Scrap buster denim quilt

 I was given some jeans to recycle and wandered what to do with denim.

I collect scraps different ways. The stripes are separated from other pieces, which are divided light and dark.

My scrap buckets are full. 

The block I made is easy - collected stripes and denim stripes.

How to make the block easy?

1.You need different fabric's stripes long around 6 or 9 inches. If they are shorter stitch two of them together to make the stripe longer.
 

2. Stitch along the stripes right sides together. Chain sewing for fast speed.

3. Repeat till have block around 10 inches width. Divide this block in 3 inches stripes.

4. Cut denim stripes 3x10 inches.

5. Stitch together colored and denim stripes. Trim if needed.

* Iron all seam allowances open.

Counting sheep and the baby quilt

Have the babies to count sheep for falling asleep?

I am not sure. Especially when they have a loving grandmas that prepare warming quilts.

Judy Collier bought my pattern Counting Sheep and made this beautiful quilt for her "grandchild on the way". 

When I asked her to send picture of finished quilt I was not expected to receive something. You know, people are too busy nowdays and  full with e-mails, messages and pictures.

I was wrong!

She was so kind to send pictures and surprised me with finished baby quilt.

Look at this amazing  result!

 
 

Look at the quilting she had chosen. So many sheep up to the hills.

During the process of sewing she asked me for assistance - she had idea to put the grass between the sheep, but nowhere through internet she found a pattern.

I was glad to design some blocks, even suggested to make a mirror images for having more grass paper pieced blocks.

Thank you, Judy, for this idea, I will add to the pattern.

So happy to have such customers.

They make me proud with my designing abilities and computer skills.

Christmas in July

There are left only 10 days of discount Christmas in July!
Snowflakes, Christmas trees, Christmas wreath...
Make your first paper pieced quilt block now!
Here is one of the suggestions. Origami Christmas Tree.

Time for Christmas or Christmas time

The preparations began right after Halloween. Or much more earlier in July.
When do you begin?
For me is different every year.
It depends of the mood and the weather.
Now outside is a splendid autumn so thinking and preparing something for Christmas is almost impossible.
But designing this Christmas tree was so fast and funny.

After drawing with EQ7 began coloring .
At the beginning the tree was very bold - only in green colors.

After one false movement of the mouse there appeared  new possibilities.

Different background looks like the winding way, don't you think?

Check soon for next trees.
I have some ideas about.

20 blessed years

These days the most popular news is the Royal wedding in English royal family.
On the same island, but with 20 years history live another couple. You might say they have an ordinary life. Probably you are right, probably not.
These 20 years were blessed with love, two beautiful girls and many incredible memories.
When she asked me to create a quilt as a anniversary gift for him I felt special. I wanted to make a different quilt, quilt that gather all 20 years and all love in this family.
I have been thinking out more than a month, discussed many ideas and finally designed a quilt.
It is base on my pattern Tessellating hearts quilt.

 But it is more than this base.
 At the very first beginning I have chosen some fabrics.

Then added more and almost made a mess on the floor.

I have added some paper pieced blocks connected with their lifetime.

 I designed a post box as a postage stamp. The narrow stripped stripe is associated with stamp edges.

 Made this as a sign of infinity love.

 And finally the top turned out absolutely gorgeous.
I have no doubt how to quilt it.
The spiral looks the only possible way. it begin from the center, goes through blocks corresponding to the life way and finally on the boarder I wrote the names of the family members.
Awesome result!

When found this place for taking pics without anybody's assistance I was truly lucky.

P.S. As usual I made a card with leftovers from sewing, short story and care instructions.

 Oh , forget to show the back. Rainy drops in both mint and sky blue.
There are many rainy days in England. :)

 The label

What more - it is a real LOVE story.

Tessellating Hearts pattern

I love tessellation. Each time I can combine shapes in tessellation mode I am happy.
One month ago started design an anniversary quilt.
What is the most suitable shape than a heart. But not common simply heart already known.

I think to change some of the hearts with pictures of the mutual life during all 20 years. 20 hearts for 20 Years.
When test the pattern I make a placemat. Fast and easy work.

It is based on 6 inches block.
The pattern is very versatile so you can add so many block you need to have the desired size.

 Great scrap buster, easy to sew.

My quilt will be based on 12 inches block. It is easy to enlarge or I will add the measures for 10 and 12 inches blocks at the pattern soon.
Would be glad to see your comments below.

The Christmas tree #2

Oh, Christmas tree!
The song is so beautiful! Hope the new paper pieced block is so lovely as the song.
I am proud to introduce my new pattern after some month silence.
 

The pattern is very ""flexible".
If make the last piece in the down section the same color as the background you will have different block.
Easy to sew even for beginner. You can use foundation method or freezer paper. Fast and funny to make.
Chose different colors for different look.

You are right to ask about Number one.

The 9patch game

The game 9patch continues.
Even I am the part of designers team I was slightly nervous after sewing the first block.
I decided on recycling and using corduroy shirts so combining different colors seams a little bit difficult.
Adding new colors to this block made me calm.

And the place in whole project.

Mini quilt block

The participation in the play 9patch sampler is to challenging.
Some of the quilters began making two parallel quilts different colors, some makes two blocks different sizes.
I was challenged by a fellow who made 16 inches block as 3 inches.
Some days ago while playing I made the same pattern as 1 1/2 inch .

It turned out as mini patchwork block. Better say as bonsai patchwork.
Believe or not it was much easier than I expected.

Here it is on the original 16 inch block.

12 blocks sampler quilt

The next project I participate is 12 block sampler. Each block is based on 9patch.

There will be a challenge to see ideas different quilter.
The size of each block will be 16 inches. At the end everyone will have a lap quilt around 48 x 64 inches.

I decided on recycling - some corduroy and fabrics.

I began with corduroy only, but found it is difficult to align  pieces - when put two pieces right side together they "stuck" and the seam is quite uneven.
My first bock

It is ease and fast to sew. each square is 4 inch finished/
I have constructed the central piece quite easy
Stitch together two strips  and cut three couples.


Then added a square opposite color to any of the couples.

 At the end I have stitched together the three columns.

Easy, isn't it?
Adding other squares and strips was like a kids play.

The quilts' finishing

Almost one month I have been working on two similar quilts.
Having an challenging order I really satisfied with the final result.

The design is quite simple.Log cabins in three sizes - 6, 12, 18 inches.
Both quilts are the same order only the places of same colored squares are different.

I enjoyed myself making different backs.

Here I make the binding - the most pleasant task when all is finished.

The most interesting fact here is the way I have chosen fabric for the binding.
I wandered between white/black striped or checked fabrics.
Suddenly I had seen an IKEA fabric I hadn't put into the box.

I realized that cutting stripes will change totally this look.
Now I have two favorites IKEA fabrics - the "written"   for the backs and this one for the binding.

Leaf alone quilt block

I couldn't believe this paper pieced block pattern is finished and introduced to the quilters .
I love joking and like the idea for name of the pattern. 
I have made a leaf and use it in my wall hanging The four seasons
Outside is a beautiful autumn so after making a mug rug for a friend of mine I realized it will be great pattern for creating many items - totes, pot holders, wall hangings.

Combining fabrics different palettes gives interesting seasonal look – you could easy collect all seasons in a wall hanging.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter 

 

Where do you come from?

When the site Quilt around the world announced their project Where do you come from last Summer I have no doubt I have to participate in.
They have been looking for patterns, ornaments, symbols, and grafical structures from all over the world, interpreted freely and translated into fabric as Patchwork and Quilting Pattern.

My paper pieced block Ethno totem was perfect for this idea.
I was inspired by national embroidery when designed this block for cushion's cover.
There were requirements about the size of the blocks (to make collecting easier) so I have to adjust the size. I sewn the block, wrote a story behind , filled the registration form and sent to Germany.

When received a special mail with kind grateful words I was happy.

Here are the participants with their blocks and stories - about 70 quilters from 20 countries.

Look how the blocks were gathered by EQ7.
Don't you think it would be a great quilt, do you?

Now the will sew together all blocks and print a book with participants.
Can't wait to see all together in a real quilt.

P.S. I was amazed yesterday when found another interesting inspiration like my embroidery (tapestry) one on the site Upper Case magazine when reading news about Quilt Con 2015 .
Look at the sound weaving.