teach?

You can see my offering on my website by clicking here.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

New quilt pattern

Another Fresh New Pattern, Bazinga

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Bazinga was such a fun quilt to make!

The color prints are from Winkipop by Jen Kingwell for Moda Fabrics.

In retrospect I probably should have named it something like “I Spy,”

or maybe “Ghost Trees.”

Can you see the (trunkless) trees from my Tiny Tree Template Set #286?

The block is similar to the 54-40 fight block,

but as you can see, there are no points to be fussy about!

Originally I designed this with Christmas fabrics.

My pattern tester, Chris,

thinks this would make a good Quilts of Valor quilt.

I agree!

I’m excited to be able to design more quilts using my

Tiny Tree Template Set like I’ve been doing with my

Tiny Dresden #216 & my Mini Dresden #186 templates.

I have a lot more designs in mind,

so if you already have my Tiny Tree Template Set you’re set,

if not, you can find it on my website by clicking here.

Bazinga can now be found in both

paper & PDF versions on my website by clicking here.

More fresh new designs to come!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

New quilt pattern

Fresh New Patterns For 2021!

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I’m excited to show you the fresh new patterns

that I’ve been working so hard to bring to you.

I hope you enjoy seeing what I’ve been up to.

I also hope you’ll be excited to make 1 or 2 yourself.

Each one was so much fun to create!

If you remember, I showed you my favorite a couple of weeks ago,

Dredsens In The Park.

I love making little Dresden plates

more than any other quilting task these days.

Does it show???

They’re so relaxing & gratifying when

you have the right tools & know all of my tricks!

I discuss & illustrate these for you in every one of my patterns.

When you sew the rainbow it’s nice to have

a beautiful box of Sulky cotton threads to match!

I’ve included exact measurements to easily

lay them all out the same way so they match.

Yes, I like precision…

Most of the fabrics are Winkipop by Jen Kingwell.
I also added a couple other Moda fabrics

like this black dot by American Jane.


I intended to use one of these prints as an outer border, but when I laid it out,

the border was “too much” for the quilt.

Remember this pic?
It’s from back in October when I started cutting these fabrics!
This quilt has been done for quite a while.
Can you understand why it’s so exciting for me

to finally have this pattern ready to send to you???

Freezer paper along with glue &

my Apliquick Bars create perfect leaves so easily.
Practice definitely helps.

I shared with you several videos of me making & also

appliquéing these pieces back in November in my post

“Does Freezer Paper Appliqué Scare Or Excite You?”

You can watch them (again?) by clicking here.

There’s a little difference in the technique

between straight & rounded edges,

so be sure to watch each very short

video clip for the most tips.

Flying geese blocks add a bit of “zing”

around the quilt, don’t you agree?

Dresdens In The Park is now available

in both paper and PDF versions

on my website by clicking here.

Stay tuned for more fresh new patterns!

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

Applique quilt projects, My Life, New quilt pattern

National Quilting Day 2021

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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?

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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

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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

My Life, new quilt patterns, New tiny Dresden plate quilts

New Patterns Spring 2019 Dresden Feathered Stars

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I’m finally feeling caught up with all of my after-market work.

Notice I said “feeling,” not that I am…

I want to show you my new patterns!

I’m excited to have 3 new patterns that I enjoyed making

& I know you’ll love them too!

I’m going to warn you,

this post is image heavy!!!

I love taking pics of my progress not only to mark what I’ve done,

but also as a great retrospect.

Meet Dresden Feathered Stars:

It all started way back when the total solar eclipse was happening in August of 2017.

Do you remember that day?

Clare, Nemo, Mabel & I spent the day mesmerized by the changing light.

It’s also when I started cutting fabrics for a new design for a

Feathered Star block

that would accommodate my Tiny Dresden plate.

Designing was fun.

I had to be sure it would all fit together.

I’m reminded of a book about the Wright Brothers that I read over & over in grade school.

I read it aloud to my mom while she cooked.

The boys’ mother made clothing from her own patterns.

She always made the garment out of paper first.

She would say “If you get it right on paper,

then it will be right when you make it.”

I don’t know why that stuck with me all these years, but it did.

I wish I could find that book.

The past few years I’ve bought & checked out of libraries

every version of “The Wright Brothers”

that I could find, but so far I’ve not found that exact book.

Anyway, getting it right

& making notes along the way

 

helped me to realize the process.

It also helped to remember the exact steps

to make a perfect feathered star block.

I had several Tiny Dresden plates hanging around to audition for the role…

but that really wasn’t the task at hand.

I enjoyed the process

& the results were such that I had to make more.

making more & more notes as I went along.

 

 

 

Soon feathered star block #2 was complete!

Next I cut for block #3.

I added labels, notes & illustrations to make the next block even easier!

Soon I had the instructions written to help with assembly of the next block.

By then my book,

Dresden Quilt Workshop

was released & my time & attention was taken elsewhere…

Eventually I came back to finish feathered star block #3.

It was considerably easier with the instructions that I had written.

Soon block #4 was complete!

That’s when Dresden Quilt Workshop Sampler was born & I couldn’t stop myself!

That lead into getting ready for fall market

& all the prep involved with promoting a brand new book with C&T.

Dresden Feathered Stars got put on the waaaaay back burner…..

Then this past winter Susanna’s Scraps by Betsy Chutchian became available.

I ordered sample yardage.

In my prep work with that collection

I decided the border print looked great with the Moda pinks in my stash.

& that’s when it hit me that my feathered star blocks would look great with this border print!

But then what?

The pinks from other collections looked great, but they needed something else.

That something else was GREEN!

So I set to work with my instructions

that I had written more than a year before

& my green stash!

Soon I was set to sew!

An estate sale had produced this awesome green box perfect for organizing my cutting table.

So, green stars evolved.

 

They looked great with the pink stars!

Nemo kept me on task snow & all.

 

Points were just falling together!

Soon I had stars ready for the beautiful border print.

Oddly enough when I got ready for the Tiny Dresden plates,

I realized the plates that were hanging out in my sewing atelier

were perfect!!!

 

How crazy is that?

So I set to the fun task of appliqueing them to the centers of the feathered star blocks.

But now what?

 

 

Too dark…

Too…

So much too, that I had to set them aside & let them percolate.

In the meantime I made a baby quilt for a cousin’s new baby.

In case you don’t recognize it, it’s my “Name That Quilt” baby quilt book.

It has really saved me in times that I need a baby gift!!!

Soon I was back to the feathered stars…

I finally decided on the perfect fabric for the

Mini Dresden plate intersecting plates & sashing too.

Soon the quilt design was complete!

Next was to get it professionally quilted by Tamara,

then photographed by Scott.

Nemo was of course on hand to offer his support!

 

Sadly this was Nemo’s last photo shoot.

We had to have him put to sleep this week.

We had 13 years together with this sweet collie

& I already miss him!

Many of my work days were made sweeter with his company.

But life goes on & more quilts will be made.

Dresden Feathered Stars,

full of illustrations & notes

will help you make perfect Feathered Stars,

& my hope is that you enjoy the process as much as I did!

They’re available on my website.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan