My Signature Sampler Week #15

My Signature Sampler Week #15

MSS July Fourth.jpg

We’re coming down the home stretch with one more block and and borders/finale post after that. How’s your quilt shaping up? Are you loving it as much as I am?

My Signature Sampler Rolls.jpg

If you're just joining in on the fun, take a look at my first post for this sew along and pick up the quilt layout and color book page to start planning your sampler! The My Signature Sampler is based off block instructions from the Sewcial Bee Sampler (SBS), Community Sampler (CS), AGF Quilt Block Collection (AGF), and the blocks from the Quilter's Planner 2018 magazine (QP). If you have different favorite blocks and would rather include them in your quilt, please feel free to make this sampler with your own signature-style. 

If you need extra help with your patchwork or would like to learn how to control the direction of your prints in half-square triangle units and other piecing techniques, visit my Tutorials page for lots of great tutorials all in one place. Also, when making any Sewcial Bee or Community Sampler blocks you can access the original blog posts for each block and find additional tips and tutorials for piecing. If needed, just use the search bar at the top of the this page on the right and simply type in the block name.

Don't forget our blocks will be set on-point so if you have a fussy cut center, cut it on-point for best results. Note: I don't recommend cutting any other pieces of the blocks (other than a center square on-point for fussy cutting) because it will create bias edges along the outside of the block and increase chances of distortion. Keep any bias edges in the center of the block.

MSS July Fourth.jpg

This week I’m adding the July Fourth block originally made during the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew along. Pick up the free pattern and extra tips for piecing from the Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #5 post.

My blocks are made using Art Gallery Fabric Pure Elements for the solids together with prints from the Signature fabric collection that I designed for Art Gallery Fabrics. 

For stock lists of online shops that carry my Signature and other collections I've designed for AGF, visit my Fabrics page or the Where to Buy page on the Art Gallery Fabrics site.

MSS Week #15.jpg

I've been adding my setting triangles to my finished blocks as I make them and have been sticking to original layout in the first week handouts. I'm using a combination of my Perennial print from Printemps Fusions and Untamed Beauty Daybreak from Signature as the background setting of my quilt. 

The setting triangles are made by cutting a 9-1/2'' square on the diagonal to make two setting triangles. Be mindful of print direction, if applicable. See Community Sampler Week #13 for block setting instructions. 

If you're interested in adding a chevron border to your sampler quilt, take a look at the week #6 blog post and pick up the border supplement PDF. I'll review the border option on weeks #16 and #17 but just in case you wanted to sew or plan ahead, you have the information now.

GIVEAWAY

Every Friday when I reveal a new block to My Signature Sampler, I'll also be posting the weekly giveaway. This sew along is being sponsored by the most amazing companies and have generously donated incredible prizes to share with you. 

OUR SPONSORS

THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAY SPONSOR IS: THE Quilter’s Planner

Quilter-Planner-LogoFinalnoyear.png

Stephanie Palmer, Ph.D.,  is the creator / Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of The Quilter’s Planner and The Quilter’s Planner Magazine.

With over 25,000 copies sold of the Quilter’s Planner in just over 2.5 years, Stephanie is thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with and empower other quilters and sewists who value the need to honor their creative lives.  Stephanie believes in embracing the art of planning and goal-setting to realize creative, professional and personal life goals.  She strives to empower other creative women to grab their lives by the lapels to make them authentic and fulfilling.

About the Planner

Look at the big picture and know what’s coming. The monthly calendars allow you to get a bird’s eye view of your year and months so you can plan ahead and stay organized.

  • Manage your time. A daily appointment calendar allows you to easily keep track of where you need to be, and how you spend your time.

  • Create a keepsake of your quilting and personal life. By tracking your projects and life, you are keeping a journal, a snap-shot of your life.  You can look back in years to come and see how you’ve grown and all you’ve achieved.

  • Be inspired. Inspirational quotes and beautiful artwork keep you motivated and encourage creativity.

  • Customize it. This planner is designed to be tailored to your life.  Whether you’re balancing work and your creative life, or setting new goals as a quilter, this planner gives you flexibility to use it in the way that serves you best.

  • Follow your bliss. Manage your time and set realistic goals so you can do more of what you love!

  • Get focused. Weekly and daily layouts, and room to prioritize your daily top three tasks that need to get done allow you to focus your attention on the most important things in your life.

The Quilter’s Planner is made in the USA.

SHOP  *  PINTEREST  *  FACEBOOK  * INSTAGRAM 

MSS Giveaway.jpg

Not only has The Quilter’s Planner been a resource of blocks for our sew along but they are also generously giving away a new 2019 Quilter’s Planner calendar to a lucky winner here on this blog post! The 2019 planner also includes the beautifully photographed magazine loaded with 13 patterns. You’re going to love planning everyday with The Quilter’s Planner.

Giveaway limited to US addresses only-see entry rules for more information

Photo courtesy of The Quilter’s Planner

Photo courtesy of The Quilter’s Planner

Photo courtesy of The Quilter’s Planner

Photo courtesy of The Quilter’s Planner

Giveaway now closed. Congratulations to Diane Beavers!

Note: This giveaway is open to US address only for this prize. If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment--you can't win if I can't get a hold of you!

1. Simply leave a comment here under this post! (First comment entry).

2. Follow The Quilter’s Planner on any of their social media platforms (see links above). Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (Separate comment-second entry). 

3. My followers get a third entry! If you follow me via subscribing to my posts, on Pinterest, and/or Instagram, just let me know by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (Separate comment-third entry).

4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Spread the word about the My Signature Sampler sew along on YOUR instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest by pinning any of my pretty images in this post, etc... (separate comment-fourth entry). 

That’s FOUR possible entries—maximum! Enter now through Monday, October 1st! The winner will be picked at random around 4pm Eastern. I will post the name of the winner on this post once they've been notified and responded to my email.

Don't forget to enter into this same giveaway on Instagram by posting images of your sampler inspiration, sampler fabric pull, or blocks. Use the official #mysignaturesampler hashtag every time you post your My Signature Sampler makes (to a public account) and you're automatically entered into the weekly IG drawings as well! See my Instagram giveaway posts @sharonhollanddesigns for full details. 

Happy sewing!

Sharon

My Signature Sampler Week #14

My Signature Sampler Week #14

MSS Double-T.jpg

This week’s sampler block is the Double-T quilt block originally seen earlier this year as part the Community Sampler sew along I co-hosted with Maureen Cracknell. Keep reading further into this post for tips on how to achieve a two-fabric background on your Flying Geese units.

My Signature Sampler Banner copy.jpg

I’m so excited how my quilt is looking and I can’t wait to show you my finished sampler with additional border option! The real treat will be seeing all of your quilt finishes as you post them to Instagram!

If you're just joining in on the fun, take a look at my first post for this sew along and pick up the quilt layout and color book page to start planning your sampler! The My Signature Sampler is based off block instructions from the Sewcial Bee Sampler (SBS), Community Sampler (CS), AGF Quilt Block Collection (AGF), and the blocks from the Quilter's Planner 2018 magazine (QP). If you have different favorite blocks and would rather include them in your quilt, please feel free to make this sampler with your own signature-style. 

If you need extra help with your patchwork or would like to learn how to control the direction of your prints in half-square triangle units and other piecing techniques, visit my Tutorials page for lots of great tutorials all in one place. Also, when making any Sewcial Bee or Community Sampler blocks you can access the original blog posts for each block and find additional tips and tutorials for piecing. If needed, just use the search bar at the top of the this page on the right and simply type in the block name.

Don't forget our blocks will be set on-point so if you have a fussy cut center, cut it on-point for best results. Note: I don't recommend cutting any other pieces of the blocks (other than a center square on-point for fussy cutting) because it will create bias edges along the outside of the block and increase chances of distortion. Keep any bias edges in the center of the block.

Double-T Piecing Tips

MSS Double-T.jpg

Download the free PDF pattern for this block and read the original blog post for basic construction tips on the Community Sampler Week #10 post.

In my Community Sampler version I pieced all the “T” shapes using the same print, only switching up the goose fabric in the Flying Geese units. This time around I wanted to try something different and used two different prints from my Signature fabric line for the “T’s”.

Turns out, it’s a very simple thing to achieve, even when using our No-Waste Flying Geese method.

Here’s what you’ll need to cut, using the PDF instructions as a guide:

  • Fabric A

    Two 5” squares for corner HSTs

    One 5-1/2” square for Flying Geese

  • Fabric B

    One 5” squares for corner HSTs

    Four 3-1/8” squares for geese background and T-shape

  • Fabric C

    One 5-1/2” square for Flying Geese

    One 4-1/2” square for center square

  • Fabric D

    One 5” squares for corner HSTs

    Four 3-1/8” squares for geese background and T-shape

Flying Geese Step 2.jpg

Follow PDF instructions for Step 1 and 2 under the No-Waste Flying Geese Units using the four 3-1/8” squares of the same print on each of the two 5-1/2” squares.

Flying Geese step 3.jpg

Following the directions in Step 3, use the four 3-1/8” squares from the other print on the corners for Flying Geese units with two different fabrics for the background.

MSS Week #14.jpg

I've been adding my setting triangles to my finished blocks as I make them and have been sticking to original layout in the first week handouts. I'm using a combination of my Perennial print from Printemps Fusions and Untamed Beauty Daybreak from Signature as the background setting of my quilt. 

The setting triangles are made by cutting a 9-1/2'' square on the diagonal to make two setting triangles. Be mindful of print direction, if applicable. See Community Sampler Week #13 for block setting instructions. 

If you're interested in adding a chevron border to your sampler quilt, take a look at the week #6 blog post and pick up the border supplement PDF. I'll review the border option closer to the end of this sew along but just in case you wanted to sew or plan ahead, you have the information now.

Signature Fabrics and Roses.jpg

My blocks are made using Art Gallery Fabric Pure Elements for the solids together with prints from the Signature fabric collection that I designed for Art Gallery Fabrics. 

For stock lists of online shops that carry my Signature and other collections I've designed for AGF, visit my Fabrics page or the Where to Buy page on the Art Gallery Fabrics site.

GIVEAWAY

Every Friday when I reveal a new block to My Signature Sampler, I'll also be posting the weekly giveaway. This sew along is being sponsored by the most amazing companies and have generously donated incredible prizes to share with you. 

OUR SPONSORS

THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAY SPONSOR IS: HOBBS BATTING

batting_hobbs_bonded_fibers_20160627164921.png

Hobbs Quilt Batting has manufactured high-quality batting for hobbyist, commercial, art and show quilters since 1978. They're proud to come from a family of quilters and are committed to providing the same quality Hobbs batting that provide to their own family of quilters. At Hobbs Batting, they never forget that quilts are gifts from the heart - an expression of love, commitment and caring for a specific recipient - or an expression of artistry and skill- artistry and that's submitted and judged in quilt shows and events around the word - or both! At Hobbs they're committed to doing their part to enhance our #JoyofQuilting!

Hobbsbatting.com  *  Blog  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  

Hobbs Batting is offering a lucky winner both here and on Instagram throw-size battings of six of their fabulous Tuscany brand battings. I personally love the quality of Hobbs batting, especially Hobbs line of Tuscany battings that includes Silk Blend, Wool, Premium Polyester, Cotton Wool Blend, and Bleached and Unbleached Cottons that add a soft, luxurious feel to any quilt! 

Hobbs Giveaway.jpg

Giveaway now closed. Congratulations to Kathy C!

Note: This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment--you can't win if I can't get a hold of you!

1. Simply leave a comment here under this post! (First comment entry).

2. Follow Hobbs Batting on any of their social media platforms (see links above). Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (Separate comment-second entry). 

3. My followers get a third entry! If you follow me via subscribing to my posts, on Pinterest, and/or Instagram, just let me know by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (Separate comment-third entry).

4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Spread the word about the My Signature Sampler sew along on YOUR Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest by pinning any of my pretty images in this post, etc... (separate comment-fourth entry). 

That’s FOUR possible entries-please, no more than four entries maximum! Enter now through Monday, September 24th! The winner will be picked at random around 4pm Eastern. I will post the name of the winner on this post once they've been notified and responded to my email.

*Don't forget to enter into this same giveaway on Instagram by posting images of your sampler inspiration, sampler fabric pull, or blocks. Use the official #mysignaturesampler hashtag every time you post your My Signature Sampler makes (to a public account) and you're automatically entered into the weekly IG drawings as well! See my Instagram giveaway posts @sharonhollanddesigns for full details. 

Happy sewing!

Sharon

Wild Honey Quilt

Wild Honey Quilt

Wild Honey quilt by Sharon Holland

Wild Honey quilt by Sharon Holland

My good friend and sister Art Gallery Fabrics fabric designer, Maureen Cracknell has a new fabric line called Autumn Vibes. Both Maureen and I had collections this spring but my Signature line came out in May at the beginning of the season and Maureen’s Autumn Vibes started shipping in August for the last part of the spring fabric lineup.

Autumn Vibes fabrics by Maureen Cracknell

Autumn Vibes fabrics by Maureen Cracknell

As you know, with each Art Gallery Fabrics (AGF) collection, AGF produces a virtual Look Book of sewing inspiration and life-style images of their gorgeous collections in use. I wanted to sew with Maureen’s prints and what better excuse to sew than to make something pretty for her upcoming Look Book.

You know I do like making quilts so I wrote up a beginner-friendly throw quilt pattern to share with you. The hardest part about making this quilt in narrowing the fabric selection down to just eight of Maureen’s pretty prints and one AGF Pure Elements solid! The prints pictured above are the prints I selected from the Autumn Vibes collection and the free PDF pattern has all the information on the print names and stock numbers.

Wild Honey on wall.jpg

This is a terrific beginner quilt project because you just cut the pieces and jump right into sewing the blocks. No units to have to make before assembling. The nine blocks and nine fabrics make mixing and matching easy so every block is unique but the entire quilt looks cohesive.

Wild Honey quilt on floor small.jpg

I chose to stitch an allover freeform leaf design when quilting my throw quilt. I selected a medium-tone cinnamon colored thread to stand out but not dominate over the blocks of pretty fabrics. For batting I used my favorite Hobb’s Tuscany Silk batting and find it the perfect weight for all my quilts and has great stitch definition, too.

Wild Honey table 4sm.jpg

Wouldn’t this also make a great table topper for fall gatherings? I had a lot of fun finding different ways to photograph this quilt—the colors are scrumptious!

Get ready for fall and download this free pattern today from my Free Patterns page.

Apples to Apples

Apples to Apples

Apple Season Coasters by Sharon Holland

Apple Season Coasters by Sharon Holland

Can you guess what’s the theme is for this blog post? Yup, apples and I have two super fun (and scrappy) apple-themed projects for you to make.

Aurifil 2018 Designer Block of the Month block by Sharon Holland

Aurifil 2018 Designer Block of the Month block by Sharon Holland

Apple Season Coasters

Signature Apple Season Coasters 3.jpg

It’s always nice to have some quick, small projects that use up scraps and yet are still useful! I had designed these apple mug rugs several years back as a project for my magazines I worked on. The neat thing is I had originally made them with Art Gallery Fabrics and I am again—only this time with my Signature prints and Maureen Cracknell’s newest collection called Autumn Vibes!

Apple Season Coasters 1.jpg

Download the free PDF pattern for making these easy coasters. It’s the perfect time of year to have extra mug rugs on hand for family gatherings and cozy relaxation with your favorite hot drink.

Autumn Vibes Apple Season Coasters 2.jpg

If you’re like me you have lots of beautiful fabric scraps as well as left over pieces of batting. I couldn’t stop at just making a set a four Signature Apple Season coasters, I had to make a few more.

Later this week I’ll be sharing a beginner-friendly quilt project made from Maureen’s new Art Gallery Fabrics collection called Autumn Vibes. The beautiful fall colors and motifs really speak to me. I had some scraps left over from the quilt and made an additional four coasters.

Autumn Vibe Apple Season Coasters.jpg

Wouldn’t these make the cutest hostess gifts? I can just picture them tucked into a basket with mugs, tea or hot cocoa, and don’t forget some cookies or apple butter!

Aurifil 2018 Designer Block of the Month

Courtesy of Aurifil

Courtesy of Aurifil

Last fall I was asked by Pat Sloan to be part of this year’s Aurifil Designer of the Month sampler sew along—how exciting, huh?!!! This year’s theme is “The Places We Go” and the 12 designers are to make a block inspired by favorite places.

I love NY collage by Sharon Holland

I love NY collage by Sharon Holland

I decided to use New York City, NY as my muse and what better way to show this iconic city than with a Big Apple!

Photo by Nick Holland

Photo by Nick Holland

For the free PDF download on how to make this block along with my interview with Pat Sloan and a further look at this block and my inspiration, visit the Auribuzz blog post about my September block-of-the-month.

You can jump in at anytime to make this travel-inspired quilt and get to know all the fabulous designers behind the blocks, read about their inspiration, and meet new quilty friends as you share and post your blocks. As host, Pat also has loads of awesome prizes and tips, too!

Big Apple block by Sharon Holland

Big Apple block by Sharon Holland

I used a variety of Art Gallery Fabrics prints and Pure Elements solids in my block. The color theme for this year’s Aurifil quilt is black and white plus one color of choice. There’s so many amazing black and white graphic prints from AGF that narrowing it down was the hardest part! I kept the apple a bit simpler and used solids except for the Mudcloth Bachelorette print that made me think of apple seeds. Of course, Aurifil thread was used and I had some luscious colors to choose from.

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Here’s a look at my small and large Aurifil Color Story box sets of curated threads to go with my Art Gallery Fabrics fabric collections. Look for them wherever Aurifil threads are sold.

Happy fall everyone!