Modern Quilting Blog – Page 4

Star Sampler Quilt | Block #3: Kansas Star

PATTERN SHEET: star-sampler-quilt-block3

Good morning, Friends!

I hope you all had a lovely weekend sewing and creating in your unique ways! Me, my weekend (and past week) was spent working and earning those good ol’ dollars! (Hence why this block tutorial is slightly late!)

So block three is a bit of a good-un! Although the Kansas Star looks a little complicated to piece together, once broken down into manageable steps and sections it really is quite simple to piece together. Although I do have a few tips for you to keep in mind when your sewing…

First is to make sure you’re really precise with placing/pinning the 2.5″ squares into the corners of the 4.5″ squares when making each of the ‘snowball’ units. When pressed, you want the 2.5″ corner squares to replace the corner of the 4.5″ square, (I hope that just made sense??) so that when measured at the end, you still have a 4.5″ square/unit(s) ready to be sewn into the Kansas Star design.

Secondly, if you’re having trouble with getting your 4.5″ ‘snowball’ units to sit flat and straight, give them a good spray with some starch, then press with a hotish steamy iron you’ll find they’ll behave themselves a lot better! (If ever in doubt about wrinkles, wonky lines, curled up edges etc, whip out the spray starch and then press the heck out of it and I’m 99% confident it’ll fix any of your problems!)

Thirdly, if you find that some of your ‘snowball’ units are slightly under 4.5″ squared, that’s okay. As long as it isn’t any more than a 1/4″ on any one side, your block should still come together pretty easily.

If you want some inspiration on how using different colour ways transforms the block, do what I did and Google, ‘Kansas Star Block’, click on Images and be instantly inspired!

For all of the measurement and cutting details, along with the fabrics* I’ve used to piece this block together and a diagram of the block layout, click on the pattern sheet linked at the top of this post. If you would like to use a similar 12.5″ set square as me, you can find it here:June Tailor Get-Squared 12.5″ Ruler.

+++

As I mention at end of the tutorial, block four will hopefully be up for you to watch on Friday (or Sunday, depending on a few things that are happening this week!). It’s another simple yet effective one called Janet’s Star!

Oh also, I had a great idea suggested that we get a hashtag going for the Quilt-Along! So whenever you share your blocks with me on Instagram include the hashtag #AmandasQuiltAlong (really original, I know!) and we’ll all be able to see each others blocks etc. How exciting!

Until then…

Happy Sewing, Friends!

*A big thanks to Australian wholesale supplier and fabric distributer Dayview Textiles for supplying me with such beautiful fabrics! If you want to see all of the fabrics I’ll be using in this Quilt Along, check out this post where I share them all with you!

Star Sampler Quilt | Block #2: Star X

PATTERN SHEET: star-sampler-quilt-block2

Sooo….. Who’s ready for block two?? I know so many of you are excited for the next piece in my Star Sampler QAL puzzle!

And here it is!!

Week two brings the Star X Block!

Now, I absolutely love this block for how similar it is to one of my all-time favourite blocks – the Ohio Star! I also love how the metallic grey fabric (called: Notorious in Cloud Metallic) sparkles and glimmers in the light! It just finishes the block off so beautifully! 🙂

So in the following tutorial, I go through how to make HSTs (as usual) as well as how to make those super-effective QSTs (that is Quarter Square Triangles) that form the ‘Star’ and ‘X’ shapes in the block.

If you click on the pattern sheet linked at the top of this post, you’ll be able to find a full list of all of the measurements and cutting info, along with the fabrics* I’ve used to piece this block together! If you would like to use a similar 12.5″ set square as me, you can find it here: June Tailor Get-Squared 12.5″ Ruler.

Enjoy your weekend sewing up this block and don’t forget to share it with me on Instagram or Facebook!

See you next week for block three! It’s another ‘out-of-the-box’ type one again but will be fun to piece together nonetheless!

Happy Sewing, Friends!

Star Sampler Quilt | Block #1: Eccentric Star

PATTERN SHEET: star-sampler-quilt-block1

Hello!

Welcome to the first block tutorial in my Star Sampler Quilt Along series!! First up is the Eccentric Star Block! Aptly named for it’s very crazy and super fun layout!

Everything you’ll need to know in regards to the measurement and cutting information as well as the fabrics* I’ve use to piece this block together are in the pattern sheet linked at the beginning of this post! If you would like to use a similar 12.5″ set square as me, you can find it here: June Tailor Get-Squared 12.5″ Ruler.

As I’ve said so many times before, I’m so excited to get this series started!! I hope you’ll be joining along too!

See you next week with block two!

Happy Sewing, Friends!

INTRODUCING: A Star Sampler Quilt Along!

I’m not sure why I’ve just titled this post as ‘Introducing’ as most of you already knew that this Quilt Along was happening! But I thought, if any newbies come by looking for something different this title just might catch their eye!

(If you are that newbie, welcome! I’m so glad you’ve popped by!)

But yes! Finally I can announce that my next Quilt Along series is ready to begin!! Yay!!!! We’re only just a few months behind schedule, but nonetheless we’re ready to go!

So let’s first go through a few of the important details about this Quilt Along…

+ After a world-wide vote on a past post, the majority of you wanted to do a 12 block Star Sampler Quilt. So that’s what we’re doing!

+ The fabric range that I’m using is called Print Shop by Alexia Marcelle Abegg for Cotton+Steel. I’ve based the design of the blocks/quilt using the black and white version of the range (as requested by all of you!), with sprinkles of the bright colour way that’s also a part of the range, along with a few staple favourites from the Cotton+Steel Basics range. (You can see the full range of the fabrics I’ve hand-picked further down in this post.)

+ Although I’m using yardage/meterage, most* of the blocks can be made using either charm packs, layer cakes and/or fat quarters (*just be aware that there are a few blocks that have 6″-6.5″ unit pieces). However, you will need extra fabric for the sashing and border pieces, for the backing and the binding. (A full list of measurements are listed further down in this post.)

+ For the batting, I’m using a beautiful 100% Cotton batting from a company called Bosal. I’ve never used this particular type batting before so I’m really interested to see how easy it is to work with. I’ll go into more detail about it when the time comes for basting and quilting!

+ All depending on my work schedule/roster, I’m hoping to have each block tutorial up on my YouTube channel as well as here on my blog every week… Okay, now that currently might be a bit of a stretch to promise when I don’t know what my working hours are each week! So just be aware that every now and again there may be more than a week between tutorials! At the moment I’m thinking my upload/release day will possibly be a Thursday as I don’t usually work that day. (Weekends are no good as I work most of them!) I hope that this works for you – at least then you’ll have the weekends to make each block as we go along!

+ Now, if you’re new to the way my block tutorials/Quilt Along series go, in each tutorial I let you know all of the measurements and cutting info as well as what fabrics I’m using for that block. Then I take you through step-by-step on how to piece that block together. And just like with my HST Quilt Along, a beautifully coloured information sheet for each block will be available for you to print off and follow along with at home! (These will be available to download from my blog.)

+ Interested in what Star blocks we’ll be making?? Well here they are in the order that we will be making them!

Block One: Eccentric Star / Block Two: Star X / Block Three: Kansas Star / Block Four: Janet’s Star / Block Five: Maple Star / Block Six: Amish Star / Block Seven: Indian Star / Block Eight: Crystal Star / Block Nine: Missouri Star / Block Ten: Martha Washington Star / Block Eleven: Star + Square / Block Twelve: Aunt Eliza’s Star

Each will finish at 12.5″ squared and range in different levels of difficulty. However, I believe what ever level of quilting you’re up to, you’ll definitely be able to make each and every one of these blocks listed!

+ Just like with my last Quilt Along, I’ve been so lucky to have it sponsored again by Australian wholesale supplier and fabric distributer, Dayview Textiles. If you’re in Australia and are keen on using the same fabrics as me, pop over to their website to find the nearest quilt store to you that they distribute fabrics to!

+ And now on to all of the fabric deets!! Like I previous mentioned, all of these fabrics have been handpicked from the range to individually suit each of the blocks I’ll be making for my quilt. So because of that you’ll notice that not all of the fabrics in the Print Shop range are here.

The black and white fabrics in the range I’m classing as my ‘main’ fabric. Each block features one of these key fabrics which has then been paired with either a coloured print from the range or with a C+S Basic print.

The fabrics are:

1. ‘Meadow’ in the colour Midnight

2. ‘This + That’ in the colour Linen

3. ‘This + That’ in the colour Black

4. ‘Bricka’ in the colour Black

5. ‘Grid’ in the colour Dark Charcoal (This one reminds me of little British flags! Do you see them too?)

6. ‘Point’ in the colour Charcoal

7. ‘Hello’ in the colour Grey (Those little animal heads are a-dor-a-ble!!)

These are the coloured prints from the Print Shop range I’ll be using… Along with the C+S Basics, these will add a delightful pop of colour next to the black and white prints!

1. ‘Meadow’ in the colour Citrus

2. ‘Starry’ in the colour Seashell

3. ‘Hello’ in the colour Seaglass

4. ‘Moons’ in the colour Grass

5. ‘Grid’ in the colour Peach

And lastly, these are the C+S Basics and other fabrics I’ll be using:

1. ‘XOXO: #2 Pencil’

2. ‘XOXO: Lightning’ (This one is insanely bright and fluro-like! It’s absolutely gorgeous!)

3. ‘XOXO: Thistle’

4. ‘Sprinkle: Peacock’

5. ‘Netorious: Black Cat’

6. ‘Sprinkle: Petal’

7. ‘Netorious: Cloud (Metallic)

8. ‘Dottie: Rosewater’ (This is the fabric I’m using for my binding.)

9. Cotton Supreme Solid in the colour Kerchief (This is my main background fabric that will used in my blocks, sashing and borders.)

+++

+ If you would like to use fabric yardage/meterage like me, here is a list of the measurements you’ll need… (Apologies for how I write out the yardage measurements – they’re very foreign to me!)

Of each print:

Meterage: half to three quarters of a metre (50cm-75cm) – these are the lengths I’ll be working with

Yardage: 0.60-0.85 of a yard (22″-31″)

(PS. You will have fabric left over – I just want to make sure you’ll have enough and won’t run out!)

Background & Backing fabrics:

Meterage: 3 metres for each

Yardage: 3.3 yards for each

Binding:

Meterage: three quarters of a metre (75cm)

Yardage: 0.85 of a yard (31″)

Batting: (estimate)

Meterage: 1.5 metres x 220cm+ width

Yardage: 1.7 yards x 2.4+ yard width (61″x87″)

I’ve planned for the finished quilt to roughly measure around 50″x65″ (127cmx165cm)

+++

Now I think that’s everything that is important to know right now… If you think there’s any important details I’ve missed or have any questions about this Quilt Along, please feel free to let me know in the comment section below!

Ooo! One very important thing I haven’t mentioned yet is when we’re starting! I’ve penciled in for Thursday the 22nd of September to have the first block tutorial in the series up on my channel and blog!

I can’t wait to get started and to see all of your beautiful Star Blocks come to life into a beautiful Sampler Quilt!

Happy Planning, Friends!

Long Time, No Word…

Hello my lovely Friends!

It’s been a bit of a while between posts, huh? This is the part where I typically write up my excuses… Busy life. No time. Unbelievably tired. So on and so on.

Well, although I haven’t been sharing very much both here and on my YouTube channel, I’ve been busily planning, designing and organising behind the scenes! Yeah!

One major thing that’s in the works is my next Quilt-Along series! I know, I know, I’ve been teasing what’s in store for the past few months but I do promise it’ll be starting very soon!

Planning time, using 'Printshop' by Cotton+Steel! — Planning time, using ‘Printshop’ by Cotton+Steel!

All of the blocks have been designed and are ready to go and the over-all layout of the quilt is locked in! Now I’m just waiting on the arrival of my fabrics (I’m using ‘Printshop’ by Cotton+Steel) and I’ll get straight into filming! I’ll also then be able to release an official start date as well as a full run-down of all of the info you’ll need to sew along with me (in blog post and video form)! TBH, I did want to have it started by now but a few unforeseeable things came up that prevented the series getting started. But no worries, it will be getting underway very soon and I’m so excited to get into it! I miss making tutorials for you!

Moving onto making content for my YouTube channel, I wanted to share an idea I’ve recently been seriously thinking about. I’ve mentioned this before, but one of my favourite types of content to watch on YouTube are Vlogs. This is where people film their everyday daily life and either upload it everyday or patch the week together into a weekly video. I did begin doing something like this on my channel a few years ago but it fell by the way-side as I felt I wasn’t quite ready to make that kind of content yet. But is this something you’d be interested in watching if I did this on my channel? Do you wanna see what happens in my everyday life? Obviously it’s a big thing to take on. I’m naturally very quite and shy and keep a lot to myself, so this would be a huge adjustment and fun challenge for me to take on. But it’s something I’ve been mulling over in my mind this past month or so and would really love to take it up and try it out. I’ve even begun researching what camera and equipment I could use to make the vlogs the best that they can be! Anyway, I would love to know what you think! Any feedback is good feedback in my opinion! 🙂

+++

In other news, just like my blog and channel, my poor sewing machine has been sadly neglected over the past few weeks. 😦 Call it being busy. Call it lack of inspiration. Call it a creative-brain-block. Whatever it is, I just haven’t felt the old spark or natural urge to do any ‘personal’ sewing. It’s actually really bumming me out. (It’s also another reason why I haven’t been blogging recently. There hasn’t been anything new to share with you! Or any photos to upload into this blog post!) Although I’m really excited to get started on my Quilt-Along, I don’t have any exciting sewing to get into while waiting for it to begin. Everyday I scroll through my Instagram feed and see all of you making such beautiful blocks, quilts and projects while I’m sitting here feeling guilty about not getting on with anything or whipping up something special to share with you… Ho-hum, hopefully I’ll break through my creative doldrum soon and find that good ol’ inspirational spark again! Fingers crossed!

So hopefully it won’t be too long between this post and my next! I’ll try not to let a month(!) fly past without touching base with you!

I hope you’re all having a wonderful week!

Happy Sewing, Friends!

PS. By the way, have you seen my latest block tutorial? I made a FPP Arrow Block!

GET THE TEMPLATE: FPP Arrow Block Templates

A Life Update!

Hello friends!

How are you all? Jeez, it’s been a while since we last caught up! Although it may not seem it, lots and lots of things have been happening over on this side of the screen and I can’t wait to share them all with you!

But first, let’s have a bit of catch up! A detailed little life update if you may! 🙂

First off, I’m very happy to share that I’m now a qualified Florist! Yay! I finished my course a little over a week ago and passed with flying colours! Here are a few of the final designs we made in class! So many bridal bouquets!

So now that the course is over, I honestly don’t know what I’ll do with this new set of skills… Jobs are hard to come by without ‘industry experience’! (Typical!) I’m actually very interested in studying the next course up which teaches more intricate and creative arrangements as well as how to set up, manage and run a floristry business. So hopefully confirmation of that course going ahead comes about over the next coming weeks! It won’t be as time consuming as the previous course, with class happening once a week over a year, so I’ll be able to dedicate more time to my blog and YouTube channel again!

So if you’ve been out of the loop for a while, I recently returned back to my job at Spotlight where I work in the Fabric/Haberdashery department.

Four years ago I left this job after being there for six years to pursue other things and adventures. Luckily for me, a position opened up in the department and I was happily offered a casual job! It’s been about a month since I started back and I’ve been getting some pretty decent hours each week which I’ve been very happy about! It has also been great working with some wonderful colleagues again as well as catching up with all of my regular customers!
So now that I’m working again, I can’t say how much it’ll impact on having the time to get content made and uploaded onto my YouTube channel… But with a new Quilt Along in the works, don’t worry too much – lots of new and exciting things will be coming very soon!

And mentioning all things Quilt Along, let’s have a chat about where I’m up to with the planning and designing!
So I’m sure you all know by now, the Quilt Along will be a Star Block Sampler and the series will be done in a similar way to the last one. A new block will come out each week and there’ll be a pattern sheet detailing all of the measurements and cutting instructions etc.

Brainstorming a few block designs! — Brainstorming some Star block designs!

At the moment, I hope to start the series sometime in the second half of July or very early August. Each block will be 12.5″ square (subject to change) and there’ll be either nine or twelve blocks, therefore the final size of the quilt is still in the planning!
Like last time, the Quilt Along will be sponsored by Dayview Textiles and I’m hoping to use a super fun new fabric range from Cotton+Steel – not telling which one yet, it’s a surprise! 😀
So the final stages of planning and designing will be happening this week and I’ll be sure to share with you more details as they come about! Yay, I’m so excited!

Another thing I wanted to quickly share with you were a few clips I filmed from the Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair last week. The video I made is unlisted, so if you click here it’ll take you straight to it. It’s only really short, showing you a few glimpses of Sydney Harbour (we caught the free ferry service from Circular Quay to the venue at Glebe Island) along with some of the beautiful quilts that were on display in the Quilt Show. I hope it gives you some inspiration!

Surprisingly, when it came to perusing the stalls and booths I didn’t spend up big like I have in previous years. I bought a few beautiful Tula Pink FQs (she was the special guest at the show this year, although I went on the day when she wasn’t there!) and a Drunkard Path template set that I’ve been wanting get for ages! And that’s it! I was so good and contained my inner quilter-monster who wants to buy everything at bay!

So in the meantime, while I plan my Quilt Along, there’ll be a few new tutorials going up onto my channel – penciled in is an Arrow block, a Flower Crown as well as a June Favourites video! I’ll also be going on a short break away this week up to my favourite holiday spot on the Central Coast and was thinking of either taking lots of pictures to share in a blog post or film it and make it into a little bit of a vlog for you to watch. Let me know which one you’d prefer!

So that’s it on my list of things to update you with! I do apologise for being so out of touch and away from all the social places I usually share things with you. I hope to be able to get back to a more regular schedule in the next coming weeks!

And just one last thing, a big thank you to everyone for being so excited about my Quilt Along and for letting me know how much you’ve missed me over the past few months! All of your feedback on my Facebook page and Instagram feed have been so wonderful to receive!

Enjoy the week ahead!

Happy Sewing, Friends!

May 30th: A Busy Couple of Days…

Hello Friends!

You may’ve been wondering where I’ve been?! No word or post since last Wednesday! My bad! I tried so hard not to fail at writing and posting something each day in May but ended up falling at the last hurdle! Oh dear!

But to be completely honest with you, the past few days have been pretty busy with only today being the first time where I actually have a moment (and the energy) to sit and write.

Let’s start with the big news first! I’m working back at Spotlight again! Huzzah!

I had my first shift back last Friday and then worked another day on Saturday. It was so great to be back. It felt as though I had been on a big (and very extended) holiday and finally returned back to reality! All of my old (but good) habits kicked back into place while the Sew Centre department I work in felt comfortable and familiar. There’s still a few things behind the scenes I’m a little bit rusty with, but my good-customer-service-hat is still in top notch and my internal struggle not to buy all the fabric has uncomfortably returned! Ahh!!

And on top of my very exciting return to work over the weekend, my body decided to treat me with a lovely and very annoying bout of Laryngitis! Yay! (Not!) So I’ve been drinking lots of Green Tea with lemon, sucking on Strepsils and rugging up under some deliciously warm and cosy quilts (the best medicine, I say!), in an effort to get better as soon as I can!

So because of these two things, I’ve yet again had to neglect my YouTube channel this weekend! (Boo!) I have two (with the potential of three) new videos to film, edit and upload for you over the next week or so… One being my April and May Favourites, the other a requested chatty catch-up video sharing with you all the things that are happening in life at the moment and then the potential third one being a vlog of the VIVID Light Festival that is currently happening in Sydney! We’ve been to the festival for the past two years and you can see the 2014 and 2015 videos here! So when I get my voice back to it’s full strength, I’ll do my best to get those videos up while working around my busy work/study schedule!

And speaking of study… I’ll be finishing my Floristry course in a little over two weeks!! OMG!! So exciting! Also, I know I mentioned that I would be doing a Flower Crown tutorial sometime during my Everyday May series… Unfortunately because of time restraints and lack of funds, I’ve had to push it back to another date that will be very soon! I’ll possibly turn it into a video tutorial on my channel! (And then after that I’ll be onto the beginning stages of planning our Star Sampler Quilt Along series!! Yay!)

As the month draws to a close, I hope that you’ve all entered my Everyday May Giveaway I announced last week??!! If you haven’t, it’s not too late! Just click here, read the blog post on how to enter and then leave your comment! The winner will be announced in tomorrows blog post!! BTW, I’ve been absolutely loving learning what kinds of books, people and platforms you love learning quilting and sewing from! I’m totes gonna check out some of those titles! 😀

I hope you’re all doing well!!

Happy Sewing, Friends!

May 25th: Favourite Sewing Memes!

Ooo, I love a good sewing/quilting related meme! When you find a fab one that you achingly relate to, it’s like finding gold right underneath your bobbin case! (I wish! Ha!)

In this post I wanted to share with you a few of my favourites I’ve been able to come across on Pinterest. Some of them are incredibly (and very scarily) accurate while others are just down-right hilariously true!

Enjoy!!

When ever anybody calls my quilts blankets I always think of this meme! And then it makes me chuckle to my self and people think I’m weird. 🙂

I tell ya, it’s the pop culture memes that really get me! Anyway to have quilts, quilting, references to patchwork and so on mixed with movies and characters that I love, I’m hands-down in! This Yoda meme is a perfect example. Us quilters really are quite crazy in one way or another! 😀

Yeah… We’ve all been there before. Life really can suck when those darn pesky points just won’t match up!

I’ve felt this feeling way too many times before! When I finally finished my Happy Quilt, this feeling resounded in me like never before! I was so completely lost, but in a good way, you know?

There’s truth in this one… Am I right?

Every. Single. Time. Whenever I walk into a Spotlight or fabric shop! 😀

The Classic sewing meme. We’ve all seen it. We all relate to it!

Admit it. You sung it in your head, didn’t you?! So did I! 🙂

Take note boys! This is how you win over this quilter’s heart! 😉

And then this last one is dedicated to all of you who read my blog, watch my YouTube channel and share with me your wonderful makes on Instagram and Facebook!

Much love!

May 23rd: It’s Giveaway time!!! (CLOSED)

Hello Friends!

I’m so sorry I didn’t write and publish a post yesterday! It was such a hectic day getting assignments finished! (I also wasn’t feeling too well either. 😦 The winter chills and sniffles have set in!)

But I’m hoping I can be forgiven by announcing it’s GIVEAWAY TIME!! Whoo!!

As a huge THANK YOU to all of you who have read, commented and followed along in my Everyday May series, I wanted to give something special back to show you how much I appreciate you all!!

So this is what I’m giving away… It’s nothing too big or over the top as I have to keep postage charges in mind! 😀

The lucky winner will receive a copy of one of my favourite patchwork and quilting books, The Practical Guide to Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman as well as two delightful little ‘Flat Fats’ (or fat quarters) featuring two fabrics from the Koala-ty Time range from Spotlight!

So to enter, all you need to do is comment below mentioning what your favourite patchwork, quilting, sewing or crafting book is and why!*

**Entries have now closed.**

Now I know we still have another week or so left for the month but I wanted to give everyone a real good chance to see this post and be able to enter!

Best of Luck!!

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!

*All International entries are welcome too!!

🙂

May 20th: Simple Cross Quilt Progress!

Current obsession: making as many Simple Cross blocks as I can in one day! Today’s record is five in one afternoon! Woo!

This has become quite an unexpected Work-In-Progress that I’m thoroughly enjoying! I love rummaging through my basket of solid fabrics and choosing the next bright colour to work with and then matching it with a fab print fabric!

I can’t decide whether to keep it as a simple nine block lap quilt (as it is now) or to keep adding more blocks to it turning it either into a 16 block quilt or a 20 to 24 block mega quilt! What do you think?? I would love your opinion! Currently the quilt top measures: 32″ (82cm) squared without the blocks being pieced together…

To be honest, I really wouldn’t mind turning it into a 20 to 24 block quilt… The block is super simple and deadly quick to cut and whip up. And goodness knows I have enough fabric to do the job! Even now I have a bunch of print fabrics in mind that could go so well with the rest of the aesthetic this quilt top has going for it! Yay! Such fun!

😀

Looking forward to hearing your suggestions!

Happy Sewing, Friends!

(PS. Yippee for the start of the weekend again!)

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Of each print:

Background & Backing fabrics:

Binding:

Batting: (estimate)

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: