Color Inspiration

FREE PROJECT : Quilt as You Go

Hello! It's Hump Day. And there is nothing better to get you through Wednesday than a free quilting project! 

I wanted to take the opportunity to show you a technique on how to attach blocks that have already been individually quilted.

Here's what you'll need:

• Ten (10) 9¼" x 9¼" quilted blocks
• One (1) 1¼" x WOF strip of choice of fabric (in this case I used Pure Elements White Linen)
• Four (4) 1¼" x 19½" strip of same fabric chosen
• For Binding: Three (3) 1½" x WOF strips of fabric chosen (for further instructions on Binding, go here)

The first thing, if you have not already done so, is to trim the excess batting that you have after quilting and to square your blocks so that they measure, in this case, 9¼" x 9¼".

Once they are ready to be sewn, display them on the wall to see what arrangement you like best.

Now you can start to construct the rows individually. It is important that you sew them WRONG side to WRONG side with a ¼" seam allowance. Yes, you read correctly! That is the first part of the trick here!

Press seams open after sewing. You will have at least three layers to press, so press carefully.

Now attach the two rows together, WRONG side to WRONG side again. If you you find that the intersections are too bulky and it's creating difficulty with your machine. You can CAREFULLY trim down the batting around those areas with the scissors.

Press the seam open.

Grab all the 1¼" x WOF strips and fold in. Press ¼" on each of the long sides of the each strip.

In this tutorial, what I'm going to show you is a different way to do sashing in "applique" style in order to cover unfinished seams and also bring more design and visual interest to your piece. As far as color for the thread, you can choose to use matching color thread for the top fabric.

First, attach the longer strip right on and center it with the seam that attaches the two rows. Pin as needed and top-stitch 1/16" away from the edge of the strip of both sides. Press.

Once you finish that strip, you can proceed to sew on the strips that go on top of the "vertical" seams, following the same process as the horizontal strip.

After you have finished pressing, use a rotary cutter and ruler to trim the excess sashing.

Now you are ready to bind it! If you have a preferred way of binding your quilt, go for it. In this case, I used the same technique I usually do on my Free Quilt Patterns.

Pretty simple, huh? This is an easy way to make a modern and colorful quilt. The decorative stitches add a nice and different touch to a solid fabric.

Happy Wednesday!
Pat

Happy Earth Day

Hello there! I'm wishing everyone a Happy Earth Day today!

 

Wonderlust Luna from Indie

Flowers are my biggest inspiration, next to color. I am so grateful for the beautiful flowers Mother Earth gives us. 

To blue skies and green thumbs!

xoxo,
Pat

Free Project : The Artsy Bag

Hello everyone! I'm so delighted to share my newest creation, The Artsy Bag for WeAllSew.

It's been so fun discovering new and creative ways to use the BERNINA. I love flowers. So it was natural for me to use the free-motion stitching to make some organic florals.

Please visit WeAllSew to download the free PDF on how you can make The Artsy Bag!

Happy sewing,
Pat

Color Inspiration

FREE Project : Cooking with Spice

Mother's Day in less than a month away! If your mom loves to cook, why not gift her with an apron? Your mom would love a handmade gift from you!

My Spice It Up apron is feminine and flattering and can be sewn up in about a day.

What You'll Need:

• 3/4 yd of Fabric A
• 1/2 yd of Fabric B
• 1/2 yd of Fabric C

Click here for the free PDF directions.

Happy sewing,
Pat

BERNINA Fabric Design Contest

I'm happy to announce that I'm a judge for the BERNINA Fabric Design Contest! Is designing fabric a dream of yours? If so, I encourage all of you to enter.

 You have until April 22nd to submit your original fabric design "swatch" to the BERNINA Pinterest board. You can win a run of your fabric design and a BERNINA 710! Please go to the BERNINA We All Sew web site to read the official rules to enter.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing all of your entries!

Happy designing,
Pat

What I'm Loving Right Now

Happy Wednesday to everyone! I need to get inspired in order to get over hump day. Right now I'm loving KENZO.

The House of KENZO was founded in Paris in 1970 by Takada Kenzo. Kenzo is a native of Japan and I am inspired by his diverse culture, nature and colors in his designs. I really like his romantic style and it is reflected in my studio work. I own all three KENZO books!

Check out my KENZO Pinterest board to see more of his breathtaking fashions and home decor. And be sure to follow me on Pinterest too!

Ciao,

Pat

And the winner is...

Thank you! Thank you! I enjoyed reading ALL 464 comments you all made about my Carnaby St. fabric line. You all warm my so much heart!

And now, for the four lucky winners of a Carnaby St. fat quarter bundle in the color of their choice.

Congratulations winners! Look for an email, for FB note, from me for you to claim your prize!

I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend :)

xoxo, Pat

Aurifil Block of the Month with Rock 'n Romance

Hey everyone! I'm am so honored and excited that my fabric line, Rock 'n Romance, is being used for the 2013 Aurifil Design Team! Twelve lovely designers are creating awesome blocks. Each month there will be a new quilt block by one of the designers. Here are the first four of the year.

The 1st four designers are:

Jeni Baker

Erin Russek
Marie-Claude Picon-Iperti
Katy Jones

The blocks are all so great! I'm so inspired that I'm already sketching out my design for December. I can't wait to see more!

Happy sewing!
Love, Pat