Monday, August 31, 2015

My turn on the 2015 Fabri-Quilt New Block Blog Hop!



Welcome! I'm sew excited to share with you the block I designed for Fabri-Quilt's New Block blog hop. This blog hop features 60+ quilt bloggers who have all created block designs and tutorials using Fabri-Quilt's Prairie Cloth Solids in Chartreuse, Turquoise, Coral, Aqua, Lapis Blue and White.

In addition to getting more than 60 free block patterns, if you visit each of the blog hosts (links below), you can register to win one of 8 half yard fabric bundles of each of the fabrics featured in this blog hop. How cool is that!

Without further adieu, let me introduce my block - Tumbleweed Crossroads:

I really like how my 12" block turned out, but I really think it would make an awesome one block/big block quilt so I included cutting instructions to super-size my block in my Tumbleweed Crossroads pattern. For ease of sewing, I made my instructions into a pattern that you can print and use at your sewing machine rather than having to refer back to a tutorial on the computer:)

I know it looks like a lot of cut pieces in this photo, but my pattern breaks the block down into three smaller blocks (a center block, four corner blocks and four side blocks) which are pieced into a 9-patch for the finished block. When you break it down into sections, it's really quite easy!

This block also creates a beautiful secondary pattern, as you can see in this quilt rendition:

I had fun playing around with the photo of my block. Here I made it into a 4-patch photo mash-up to give you an idea what the quilt would look like if you made four super-sized 48" blocks (using 4 1/2" blocks instead of 1 1/2" - much easier) and combined them into a king-size quilt.....

I really had fun playing with the super-sized block idea so much that I made a super-sized block quilt from a second block idea I drafted. The block was my original idea for this blog hop but it required more than a fat 8th of background fabric, so I drafted a new pattern for today. Check back in next week and I'll share my super-sized quilt and free pattern!

Speaking of free patterns, here is a link to the rest of today's bloggers on the Fabri-Quilt New Block Blog Hop. Be sure to stop by each one to get your free block pattern or tutorial.

For a list of bloggers for the rest of the blog hop, check out my post from Sunday here. And don't forget to visit Fabri-Quilt's blog and our blog host for today for a chance to win one of 8 half yard fabric bundles of the featured blog hop fabric:
Thank you to Fabri-Quilt for sponsoring this blog hop and for providing the fabric for each blogger to make their blocks and for the fabric bundle giveaways. The blocks are going to be made into three charity quilts by our blog hop hosts to benefit three great charities: Meyers Center, a non-profit organization that helps kids that are physically and/or mentally disabled prepare for school; Teen Impact, an organization that helps kids with cancer; and Project Linus, an organization that gives handmade blankets to critically ill children.

And thank you sew much for stopping by my blog! I hope you'll come back and visit often! To make a return trip easier, you can use any or all of the links in the top right-hand column to follow me on all sorts of social media - Let's Be Friends!
~Sharla



Sunday, August 30, 2015

Don't Miss The Fabri-Quilt New Block Blog Hop This Week!

It's almost here! The 2015 Fabri-Quilt New Block Blog Hop starts tomorrow - August 31st and runs through Thursday, September 3rd. You won't want to miss this blog hop because more than 60 - that's right 6-0 - quilt bloggers will be sharing their FREE tutorials and patterns for the 12" blocks they designed using Fabri-Quilt's Prairie Cloth Cotton Solids. Plus there are half yard bundles of each of the fabrics featured in the blog hop that will be given away to 8 lucky blog hop winners!


To make it easier to visit each participating quilt blogger, here is a list of blogs, their links, and the day they will be posting their blocks:

Monday, August 31st
Tuesday, September 1st
Wednesday, September 2nd
Thursday, September 3rd
And here are the links to the blog hop hosts where you can register for the prizes. The host , on their day, will be hosting a giveaway for one fabric bundle, plus Fabri-Quilt's Inspired by Fabric blog will be hosting a giveaway each day - that's 8 chances to win!
I'm sew excited to share my block with you, so be sure to stop back by on Tuesday!
~Sharla

Thursday, August 27, 2015

A Little Farm Girl Vintage Sewing On This Farm Girl's Birthday

How do I spend my birthday when the hubby is on the tractor? Doing some happy sewing, of course! I've been busy working on block designs for the 2015 FabriQuilt New Block blog hop next week, so I decided to take a break today and get caught up on my Farm Girl Vintage blocks. It is just 'sew' fun making these blocks!

First up is the Pinwheels block. A traditional block, but oh so cute!
Piecing perfection, don't ya think? I've shared this before, but here is how I get perfectly pieced points:
  1. Press seams open.
  2. Place a pin through both points.
  3. While holding the pin perpendicular to the fabric, insert a pin on either side of the first pin. This keeps the fabric from shifting and keeps the points aligned.
Easy peasy!

The other Farm Girl Vintage block this week is another traditional scrappy block - the Postage Stamp block:
I think it will be these scrappy blocks that will pull the quilt together with all of the different colors and prints.

Here's one last share....Aren't these just the cutest tiny vintage bakelite buttons! I found them yesterday while out and about. Just love the fall colors!

As I mentioned above, next week is the 2015 FabriQuilt New Block Blog Hop. I'll be sharing my block design on Tuesday, but the hop starts on Monday. Check in Sunday evening, and I'll post links to everyone participating in the hop - there's more than 60!!!

Now, I'm off to get ready for a birthday dinner with quilty friends - Sew Fun!

~Sharla


Friday, August 21, 2015

A Farm Girl Vintage Friday Finish

If you've visited my blog before, you know I love Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet's latest book "Farm Girl Vintage" and have been posting my blocks each week as I participate in the Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along. (I'll be one of the featured guest bloggers on Lori's sew along on September 25!) Last week one of the blocks we made was the Patchwork Pumpkin block. It took 30 different orange fabrics!! And I only had one. So I shopped for orange fat quarters while on a three-day Row by Row Experience road trip with my quilty friends last week. I didn't amass 30, but I did bring home 10 orange fat quarters to make my block.

Two and a half yards of orange fabric to make one 12" block?!?! To justify my purchases, I decided while I was making my Patchwork Pumpkin block for my Farm Girl Vintage sampler quilt I'd make a few more for a whole pumpkin patch! And this week I quilted and bound my pumpkin patch quilt in time to participate in my first quilting link up party - Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF)!

I love how this little quilt turned out and plan to hang it by my back door (which everyone uses, so I guess it's my front door) this fall. I also looove the checkerboard binding!

A close up of the quilting - I like how it spirals from the middle.

And here's the back. Even after making the pumpkin blocks and backing, I still have lots of orange fabric. Hmmmm, wonder what my next orange project should be?

Thanks for stopping by! If you want to see some more great Friday finishes, go check out this week's TGIFF link up party!

http://quokkaquilts.com/almost-finished-friday/

~Sharla


Monday, August 17, 2015

Farm Girl Vintage Week 16

Are you on Instagram? Do you follow Lori Holt (@beelori1) of Bee In My Bonnet? Did you see that she introduced a new hand mixer block at her Farm Girl Vintage retreat this last week. It is sooo similar to my hand mixer block that I designed a few weeks ago - I swear Lori is my long lost twin sister! Ha, Ha! Lori's block pattern will soon be available for purchase at the Fat Quarter Shop. If you like my block, you'll love Lori's!
Here's my hand mixer block as a pocket on my farm girl apron.

I was able to catch up on my Farm Girl Vintage blocks this weekend. I found the red and pink fabrics for my Pie Cherries block on our Row by Row Experience road trip. I thought they were perfect for this block!

I added some squash to my Peas and Carrots block. Mixed veggies! I think the yellow really made this block pop.

Speaking of Instagram.....if you're on IG, I'd love it if you'd follow me @thistlethicketstudio!

~Sharla

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Saturday, August 15, 2015

Farm Girl Vintage Week 15

Whew! What a whirlwind three days! We loaded up the van with quilty friends and headed out for our second annual Row by Row Experience road trip. We had a ball - drove 825 miles, visited 25 quilt shops along the Colorado front range, ran into a horrible hail storm that pelted the van pretty good, spent too much money on awesome fabric and quilting goodies, ate at some neat places, and laughed a ton. Great time! Now to catch up on my Farm Girl Vintage blocks!

I didn't get last week's blocks done before we left on our road trip. Partly because I didn't have any oranges to make the Patchwork Pumpkin block. It was one of the many things that was on my shopping list. The book calls for 30 different prints, but I used 10 and I think they look great. I say 'they' because I couldn't stop with just one pumpkin! I decided I needed a whole patch of pumpkins! Here is my pumpkin patch, ready for quilting:

And here is my Patchwork Pumpkin block for my Farm Girl Vintage quilt:

Luckily the other block last week was quick and easy since I spent extra time making pumpkins. Here is my Out to Pasture block:

Now back to sewing! I need to get caught up on this week's Farm Girl Vintage blocks so I can work on my new block design for the 2015 FabriQuilt New Block Blog Hop that starts on August 31st. Mark it on your calendar - it should be great fun and 60+ free new block designs to get!

~Sharla

Sunday, August 9, 2015

A Finish & A Find

I finally have finished something - complete with binding! I am amazed when people say that sewing the binding on is their favorite part of the quilt making process. I hate putting on the binding!!! (Is three exclamation marks adequate to express my binding disdain? I think not.)!!! I currently have a stack of almost finished quilts - except for binding - piled on a chair, plus a few more in the top of a closet. I would seriously consider trading sewing or quilting with someone for binding, except that I'm picky when it comes to binding, so that probably wouldn't work either. OK, binding rant over:)

Anyway, my finish is just a table topper for the side table in my bedroom.

Last year I finished one of my UFOs which was a king-size Turning Twenty quilt made with Little Black Dress I fabric. I love this fabric so much!

I picked up a fat eighth bundle when Little Black Dress II came out just in case I decided I wanted to make something else for my room - which ended up being a table topper. I pieced the top back in May and just now got around to quilting it. I'm so glad I waited because I got to spend a little time practicing my custom quilting on it this week.

I also wanted to share this vintage tablecloth that my Mom found while on her Sibling Week awhile back. Of course when she saw it was green she had to get it for me! Thanks Mom! I just love the applique and stitching on it - and the green!

As I'm typing this, I'm looking at the clock. It's late and 5:30 a.m. will be here soon. Can't wait! A van load of my quilting peeps are hitting the road with me for a three-day Row by Row Experience Shop Hop in Colorado. Fun, Fun, FUN! I'll share pics as we hop along on Instagram, so be sure to follow me there @thistlethicketstudio.

~Sharla

Friday, August 7, 2015

Cool Tool: Moda Palette Builder

I haven't had time to do much sewing this week and have nothing to show, so I'd like to share with you a new online tool that I think is way cool.....Moda's Palette Builder. This is my first chance to play with their new fabric matching tool, but it won't be the last! I can think of a number of ways this tool will come in handy - especially if I ever figure out how to print my own fabric on Spoonflower (but that's a whole different post)!

Palette Builder is easy to use. Just upload a photo to the site and it will read multiple spots in the photo, analyze the color and give you a list of Moda Bella Solids, Aurifil Threads or hex values that most closely match the colors in the photo. You can move the color selector circles around on your photo to choose what colors to have analyzed, so finding the perfect fabrics to match your next project is easy. You can then save your colors for future reference.

I uploaded a photo of one of my jadeite green dishes. I just love this color of green and finding fabric to coordinate with my décor for future projects will be very handy. I have purchased so many shades of this green, but when I bring them home, they are never just the right shade. Maybe now I'll have better luck!

Palette Builder can generate a list of possible colors of Bella Solid fabrics that will match the colors of the photo. I'm thinking the top color, Amelia Green 9900-163, will be my next fabric purchase.

The program will also generate a list of hex values from your uploaded photo. I can see this being a real benefit if you wanted to design something (fabric, blog websites, etc.) around a color palette that you like.

Lastly, the program will also generate a list of Aurifil Threads that will match or blend with your photo.

So I uploaded another photo with more colors. This is a photo of a Droste Chocolate poster (my maiden name is Droste and we collect anything Droste Cocao!) Someday, I'm going to make mini quilts for my wall from fabric printed with the collection of poster images I have. Finding coordinating fabric numbers will be really helpful when ordering fabric. As you can see, though, not ever suggestion that is generated will be a perfect match. The closest Bella Solid blue has more green in it than the photo and the Bella Solid red has more orange. The ability to move the analyzing circles around will help give you different results, though, so finding a closer match is possible.

This is a photo of a vintage piece of 30's fabric that I really like. I would love to design and print my own fabric in this color palette. Wouldn't it be yummy! Now, with a list of hex color numbers, I will be more successful in matching those colors. Now if I can just figure out the rest of the technical design process!

How would you use Moda's Palette Builder? Let's hear those ideas!

~Sharla

UPDATE: Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl shared that Play Crafts has a Palette Builder too (they also designed Moda's Palette Builder). And it includes Kona Solids, along with the other things Moda's Palette Builder has. Awesome, thanks for the info Yvonne!

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along - Week 14

It's been a busy week of county fair activities and visiting with friends home for the festivities. Class reunions are held during the county fair every year, and this year my son was home for his 10 year class reunion also. (Boy, that makes a girl feel old!) All this adds up to very little time in the sewing room, but I did manage to get my Farm Girl Vintage blocks completed.

So, without further adieu, here are my blocks for this week....

Old Red Barn Block:

I had to change this one up and make it gray since all of the barns and sheds on our farm are gray. I also had to take a photo of my barn block with our old gray barn. Love it!


Old Glory Block:
I'm not sure about those blue dots at the top and bottom of my flag. I may change them out later. I'll decide that when I start putting my blocks together.

This week, Farm Girl Vintage author Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet announced a couple of new companion patterns for the Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along on her blog. Of course, I had to get them! Especially the Penny Pig Block pattern because when my farmer hubby and I were newlyweds, we used to raise pigs with his family. Hurry and head on over to the Fat Quarter Shop to get your own Penny Pig pattern! Here is my finished block:

Now if Lori Holt would come up with a project to use all of these HSTs that I'm accumulating from the Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along! Hint, Hint! If you have an idea, please share!

~Sharla

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