Summer Sampler 2016 - Ombre Cross

This summer is flying by!  We are already on the back half of the Summer Sampler 2016 and today brings my second block designed for the series.  And by "we", I mean all of you who are keeping up. I am a teensy bit behind.  I've only worked through Block 4.... but I plan to catch up soon!

The Ombre Cross is a variation on a basic nine-patch cross.  I love that the cross portion was broken down into rectangles and can be made into a trendy ombre strip set.  The center includes some fun piecework to make the cross look intricate.  The sorbet colors I chose from scraps make this block look so yummy.  It's perfect for a summer sunset.  I hope you enjoy!

Hattie's Trick Baby Quilt Finish

Hooray for a finish today!  The Hattie's Trick quilt is based on a quilt block from my book, Sister Sampler Quilts.  Since we mostly think that the blocks used in samplers only exists in sampler quilts, I decided to make a quilt entirely from only one block in the book.  And here she is, in all her bright cheerfulness.

I debated about this binding.  I love DS prints, and wasn't sure I should use it for the binding - because it could be SO much more used in blocks in a quilt.  I tried to substitute some other solids for binding, but it just wasn't right.  I'm so glad I picked this print.  It picks up the soft hazy greens from the quilt top so well.

The Hattie's Trick blocks are all set on point.  Can you see the original block?

I've outlined below what the Hattie's Trick quilt block looks like.  I changed the coloring of the block across the quilt.  Then setting them on point really gives a much different look and it's almost hard to distinguish where the blocks are.  I like when designs blend like that and it's hard to tell exactly where the blocks begin and end.

This quilt will be a baby gift, so I chose a bunch of girly pink prints I collected on the back.  I never found out ahead of time if I was having boys or girls when I was expecting.  I ended up with all boys,  but since I never knew, I always collected baby girl prints too.  This quilt back puts them to good use.

I've decided that I need to show you more than just the pretty finish pics that normally appear on both this blog and social media.  There is SO much that goes on behind the scenes of running a quilt pattern business, and I want to share some of that with you.  To some, it might seem like my projects just magically appear - but we all know how much time it takes to sew a quilt and the care that goes into making each one.  So here's my second "Behind the Scenes" pic (follow me on instagram for more).  I'm sewing the binding by machine to this quilt.  I almost always machine bind because it's so fast.  And for baby quilts, it will hold up well to repeated washing.

Quilt Stats.

Name: Hattie's Trick Baby Quilt

Size: 50" x 50"

Fabric:  Misc stash fabric with Kona White

Pattern:  Hattie's Trick Block from Sister Sampler Quilts book

Piecing:  Me

Quilting: LAQ Beany of Quilty Pleasures

Omni - NEW Quilt Pattern Flash Sale

I've been hard at work to bring you a new quilt pattern - Omni.  Omni pushes me outside my comfort zone by designing in black and white.  It's always good to push yourself, right? Omni is a dazzling sprinkle of stars, based on Aunt Mary's block from 1906.  I used the Gradiance line from Maywood Studio for this quilt, and I just couldn't help myself to add that little splash of yellow into these stars.  That POP of color makes the stars sparkle.

I took this quilt to my husband's grandfather's home. I had 2 quilts to photograph on his property (Omni and Gatekeeper).  It's beautiful old red farmhouse set deep in the woods in Michigan.  Spring was just starting to appear when I took these shots. 

The quilt uses black and white solids in the stars, with a yellow accent color.  The background is a beautiful lacey grey floral.  It's very soft and sweet.  The only other print used in this quilt is for the large center star.  Sometimes I really enjoy keeping things simple, using such a basic color palette.  It allows you to appreciate the form of the quilt block.

 I have more plans for Omni.  :)  I'd like to try making her again with some bright colors, perhaps a little scrappy to see how it changes her attitude.  I love how each quilt takes on it's own personality with the design and fabric selection.  Stay on the lookout for it later this year.

The Omni Quilt Pattern is now available in my shop.
Finished Quilt: 61" x 61" | Finished Block Size is 12" x 12"
Skill Level: Intermediate

Available in Print and PDF.  See the listings for the fabric requirements.

TODAY ONLY - the Omni PDF Quilt Pattern is ON SALE for $5.50 and the Omni Print Pattern is $9.  (The regular price is $11!)  Hurry and pick up your copy now - the SALE only lasts the first 24 hours of the pattern release.  No code needed.

The printed pattern is a full color 12-page booklet, professionally printed with color diagrams throughout the instructions.

Enjoy!  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.  {annemarie@genxquilters.com}

**Fabric for the sample is Gradiance by Maywood Studios.**