Mountain View – 2016 Paintbrush Studio New Block Blog Hop

March 28, 2016December 11, 201726 Comments

Welcome to the 2016 Paintbrush Studio New Block Blog Hop! During the next three days, you will see a flurry of uniquely designed 12″ x 12″ (finished) quilt blocks. The best part? These are all FREE patterns! For a full list of participants, please visit the host of each day’s hop:

Monday, March 28th – Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Tuesday, March 29th – Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs

Wednesday, March 30th – Stephanie @Late Night Quilter

The challenge with this blog hop, was to use at least 3 colors of Painter’s Palette Solids in the Ocean Sunrise bundle. You can find all the details of the chosen colors here. Do you use your quilts on the beach or by the water?

Mountain view Block

This call to design a new block was indeed a challenge for me. I usually always have a design idea that’s been brewing in my head. However, this time I was drawing up blanks. I played with many ideas until I saw a sun catcher with this similar design. It really inspired me with it’s simple lines like ones in Log Cabin style quilts. But this block is set apart by it’s angles and the negative space produces a great chain design.

As with all sewing projects, please read through full instructions before beginning.

Cutting instructions:

Below are illustrations of every piece of the block. The dotted line represents where you cut. A large quilting rule with 45 degree angles is required. Please see block illustration above for reference. TIP: Check and double-check your angle placement on printed fabric before cutting.

piecing Instructions

Please note a 1/4″ seam allowance

Layout the block with your intended fabric placement
Line up the short edge of piece B to piece A right-sides together (RST) and sew down the long side. Repeat for piece C but on the opposite side.
Line up the short edge of piece D to ABC. You should have a 1/4″ overhang off the block. Repeat for piece E of the opposite side and then add piece F.
Line up the long-side of piece G to ABCDEF. You will have 1/4″ overhangs on both sides of the trapezoid.
Line up the long-sides of H to each corner. You will have 1/4″ overhangs on both sides of the triangle.
Make sure to press all seams out as you go and you will have a nice flat back as shown.

Trim the block to 12 1/2″ square.

Additional Quilt variations:

With the play of colors and negative space, there are quite a few different ways you can lay this quilt block. Here a just a few other ideas.

This placement puts the “chain” in the center of the quilt and you can play with the smaller triangle (H) to get solid squares in between.

This variation plays with the chevron you can create. Leave the smaller triangles (H) colored, and you get an arrowhead look or leave them the same color as your background to let the chevron stand on it’s own.

Visit Painter’s Studio’s blog, Inspired by Fabric and/or Quilting Jetgirl (two separate giveaways) to get your chance to win a whole HALF-YARD bundle of Ocean Sunrise!!! {Edit – Giveaway closed}

Don’t forget to get additional FREE quilt block designs and tutorial by visiting the following:

Host: Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Jess @Quilty Habit

Silvia @A Stranger View

Cristy @Love You Sew

Kelly @Quilting It Out

Renee @Quilts of a Feather

Bernie @Needle and Foot

Terri Ann @Childlike Fascination

Chelsea @Patch the Giraffe

Mary @Quilting is in my Blood

Diana @Red Delicious Life

Sarah @123 Quilt

Thank you for visiting and I hope you get to try out this block along with all of the others on the 2016 Painter’s Studio New Block Blog Hop!

Happy Stitching,

Cristy

This blog hop was sponsored by Painter’s Studio. The quilt design, tutorial and all opinions are original and my own.

Kimberly Sac Sew-Along

March 23, 2016April 25, 20164 Comments

Fat Quarter Shop has another great pattern….and it’s for a bag! When I was asked to join this sew-along, I could not say “no.” I love making bags just as much as I do quilting. With the Kimberly Sac by Fig Tree Studios, you get both! It is a great cross-body design with some simple patchwork. I’m so excited to show you my version along with all of Fat Quarter Shops versions found here.

I like having different looks and feels to all of my bags. After making my Indigo Sky Quilt, I fell in love with the Essex Yarn-Dyed Linen in nautical, so I wanted to incorporate it into the Kimberly Sac. It really helps complement Carolyn Friedlander’s fabrics. There is a mix of Carkai and Architextures Crosshatch in more earthly tones.

The bag came together very quickly, especially without having to deal with a zipper. I did use 1/4″ straight-line quilting, but you can opt for a more simple design. If you decide on more heavier quilting like I did, I would suggest cutting the batting about 1″ larger all around and then trim it back.

One of the most noticeable changes I made was to use vinyl for the straps and bottom of the Kimberly Sac. The brown vinyl gives any bag an extra level of sophistication and structure. Make sure to test the vinyl with your machine before committing though!

When I have to break out a hammer on a project, it’s a good day 🙂 I love playing with hardware and saw the opportunity to use this button stud when the pattern called for a traditional sew-on button. The loop was replaced by a strip of vinyl I hand-punched. This closure adds a fun edgy detail to the bag.

A tip to keep these tags straight and in place, is to use some Sewline Glue. It allows you to place the pieces on the bag before top-stitching. With so many layers, pins were distorting the tabs shape, so the glue helps them lay nice and flat for straight stitches.

The Kimberly Sac was a nice easy sew and the lack of zippers makes it very beginner friendly! I love the relaxed slouchy design and who doesn’t love the ease of a cross-body strap? The Carkai and vinyl make this a great everyday bag for running errands and is large enough to handle everyday life. What is the strangest thing you have to carry in your purse or bag?

Need the Full Kit with hardware and Strawberry Fields Revisited fabric? You can find it here.
If you would like just the pattern, you can find that here.
Let’s make all of this even easier by watching full video tutorial with Fat Quarter Shop and Fig Tree Studio.

For more inspiration, visit all my Kimberly Sac Sew-Along bag-mates below:

Fat Quarter Shop

Emily Ann’s Kloset
Seasoned Homemaker
Jedi Craft Girl
Sharon Holland Designs
Why Not Sew
She Can Quilt
Love You Sew (you are here)
Sweet Little Pretties

Have fun stitchin’!

Cristy

As part of the Fat Quartershop Kimberly Sac Sew-Along, I have been compensated for my time and materials. However, all opinions are all my very own.

Indigo Sky Quilt

March 21, 20163 Comments

It seems like all of my friends are all having babies right now. I try to hand-make at least one gift for each of them…but of course, time is usually too short. (Sound familiar, anyone?) My girlfriend, whom I’ve known since kindergarten (!!!) is pregnant and is expecting this week! Her baby shower has already passed, but at least I was able to squeeze this quilt in before he’s born 😉

This stack of Handcrafted Indigo by Alison Glass for Andover Fabrics is like “whoa,” right?!? I love love blues and all of these different variations are just killer! These beauties were picked up at my little quilt shop when was first released about 5 months ago and they’ve just been sitting in my stash. When I found out my friend was having a boy, I immediately went to these fabrics. I was going to use solid white to have these blues “pop” but quickly reconsidered since this was for a baby. Wise decision. Instead, I went to Essex yarn-dyed Linen in nautical as one of my go-to blenders. It’s such a nice alternative to a solid and gives a great layer of texture.

Although I didn’t have an exact quilt pattern in mind, I knew I wanted to make some Flying Geese and keep the quilt asymmetrical. So I figured I’d kinda improv the design. I used Connecting Threads tutorial to make two no waste geese blocks per fabric. Each block is 6.5″ x 3.5″. After lots of playing around, I settled on my random design of stacked geese with lots of negative space.

With so much Essex Linen, the binding on this quilt had to be scrappy in order to highlight the Indigo and add some fun. It’s a bit of work to attach all the different binding fabrics, but well worth the effort.

The quilting was straight-line 1/4″ apart using Gutermann’s blue variegated thread. This was my first time quilting with the 100% cotton thread and it won’t be my last. The changes in the thread color are very subtle against the Essex and of course, the blues.

For the backing, I was lucky to have this Doe fabric from Carolyn Friedlander for on hand. (1) It’s a nice contrast to the front design. (2) It really complements the quilting and (3) I’ve been on a fabric diet…

This quilt was so fun to make. I loved every moment and hope baby boy enjoys it just as much!

Keep Stitchin’

Cristy

Make an Easy and Simple Design Wall

March 6, 2016March 21, 20162 Comments

I am fortunate enough to have my own sewing room. However, I do have to share my space with a full size bed. It is “suppose” to be for guests but has functioned as my design area for awhile. The bed, unfortunately, is becoming more extra storage space with all the projects I juggle at the same time. If I need to lay out a quilt, it ends up on the floor. But you know that leads to an open invitation for my kids to run over my blocks…

That’s why I need a new design wall. There are quite a number of options out there. I definitely don’t have the space for the portable versions like this one (or the money.) I didn’t want to hang rods for a design curtain. The wall needs to be flat and flush as possible. When guests have to actually have to use the bed, I also want something that wasn’t permanent.

My solution? A cork strip and some flannel fabric. I bought this great 48″ long cork strip here. You can probably find the same cork strip at an office supply store, but who can compete with Prime shipping, right!?!

Initially, I tried to use the mounting strips that came along in the package, but they couldn’t handle the weight when the flannel was added. Instead, I used some large picture-hanging strips to hold up the cork.

As luck may have it, Robert Kaufman has this great grid fabric in flannel….perfect for a design wall. The flannel allows quilt cottons and other flannels to “stick” without the need of pins. Initially, I used some cute thumbtacks to hold up the flannel, but the cork strip is actually not that thick. But nothing a few quilting pins can’t fix 😉

And here’s my fast and functional design wall. It is quite simple and I love it. The best part is I can quickly remove the flannel when needed. What do you use for a design space?

Happy Sewing,

Cristy

Post contains affiliate links. I receive modest compensation only if you purchase.

Chalk and Paint Fabrics Blog Tour {Crimson and Clover Traincase}

February 22, 2016April 10, 20175 Comments

Welcome to the kick-off for the Chalk and Paint Fabrics Blog Tour! I am so happy to share my project with these new Art Gallery fabrics with you. Sew Caroline has quite an amazing line-up ahead for the next few weeks and I know each blogger will have something amazing with Chalk and Paint.

I have been a long-time admirer of Sew Caroline‘s garment patterns (umm..hello, Kimono Jacket..here and here…) It is no exception when it comes to her fabrics. All of her collections are youthful and so fun. But this newest line has a more muted pastel palette, which I just adore!

When I saw Untaped Splatter Frost, I knew it was going to be my next Crimson and Clover Travelcase (pattern by Sew Sweetness.) I love this case because it holds everything…and it’s not even the larger size. The interior side pockets are so nice for organization and lord knows I need all the help I can get!

As I was sewing this bag, I realized why I put the two together….it was my sewn version of a Caboodle! This exterior fabric has an 80’s vibe and being the child of immigrant parents, I never had one. “What..a shoebox wasn’t good enough to hold your junk?” They never understood the need for adolescent acceptance…haha.

For the interior, I used Writings on Boards as a darker complement to hide any spills or smudges which may occur (yes, I know myself well.) How cute is this text fabric, right? I love the inspirational words to welcome me every time I open this bag.

For the piping, handle and interior pocket accents, I used Dripping Paint Cooling. You get so much color and texture in such a small amount of yardage, that it was just perfect for that extra “pop.” Now…I think my “Caboodle” is pretty rad, isn’t it? 😉

Don’t forget to visit all of these amazing blogs for more Chalk and Paint projects!

Cristy // Love You Sew –> Right here!

Katie // The Simple Life

Jenn // Quilts and Conversations

Robin // Pattern Revolution

Alicia // Love Knot Photo

Holly // Holly Gets Quilty

Chris // The Tattooed Quilter

Alexis // My Sweet Sunshine

Adrianna // Hey June Handmade

Taylor // Taylor Made Creates

Casey // Casey Taylor Threads

Hayley // Welcome to the Mouse House

What would you make with the Chalk and Paint collection? You have a chance to WIN a Full FQ Bundle on Instagram by (re)posting your favorite image from the blog tour using #chalkandpaintgiveaway and tagging @sewcaroline. (Full Details are on Caroline’s blog.)

Good luck!

***This post may contain affiliate links which help me on the back end to fund this site. Compensation is only through your own purchase.

Love You Sew

Handcrafted from the Heart

Category: Uncategorized

Mountain View – 2016 Paintbrush Studio New Block Blog Hop

Mountain view Block

Cutting instructions:

piecing Instructions

Additional Quilt variations:

Kimberly Sac Sew-Along

Indigo Sky Quilt

Make an Easy and Simple Design Wall

Chalk and Paint Fabrics Blog Tour {Crimson and Clover Traincase}