Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #9

Hello SBS makers, it's Wednesday!

My co-host Maureen Cracknell and I are having so much fun with this 26-week sampler quilt event. For those just joining, you'll want to start the sew along in chronological order because we build off past techniques and with each new block release I've added helpful, in-blog tips and tutorials. Start with the first SBS post and work your way to the present. 

Did you like last week's post about sewing half-square triangles and controlling the direction of the fabrics? I saw some pretty amazing blocks being posted to Instagram and love seeing your progress. I apologize for not commenting on everyone's blocks but had a very good excuse--I was on vacation in New York! 

While in the Big Apple, I had the experience of visiting Mood! Here I am with a very tired Swatch (the store mascot). 

Time to start sewing block #9--Wedding Ring. Download the free PDF pattern from my Sew Along page.

Wedding Ring uses the 8-at-a-time half-square triangle (HST) technique we've used in several of our blocks so far. If you need a review, follow the step-by-step tutorial, here. Block #9 is another 12-1/2'' (unfinished) block that doesn't require any frames to get it up to size. Be mindful of your seam allowances to keep this block true to size. 

The only tip I have for you this week is number of fabric options. The PDF instruction is written for a 2-fabric block. If you're looking to add more fabrics to your block, here's information for a 3-fabric and a 4-fabric option. 

Remember, if you like to have all your prints running the same direction in your block, visit block #8 blog post here.

3-Fabric Option:

CUT:

  • (2) 5-3/4'' squares, (1) 4-1/2'' square, and (4) 2-1/2'' x 4-1/2'' rectangles fabric A
  • (1) 5-3/4'' square and (4) 2-1/2'' x 4-1/2'' rectangles fabric B
  • (1) 5-3/4'' square fabric C

Sew block per PDF instructions.

Don't ask me why, but with a block name like Wedding Ring, I thought there should be a little bling in the photos so I included some fun vintage jewelry bugs and flower pins. I have two sampler quilts going. This 3-fabric option is made using Haymow prints from my new Bountiful fabrics collection for Art Gallery Fabrics and Pure Element solid Snow for the background. I'm using the same fabric for the background as I would normally use in my frames. 

 

4-Fabric Option:

The 4-fabric option is a perfect place to showcase I fussy cut center square. 

CUT:

  • (2) 5-3/4'' squares and (4) 2-1/2'' x 4-1/2'' rectangles fabric A
  • (1) 5-3/4'' square and (4) 2-1/2'' x 4-1/2'' rectangles fabric B
  • (1) 5-3/4'' square fabric C
  • (1) 4-1/2'' square fabric D

Sew block per PDF instructions.

My second sampler quilt is made from a curated collection of prints from my first four fabric lines for Art Gallery Fabrics and two newly recolored Fusion prints from my Gossamer fabrics. Here I've used prints from Sketchbook and Coastline. 

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    NeedleandFoot      Stash Builder Box

Also, don't forget that Friday is Giveaway Friday and this week I will be hosting the giveaway from this blog. We've got a great giveaway planned from Aurifil I know you'll not want to miss! 

Sketchbook Fabrics

The advanced yardage for the Art Gallery Fabrics Sketchbook fabrics arrived here the end of last week. I am in love with this collection and the seemingly endless possibilities of looks you can get from these prints! 

 

Sketchbook Plein Air Colorway

 

Sketchbook Studio Colorway

I didn't waste anytime cutting into these pretty bolts of fabric! Quilts and sewing projects need to be made for magazines and the Art Gallery Fabrics Sketchbook Look Book (out later this month).

Sharon McConnell of Color Girl Quilts will be making one of the quilts for the upcoming AGF Sketchbook Look Book. Here's the fabrics she will be using. Check out her blog, it's filled with quilts and great information on how to choose fabrics and colors for your next project. 

 

Want to get your hands on a 20 pc. Sketchbook fabric fat quarter bundle? I have two bundles to giveaway in my July Sketchbook Celebration. Enter to win by filling out your name and email address in the form below. Hit submit and your name has been entered. Even if you have entered earlier giveaways you will need to resubmit your name on this new drawing on the actual post for this fat quarter bundle giveaway. Please, only submit your name once--multiple entries do not better your chances. Winners will be drawn on Monday, July 20th at noon Eastern time. 








Congratulations to the winners of the Sketchbook Aurifil thread sets giveaway! First place winner, Jeannie Zimmerman won the 12 large spool thread set and Melody Lutz won the 10 small spool thread set. Have fun sewing with these yummy colors girls!

 

Aurifil Sketchbook Collections

New Free Pattern

School's out for the summer and you're looking for some sewing projects that don't take forever to make, right? Here's a fast sewing project that's as fun to use as it is to make.

The Art Roll-Up project is great if you have plans to do some Plein Air painting this summer. Just slip your brushes, pens and pencils in the stitched channels, fold the flap over, roll and go! Or, store your knitting needles, make up and more. Customize the size of the channels to your needs, this could even make a cute cutlery caddy for impromptu summer picnics. Great gift idea as well. 

My Art Roll-Up features my newest Art Gallery Fabrics collection Sketchbook (available this July). I have also incorporated AGF Oval Elements and Pure Elements for a scrappy look. 

Go sew some fun!

Quilt Market Recap

Hello! I am back from spring Quilt Market in Minneapolis and all unpacked (mostly). First thing to do is regroup and prioritize what needs to be done next. Just about all of my projects I made for my booth have been snapped up by quilt and sewing magazines! When they are in print, I will let you know which publication/issue to look for so you can find the project you may have had your eye on. All very exciting for me as a fabric and quilt designer to have my work published. 

I met so many talented and terrific people at market. From other designers (fabric and patterns), authors, shop owners and bloggers. I learn so much from talking to people and love the openness and sharing of information and techniques. We can all learn from each other as we share our passion for what we do. 

Ink Outburst Atelier Canvas by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics

This spring Art Gallery Fabrics is introducing Canvas to their fabric offerings. This canvas is soft and drapey and of the high standards you come to expect from AGF. I just got my sample from Sketchbook fabrics when I got to Market and can't wait to sew something up with this wonderful material! The above photo shows a glimpse of the entire Sketchbook collection of quilting cotton prints in the Studio and Plein Air colorways.

I am very excited to show-off my Aurifil thread collection that coordinates with Sketchbook. I have chosen yummy colors of a large spool set and bolder accent colors in the small spool set all perfect for sewing up tons of projects. Be watching this blog and my Instagram and Facebook accounts for upcoming chances to win a thread set.

So, are you excited about Sketchbook? I am! It was so much fun designing quilts and sewing projects with this line. Ask and look for it at your local quilt shop or online in July. I will be giving away fat quarter bundles when it's available and also organize a blog tour for this collection--more details to come, so keep watching! Till then, I will leave you with a few more images from Market.

Quilt Market booth: Sketchbook by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics

Sketchbook booth with Honeycomb quilt by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics

Oh yes! The quilt on the wall is my Honeycomb quilt and is the front of the quilt that was featured in my previous post "Quilt Back Story". This beauty will be featured in Quilt Now magazine sometime in the coming months.