Still Around

Yes, I'm still around here, sewing off and on. Time keeps marching on but my quilting projects can't keep up the pace. Now we are nearing wheat harvest and it's busier here on the farm so even less sewing is happening. 

I did enter a little contest our local quilt shop held this spring. The challenge was to make a fabric, selected by the shop, shine in a quilt. The only rule was that the quilt couldn't be larger than 40" x 40". 

As soon as I saw the fabric, I knew exactly what I wanted to make - a vintage hankie dress quilt. It's been on my bucket list since a fellow quilt guild member gave a program on vintage hankies before the pandemic and gifted each of us a hankie to upcycle. I had promptly pulled out four more hankies that coordinated with the gifted hankie and then set them aside on my cutting table - where they have laid ever since.

I found a You Tube video that showed how to fold hankies into a dress shape (search for origami hankie dress) and after making four dresses, I appliqued them to background squares. Since I was using the hankies as the focus, the only place to use the challenge fabric was in the sashing. But, the challenge was to make that fabric shine. I finally decided to ruche the sashing to add some pizzaz to the challenge fabric. 

I was happy with the way my hankie dress turned out. AND, I was thrilled when my quilt was voted the favorite and won the contest!

In other quilting news, I'm working on my newest quilt pattern called "Turning Point". I'm hoping to launch the pattern yet this month, so stay tuned!

Happy Quilting!

~Sharla

Introducing Mansu....

I am sew excited to introduce to you my newest quilt pattern! Mansu is named after my daughter-in-law and features a one-block design that when combined with multiple blocks creates this bold and vibrant quilt.

Mansu measures 80" x 80" and I made my test quilt using Slow Stroll by Fancy That Design House for Moda Fabrics.

The lattice and stars in this quilt were just screaming for custom quilting and I am in love with the lines that radiate from the stars and the circle design in the lattice. But this quilt would look just as great with a fun modern edge-2-edge design.

The Mansu quilt pattern can be purchased as a digital download on my pattern website at www.thistlethicketstudio.com. And you can save 20% if you purchase the pattern during my Pattern Release Week Special through Monday, February 13, 2023.

While your there, check out my other patterns. And stay tuned, I'm already working on my next quilt design!

Happy Quilting

~Sharla

More Reverse Applique Pillows

Here it is, already nearing the end of January!! And I'm still looking back at photos I haven't shared from the holidays. I realized I never shared the reverse applique pillows that I made for our family gift exchange. I really got in a sewing kick and made several pillows this year.

I shared a free reverse applique Christmas Lights pillow pattern on my website as a Christmas gift for my followers and these pillows were all made with the same instructions, just different designs that I found on free clipart sites.

I made a set of six pillows for various holidays/seasons throughout the year. Each of the background fabrics are strips of various widths pieced together.

The pillows are all 12" square so they can use the same pillow insert. That makes it easier to store the pillow covers flat and they take up less space.

I just love this Easter bunny pillow with his button tail.

I really like using Moda Grunge fabrics for the pillow fabric because it's a heavier fabric with the added paint on the surface so the background fabrics don't show through as easily. If they do, I just trim the excess away after I have machine stitched around each applique opening.

I made several different fall leaf pillows last fall for demos for the two quilting groups I belong to. 

On the jack-o'-lantern pillow, I appliqued the face on top of the reverse applique using black felt. I also appliqued the leaf using corduroy.

 

One last reverse applique pillow I gifted to another family member for their new home is this "All Hearts Come Home For Christmas" pillow. The wording is applied with a flocked heat-transfer vinyl. I added a black pom-pom trim around this pillow also.

I really enjoyed making all of these pillows and they were a quick and easy project. Did you make any gifts for Christmas this year?

Happy Quilting!

~Sharla

My Christmas Gift To You!

Merry Christmas one and all! Have you been decking the halls in preparation for the holidays? I designed a little project for Moda Bake Shop's 2022 Countdown To Christmas that's perfect for decking the halls or gifting to your loved ones. 

My Christmas Lights Reverse Applique Pillow is a fun, quick and easy project - and it coordinates with my "A Lightbulb Moment" quilt that was featured in "The Best of Moda Bake Shop" book and the accessory projects I have shared on my blog previously.

You can get your free Christmas Lights Reverse Applique Pillow pattern by visiting my pattern shop at www.thistlethicketstudio.com or by clicking here.

Wishing y'all a joyous season and we'll see you in the new year!

~Sharla

Halloween Stars Sew-Along: Quilt Finishing

Finally we have reached the end of the Halloween Stars Sew-Along!

To complete the quilt, layer the backing, batting and quilt top, and quilt using your preferred method. I machine quilted mine with a stars and swirl pattern using white thread. I had planned to try machine sewing my binding on, both front and back, but chickened out at the last minute. My tried and true binding method is 2 1/2" strips, folded in half, machine sewn to the front of the quilt using a 3/8" seam, folded over to the back and hand stitched down. 

I love how my little quilt turned out and look forward to using it on my table.

Thanks to everyone who joined me in this sew-along. Be sure to share your finished Halloween Stars quilt photos and tag me!

Happy Quilting!

~Sharla

Halloween Stars Sew-Along: Top Construction

We finally get to assemble our blocks to make our Halloween Stars Sew-Along quilt top! 

You'll lay out your blocks, alternating the A & B blocks in a grid according to the size you are making. Continuing to pin those open seams when they meet is important for matching seams. It's always so exciting to get to this flimsy stage!

Share a photo of your finished quilt top when you get there & tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can see please!

Happy Quilting

~Sharla

Halloween Stars Sew-Along: Stripe Attachment

Yay! We are getting so close to the finish line of the Halloween Stars Sew-Along! Today we are completing our blocks by attaching the last 4-patch and stripe units.

You'll be attaching the units to both the A and B blocks. It's pretty straight forward and won't take long. Just remember to pin those open seams to get a perfect match!

With the blocks completed, tomorrow we'll be sewing our blocks together to complete our top - or as some quilters call it, our 'flimsy'. (I just love that name!)

If you'd like to make your own Halloween Stars quilt, you can get the pattern we are using (called Valiant) HERE.

Happy Quilting!

~Sharla