My Signature Sampler Week #4

My Signature Sampler Week #4

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Wow, the first four blocks of this sew along have gone together super fast! I'm seeing so many beautiful blocks being posted to Instagram I always have the desire to remake one's just like the blocks posted--they're so pretty! To see what the other MSS makers are posting, look at the #MySignatureSampler hashtag on Instagram.

Since this event is built off past sew alongs I've co-hosted with Maureen Cracknell with the addition of other published block resources you can and are encouraged to work at a pace that feels right for you. Each week when I make a Friday post, I'll provide links to the various blocks I put into my sampler along with any variations to the original block instructions. 

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Block instructions from the Sewcial Bee Sampler (SBS), Community Sampler (CS), AGF Quilt Block Collection (AGF), and the blocks from the Quilter's Planner magazine (QP) will be used in this sampler. If you have your favorite blocks and would rather sew different blocks than me, please feel free to make this sampler your own. 

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!

Remember, you can always refer back to the Sewcial Bee Sampler and Community Sampler blog post tutorials the accompanied each past sew along block by using the search bar at the top of this blog. There you will get additional information on how to piece each block or technique. 

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. 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 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.

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This week's block pattern comes from the Community Sampler sew along and is called Square-dance. Find the PDF pattern for this block on the Sew Along page of this blog. 

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

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This block makes me think of a sunflower and I just had to include it in my flowery garden sampler quilt because every year my husband grows sunflowers. This year the plants came up as volunteers from last year's flower heads. This was the best I could do to photograph the flowers because they are at least 9 feet tall! The bees and butterflies have sure been enjoying them and later the seeds will be eaten by the birds and probably chipmunks and squirrels, too.

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To help me to remember to remind you that these blocks will be set on-point AND to get ahead on things I've decided to start adding my setting triangles to my finished blocks. 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. 

SPONSORS

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. 

THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAY SPONSOR IS: Hobbs Batting

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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! 

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Giveaway Now Closed. Congratulations to Laura M!

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, Pinterest by pinning any of my pretty images in this post, etc... (separate comment-fourth entry). 

That’s FOUR possible entries! Enter now through Monday, July 16th! 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

Sewcial Bee Sampler Grand Finale Giveaway

Sewcial Bee Sampler Grand Finale Giveaway

Each Friday, throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along, which Maureen Cracknell and I are co-hosting, will be a Giveaway Friday and today is our last giveaway for the SBS. We've coordinated special giveaway prizes with our amazing participating sponsors for each drawing and our final giveaway is very grand with a retail value of nearly $320 (US dollars). 

If you've happened to miss any of the Sewcial Bee Sampler posts, take a look back from the first post The Start of Something Sewcial to get caught up to the present. Feel free to start sewing with us at anytime--it's never too late to join in, it's free, and the instructions will remain up indefinitely! 

Today's SBS Grand Final Giveaway sponsors are:

Aurifil Thread, Cotton Cuts, Hobbs Batting, Maureen Cracknell, Sharon Holland, and Thread Cutterz!

Aurifil is a wonderful thread company dedicated to developing amazing, new products based on quality and solutions. Established in 1983, Aurifil is an accomplished Italian company based near Milano, with a full- grown experience in producing superior quality threads for professional and domestic quilters. The company headquarters is the ground where new ideas generate original items, always more refined and advanced, to provide assistance to all the quilting needs through a wide range of threads in several weights and accessories. Aurifil's success is based on developing projects carefully, always looking for high quality and great style, with a commitment to create contemporary products that will appeal to everyone!

Aurifil.com  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  We hope you enjoy visiting Aurifil!

For the SBS Finale (blog) Giveaway, Aurifil is offering the lucky winner the Maureen Cracknell Bohemian Garden Aurifil Thread Collection! This hand-selected set of threads includes TWELVE large colorful spools of Aurifil thread, in 50wt 100% cotton, in colors chosen to coordinate with Maureen's Art Gallery Fabric collections!

Cotton Cuts is on a mission to create jobs! They've partnered with a local workshop that provides dignified employment opportunities to the intellectually challenged and to those with other disabilities. Every Cotton Cuts membership that you purchase contributes toward enriching the lives of these very talented individuals!

Cottoncut.com  *  Shop  *  Facebook  *  Instagram  We hope you enjoy visiting Cotton Cuts!

For the SBS Finale Giveaway, Cotton Cuts is offering the lucky winner a three month membership to their brand new Mini Pop Box! Cotton Cuts Mini Pop members receive a variety of fabrics, chosen specifically for the winner including SIX fat quarters, a lovely spool of Aurifil Thread, and 25% off all fabric in the Cotton Cuts shop, every day throughout the three months! You can sign up for your own membership, HERE!

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  *  We hope you visiting Hobbs Quilt Batting!

For the SBS Finale Giveaway, Hobbs is offering the lucky winner a Queen size package of their Tuscany Silk batting just like I used in my Tiny Dancer SBS quilt! Tuscany Silk batting is supple, soft and drapes like no other batting. The luxurious feel is ideal for quilts, with it's natural ability to breath, making it an excellent choice for airy, lightweight quilts and coverlets!

Maureen Cracknell is a self-taught artist living in beautiful Potter County, Pennsylvania, a proud wife and mother, Art Gallery Fabrics designer since 2014, Crafty Instructor, Aurifil thread designer, Janome girl, and blogger at Maureen Cracknell Handmade where you'll find lots of sewing + quilting inspiration, tutorials, and Fabric Giveaway Fridays! Maureen loves having you visit her and leaving a comment is even better - so please do both often!

Blog  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  Bloglovin'  We hope you enjoy following along!

For the SBS Finale (blog) Giveaway, the lucky winner will receive this 20-piece curated Fat Quarter bundle from Maureen's various Art Gallery Fabrics collections, including prints from Garden Dreamer, Nightfall, and Soulful!

Sharon Holland Designs is the co-host of the Sewcial Bee Sampler and Art Gallery Fabrics designer. Sharon blogs about design, quilting, and photography. Soon to add author to her list of accomplishments with a quilt book title Utility-Style Quilts for Everyday Living (Landauer) coming this fall! Sharon offers many free quilt and sewing patterns on her blog and has PDF patterns for purchasing through Craftsy, Connecting Threads ad UpCraft Club!

Blog  *  Shop  *  Instagram  *  Pinterest  We hope you enjoy following along!

For the SBS Finale Giveaway, Sharon Holland is offering the lucky winner three PDF patterns of their choice! Select from over 30 different quilt and sewing patterns available in her shop, HERE!

Thread Cutterz is a spin-off of sister company, Line Cutterz - a ring originally designed for the fishing industry. After 35 years of fishing and countless attempts to chew through fishing line, Vance, the founder of Line Cutterz, knew there had to be a better way. Necessity drove Vance to design and patent a fully adjustable ring with an embedded stainless steel blade that cleanly cuts all types of fishing line. Within 9 months of launching Line Cutterz to the fishing world, Vance’s wife and other crafters, sewists, and quilters began using the handy fishing tool and found it cleanly cut through thread, yarn, and embroidery floss too! Thread Cutterz officially launched at the Houston International Market and Festival in October, 2015, and is now offered in stores and on ecommerce sites and used by quilters around the world!

Threadcutterz.com  *  Shop  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  We hope you visiting Thread Cutterz!

For the SBS Finale Giveaway, Thread Cutterz is offering the lucky winner their Black Ring, a ring worn on the finger that cuts thread and is perfect for all of your crafting needs! Thread Cutterz rings are sleek and adjustable with a double-sided blade perfect for quick and efficient cutting. Thread Cutterz rings are great for all types of crafting including sewing, jewelry making, quilting, knitting, and cross stitching!

WOW!!! This Grand Finale SBS Giveaway might just be the most spectacular Giveaway I've ever had the pleasure of offering my wonderful readers, with an incredible value totaling nearly $320!!

Maureen and I send a BIG thank you to all of the sponsors who have generously offered their products in our Grand Finale Giveaway and to all of the wonderful sponsors that offered amazing prizes throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along!

ENTER TO WIN!

I'm sending you over to Maureen Cracknell Handmade blog to enter the giveaway for this wonderful prize featuring Maureen's curated AGF fat quarter bundle, Maureen's Bohemian Garden Aurifil large spool thread set, three Sharon Holland patterns of your choice, a three month Cotton Club membership, Hobbs Tuscany Silk Batting, and the black Thread Cutterz ring. Maureen will have all the how-to's enter info at the end of her Grand Finale SBS Giveaway blog post. 

In addition, be sure to stop by my Instagram for a chance to win our Sewcial Bee Sampler Instagram Grand Finale Giveaway that includes a special curated 20-piece Tiny Dancer FQ Bundle of my AGF fabrics, my Color Story Aurifil thread collection, three Sharon Holland patterns of your choice PLUS the same three month Cotton Cuts membership, Hobbs Tuscany Silk Batting, and a pink Thread Cutterz ring prize pack! How cool is that--two chances to win two amazing prize packages!

A BIG thanks to all who joined the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along and to those who enter our Giveaway!


XOXO Sharon

Sewcial Bee Sampler Finale

Sewcial Bee Sampler Finale

This is it, the finale week of the Sewcial Bee Sampler (SBS) and time for Maureen and I to reveal our finished sampler quilts! The last 27 weeks have been incredible. The response and participation to the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew along has been more than my co-host Maureen Cracknell and I could ever imagine. So many new friendships have been formed through the SBS Instagram community and I love hearing how your patchwork sewing skills have been improving through our sewing techniques and tutorials. Thank you for making this so successful.

Surprisingly we still have a few new Makers joining our sew along at this late point and will continue to as they see your beautiful finished quilts being posted. If you're just finding out about us, be sure to take advantage of the in-blog tutorials for the different patchwork techniques used throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler. Pick up tips and block variations beginning with the first blog post The Start of Something Sewcial. Both Maureen and I will leave all the SBS downloads up on our blogs for you to download long after this event is done. Also, check out the #SewcialBeeSampler hashtag on Instagram, you'll see an amazing array of beautiful blocks and quilts as inspiration overload! 

Before I get to showing you my finished quilts I want to remind you one last time about our Sewcial Bee Sampler Survey. The survey will only remain open one more week, until August 9th, 2017. To help us better understand what you're looking for in a future sew along, Maureen and I have prepared an 8 question survey. This quick questionnaire is completely anonymous and your answers will give us better insight into serving your needs as a quilter. To ensure the most accurate results, please only take the survey once. Many thanks to the 472 SBS Makers who've already participated in the SBS questionnaire! If you've not yet had a chance to take the survey, please do using this link provided. The link is the same on both Maureen's and my blog and goes to the same survey. So, if you access the questionnaire from either Maureen's site or mine, your answers are compiled to the same place.  

Quilt 1: Bountiful 

Originally I only planned to make one sampler quilt but very early into the sew along I could see I wanted to play with more fabric and color options and decided to make two to better show the variety that can be achieved in a project like this. I think each of my quilts has it's own personality as each and everyone of the SBS samplers have a unique point of view from the makers fabric choice, block assembly, and final layout arrangement. That's what makes a project like this so much fun.

My original quilt is made with fabrics from my newest Art Gallery Fabrics (AGF) collection called Bountiful. I also added in some coordinating AGF Pure Element solids.

I decided to keep the sashing fabric the same as the block frames to make the blocks float on the white background. 

 

The batting for my Bountiful SBS sampler is Hobbs Tuscany Wool. This is an exceptionally fine product and makes for a lightweight quilt with extra loft than a cotton type batting. It is a little different machine quilting on wool because of the added loft and takes a little bit of getting used to handling but needle quilts with ease. I chose to do a very simple free motion stitching on this quilt to give it a modern touch. 

 
 
Photo courtesy of Alexis Wright

Photo courtesy of Alexis Wright

Visit my Shop Fabrics page to find online quilt shops that carry Bountiful.

Quilt 2: Tiny Dancer

For my second SBS sampler quilt I decided to use fabrics from my first four Art Gallery Fabrics collections with the addition of the new Fusion reprints of my prints. I call my mixed group Tiny Dancer after the Sketchbook fabrics dandelion print by the same name.

On my second quilt I used my Sketchbook fabrics Speckled Lapis print for the block frames and a medium blue Mudcloth Blue print from Tapestry for the sashing. 

Since this quilt had a decidedly feminine quality to it with the colors and floral prints, I chose to stitch a dense, meandering floral machine quilting on it. The batting is the exquisite Hobbs Tuscany Silk batting. Truly the best batting I've ever had the pleasure to work with and works and handles much like a cotton batting.

 

To find shops that carry fabrics from my Gossamer, Sketchbook, Coastline, and Tapestry collections, use the links provided on my Shop Fabrics page

It was so much fun finally putting these blocks together and I love how they both turned out! My daughter helped me photography these over the weekend and I believe she has her eyes set on the Bountiful quilt for her guest bed (it's her favorite fabric collection to date). My year and a half year old granddaughter loved the Tiny Dancer mixed prints quilt and would point out the flowers and butterfly prints. I think someday when she's ready for a big girl bed, that will be her quilt. 

This Friday we still have another Giveaway Friday and it's going to be a big one! Maureen will be hosting the giveaway from her blog and I will be hosting the Instagram giveaway. Everything will be run as normal with the exception of the giveaway being slightly different in the two social media platforms. More about that on Friday!