May is for Makers

I purchased a pattern from Abby Glassenberg Design/www.whileshenaps.com while I was still in rehab. I had the best intentions of sewing it as soon as I got home but it didn’t happen. I am going to share it anyway, as a May is for Makers post. I strongly believe that we should support independent pattern makers by purchasing their patterns. So here’s a review of this cute Patchwork Elephant pattern.

This model shown was made using a jelly roll, but you can simply use yardage or anything you want. The only other things you need are 2 button eyes (or not - if for a baby ink or embroider the eyes) and stuffing. The finished elephant is 12” long x 4” wide x 9” tall. There are instructions to cut and sew a jelly roll into yardage. Next you cut out the pattern pieces. Very clear instructions with photos guide you step by step to assemble your elephant. Lastly, stuff and close. Ears, tusks and tail are made separately and attached to the stuffed elephant. Isn’t it cute? I have a two year old great-niece that I must make one for. I think she’ll love it.

I’ll be back on Wednesday with the first block of the 101 Patchwork Patterns by Ruby McKim quilt. Please stop by and check it out. I am writing detailed instructions that will be available to download as a pdf. I will also include a photo tutorial on how to sew the block. A beginning quilter should be able to make this block with no problem.

One final fun thing I want to share. There is a blog hop starting on June 1^st that I was going to participate in, but had to withdraw. Each blogger will have a small project to share that fits the theme Opposites Attract and uses only three fabrics. Please visit http://www.seamstobesew.com/opposites-attract-starts-this-wednesday/ for a list of participants. I’m looking forward to meeting some new quilters.

Thanks,

Mary

Sorry for the delay

I am sorry for the delay in starting the 101 Patchwork Patterns Block of the Week. Getting home from rehab and reestablishing anything approaching a normal routine has been far more difficult than I expected. I have written the first pattern and cut my fabric. I hope to sew it today or tomorrow and will then post the first block. Here is a diagram of it for now. This is the center block of the quilt, and measures 15" finished.

I am so grateful to everyone who has sent a sympathy card or get well card. I have been overwhelmed with the help and support I've been offered. I am not allowed to drive yet so I will be taking some of you up on the offer to take me to appointments. There are a lot of doctors involved when something serious happens. I hope I never experience this again!

Pattern soon!

Mary

Meet Ruby McKim

I found a post last night on a new fabric line coming out called Vintage 30's Ruby's Treasure by Barbara J. Eikmeier for Fabri-Quilt, Inc., in conjuction with McKim Studios.There is a nice article on Inspired by Fabric, the blog for Fabri-Quilt/Paintbrush Studios. I love this fabric line and will be purchasing a fat quarter bundle as soon as it arrives in stores. I'll let you know when I see it at major online retailers. (pictured here, (c) Fabri-Quilt, Inc.)

On another note, I've had several inquiries about getting the weekly block emailed to you. I was not planning to do that, but you can sign up for my email newsletter and you will get a reminder to visit Seacoast Quilter and see the new block. The blog post each week will have photos of the step by step construction of the block. A beginning quilter can start now and improve their skills as we move forward through the quilt and the blocks get more difficult (y-seams, paper piecing, applique, etc.) 

On a personal note, I am going home from a rehab stay today. It will take a couple months to get back to my usual strength but quick action saved me from a heart attack. If you ever have symptoms that you might think are a heart attack please call 911. They had a portable EKG unit, hooked me up, and took me away to the hospital. I didn't get the names of any of the emergency workers but thanks, whoever you are.

I'll be back Monday with my next #MayisforMakers pattern. I may even make it over the weekend.

Thanks,
Mary

101 Patchwork Patterns - Quilt Block of the Week

This is the 100^th anniversary of the first pattern, Quaddy Quiltie, published in 1916 by Ruby Short McKim. You can see much more about Ruby’s patterns on the website her granddaughter runs, www.mckimstudios.com. They are also doing the original Flower Basket Quilt as a block of the month in conjunction with The Kansas City Star. The pattern is available on McKim Studios website, and 25+ shops are offering the program. A detailed list is available on the website.

ln honor of this important milestone, I have decided to do a sampler quilt using blocks from Ruby’s classic book, 101 Patchwork Patterns. I’ve created a medallion layout that utilizes 61 block patterns and 1 border pattern from the book.

Block of the Week Sampler Quilt

Here is a blank layout for the quilt I’ve designed. If you make the quilt just as I’ve drawn you will have a 92” x 92” queen sized bed quilt. I’m going to post a block pattern every Wednesday. We will start with the center next week and it is only squares and strips. They will get progressively harder from there. Some weeks I may offer a pieced and an appliqued block so you’ll have a choice in which blocks you use. You also have the choice of leaving off the pieced border which would yield an 84” x 84” quilt. 

(c) Mary Furber - Drawn with Electric Quilt 

I will show samples colored with traditional 30s fabric, and with batiks. I’m not sure what I’m going to make my quilt with. All my drawings are done in Electric Quilt, version 7. I’m able to import images of most any fabric to try it in the blocks. I guess it will be a surprise. Blocks will remain free until 30 days past the end of the program. At this time it will be packaged for sale.

I do hope you will join me on this quilting adventure.

Mary

May is for Makers

Well, I’m a week and a day late (and a dollar short as Dad always said) but I’m finally doing my first May is for Makers #mayisformakers. I planned to join in the fun last Monday but was unable. If you are a personal friend you saw my post on Facebook. To sum it up I lost my husband and had a heart attack on April 30. I got my laptop yesterday and spent all day today reading emails from the last 10 days. So that delayed my first post. Now, I can’t wait to get out of rehab and go home.

I did add my two published patterns to Craftsy and they can be purchased as a dpayment igital download there. You need to create an account but it is free. You can control the marketing emails you receive as well. They only accept Paypal for but that lets you use credit cards or your bank account to pay.  It's very easy and very secure. I've used it for 15 years and there has never been any security issues. Craftsy as a marketplace is unusual because it does not take a cut. If you purchase an $8.00 pattern I receive $8.00. I have three more designs in some stage of creation but would be interested in a couple testers? If you are local and want more information please contact me.

I just gotten a Brother Scan ‘n Cut CM650W (no affiliation, but see it here) the day before everything happened. I haven’t even tried it yet! But I plan to start making fabulous machine appliquéd quilts. So for my first May is for Makers pattern I purchased Whoo Knows? from a Craftsy seller, Fat Cat Patterns. I started browsing there because there is such a large selection of patterns for sale. Anyway, I have loved owls since my high school years in the 70’s. I had a pretty cool collection of ceramic owls back then. Wonder where they went? I didn’t take them away to college…

Image (c) Fat Cat Patterns

Whoo Knows? has lots of different owls that look like a good way to really learn how to use my Scan ‘n Cut. The pattern I downloaded has 70 pages and is listed as needing an intermediate level of quilting knowledge. The author, Sindy, says she designed it for her daughter, and I know owls are popular again. The instructions start with yardage requirements and some general hints. Then you get cutting and sewing instructions for the two different base blocks constructed to place the appliqué on. You can also cut the borders at this time, or wait till later.

A nice numbered layout of where each block and owl will go in the assembled quilt is next. The diagrams are both line drawings and color images. 65 pages for the individual owl appliqués with a block line drawing, color image, and individual templates are provided. The templates have lines with or without seam allowance so you can choose the style of appliqué you use. Every block has the total dimension, and how large to cut each of the appliqué pieces of fabric. The only thing I could possibly say is missing are grain lines on the curved piece templates to help those not that familiar with appliqué. I started sewing making clothing and grain lines are much more important there than when quilting. Your quilt will have all the layers stabilized by the final quilting stitches and if you use fusible web backed appliqué it won’t matter at all!

On the back of the pattern I found the designer’s website, www.fatcatpatterns.com. What a fun collection of original designs. There are also two Blocks of the Month, already in progress. She has a whole page of free patterns so you can see how well her patterns are written before you purchase any. I just started reading the blog but will definitely return to browse farther back. She also has a Facebook page. I hope everyone knows that you don't need a Facebook account to look at public pages. Do take a look at Fat Cat Patterns.

Thanks so much for reading, and I'll be back soon with my next post soon,
Mary