Kindred Look Book

Get ready for some summer sewing fun with my new Kindred fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics! Explore the Kindred Look Book for sewing inspiration…

I’m a little behind at getting out my blog post announcement for the Kindred Look Book because we moved three weeks ago. There’s been no normal schedule around here and we’re still unpacking but little by little we’ll find that new groove and I’ll be back to sewing and designing. Just getting this blog post out is feeling like I’ve turned a corner and am more organized!

My Look Book Projects

In April, I released my newest Rickrack pattern and the free Twofold Reversible Placemats & Napkins using fabrics from the Kindred collection. You’ll find both those projects in the Kindred Look Book and can read more about them in the two previous blog post, HERE and HERE.

Lady Belle Fabric has restocked quilt kits for my Rickrack cover quilt in Kismet to make it easy for you to get this same look!

Pillows

You may have figured out that I love pillows not only for decorating but pillows are a great way to test out quilt blocks, use up scraps, and add a bit of texture like with Chenille-It Blooming Bias.

With the exception of the Rickrack pillow, I’ve added Chenille-It embellishing on my simple pillow projects to add texture and additional interest. The Hourglass patchwork pillow is a free pattern on Maureen Cracknell’s blog and I added Chenille-It to the edges in place of binding. Find the pattern HERE and learn how to add Blooming Bias binding to a quilt HERE which is the same method I used on my pillow.

The other pillows I stitched for the Kindred Look Book simply use a fabric base (whole cloth) a 1/2" on all sides larger than the desired finished size. I layered the pillow top fabric with batting and a muslin backing and added one to two layers of Chenille-It during the quilting. Read how to add chenille to a pillow top and how to finish your pillow with a Hidden Zipper closure, HERE.

This was the method I used for the lumbar pillow in the Deep Roots (striped) print, the canvas Ikate Diamond print (above), and the flannel Tight Knit print with tassels (below).

Handy Baskets

The Handy Baskets pattern is another satisfying make because it’s fast, useful, and a free pattern on this blog! I use cork fabric inside these baskets to keep them standing up straight and it also makes them wipeable on the inside.

The Handy Baskets are fully reversible and a cute way to store items or catch threads at your sewing machine. I’ll have an Amazon Associates link for the cork I used in these bags. It’s a much thinner cork than the lovely, thicker and better quality stuff you get at Sallie Tomato. I found the thin cork easier to work with on this project and it still kept the sides from flopping and looks nice.

Bucket Bag

I’d made and photographed my Kindred Look Book projects right before my move and loved how fast these projects were during that very busy time. Fast can still equal fabulous and my free Bucket Bag project proves that!

Made from simple strip patchwork, the panels can be machine or hand quilted like I did prior to assembling your bag. There’s no complicated bag construction here so this is a great beginner bag!

Big eyelet grommets create a drawstring closure and the slouchy, casual boho-vibe is the perfect summer tote for the beach, day tripping, or shopping.

For even more sewing ideas and beautiful projects, check out the rest of the Kindred Look Book! Be following me on Instagram @sharonhollanddesigns as I set up my new sewing room and there’s going to be a very exciting giveaway coming in June, you’ll not was to miss as I collaborate with Arrow Sewing!

French Mattress Cushions

Do you love those cushy box cushions with the hand stitched details? I sure do! So, when I was brainstorming what sort of projects to make for my upcoming Art Gallery Fabrics Willow Look Book I came up with a nursery playroom theme and what better project to add to a playroom than French Mattress Cushions.

My original thought was to make cushions from one print from the Willow collection but I love patchwork and playing with prints too much to choose only one print. The 20’’ square cushions were the perfect size for some simple patchwork squares!

With so many AGF solids and blenders that coordinate with Willow, it was easy to pull 16 fat quarters to work with. Sixteen fat quarters was the perfect amount to make two 20’’ square box cushions. I used the Sew 4 Home French Mattress Edge Cushions tutorial for the pillow construction and edge stitching technique after I stitched together my patchwork pieces.

Patchwork Pieces

To create the cushion top, bottom, and side panels from patchwork for 2 pillows, I used 16 fat quarters.

From EACH of the fat quarters, cut: (3) 5-1/2’’ x 21’’ strips then cut strips into (6) 5-1/2’’ squares for a total of 96 squares

1. Sew four 5-1/2’’ squares together to make a row. I didn’t worry about print direction because the pillow will be viewed from all angles.

2. In the same manner as Step 1, make a total of 24 rows.

3. Sew 4 rows together to make a front/back panel. Make a total of 4 panels, reserving the remaining rows for the side panels.

4. Stitch cushions together as per the instructions in the Sew 4 Home tutorial.

You can create your cushion insert from foam and batting as per the tutorial or you can recover an existing cushion.

I used Wonder Clips to help pinch the edges together for the hand sewing of the edge details and used some beautiful antique linen thread as my heavy-duty thread.

I decided not to tuft the top and bottom of the cushion because the patchwork had enough interest all on it’s own but you can tuft with thread and or buttons as well for an even more custom look.

Other ideas for making French mattress cushions would be to create custom sizes for a window seat or bench, adding a carrying handle, or ties for a chair seat cushion. You could also get real fancy and quilt the cotton patchwork or whole cloth panels before assembling the cushion.

Be watching for the Art Gallery Fabrics Willow Look Book to be released around May 17th-20th. I’ll have a follow up blog post featuring the other projects I made and haven’t shared yet—it’s been so hard keeping a lid on the projects but we all need to wait just a little bit longer. If you’re on Instagram, be sure to follow me @sharonhollanddesigns as I post daily inspiration with fabric, sewing, and quilting news and announcements.

I am an Amazon Associate site and earn from qualifying purchases on the products I’ve linked below. The helpful products selected are the same or similar to materials used to make the project(s) in this blog post or related items I think you may enjoy.

Sunrise Quilt

Welcome back to my blog for another exciting pattern release! This week I’ve added the Sunrise quilt pattern back into the shop with the new and improved layout of a little narrower sashing and sashing squares plus the quilt now comes in FIVE size options!

I’ve made up two quilt samples for the release. The cover quilt is made using my Art Gallery Fabrics Lilliput prints and AGF Pure Solids and is the Full quilt size. The second quilt is the generous Throw quilt made with my new AGF Shine On prints, AGF Pure Solids, and AGF Decostitch and will be part of the upcoming Shine On Look Book.

Let’s talk about the cover quilt first…

Lilliput Version

This quilt has been labeled as an intermediate-level quilt and even though it’s way easier than it first appears it’s still a good idea to have some quilting experience when starting in on this one. But, with that said, the pattern comes with a link to a Sunrise block piecing tutorial where I take you step-by-step through how to assemble a block.

Here’s the look at my Full quilt size made featuring my Lilliput collection prints. I had a vision for this quilt that I wanted a real puffy quilt and all the quilting was stitched in the ditch to pop out the block design. This quilt fulfilled my vision to the letter!

I hand quilted the entire quilt! I gave myself a goal of stitching one block a night and it took me a month to complete the quilting. I used Hobbs batting Cloud Loft batting and it is really a high loft batting! Really, really high and why I decided to hand quilt it because this large of a quilt with high loft was just too much quilt to stuff under even my made-for-quilting domestic machine. I’m over the moon with the end results!

Yes, it’s really as puffy as it looks!

Needless to say, this is going to become a family treasure that was stitched with love. I’ve already promised it to the youngest granddaughter when she gets a big-girl bed someday.

This Lilliput version of Sunrise is being kitted by Brooke Becker of Lady Belle Fabrics. Brooke has all the fabrics you need to make a quilt like mine with percale-like Art Gallery Fabrics.

Shine On Version

For my second quilt I used my new Shine On collection from Art Gallery Fabrics. Once again I had a vision of how this quilt was going to look before I began and I wanted this one to be all in sunny yellows and peachy-pinks and have a sort of Holly Hobby-vibe. This collection and especially these colors together make me reminisce about growing up in the 1970s.

Small calico prints and warm, earthy colors are perfect for this sunburst block. The unified palette also helps to give this throw quilt a big presence of pure sunshine.

I really wanted to hand quilt this quilt too but just ran out of time so I sent it off to Brooke Becker to be long arm quilted and am so happy I did—just look at that fabulous quilting design! It’s called Rolling Hills Echo and is the perfect amount of quilting plus has a rainbow look which is the perfect retro touch.

The batting for this quilt is Hobbs Tuscany 100% Premium Polyester and again, adds that wonderful loft I was wanting for this quilt. The entire quilt feels cloud-light and silky! This Throw size is on a double bed in the photo above and looks like an eiderdown comforter on top of the bed—I love it!

Brooke Becker at Lady Belle Fabric is also kitting this Shine On version of the Sunrise pattern! This sunny-bright quilt kit will chase away the winter blues and get you up and sewing fast with all the same prints, solids, and blender I used for my quilt.

This is my one and only outdoor photo, taken when it was 1 degree outside. My hands were frozen and the quilt kept coming unpinned so I gave up after one shot and went in to warm up. But, I did get this sunrise shot just as the first morning rays came up!

This Shine On version will be featured in the upcoming AGF Shine On Look Book scheduled to release around February 22nd, so I wont show too many photos of it now. I’ve got lots of surprises in store for you in the Look Book and can’t wait to share everything!

Meet the Testers

I’m so lucky to have my pattern testers and this part of a pattern release is the best part, I think, because we get to see a virtual quilt show of versions of the same pattern in different sizes. Make sure you check out each one of these talented ladies and shop owners to see more of their makes and discover the other many, many projects they are working on.

Midlife Quilter

Victoria Newmyer of Midlife Quilter made this cheerful Sunrise Throw using Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Solids and Maureen Cracknell’s new Gloria prints. These colors are a year-round favorite palette and the perfect mix for this quilt. Be sure to see more of Victoria’s work on her blog and on Instagram @midlife_quilter

Piper Autumn Fabrics

This beautiful Crib-size Sunrise was made by Jen Cannon of Piper Autumn Fabrics in a fun assortment of Art Gallery Fabrics prints and is available as a kit from her ETSY shop! Jen used Shannon Fabrics Minky for the backing and has even come up with a fun self-binding technique you will want to see! Visit Jen on Instagram @piperautumnfabrics to learn more.

Joyce Ulm

If ever there was a Quilt Wizard then her name is Joyce Ulm—this girl does it all! Joyce made a Full size quilt with an assortment of Art Gallery Fabrics for a scrappy version of Sunrise. This looks like springtime in quilt form and is beautifully pieced and long arm quilted by the maker. See more of Joyce’s work on Instagram @evamaecustomquilts, Etsy shop, and on her Facebook blog HERE.

Elaine Satterfield

Elaine Satterfield does it again with her feminine cottage style. Elaine used the large floral from Bari J’s Eve collection for Art Gallery Fabrics on her boarders and in the blocks then pulled the rest of her colors from that print in this beautiful Throw quilt. She also used Shannon Fabrics Cuddle for the backing. To see more of Elaine’s work and of this quilt, visit her on Instagram @createjoyquilt.

Tracey Taber-Perry

It’s always exciting to see just what Tracey Taber-Perry will do on a test quilt and her flair for color in a quilt is breathtaking! Here’s another example of taking a large-scale print and pulling together a palette based off the colors in the hero print. Tracey used Katarina Roccella’s Aquarelle floral in the borders and blocks and mixed an assortment of Art Gallery Fabrics prints and solids for the rest of this Full size quilt. To see more of Tracey’s beautiful work and you can follow her feed @ttabes80 on Instagram.

The pattern is now in my SHOP and you’ll find the materials lists for the FIVE sizes in the product images. The pattern includes the triangle template needed for the blocks and you can make your own from that template but if you’re wanting to make anything larger than the crib size quilt, I highly recommend purchasing the Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Template, Set E-8 Pointed Star ruler. I’ll have an Amazon Affiliate link below to the one I purchased. The small amount I earn from affiliate links helps to keep this blog an ad-free space.

I am an Amazon Associate site and earn from qualifying purchases on the products I’ve linked below. The helpful products selected are the same or similar to materials used to make the project(s) in this blog post or related items I think you may enjoy.

New Fabric Collection and More!

New Fabric Collection and More!

Kismet by Sharon Holland coming in October

What? Two blog posts in one week! Well, there’s so much happening right now I just had to make a new post just for these special announcements.

Fall collection reveals by Art Gallery Fabrics

This week on Instagram, Art Gallery Fabrics is revealing the fall 2020 collection line up and I have a new collection, Kismet, coming out next month! Click on the image above to see the entire fall line in a beautiful You Tube video.

Kismet is my ninth fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics and the name Kismet mean fate or destiny. I truly believe what I’m doing today with fabric and quilt design is what I was meant to be doing and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Working with Art Gallery Fabrics is the company I’m supposed to be with and the fit couldn’t be any better!

My new collection comes in 16 fall-inspired prints—two color ways of 8 quilting cottons each. Pictured above is the Fate color way with charcoal, amber, pumpkin, and creams.

The second color way is called Destiny and includes charcoal, blush, berry and off-white. There’s one print missing from the grouping above.

These are the strike offs for the collection and what I have to work with for the time being (a little less than a fat quarter). I really hate to cut into these precious fabrics but I’ll have to start some sewing projects with them soon as I wait for my rolls to arrive in October.

The number of non-quilting cotton substrates AGF is including with each collection is being reduced and you’ll notice the new collections either have one knit and one rayon or two knits or in the case of Kismet, two rayons. I really felt these prints would make the prettiest garments and cannot wait to make myself clothing from Burgeon Autumnal (left) and Dashing Jet (right).

The other exciting news about the new AGF collections this year is Fabric Wonders! This is great for shops who’d like to purchase pre-cuts and Fabric Wonders come in Fat Quarters and 10” square bundles. I’m obsessed with how beautiful these look!

You can pre-order my Kismet collection from Fat Quarter Shop, Stash Fabrics, Meander and Make, and Pink Door Fabrics,

Other fantastic news for this week is that I’m the November designer for the Quilter’s Candy Membership! If you’ve never heard about QCM you’re in for a real treat! Think of the Quilter’s Candy membership as an online quilt guild where for only $12 a month, member get access to quilt patterns designed by your favorite quilt designers just for QCM! You can improve your quilting skills, make new friends, and get patterns before anyone else—all from the comforts of home!

Quilter’s Candy Membership perks courtesy of Quilter’s Candy

I designed the Rose Window pattern just for QCM and it releases in November. This pattern comes in two sizes, an over-sized throw and a crib/wall size. I’ll be making the larger quilt with my Kismet fabrics and have a sample done by November to show you how it looks in real life. For now, the image below is a virtual mock up.

I did want to have something to show you right now in a real quilt so I’ve stitched up the small version in a Christmas palette using prints from AGF Foresta Fusions, Signature, and Coastline.

Rose Window by Sharon Holland

So, you’re probably asking, how do I sign up for the Quilter’s Candy Membership? It’s easy but you have to hurry because registration only opens up once a year and ends September 4th, 2020 at midnight. If you want to check out more about it or sign up, use this affiliate link to sign up. Quilter’s Candy Membership link. Your first pattern will come in September!

I’ll see you back here next Wednesday as we start the Sweet Home Quilt Along. If you missed my last post, get caught up on the quilt along here.