Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #2

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #2

So, how'd everyone like the first week of the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew along? Both Maureen and I are blown away by the response and all the beautiful week one Patience Corners blocks. You guys are amazing! Keep up the posting to Instagram and be sure to use the #sewcialbeesampler hashtag so we can easily keep track of all the posts AND public IG accounts that use the official sew along hashtag are automatically entered into all our IG giveaway drawings!

It's been so fun to see the personal touches you've put into fabric choices and fabric placement on the first block. Many of you even made more than one! A question that came up a lot last week was about selecting the framing fabric. I suggested to several to possibly hold off in making that decision now, and rather wait till you've made more blocks to get the bigger picture. My co-host Maureen Cracknell and I are constantly monitoring Instagram to help you with your SBS sewing. We try to see it all and comment in someway, but bare with us as we are getting a bit swamped by the huge success of the sew along!

Ready for block #2--It's a dandy!

Get the free download for block #2 A Dandy on my Sew Along download page. Remember, you can start the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew along at any time, just download the available patterns and jump right in!

This week we will be utilizing two patchwork sewing techniques in block #2. I've prepared some step by step images for you and of course, this same information is illustrated and written down in the download material. 

I was lucky enough to get the advance yardage rolls of my new Bountiful fabrics for Art Gallery Fabrics! I'm making my sampler in my new collection and will also use AGF Pure Element solids for my frames and sashing. Bountiful will be in shops next month.

Tutorials

Half-Square Triangle Units

Since we only need 4 half-square triangle (HST) units in this block, we will be using a more traditional, 2-at-a-time HST method. 

1. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of a square, as indicated by the pattern. Place a marked square right sides together with a same-size square. Sew a 1/4" seam on each side of the drawn line. I like to press my stitched squares so everything's nice and flat before moving on to Step 2.

2. Cut apart on the line. Open and press. Trim dog ears. Makes 2 half-square triangle (HST) units. 

Quick Corner Units

I'd rather waste a little bit of material than sew on a bias cut edge. Quick corners allow you to sew on straight-of-grain pieces before trimming and flipping out the triangle corners. Here's how to sew them:

1. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of a square as indicated by the pattern. Noting orientation of the drawn line, place the marked square on a corner of shape indicated in the pattern. Sew on the drawn line. Tip: Sewing just outside the line on the corner side will keep the unit square.  Trim 1/4" past the stitch line. Press corner open. 

2. Noting orientation of the drawn line, repeat on the other corner as shown. Trim seam allowance and press corner open. Note: It's very important you press open the first corner before sewing on the second corner. Let's just put it this way, you'll know exactly why I mention this if you've forgotten :)

Here's my finished block # 2, I can't wait to see what you make! Don't forget to visit Maureen Cracknell's blog to see how she's sewn her A Dandy block. Maureen will be also be hosting this week's Giveaway Friday from our sponsor The Intrepid Thread--I know you'll not want to miss that!

Happy sewing xxxx

Thanks to our generous sponsors, each Friday Maureen and I will alternate hosting a giveaway of amazing prizes. Be sure to follow this blog and at Maureen Cracknell Handmade so you never miss a single SBS thing!

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

New Patterns Released

A new year holds great promise. It's like having a clean slate and in my case a clean sewing room because I needed to tidy it up for holiday company :) Before I got too deep into sewing and designing I thought it would be a good idea to publish some beautiful quilt projects I made for magazines. These quilts are now out of the magazine contract period ready for me to publish as stand-alone PDF patterns you can purchase. You can view all my patterns on Craftsy.

Four New Patterns Added

Kilim is one of my all-time favorite quilt designs. I patterned this quilt after an image of a kilim rug. The rug inspiration was taken further by how I placed the cream background prints and let them flow from one type of print into another like how yarn is woven on a loom making subtle changes in color. Another way I pushed the concept of a rug was to use a mitered facing binding on this quilt--much like how a rug is finished on the back. This optional way to finish this project gives the quilt a clean front and uninterrupted quilt design.

Kilim by Sharon Holland featuring Sketchbook fabrics and Pure Elements from Art Gallery Fabrics

I love how you can use a ton of different fabrics with this quilt. Most of the prints are from my Sketchbook fabrics collection with the addition of Gossamer fabrics and Pure Elements from Art Gallery Fabrics. 

Here's a look at the finished quilt back with a mitered facing binding. The instructions for this quilt are written so you can do this facing binding technique or regular double-fold binding from the same 2-1/4'' cut strips. 

My Sketchbook fabric collection is a playful explosion of flowers and drawings. The Bloomescent quilt is a celebration of blooms created with large Drunkard's Path blocks. Even though this is labeled as an intermediate pattern, don't be intimidated by the curved piecing. The 6'' Drunkard's Path square is a gentle curve to piece and easy to learn how to stitch.

Bloomescent by Sharon Holland featuring Sketchbook fabrics and Pure Elements from Art Gallery Fabrics

My third new pattern release is a foundation paper-pieced table runner called Sea Breeze. This project was my last make for my Coastline fabrics fall 2015 Quilt Market booth. I had only a handful of scraps to work with and this Palm Leaf block couldn't have been more perfect for the theme of the collection and my materials available. 

Sea Breeze by Sharon Holland featuring Coastline fabrics and Pure Elements from Art Gallery Fabrics

The Sea Breeze table runner pattern is rated as an advanced pattern and utilizes foundation paper-piecing techniques to achieve the perfect points on the Palm Leaf blocks. Step-by-step instructions for how to paper-piece are included in the PDF pattern. A small project like this is a great time to try paper-piecing since you only need to make 12 blocks!

Last but not least is Beach Glass, a modern quilt design made from a repeating geometric pattern. I've rated this as an intermediate only because of the placement of the squares and half-square triangles. The making of blocks is straightforward and definitely a beginner level--just follow the quilt diagram closely for placement and orientation to achieve the repeat pattern effect. 

Beach Glass by Sharon Holland featuring Gossamer fabrics and Pure Elements from Art Gallery Fabrics

Stitched in cool blues, seafoam green, and sandy brown this calming color palette was made using my Gossamer fabrics and Pure Elements from Art Gallery Fabrics. Simple half-square triangles and squares are used to create the repeating design of this quilt. Randomly spaced, straight line quilting gives the feeling of rippling water. 

Visit my Craftsy pattern page to purchase these or any of my other PDF patterns. Be sure to tag me #sharonhollanddesigns when you post pictures of your completed makes so I can see your lovely projects! Happy sewing xxxx

It's a Wrap!

The end of 2016 is fast approaching so what better way to wind up a blog year then with a post all about wrapping gifts!

You've carefully selected gifts for everyone on your list, have you put the same thoughtfulness into how you will wrap them? Go beyond basic paper and turn the packaging into part of the gift with easily found materials.

Several of the items shown above I had around the house or picked up this summer while thrifting.

I have a hard time tossing out beautiful Christmas cards and have stacks of these from past Christmases. Why not cut out or use the entire front of an old card as a newly repurposed gift tag? Cut out Christmas card tag with (found) magnolia seed pod. See my Instagram feed sharonhollanddesigns for video on how to professionally tie up a package with a ribbon. 

Use a vintage (or new) cloth napkin. A napkin pairs well with food related gifts and makes those home-made goodies all the sweeter. 

Giving a gift to someone who sews? Why not wrap it in fabric! Twill tape, a repurposed greeting card tag, and evergreen sprig cut from the yard shows them how much you care.

I love a themed gift! A pretty dish towel, wooden spoon, thrifted vintage trivet, and repurposed greeting card tag tied with twine are the perfect gift cover-up for the Foodie on your shopping list. 

For the gifts that need a little extra bling, add a shiny ornament, sparkly repurposed card cover, and a gauzy scarf to tie it all up, cuz baby it's cold outside!

Photo via Mary Richmond of At Home On the Bay

Are you wanting to make a quick ornament or package decoration? Why not make my Candy Cane Cover pattern and stitch up fast felt critters like Mary Richmond of At Home On the Bay did. Isn't this gray horse adorable!!??!!

Giving a gift to a knitter or maybe someone wanting to learn the craft? Use yarn to make a pompom and "ribbon" and add some knitting needles for the perfect gift topper they will love. Maybe next year you'll get a knitted sweater!

These are just a few ideas to help you get started thinking outside the paper and take gift giving to a new level (on top of the gift, that is). Merry Christmas to you and I wish you all the best in 2017. xxxx

Delicious October

Yup, I know, strange blog post title but I love this month. Not only is it my birthday month but I love the fall colors, the baked goods, the fairs and festivals, and the cooler weather. 

There's nothing better then the smell of something delicious, hot out of the oven on a cool fall day. My family has a weak spot for Apple Crisp and I've already made three batches of this heaven-in-a-pan so far this season. I did a blog post five years ago, sharing the Apple Crisp recipe I use from my childhood Betty Crocker Cookbook for Boys and Girls cookbook. You've gotta try this, it's amazing!

I've been busy doing a lot of secret sewing the last two months (more updates on that soon) and really don't have any new projects to show you right now. When thinking about what I should post, it dawned on me that I already have a bunch of great free projects available on this blog and why not remake one of those projects as a little reminder to my faithful followers and the new friends following this blog to check out the Free Patterns page. 

Thinking about baking and selecting the next Fat Quarter Shop sponsored fat-quarter bundle giveaway inspired me to remake my Folded Star potholder project.

Folded Star potholder by Sharon Holland

Our next fat-quarter bundle giveaway will be Maureen Cracknell's new Nightfall fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics. 

My Folded Star potholder is the perfect project to stitch because only scraps are needed to make one. With just a handful of Nightfall scraps leftover from a quilt project, I needed to include three of my Tapestry fabric prints to make a new potholder. I think the two collections work together wonderfully!

This is a fun project and would make a super gift item or part of a gift basket anytime of year. Download the free pattern here. 

As I mentioned above, this month, the Fat Quarter Shop giveaway is for the beautiful Nightfall fabric collection by Maureen Cracknell for Art Gallery Fabrics.

TO ENTER:

Giveaway for the 20-piece Nightfall fat-quarter bundle begins today, Monday, October 3rd, 2016 and will end on Monday, October 10th, 2016 at 4 p.m. EDT. 

• Leave a comment on this blog post anytime between 10/3/16 and 4 p.m. EDT on 10/10/16 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 commenting anonymously or with a no-reply, be sure to leave a valid email address in your comment to qualify for the drawing. If the winning entrant does not reply to my congratulatory email or comment reply within 24 hours I will select an alternate winner's name.