Flower Show Block

JULY...

Here comes the final block in this block of the month series....

This time of year, signals the onset of summer activities; and finally the kids are finished their school year. So what are you going to do with all that time? 

If you're a quilter, there is an endless supply of quilting projects to find online these days; and deciding where to focus your creative energy can be overwhelming. However, if time is of short supply for sewing, why not try this mini block for JULY to signify those special times spent out in the garden!

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If your sewing/quilting time is limited, you can still download this block pattern FREE* during the month of July and save it for making on a rainy day. 

And for more FREE creative blocks, there are:  

BLUE MOON, IS THERE COFFEE?, and OH...LOLLIPOP! 

However, the free offer on these three blocks will soon be disappearing sometime in July. Please visit soon.... to find them; and the rest of the block series.

*Please do not make copies of these block designs to give to your friends; instead share this page or ask them to go to the website to download their own patterns. :)

For any more instruction to prepare the block, please visit my Craftsy page for the PDF pattern (available usually within a few days of this posting). 

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FABRIC SELECTION

6.) BLUE and PURPLE

I have chosen my blue-purple block to embellish for my sixth (and final) quilt block in this series. This color theme fit well with my chosen theme. 

The stitch that holds the front and batting was done with a leaf design. Now it fits well with the flower appliques that have been used for this month's block.

BLUE-PURPLE BLOCK (Front)

            

BLUE-PURPLE BLOCK (Back)

THE BLOCK - Creative Flowers

Many quilters love using flowers in their quilts; and thus, I have ended up selecting a flower theme for this block. To come up with this design, I looked through my applique scraps for inspiration. I tend to accumulate leftover appliques when designing quilts; and figured it was time to see if any would be useful for this block.

To come up with a name for this block, I thought about how much fun participants have when entering items into a fall fair in their local area for display, and winning ribbons. So if you have any leftovers that would work for this block, add your own creativity to make your own unique block.

So go ahead.... and put together a winning entry for this month's block. Use the pattern as is; or embellish it to suit your own creative style!

THE FINISHED BLOCK

FLOWER SHOW BLOCK

This block may be added to the others and joined into a larger quilt once all my blocks are completed. Or finished as a mini quilt all on its own!

I will select some blocks to show how to join them; and this will be available sometime this summer. It will also be included in the pattern that will contain all of my blocks in this series.

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Enjoy this project... and find the pattern soon at my Craftsy store page, where all applique templates will be included. FLOWER SHOW will be available to download for free for the month of July 2015. 

Although this means that the previous month's block: Sail Away will no longer be available for free. All templates will be available together in one pattern, once the series has run its course. Each new block will replace the previous one until all blocks have been posted. 


Happy piecing...

Sailing Away Block

JUNE...

Holiday time is coming... can it really be here!!

That time of year when being active doesn't mean layers and layers of clothing just to keep warm. But now, opportunity to cool off! Water is where many people enjoy their summers, and why not try this block for JUNE to signify those special days.

PLEASE NOTE:

For any more instruction to prepare the block, please visit my Craftsy page for the PDF pattern (available usually within a few days of this posting). These three blocks that will remain free for the duration of this series: BLUE MOON, IS THERE COFFEE?, and OH...LOLLIPOP!

FABRIC SELECTION

5.) BLUES

I have chosen my blue block to embellish for my fifth quilt block in this series. This color theme fits perfectly with the water theme that dominates our summer activities. 

Because we are thinking of water, why not add machine stitching using a wave stitch along the strips. Be careful that you don't stretch the block out of shape.  

BLUE BLOCK - FRONT

BLUE BLOCK - BACK

BLOCK APPLIQUES -- SAILBOAT

Even our scraps can produce a colorful section once selected and sewn together to create this delightful sailboat. Whether your memories are of toy boats from your childhood or real adventures on the ocean, have fun selecting your fabric strips to create this appliqued block.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE APPLIQUE

A.) Instead of using fabric, why not use Rattail satin cord (2mm) to create the mast. Here I've used two pieces cut from a 12" length and stitched separately using a zigzag stitch to fasten each down. 

B.) Before stitching, place the sailboat on the block to place the cord in the proper location. Once it is stitched, replace the sailboat pieces; and fuse and stitch them in place. 

THE MAST

THE FLAG

THE FINISHED BLOCK

SAIL AWAY BLOCK

This block may be added to the others and joined into a larger quilt once all my blocks are completed. That process will be featured soon.

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Enjoy this project... and find the pattern soon at my Craftsy store page, where all applique templates will be included. SAIL AWAY will be available to download for free for the month of June 2015. 

Although this means that the previous month's block: Outdoor Adventure will no longer be available for free. All templates will be available together in one pattern, once the series has run its course. Each new block will replace the previous one until all blocks have been posted. 


Happy piecing...

Outdoor Adventure Block

May 2015...Getting there. Spring heading towards summer....

Time to....

     enjoy planning-planting the garden, 

          taking a trip to the lake on the long weekend, 

               or just an outdoor excursion on the weekends through the countryside. 

Anyway, you enjoy this time of year...
     it's time for the next design for MAY that is inspired by the change of seasonal activities.

PLEASE NOTE:

For any more instruction to prepare the block, please visit my Craftsy page for the PDF pattern (available usually within a few days of this posting). The three other blocks that will remain free for the duration of this series are:

BLUE MOON, IS THERE COFFEE?, and OH...LOLLIPOP!

FABRIC SELECTION

4.) ORANGES

I have chosen my light orange block to embellish for my fourth quilt block in this series. This color theme works fine with this applique design. Not really very much color in the outdoors, yet the grass is greening up; and the planning of the gardening season is underway. 

FRONT OF BLOCK

BACK OF BLOCK

These blocks can be made from scrap fabrics and scrap batting pieces. Making these blocks economical and easy to construct; and perhaps giving you opportunity to learn some new skills in the process.

BLOCK APPLIQUES

A) SIMPLE TREES

These triangles are easy to make if you begin with a square; and then cut each square into two triangles. For the top three triangles use a 4" square; and for the bottom triangle use a 3.5" square. 

Cut these out of fabric or create a more colorful triangle by using pieced strings. If using strings you can first cut squares out of paper to find the size necessary for the triangle shapes. 

TREES

B) THE TENT

The tent can be made from existing scraps or cut from pieced strips constructed from the fabric colors you select. Add fancy or decorative stitching to the tent to embellish it, if desired. The flag and flag pole are cut from scraps.

TENT

My block posted here will not be finished with a binding, as I wish to consider combining several of these blocks into a larger project, that I will share once all my blocks have been stitched. 

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Block

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Enjoy this project... and find the pattern soon at my Craftsy store page, where all applique templates will be included. OUTDOOR ADVENTURE will be available to download for free for the month of May 2015. 

Although this means that the previous month's block: Country Cabin will no longer be available for free. All templates will be available together in one pattern, once the series has run its course. Each new block will replace the previous one until all blocks have been posted. 


Happy piecing...

Flower Patch

March 2015.... Waiting for Spring 

Are you ready for the next block in this Pieced Strings Series for 2015...! 

I had some time to reflect on what designs I'd try; and have had opportunity to made up a few. So there is no waiting for another month to pass, before sharing the next one with you. 

Therefore, here's my flower inspired block for MARCH. For anyone that has downloaded the block: "Oh.. Lollipop!" or seen it on my blog will recognize its shape. You'll be able to use this same template piece to create the main flowers. The pattern with all the templates should be available in a few days, after this entry has been posted.

Plus, I am tired of looking out the window at fields of snow; and flowers are always so uplifting, aren't they? So let's make some flowers.... 


CREATING THE DESIGN

Instructions for preparing the blocks using narrow fabric strings, are shown in these projects, available on my Craftsy page:

BLUE MOON

IS THERE COFFEE?

OH.. LOLLIPOP!

Please note: I will not be repeating the instructions to make this block in detail, here on the blog, as these will be available for free download, to compliment this series.  (Find the links on the right-hand column of this blog.)

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2.) YELLOWS, GOLDS

I have chosen my yellow block to embellish for my second quilt block in this series. This color theme fits the longer, more sunnier days of the end of winter, perfect for the month of MARCH.

YELLOW BLOCK -- FRONT

YELLOW BLOCK -- BACK

JOINING THE TOP AND BATTING

To keep the strings from shifting too much, in the process of making the block, I added the batting layer to the wrong side of the top fabric piece. 

By using straight lines of stitching, both layers are held in place without the use of safety pins or temporary adhesive spray. Pins can be used if desired. On this block, I stitched a series of three squares near the center of the block.

You will also note, that the batting layer was made from scrap pieces of batting. The best stitch to join these scraps is the three-step zigzag stitch, it does not pull the pieces together to create a ridge like a regular zigzag stitch does. (The three-step stitch makes three stitches for each part of the zigzag.) The regular zigzag stitch doesn't affect the batting negatively; however, it does make both pieces join neater if you can use the three-step zigzag stitch. You can see the difference in the photo above. 

THE APPLIQUES

Next step, is to prepare the templates for the applique design. The templates will be available in the pattern, as soon as it is ready on my Craftsy page. However, you may begin by making the pieced block and using the flower shape from the "OH.. LOLLIPOP!! block.

Flowers
To create the flower patch block, use the flower design and embellish it with either a fabric center or some fancy and colorful buttons.

FLOWER CENTERS -- BUTTONS

Stems
One thing about appliqued flowers that may be time consuming; or perhaps frustrating, is the process of working with long, narrow strips of fabric. They can be tedious to prepare and cut out; as well as, sometimes they just don't stitch down as perfectly, as one would like. (Although, that may be either because the fabric frays too easily or the fusible web hasn't adhered properly to the fabric.)

Therefore, here's an option for you, to try in this design. Instead of using fabric, create the stems using rat tail satin cord (2 mm cord shown below) and stitch it down with a zigzag stitch. It's very quick and the cut ends are covered with the flower at the top and the leaves at the bottom. (You may use ribbon or yarns if you don't have satin cord, as shown.)

FLOWER STEMS -- RAT TAIL CORD

Leaves
To fill in the background with more color and help balance out the design, let's use a special placement of brightly colored leaves. 

Another note... do not worry too much about where the stems are placed; as in my layout, I had only one stem in the center and this was not covered with leaves. Therefore, I added the two small flowers at the center of this area. These came from my applique leftovers, from a previous project. The pattern will provide these flowers for you. Or you may add more leaves, if desired.  

LEAVES AND SMALL FLOWERS

MY VERSION

I love buttons; however, and in this case, I decided to use fabric centers for the flowers. And once, I had chosen the dark brown for the flower centers that matched the color of the stems, I knew that was what I wanted to use.

FLOWER PATCH BLOCK

My small flowers, at the bottom of the design were leftovers from another project, and this is also another way to add uniqueness to a project. 

The larger leaves and white flowers were cut from pieced fabric strings; and these certainly add extra dimension to the design. 

Have fun joining fabrics together to get some very unexpected results; as sometimes it is colors that one wouldn't think go well together; that actually look beautiful in a finished applique design. And using fabric strips is a great way to use up your scrap fabrics and create pretty quilt blocks.

My block posted here will not be finished with a binding, as I wish to consider combining several of these blocks into larger projects. And share this will you at a later date.

WALL-HANGING FROM THESE BLOCKS

Beginning with this block, I will only be stitching together the top and batting layers. Later I will show you how to add sashing to join these blocks; and how to prepare it to add the backing layer. This can be finished as is; or I may consider adding a unique border.

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Enjoy this project... and find the pattern soon at my Craftsy store page, where all applique templates will be included. FLOWER PATCH will be available to download for free for the month of March 2015. 

Although this means that the previous month's block: Chocolate Hearts will no longer be available for free. All templates will be available together in one pattern, once the series has run its course. Each new block will replace the previous one until all blocks have been posted. 


Happy piecing...

New Pieced Strings

After having some time away from my sewing room, I may finally be ready to revisit these pieced string blocks from 2014, and share some new appliques, along with tips; and perhaps some more variations to this block.

My continued goal is to use fabrics from my stash; and these mini projects look great -- even with those older fabrics, that may not be current or fit some of the new patterns available.

Thank you so much for your interest in my free mini quilts; and perhaps, you'll see more that interest you. Please visit my Craftsy page for any new additions, coming this year.


Therefore, my hopes for this block series, are as follows:

1.) GOALS
Post a new block (perhaps one month a new applique; and the next month a new idea or variation) depends on my mood and how much can actually be realized. May include:

• a new applique design,
• a variation to the stitching lines that reinforce the strings from shifting during the quilting process, 
• feature a new color theme,
• ideas to make the blocks into a small wall hanging, or larger quilt,
• variations to assembling the block, such as: 1 layer; 2 layers, or 3 layers.

2.) HOW COLOR CREATES THE MOOD
Three of these mini quilts were completed, and are still available for a free download at my Craftsy page. (See links to these projects in the right-side column.)

The blocks shown below are ready to embellish; and these examples showcase how pretty a variety of colors can provide a working block to embellish or practice your machine stitching.

Use only one block or combine several for larger projects. Give it a try...

Three color variations; and Oh Lollipop!

Four Color Variations in Yellows and Browns

Dig into your scrap fabrics and enjoy making up your own variations for some fun mini projects!

3.) TIPS
I found adding the batting and top fabric; and then stitching them as one layer, gave it more stability, when adding the applique design. The stitching adds dimension behind the design, as well.

To further help in keeping things from shifting, add some straight lines to the block before adding the applique design. (Those of you not familiar with free motion quilting; or like me, not brave enough to try it yet, these lines are added using regular stitching.) Certainly, if you wish, you can add free motion stitching over the whole block before or after adding the appliques.

FRONT OF BLOCK

BACK OF BLOCK

As you can see from the photos, you can use scraps from both the fabrics and batting pieces that are leftover from other projects. Once the mini quilt is complete, you would never know that they were made from discarded or leftover pieces from other projects.

To make this project even quicker to assemble, another option is to layer all three pieces together, (front fabric, batting, and back fabric) before adding any stitching lines.

Continue piecing together those fabric scraps, to make beautiful projects!



FEBRUARY 2015 - PROJECT
I will be adding an applique design to the sample shown in pink. It is still in the works, and will appear on this blog when it is ready. You may use any combination of reds, pinks, and whites.


Coming soon... to not miss this or future projects, why not join this blog to see them when they are posted.

Embellished Activity Mat

Making a colorful and entertaining activity mat may just help the boredom that seems to be a daily experience for those unable to provide busy work in hospital or care centers, and help time feel more productive to fill those long days. 

I hadn't known about these until I seen someone post a picture on social media. And here, is the link to this information:

For more on these projects, 

please visit this blog where I first was introduced to these fun mats: 

alzactivityaids

There are two types of aids: 1.) activity mats, and 2.) texture mats.

I happened to just notice the texture mat page, on this blog, when adding the link to this post. But for now, check out what materials I used and added to my mother's special activity mat.


MY VERSION:
It can't be helped, but I just cannot stick with the original design, I must add my own twist to it; and for this project, it was to add elements that reminded me of her.

Of course, to keep things from getting expensive, I also like to stick with this rule: "Use what you have"; and that really emphasizes what she would always do. Many from her generation learnt that everything had value for re-purposing as they lived through times that were very harsh. Therefore, living with the 3Rs of the environment (reduce, reuse, recycle) was a necessity; not a choice.

So I used pre-cut squares to form the prairie points; rings and hooks and ribbons and buttons that just waited to be utilized. The appliques were from leftovers from other projects, and the things attached to the rings can be removed and replaced with other items, at any time.

EMBELLISHED ACTIVITY MAT (left side)

To keep her philosophy in mind, I dug through my current supplies to come up with a variety of items to embellish this mat. The only thing that I did buy were the pony beads, as I did wish to add them, however, had none in my crafting supplies.


THE DESIGN PROCESS:

QUILTED BACKGROUND AND ATTACHED RINGS

BUTTONS AND PRAIRIE POINTS (top left)

HOUSE WITH RIBBON (bottom left)

APPLIQUED FLOWER AND PONY BEAD STRING

ZIPPER and ZIPPERED PHOTO POCKET (right side)

If you've ever had a pen and paper in hand, and needed to provide distraction from a boring lecture or being put on hold on the phone, what happens? Doodling begins to fill that gap... and a page of fun designs begins to take shape. This is like that paper, adding a variety of items that can bring creative distraction and provide stimulation for any agitated fidgeting.

For an activity mat, you can embellish it with any items that suit those that will benefit from such a project.


Bringing cheer...