August 23:
Jane @ Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting
Maryellen @ Mary Mack Made Mine
August 24:
Megan @ Best Quilter
Janet @ Whispers of Yore
August 25:
Claudia @ Create with Claudia
Michelle @ Creative Blonde
August 26:
Leah @ Quilted Delights
Andi @ True Blue Quilts
Let Your Star Shine is finished!!! YEAH!!!
You can read more about this quilt HERE.
The fabrics were all Island Batik scraps … The purple and dark pink are all gone … there is a few scraps of the background and light pink. In some ways, I’m sad to see the end of these fabrics … but I’m also glad that I was able to use them! And, they make for a pretty quilt!
If you are looking for a quilt pattern that is easy and fast. This might be just what you are looking for! Sandra Walker of MMMQuilts is the designer. You can purchase the pattern HERE.
Quilt Stats:
Be sure to visit Island Batik’s blog to see a re-cap of all the wonderful quilts and don’t forget to enter the draw for some awesome fabric!
Did you see my quilt for the blog hop? You can read about it HERE. But here’s a picture!
Carla, from Creatin in the Sticks is hosting this ORANGE Blog Hop! How fun!
I had these very pretty orange Island Batik fabrics that were sitting in my stash, calling for me to use them. Actually, they were shouting. What to do? What to make?
EQ to the rescue … along with Accuquilt Cube 8 dies.
This is actually one of the first patterns that I wrote … it was for a class I taught using the Easy Angle ruler … but it is actually more accurate to use the Accuquilt dies!
There’s a drizzly rain outside – not great for taking photos … and since I just finished quilting and binding this, I had to make do with a photo on my design wall.
Quilt Stats:
Monday, August 16th
Tuesday, August 17th
Wednesday, August 18th
Thursday, August 19th
Thank you for stopping by my blog! I hope you enjoy the rest of the Orange you Glad blog hop!
This week’s blog hop promises to be extremely fantastic!!! There are some wonderful collections!
August 16:
Pamela @ Pamela Quilts
Gail @ Quilt Haven Threads
August 17:
Denise @ For the Love of Geese
Sally @ Sally Manke Fiber Artist
August 18:
Brianna @ Sew Cute and Quirky
Suzy @ Webster Quilts
August 19:
Jennifer @ Archapegio Quilts
Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter
This is “Let Your Star Shine” a pattern by Sandra Walker of MMMQuilts. You can purchase the pattern HERE. (And see the pattern in different colour-ways).
Mine is mostly quilted … just the border to finish, trim and add the binding. I don’t have enough of any fabric, so the binding will be scrappy.
If you look closely at my quilt, you will see that I messed up the 2nd to outside border. I didn’t notice it until I was quilting that border. Too late to fix it! So, I’m considering it my own design change. I hope Sandra forgives me … the original is SEW much better!
This quilt was super easy to make!!! The directions are VERY WELL written. The mistake in the borders is totally mine! (Yup … going too fast and thinking I had everything correct! …)
This quilt is 36″ square, but I wanted it a little bigger, so I added the 3″ dark pink border … now it’s the perfect size for a baby quilt!
This quilt was made with my Island Batik stash … Hobbs Fusible batting and quilted with Glide “Cool Grey.”
Continue reading
I received the “V Block” from Studio 180 Designs. I love this block … but what to do? What to make?
I also received 2 Fat Quarter Bundles of Autumn Wings … along with 2 yards of coordinating Bubbles-Sahara (from the Blenders collection and 2 yards of Teal from the Basics collection. Autumn Wings should be available in the shops now and Bubbles-Sahara and Teal are available all the time.
Aren’t these fabrics absolutely gorgeous? !!!
I watched the video from Studio 180 on making the V-block and the High/Low blocks. As I was watching, I loved the block in the background. It had a pinwheel in the middle. No problem. I also have the Tucker Trimmer and I used it to make the half-square triangles.
Here’s the design I came up with in EQ. But alas, I didn’t have enough of the Bubbles-Sahara fabric to use for the background. But I did have enough “Custard,” from a previous Island Batik shipment, so I substituted it.
Here’s the first High/Low star that I made. I’m SEW impressed!!!! Using the Studio 180 tools, the blocks come out PERFECT. Look at how those seams nest together SEW nicely. It’s definitely not ME!!! I’m not a perfectionist. It’s using tools that make it work well! I’m liking them!!!
I also used the V-block to make these 4-pointed star blocks and used the Tucker Trimmer to cut the 5 1/2″ blocks for the centers. On the design wall. I wasn’t sure that I liked the solid squares in the middle. So, I decided to make the rest of the High/Low blocks and see.
Nope … I still didn’t like them. And while playing around with fabric, I decided that a square-in-a-square would be the block to put in the centre.
I was able to buy a “Squared Square” Studio 180 tool and made the blocks quickly and easily. Much better, don’t you agree? (And now I’m happy to have another useful tool!)
And the blocks ready to sew together! Along with a bunch of V-blocks for potential border treatment. Along with trialing the sashing strips.
Some of the border blocks started (all V blocks), but not sewn together …
Played around with the border blocks and liked this version better! And I added square in a square blocks on the corners (using the Squared-Square ruler).
I used Hobbs, Tuscany Cotton Wool blend.
It quilted like a dream … an absolute dream!!! Before I started quilting a put a fresh Schmetz needle in!
Here is a picture of the quilting on my domestic machine (Janome M7) using Silly Moon’s “Rocket” to sew 1/4″ away from the star …
All finished!
I used Schmetz needles, Aurifil #2000 – Light Stand for the quilting and #4029 – Turf Green to sew on the binding.
Remember that this fabric collection is called Autumn Wings … well it’s the middle of summer and autumn is a ways off … so I took this picture on my dried out lawn (the closest to having fall colours!)
Make sure that you visit Mania from Mania for Quilts. She has the same fabric collection and her quilt is absolutely totally different than mine. She is very creative and talented!
August 10:
Gail Sheppard Autumn Wings This is ME!!! You are already here!
August 11:
Elizabeth @ Epida Studio
Preeti @ Sew Pretti Quilts
August 12:
Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
You have 2 opportunities to win … well, actually 4. Two from Island Batik and 2 from me. Click on the Rafflecopter link for opportunities to win either a 10″ stack of Butterfly Blooms or a 2 1/2″ Strip pac of Autumn Wings from Island Batik.
a Rafflecopter giveawayIn order to win one of these packages of fabrics from me, you must live in Canada (but outside of Quebec). They have at least 10 x 10″ pieces of Autumn Wings – some are much bigger. Reply in the comments answering the following questions: (I know some people are unable to respond in the comments – just send me an email and answer the questions).
Disclosure: The fabrics, thread, batting and needles were generously supplied by the following companies:
Have you been following along with the Mystery Quilt? I know lots of people have and I can’t wait until the Linky Party on August 24 to see them all!
I have already seen one quilt in my email and one on Pinterest. Both are fantastic!
If you want to make it – it’s not too late. Go Here to find all the Clues.
Here is my quilt – and all of the fabrics were from my stash!
#1. I started cutting “Let Your Star Shine” and these are the fabrics I’m using. This is a pattern by Sandra Walker. It’s available on her Etsy shop HERE.
So, this is what I will be sewing this week.
#2 I hope to start my “Orange you Glad” blog hop project
#3 Aqua Table Topper also needs to be started!
Nothing at the moment!
Since I can finally show you the mystery quilt, I can add the fabrics used into my tally!
You can read more about this quilt HERE.
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day. Many days there are more than a few hours spent in my studio. We were away this past weekend, so there was 2 days that I did not sew.
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
OK … so I had 2 weeks to accomplish my To Do list. I kept the list light because I want some more time to enjoy the summer! Consequently, it was easy to get it done. I’m keeping this week’s list light as well!
My UFOs are completed for my PHD in 2021, but I have 2 New Starts that need to be done, plus probably several more … some are Island Batik projects, some of squirrels that have yet to raise their heads and some are other monthly challenges. As you can see, I’ve added another column to the Starts in 2021!
August 10:
Mania for Quilts Autumn Wings
Gail Sheppard Autumn Wings This is ME!!! You are already here!
August 11:
Elizabeth @ Epida Studio
Preeti @ Sew Pretti Quilts
August 12:
Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
Arrange blocks as shown below. Ensure that Contrast #2 goes in one direction and Contrast #3 goes in the opposite direction when matching seams.
Web quilt together. If you don’t know how to web a quilt, see my tutorial HERE.
Add Borders to the quilt. For a quick easy way to add borders, see my tutorial
And here’s my pattern tester’s quilt! Thanks, Barb! Same quilt, different fabrics. Different fabrics make for a very different looking quilt!
Watch for the Linky party on August 24-30 and show us your quilt top. If you can’t manage to link up – email me your picture and I’ll put it on the blog!
I hope you enjoyed this mystery!
June 26 Introduction
July 3 Cutting Instructions
July 6 Clue #1
July 10 Clue #2
July 13 Clue #3
July 17 Clue #4
July 20 Clue #5
July 24 Clue #6
July 27 Clue #7
July 31 Clue #8
August 3 Clue #9
August 7 Clue #10
Linky Party: August 24
I love making quilts. Just had to tell you that, in case you weren’t aware of my passion! But I also like to play!
As an Island Batik ambassador, I have received a couple of rolls of Fusible Batting Strips from Hobbs Batting.
I posted about making these bowls HERE. But I figured that I should do a proper tutorial for them.
Last year we received a roll of Fusible Batting from Hobbs. These strips, cut at are 2 ¼” are perfect for 2 ½” fabric strips … but I didn’t want to make another rug … so I got to thinking. My thoughts brought me back to when I originally took a Jelly Roll Rug class (taught by Dawn F. at the Boundary Bay Quilt Guild) and I remember one lady had a horrible time trying to keep her rug flat and she quipped, “I made a bowl.”
Gather all of the 4 patch blocks from both Clue # 4 and # 6.
Make (17) 4 patch blocks as shown. Ensure the orientation has the contrast fabrics meeting in the middle. Press seams open.
June 26 Introduction
July 3 Cutting Instructions
July 6 Clue #1
July 10 Clue #2
July 13 Clue #3
July 17 Clue #4
July 20 Clue #5
July 24 Clue #6
July 27 Clue #7
July 31 Clue #8
August 3 Clue #9
August 7 Clue #10
Linky Party: August 24
How are you doing with your PHD in 2021?
Did you know that by setting goals, you are actually motivating yourself? That’s right! Way back in January, you decided to do your PHD in 2021. That meant finishing at least 12 of your UFOs and finishing every project that you start in 2021. (We don’t want that UFO list to increase, right?)
SEW … take a good look at your list(s) … what do you need to work on? What is your biggest challenge? How about in the next month, you spend at least 15 minutes a day working on your biggest challenge. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much you actually get done!
Something about me: before I retired, I often had to work several 12 hour plus shifts. I had to be at the hospital prior to my students arriving and I couldn’t leave until the last one had left. This meant that I was often there about 13 hours a day. Add in the 45 or more minutes to commute each way and it made for long days. And I had to get up the next day and do it all over again. It was hard to unwind … so I would sit at my sewing machine for 15 minutes. I actually set a timer so that I would quit and go to bed. It helped me unwind and I managed to get a lot of piecing or quilting done!
I know that you don’t all have an area that you can leave your machine up and your supplies scattered nearby – but it’s something to consider.
I have completed 12 UFOs this year. Here they are:
On the “Complete all the 2021 Starts” I’m doing pretty good! Of course I still have my Island Batik projects to finish, so there’s a few new starts there. Plus, I’m sure that a few squirrels will be tempting me!
Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.
This was easy to choose!!! It has to be the Christmas wreath! You can read about it HERE.
It didn’t happen this month!!! I’m actually surprised because blue is my favourite colour!
Well, August is another month! Hopefully, I’ll have a table topper done!
I know some of you guessed that stars were in your future! You were correct!
Make 18 Star blocks.
Take the 36 Flying Geese with background squares (From Clue #5) and add them onto the top and bottom of the unit from Clue #7.
Edit: Press seams open.
If you want to follow along on Instagram, here are the tags to use:
#quiltinggail #2021summermysteryquilt
June 26 Introduction
July 3 Cutting Instructions
July 6 Clue #1
July 10 Clue #2
July 13 Clue #3
July 17 Clue #4
July 20 Clue #5
July 24 Clue #6
July 27 Clue #7
July 31 Clue #8
August 3 Clue #9
August 7 Clue #10
Linky Party: August 24
Island Batik’s July challenge was “Never Too Early” and I made a Christmas wreath. You can read about it HERE. And then the 2nd shipment of boxes arrived from Island Batik … truely like Christmas!!! OH … so much awesomeness!!!
I truly believe that the Island Batik Ambassadors are totally spoiled with all that we receive! From the fantastic fabric to all of the quilting supplies from industry partners! Oh yes, we are spoilt!
Here’s the video! This was filmed without me peaking into the boxes before they were opened!
Here’s an overview of what was in my boxes!
Aurifil Thread: 40 weight: Colour Builder: Pangolin. #2312 – Ermine, #6010 – Toast, #2360 – Chocolate
Pangolin is an endangered species. In October, I need to do a project using these 3 threads!
What is a Pangolin, you ask? Well, I had to look it up. The Pangolin a small animal, the size of a large cat or small dog. It is sometimes used for the meat, but mostly the scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine. There is a huge amount of illegal trafficking and the pangolin is considered Critically Endangered. Source.
From Deb Tucker’s Studio 180, I received the V Block ruler. I love this block and I’m sure that the ruler will make the blocks perfect!
I also received 2 Fat Quarter Bundles of Autumn Wings, an Island Batik collection designed by Kathy Engle. Along with 2 yards of coordinating Bubbles-Sahara (from the Blenders collection and 2 yards of Teal from the Basics collection. Autumn Wings should be available in the shops now and Bubbles-Sahara and Teal are available all the time. (Photo on the right). The Foundations collection (on the Left) coordinates with Autumn Wings and are available all the time!
These fabrics are for a blog hop in August and I can’t wait to work with them. They are SEW gorgeous!
A Surprise package! How fun!!! And more Foundation fabrics that will coordinate with the fabric inside the surprise! Looks like there might be some greens and purples in the Surprise! We’ll have to wait and see!
4 yards each of black, white and grey solids. These are AWESOME. Wonderful solids and I use them a LOT!!!
6 yards of RICE!!! I LOVE Rice! (the fabric, not the food!) It’s got hints of blue … AWESOME!!!
Stash Builder bundles. There are 5 roles in each package and each roll contains 4 fabrics that are 5″ wide by width of fabric! They are such fun bundles to play with!!
Hobbs Batting sends us a LOT of batting. They are SEW generous! And I love their batting. All of it!
ByAnnie is another industry partner and they provide EVERYTHING that we need to make one of their bags. There’s zippers, mesh, hardware, byAnnie Soft and Stable and MORE!!! This year, I choose the Round Trip Duffle. And, as the label says, this is for September!
ByAnnie
Best @ Best Quilter
Pamela Boatright @ Pamela Quilts
Jennifer Fulton @ Inquiring Quilter (that’s me!)
Preeti Harris @ Sew Preeti Quilts
Jane Hauprich @ Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting
Emily Leachman @ Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney @ For the Love of Geese
Leah Malasky @ Quilted Delights
Sally Manke @ Sally Manke Fiber Artist
Maryellen McAuliffe @ Mary Mack Made Mine
Claudia Porter @ Create with Claudia
Gail Renna @ Quilt Haven Threads
Brianna Roberts @ Sew Cute and Quirky
Andi Stanfield @ True Blue Quilts
Jennifer Thomas @ Curlicue Creations
Jennifer Eubank @ Archipelago Quilting
Suzy Webster @ Webster Quilt
Janet Yamamoto @ Whispers of Yore
Elizabeth DeCroos @ Epida Studio
Connie Kauffman @ Kauffman Designs
Gail Sheppard @ Quilting Gail
Joanne Hart @ Unicorn Harts
Mania Hatziioannidi @ Mania for Quilts
Michelle Roberts @ Creative Blonde
Add a flying geese to each side of the 4 ½” square. Press seams open.
If you want to follow along on Instagram, here are the tags to use:
#quiltinggail #2021summermysteryquilt
June 26 Introduction
July 3 Cutting Instructions
July 6 Clue #1
July 10 Clue #2
July 13 Clue #3
July 17 Clue #4
July 20 Clue #5
July 24 Clue #6
July 27 Clue #7
July 31 Clue #8
August 3 Clue #9
August 7 Clue #10
Linky Party: August 24
How is it possible for it to be the last Monday of July? That means that the summer is half over! But if I want to have a glass half- full attitude – that means that we have at least a month more of summer!
Are you following along with the Summer Mystery Quilt? You can see the latest clue HERE.
#1. Country Panels: No work on it this week! Are you tired of hearing that there is no progress on this 2nd quilt using panels?
#2 It’s another secret … I’m working on my September Island Batik project!!! Woohoo!!! I’m using these fabrics: Aren’t they absolutely great?
Nothing at the moment!
I FINALLY finished this quilt this week. There was a LOT of unstitching and I must admit, a few silent words that are not nice!!! But it was a quick finish once I had all the unstitching done. And it was a HUGE eye-opener to me to change my needle more often!
You can read more about this quilt HERE.
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day. Many days there are more than a few hours spent in my studio. And contrary to a popular rumour, I do not quilt 24/7! (grin)
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
This week it was hard to get everything done. Like most people, I highly dislike unsewing. OK … if I’m honest, I HATE it!!! Its taken me ages to get all the horrid quilting out … and I’m not finished yet! GROAN!!!. I do have a personal policy of taking out the mistakes before quitting for the day … but more than a couple of days of unsewing is discouraging! It’s OK … it’s almost all done … and then I can start moving forward again!
By finishing the Amish Panel quilt, that brought my total of UFOs finished this year to 12! Yay!!! Now … to just make sure I finish everything I start and I’ll be well on my way to my PHD in 2021!
Take the 68 pieces from Step 3 and make 34 (4) patches.
June 26 Introduction
July 3 Cutting Instructions
July 6 Clue #1
July 10 Clue #2
July 13 Clue #3
July 17 Clue #4
July 20 Clue #5
July 24 Clue #6
July 27 Clue #7
July 31 Clue #8
August 3 Clue #9
August 7 Clue #10
Linky Party: August 24
Yes, I finished UFO #12 for 2021!
This seems like it was a difficult finish. First, I didn’t have the right red to go with the panel. That made is necessary to BUY fabric. I found some grunge and … it worked … and was perfect for enhancing this panel block!
Then I quilted it and was very pleased to be done … until I looked at the back … on the last 2 rows of swirls … GROAN … 2 and a half days later, the stitching was all removed.
I changed the needle and started re-doing the quilting … and I was checking every 12 inches or so … but it was fine! YAY!!! Doesn’t this look much better?? Perhaps this lesson taught me that I need to change the needle more often??
Yesterday, the binding went on … photo shoot happened and it is DONE!!! YAY!!!
I’m so pleased that it is done!!! Another UFO kicks the dust!!! This also means that I have completed the minimum number of UFOs to achieve my PHD in 2021. (HUGE GRIN!)
This quilt was made from 2 separate panels … one bought at St. Jacob’s in Ontario and other bought in Pennsylvania … probably a few years apart. The batting is Hobbs 80/20 and the quilting is done with Glide thread.
Andree from Quilting and Learning – What a Combo featured my Island Batik “Never Too Early” project! You can read about it HERE.
*****************************
Take 36 Flying Geese from Clue #2 and (72) 2 ½” Background squares, adding a neutral square to each end. Press seams open.
If you want to follow along on Instagram, here are the tags to use:
#quiltinggail #2021summermysteryquilt
June 26 Introduction
July 3 Cutting Instructions
July 6 Clue #1
July 10 Clue #2
July 13 Clue #3
July 17 Clue #4
July 20 Clue #5
July 24 Clue #6
July 27 Clue #7
July 31 Clue #8
August 3 Clue #9
August 7 Clue #10
Linky Party: August 24
Are you following along with the Summer Mystery Quilt? You can see the latest clue HERE.
#1. Country Panels: No work on it this week!
#2 It’s A Secret: you’ll see it in October! (And yes, I HAD to start something NEW to give myself a break!)
#1 Amish panels: I finished the quilting and when I went to put the binding on I discovered that the rows of swirls in the border were HORRID!!! So bad that I’ve spent more than a couple of days taking it out. That’s why it’s not finished, the quilt above isn’t finished piecing.
Quilting #2: Island Batik August is ready to quilt – but I have to fix the other one first!!!
I didn’t need any more fabric this week and I only finished my Island Batik project which used 1 yard of fabric for the backing.
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.
I have stitched for over 30 minutes all days this past week. And, I’m including “unsewing” as part of my 30 minutes / day!
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
This week it was hard to get everything done. Like most people, I highly dislike unsewing. OK … if I’m honest, I HATE it!!! Its taken me ages to get all the horrid quilting out … and I’m not finished yet! GROAN!!!. I do have a personal policy of taking out the mistakes before quitting for the day … but more than a couple of days of unsewing is discouraging! It’s OK … it’s almost all done … and then I can start moving forward again!
Take the 68 pieces from Step 1 and make 34 (4) patches.
If you want to follow along on Instagram, here are the tags to use:
#quiltinggail #2021summermysteryquilt
July 3 Cutting Instructions
July 6 Clue #1
July 10 Clue #2
July 13 Clue #3
July 17 Clue #4
July 20 Clue #5
July 24 Clue #6
July 27 Clue #7
July 31 Clue #8
August 3 Clue #9
August 7 Clue #10
Linky Party: August 24
Quilting Gail 