Picnic HOOP QUILT

April 12, 2017

Hoop Quilts Pattern now available. (PDF Download or the Printed Pattern)

Here is the test run for HOOP QUILTS - using Cotton + Steel and a great yarn dyed linen from Robert Kaufman in the outer ring. I had a charm pack of Melody Miller's Picnic line (from Quilty Box) and I wanted to use the charms to design a hoop pattern that could be adapted to different hoop sizes. When I first wanted to sew a HOOP QUILT, I could see it in my mind, but wasn't sure how to sew it.

I had to test the piecing construction methods. To make sure it was something I could instruct people to sew, I decided to make this test run. Isn't it beautiful? As a pattern designer, it's important to me that my directions are clear and concise. And since this is not a quilt, it would require a little more explanation than your normal quilt pattern. I wanted to use patchwork basics to teach the fundamentals of making a mini into a HOOP QUILT. And from there, I think people's imaginations can soar. Not too shabby for a test, huh?

Once I made this sample, my mind raced with so many possibilities. What will you make today?

Pixelated Circle HOOP QUILT

April 7, 2017

HOOP QUILTS (PDF Download or the Printed Pattern) are addicting in the best way. It's a short and sweet version of a quilt. I get all the highs of a finish, in a quarter (or less) of the time. And a bit more unique than a mini. Here's the latest.... this beaut was made with all the fixin's from this month's Alison Glass Quilty Box.

I altered the inside of the HOOP QUILT to be a Pixelated Circle block. Check out Jessee's pattern - she offers this block in 5 different sizes to make a complete quilt.

Added some appliqué feather cutouts using Nichole's Boho Embroidery as inspiration.

Next comes the crazy part. I wondered if it was absolutely nuts to chop up the 10" square set to make bias binding for wrapping the HOOP. It wasn't as hard as I thought..... and it's TOTALLY worth it when you look at that rainbow binding!

I need to work on my embroidery skills, especially if I'm planning a ton of these hoops. I added some big stitching around the circle. Then tried a few asterisks and french knots near the feathers. This was my first time working with Aurifloss (also came in the Quilty Box). Suuuuuper nice! Kinda want to collect those wooden spools too.

And there she is.. LOVE how this came out!

What favorite fabrics should I turn into an awesome HOOP QUILT next?

HOOP QUILTS pattern available here (PDF Download or the Printed Pattern)

Chocolatier Block of the Month #4 (Irish Chain String and Log Cabin Quilt Blocks)

April 3, 2017

Spring has sprung! Yellow blocks are certainly a perfect color for April. So fresh and light. Sunny and happy. Daffodils and tulips in bloom in my yard.... and probably dandelions by the time the month is out. :/ Month 4 of the Chocolatier Block of the Month Club is here and ready to bloom.

Today, the Month #4 Block Pattern for Chocolatier is now available. Check your emails and mailboxes!

2 blocks again this month. We have the Irish Chain String and the Log Cabin this month. I love using the string block concept inside other traditional blocks. It's kind of become a signature of mine I like to include in my BOMs. In Chocolatier, the string element combines with another classic - the Irish Chain. Another classic I couldn't resist, the Log Cabin block. Simple beauty.

Block #1 Irish Chain String.

Block #2 Log Cabin. Ok, I admit it. I did it again. I added just a small touch of Karen Lewis' Blueberry Park to this block. I loved that surprise element in last month's block so much, I couldn't help but add it here.

Fabric is Cotton Supreme Solids by RJR Fabrics for my version of the BOM. Find my color selections listed here.

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