Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #17

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #17

The virtual sewing bee that my co-host Maureen Cracknell and I have created has been simply amazing and it's all because of the SBS Makers posting their blocks and making the sew along a community event. I'm astonished with every block I see posted to Instagram under the hashtag #SewcialBeeSampler. I love the confidence that's being gained and the changes and modifications being invented to make your sampler truly unique and your own. Thank you for sewing with us!

If you're just joining us on the Sewcial Bee Sampler (SBS) you may want to start at the first post, working your way forward and taking advantage of the in-blog tutorials. Otherwise, let's get started sewing week #17 block! Download the free Spools PDF from my Sew Along page.

You may recognize the corner sections of this week's block as small Broken Dishes blocks from week #15. Since we have a lot of half-square triangles (HST) to make for this block we are utilizing the 8-at-a-time HST technique instead of the 2-at-a-time HST technique used in Broken Dishes. 

Block #17--Spools is one of five blocks in our sampler that does not require a frame. The block will measure 12-1/2" square (unfinished) before being sewn into the quilt. 

I pieced my block using Bountiful fabrics from Art Gallery Fabrics. Instead of using three different fabrics like in the PDF instructions, I used five. Here's what you would need to cut if you wanted to make a five-fabric variation like mine:

Variation

Cut (1) 5-3/4" square fabric A

Cut (1) 5-3/4" square fabric B

Cut (1) 5-3/4" square fabric C

Cut (1) 5-3/4" square  and (4) 4-1/2" squares fabric D

Cut (1) 4-1/2" square fabric E

Visit my Shop Fabrics page to find online shops that sell Bountiful. For fun inspiration and a peek into Quilt Market where I just had a booth for Bountiful go to Art Gallery Fabrics Bountiful Lookbook and the AGF blog.

Don't forget that this Friday's Giveaway Friday and this week I will be hosting the giveaway from this blog. We've got a great giveaway planned from Knotted Thread you won't want to miss!

Aurifil      Circa 15      The Intrepid Thread      Fat Quarter Shop      Omnigrid      Llama Fabrics      Color Girl     Lady Belle Fabric      Needle in a Fabric Stash      Dritz      Knotted Thread    Needle and Foot      Stash Builder Box    Hobbs Batting   Thread Cutterz

Spring 2016 Quilt Market Recap

It's only been two weeks since Quilt Market and life is slowing returning to a more normal pace around here. I took the last two weeks off to work on paperwork, my garden, and cleaning up an art studio space in my basement. I haven't touched my sewing machine since sewing before the show! That's a long enough break and now I'm refreshed and back to work! 

Hopefully you all were following the Quilt Market news on Instagram and Facebook as the show was going. You can catch up on the AGF interviews of the designers and their booths by watching the live stream videos on the Art Gallery Fabrics Facebook page here. 

My newest Art Gallery Fabrics collection Tapestry will be available in your local quilt shop any day now and I am so excited about this line! Here's some images showing my Market booth and highlights of my favorite projects. 

Be watching the Art Gallery Fabrics blog for the Tapestry fabrics Lookbook that will be released very soon! The Lookbook is a virtual magazine jam-packed with fun and inspiring projects from this new collection. 

FAT QUARTER BUNDLE AND PATTERN GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate my newest collection, there will be a first and second place drawing this month. First place winner will receive a 20-piece fat quarter bundle courtesy of my sponsor The Fat Quarter Shop. Second place will be sent my two new pdf quilt patterns created with my new fabric line. Totem and Jali are both available for purchase on my Craftsy Pattern Store along with my other quilt and sewing patterns. Read how to enter giveaway below.

TO ENTER:

Giveaway for the Tapestry fabrics bundle begins today, Monday, June 6th, 2016 and will end on Monday, June 13th, 2016 at 4 p.m. EDT. Please note: The Fat Quarter Shop will ship the winning bundle as soon as it's available, sorry for a slight delay.

• Leave a comment on this blog post anytime between 6/6/16 and 4 p.m. EDT on 6/13/16 to be entered into drawing

The winner will be randomly drawn and notified via email so be sure to completely fill out the comment box entry form with a valid email address. If I cannot reach the winner within 24 hours I will select an alternate winner. Check back on your comment after 4 p.m. EDT 6/13/16 to see if you are a winner!

Pre-Show Post

This week will just be a quicky post to show you some Tapestry fabrics Quilt Market prep projects and to also bring you May's fat quarter bundle giveaway courtesy of The Fat Quarter Shop.

With only a week and a half away you can imagine all the last minute details and punch lists I am running through this week. The bulk of my sewing is done. I've stitched six quilts which wait to be packed into my largest suitcase to take with me on the plane. Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt as sewn the coolest bags for my booth and Alexis Wright of My Sweet Sunshine Studio has stitched up the most drool worthy little dresses from the meager fabric samples I was able to send her. You girls are amazing!

Bag and baskets made by Heidi Staples of Fabricmutt

Don't you just love these Pixie Baskets and tote Heidi made? Heidi has a free pattern on her blog for the cute Pixie Baskets and other variations.

Be watching for show news to see the other wonderful bags that Heidi made with my fabrics. I will also post recaps of the show on this blog so you don't miss a thing!

Alexis Wright is a genius with fabric and garment sewing. She took the smallest fabric samples and turned them into adorable dresses. She made four stunning looks and here's just one to give you an idea. So adorable!

Dress by Alexis Wright of My Sweet Sunshine Studio

As for me, I haven't been taking it easy and letting everyone else do the work :) You've already seen the Orange Peel Table Runner free pattern project I made for the show from my new collection. I have 5 more (full-size) quilts ready for the show. Hopefully we will have a break in this rain so I can get them properly photographed before I leave next week. 

Here's a look at my Tracery quilt to give you a little peek at what I've made. You may notice some Gossamer fabrics and Coastline fabrics incorporated into the low-volume strips. I love how my previous collections work seamlessly with this new one. Visit my Instagram feed at sharonhollanddesigns to see a little video of this quilt hung open wide. 

Tracery quilt by Sharon Holland 

Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway!

This blog is sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop and we've teaming up to bring you a chance to win an Art Gallery Fabrics fat quarter bundle giveaway every month! Yes, a bundle of fabulous AGF fabrics every month. 

TO ENTER:

Giveaway for the Joyful Carousel bundle begins today, Monday, May 9th, 2016 and will end on Monday, May 16th, 2016 at 4 p.m. EDT. 

• Leave a comment on this blog post anytime between 5/9/16 and 4 p.m. EDT on 5/16/16 to be entered into drawing

The winner will be randomly drawn and notified via email so be sure to completely fill out the comment box entry form with a valid email address. If I cannot reach the winner within 24 hours I will select an alternate winner. Check back on your comment after 4 p.m. EDT 5/16/16 to see if you are a winner!

Happy sewing!

Spring Grab Bag

Normally I like to have a singular idea or project to post about but this time it will be a little bit of everything all stitched into one blog post.

The current issue of Simply Moderne (issue no. 4) from Quilt Mania features the Bloomescent quilt I made with my Sketchbook fabrics, Pure Elements, and Squared Elements from Art Gallery Fabrics.

I had a little down time (a week) to do some garment sewing and play around with the new Art Gallery Fabrics Denim Studio fabrics. This new substrate for AGF is so beautiful and perfect for all sort of sewing applications. I intend to incorporate some in quilts but wanted to also see how it handled in clothing. 

My first adventure was sewing a blouse for myself. I love the clean lines of the Japanese garments found in book like Sew Chic Kids and Stylish Dress Book.

There's a little learning curve on these books because you need to transfer the patterns to tissue and add the seam allowances. I am not one to do a lot of garment sewing so it probably took me longer than someone with more experience. I am very happy with the end product and made this Button Front Blouse for my first project from the Stylish Dress Book. I definitely want to do more sewing with these fabrics and books!

With the weather getting unseasonably warm I made some bonnets for my granddaughter using the floral print from my Gossamer fabrics and lining from peach colored denim. The free pattern for this adorable Baby Sunbonnet is from Purl Soho. It was easy to make and a great pattern.

Spring also bring Spring Quilt Market! This year the spring show will be in Salt Lake City, Utah and I am already gearing up for the show. My fourth collection will be out in May and over the next couple of weeks Art Gallery Fabrics will be revealing all the new spring/summer collections. Here's the sneak peak for Tapestry.

Be watching as I show more prints from my new collection and glimpses into the Quilt Market preparations and projects for the show. It's starting to feel more like springtime everyday!