Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Eerie Nights Blog Hop

Hello, and welcome to the Eerie Nights Blog Hop. I hope you have been following along each day. We've seen some wonderful projects. Thanks to Marian at Seams To Be Sew for organizing this, and Amy at Sew Incredible Crazy for being our hostess. I'll share the full schedule at the bottom of this post. You can visit any time to see what everyone is up to!

If you have visited me before you may remember that my life turned upside down a few months ago with the death of my husband. I have been working on cleaning out our house in preparation to moving ever since. When I have something that I can sell and don't need, I've been parting with it. So I've left myself without a dining table. Oh well, I've got a fun table topper to share, and you'll just have to imagine it's nicely displayed!

You can download a pdf version of this pattern for future reference.


When I set the topper down on a kitchen island, this is what I got! My cat, Seamus, thinks everything is for him. And when I tried to move him, he turned his back! Good thing he's cute!




This is made with one block, and which is twisted to get the pattern. I started with paper pieced half square triangle units and proceeded from there.


Next, sew together pairs of half square triangle units.


 Now sew two pairs together, and pinwheel the center seam to reduce bulk.


Close up of the pinwheeled center of the block.


Next, make pairs of blocks, then sew together into blocks of 4 units.


You also need to make four corner units with 2 blocks and 2 plain squares.


To the above, add two plain rectangles. These extend beyond the blocks for now.


Following this diagram, assemble your blocks. The corner blocks get trimmed after you quilt, and before you apply your binding.



Closeups showing the quilting.


I used designs from a Continuous Line Halloween machine embroidery design pack from Embroidery Online with a variegated thread from Aurifil. I didn't realize the thread included white so it didn't work perfectly, but I like it.


After the quilting you will need to trim off the ears on the corners. Be careful to leave a quarter inch beyond the seam allowance with the neighboring block and at the intersection of the two rectangles.


When trimming around the rest of the topper, I used the center white line (that is at 3-1/4" on my 6-1/2" ruler) and checked that I had 1/4" beyond the points before cutting. 

I cut my binding 2" and sewed it at 1/4". This worked out a bit tight and made the corners (all 12 of them!!!) a bit hard to turn. I'm probably going to take it off and replace it with a 2-1/4" cut binding.

Finished size of the table topper is 24" diameter.

Eerie Nights Blog Hop Schedule:

20-Oct

21-Oct

24-Oct

25-Oct

26-Oct

27-Oct
                    YOU ARE HERE ===>>> Seacoast Quilter


28-Oct


If you have time it's fun to see everyone's projects. And of course, enter the prize drawings. I have a chance for you to win some of my favorite thread, Aurifil. Just leave a comment below and use the Rafflecopter to enter the drawing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by. I am doing a block of the week (or so) using the classic 101 Patchwork Patterns book by Ruby Short McKim rewritten into rotary cutting instructions. We are making a medallion style quilt and have completed one round. Take a look here, or click the tab at the top of the page.

Enjoy,
Mary


63 comments:

  1. Your blocks are unique and very modern,thanks for sharing

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  2. I like your cat approved table topper. Great instructions for stitching it.

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  3. Good-looking table topper, and the awfully cute cat on top makes it purrfect!

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  4. I love the table-topper and the pumpkin quilting! And I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  5. Thank you for your table topper pattern and great instructions-love the color pattern! Also, prayers.

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  6. What a great topper! Love the pattern. Thank you for the tute.

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  7. Thanks for the tutorial! I love the pumpkin quilting!

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  8. Great looking quilt, quilting is fun!

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  9. So sorry for your loss. I admire how you are moving on. The table topper is great. Thanks for sharing your kitty approved project.

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  10. Your table topper is beautiful!! Love it! Thanks for sharing it with us! Sorry for your loss. Wishing you all the best in the months to come.

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  11. Wow, Mary! Your table topper is awesome! I really love it. I love the quilting too. Great job.
    I am so sorry to hear about your husband. I know it must be really hard dealing with the loss and trying to get every thing settled. I hope that all goes well for you and that you find peace in your time of sorrow. Take care.

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  12. I like how you got them all togeather.... loved the table topper ty for sharing..... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  13. I like how you got them all togeather.... loved the table topper ty for sharing..... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  14. The table topper is great and I can see why Seamus likes it so much. It is his color! My cat is the same and she blends in with a lot of our Autumn decorations. Fun!

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  15. You must have so much to do to get ready to sell. I love your table topper. You did a great job on it.

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  16. Your topper is wonderful and the quilting is gorgeous! Love the quilting design!

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    1. Seamus has good taste, this turned out beautifully. I haven't really gotten into hang paper piecing. Don't know what my problem is, but it takes me forever.

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  17. Cute table topper. Thanks for the hint about 'pinwheeling' the center seam to reduce bulk. Little details like that can make a big difference in the final project.

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  18. I love the design on this topper! The quilting just sets it off, even with the white thread. Great job!

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  19. That is a great design. Thanks for sharing your project!

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  20. this is wonderful. thanks for the pattern and tips. your kitty has great taste. he knows what is fun. LOL

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  21. NEAT TABLE TOPPER! I LIKE SEAMUS TOO! THANKS FOR SHARING ON YOUR BLOG+THIS GIVEAWAY! msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  22. That is a beautiful table topper. I also like that you shared the machine embroidery designs. I'm always looking for new ones, thank you! The Aurifil rafflecopter doesn't seem to let me count my posts today.
    Pam McDonald reeskylr(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. You say table topper, your cat says good place for a nap! 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  24. Great table topper for Halloween! Seamus is cute! I love orange cats!!!

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  25. Great table topper! The colors are perfect for Halloween. You did such a beautiful job of quilting. I love the pumpkin design! I'm sure Seamus thinks you made this just for him.

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  26. Love the table topper. Perfect for Halloween.

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  27. Beautiful table topper. I like kitty helper. I have one of those too.

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  28. My condolences on the passing of your loved one. I nearly lost my partner recently but he had a pacemaker installed so hopefully more years together. I don't look forward to going through everything when he does leave this earth. Stay strong!

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  29. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I'm glad you have Seamus to keep you company. I'm sure he will be a good companion wherever life takes you next; cats are good that way. It's nice the way they seem to especially appreciate quilts, too, don't you think? Thanks for sharing your Halloween table topper.

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  30. Great table topper - lovely tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

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  31. I love table toppers -- and yours is so cute. I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a spouse is like having the ground go out from beneath you; everything changes. Give yourself all the time you need to get your bearings. Hugs.

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  32. Sending good thoughts your way.

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  33. I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband. Having to clean everything out must be hard for you, but I'm sure it will be worth it. Your table topper is amazing with all the triangles and I love the shape of it!

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  34. You are in my thoughts, bless your heart! Love this topper, you've really raised the bar! Big hugs!

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  35. Thanks for the close up photos of your projects. Really enjoy being able to see the details in people's projects.

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  36. What a wonderful pattern! I am going to try that with Christmas colors, I think. I'm so sorry about your husband. It sounds as if it was unexpected. My husband's death was not unexpected, but it's been 6.5 years and it still isn't easy. It gets better, but never easy. Best of luck to you.

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  37. All that paper piecing looks terribly scary to me ;-) but your quilting motif is darling beyond belief! That will be one to look up for me. Thank you for sharing the source. Hoping you and Seamus hold up well through the holiday.

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  38. Great project, such nice points! and the quilting is lovely. Just Beautiful!

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  39. Very nicely done table topper. But, I'm unclear on how you did the binding with all those corners. Might it be easier to round them?

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  40. The table topper is really cute and I can see it in other colors, too. The quilting design is neat and I didn't even notice the problem with the 'white' until you mentioned it, so don't tell anyone.

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  41. Great project! Really great design. Thanks for the inspiration, and hugs about your loss.

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  42. I love table toppers and yours is one I'd like to make! The design would work so well in many color combinations for the various holidays. Perfect for your sweet kitty, too!

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  43. Loving the design of your table topper. Looks like Seamus loves it too.

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  44. I am so very sorry for your loss.
    Your table topper is wonderful. And Seamus appears to be quite a character!

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  45. Thanks for the tutorial. I like the shape of the table topper.

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  46. Mary, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband.
    The topper you created is just beautiful;I love the design.

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  47. Your topper is fantastic, and your instructions are clear and precise. Love cats on quilts! Thank you for taking the time to share. Sending you warmth and strength.

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  50. Your topper is wonderful and so is your model.

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  51. Yowza! Love your table topper! I'd love to make one for each holiday. It's a fun way to decorate!

    Thanks for a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  52. Wonderful runner and you got the best "feline" stamp of approval you could ever ask for! Happy Haunting!

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  53. Wonderful runner and you got the best "feline" stamp of approval you could ever ask for! Happy Haunting!

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  54. Hello, I am a new follower. Thank you for the table topper pattern. Very cute.

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  55. Lovely topper and thanks for the pattern!!

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  56. Seamus is as cute as your table topper. I like seeing both of them. Happy Halloween!

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  57. Lovely table topper! Thanks for the tutorial!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  58. Love both of your table toppers!

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  59. I really like both toppers and thank you for the pattern!

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  60. What a wonderful table topper! I think the quilting thread works just fine! Lovely job.

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