Playful Pillows with Island Batik

This month's challenge for the Island Batik Ambassadors was to make a "Playful Pillow."

My "playful" pillow turned into a "painful" pillow. Sometimes social media can make it look like designers/quilters/people make perfect things all the time.  While we may know that isn't true, it's hard not to compare isn't it? I've tried to share honest pictures of my work space and work, this pillow won't be any different.  

I've always really wanted to make a pineapple quilt, but lets be honest, time is not something I have a lot of.  Making a pillow was the perfect excuse to at least try it. However, I may need to try again later. Let's start with the pile of extra pieces. Ummmm, is that as bad as having an extra screw leftover when building something?

I planned to make each pineapple block with two dark purple, one light, and one marbled. About half way through I realized I had made each uniform. Sigh.

Then there is the cut that shouldn't be. Ouch.

What do you do when you go from four units for your block to three?  Well, first you cry a little (or maybe swear not so quietly under your breath) and then you start playing with the pieces. I've really gotten good at adding those setting triangles!

I planned on adding a quarter inch strip between the pieced "top" and a border, but decided to just leave it small.

Plus it helped the back fit the piece of fabric I had.

I stuffed it with fiberfill, hand stitched closed (it's not pretty, but it's closed) and I now have a pretty, painfully playful, pineapple pillow.

Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Join the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge.

The Border Quilt Quilt Along is coming August 2018

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates.

May Color Challenge Link Up

The May Color Challenge Link Up is now open!

Did you make the free block from Patterns By Jen, or something else in green?

If you made something green *this* month, you can enter the Link Up, open through May 31st, for a chance to win fabric from Island Batik.

They have sponsored May with a fat eighth bundle of their Mountain's Majesty line. It's gorgeous (and perfect for June's challenge. Hint Hint)

If you are having trouble linking up read this post. If you are still having trouble please email me directly; patternsbyjen(at)gmail(dot)com and I will happily get you added.

Don't forget, for each month you enter the Link Up, you are also entered for the grand prize at the end of the year:

Jen at Dizzy Quilter is providing the grand prize! 

The generous prize provided is your top quilted by her (up to 90" x 90"),  a $202.50 value!

You must provide the backing, 8" longer than width and length. Batting can be purchased from Jen, for $20, if you like.

Return shipping is included for US residents only.
**Please note, the quilt will not be trimmed or bound, those services are extra**

Good luck and Happy Stitching!

Jen

Winner is number 26, congratulations!!

New to Patterns By Jen?

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Join the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge.

The Border Quilt Quilt Along is coming August 2018

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates.

Trunk Shows and Classes

Did you know I do Trunk Shows and Classes?

I love to talk quilting with fellow quilters and share my love of the craft. If your guild is looking for a trunk show or class please feel free to contact me. patternsbyjen(at)gmail(dot)com

 Standard mileage rates apply to all trunk show and class bookings. Lock in your date to get this years rate.

If an overnight stay is required ie: trunk show one night and class the next, or travel is over 120 miles, hotel accommodations must be provided along with meals.

My trunk show lasts about an hour and has over 30 quilts to see.

Any of my patterns are available to be taught as a class, but if you are looking for a quilt that can often be done at a one day retreat I have a couple of those to choose from:

Broken Panes

Strip piecing and trimming, along with the big block concept, makes this quilt a great day retreat class. Each participant must have their own pattern.

Spinning Bowties

Trimming HST units is more fun with friends! Make a lap sized quilt and perfect that HST unit. Each participant must have their own pattern.

Star Light, Star Bright Sampler won't be finished in a day, but you will have a great start on this gorgeous sampler. Or if you choose one of the smaller projects included in the pattern, maybe you will get a top pieced. Each participant must have their own pattern.

If you want something more challenging both the Softly Circled and Gradient Stars quilts have smaller sizes that are great for retreats. 

While you may not go home with a finished top, you will have a great start and build your confidence with the specialty rulers or templates. Each participant must have their own pattern. Contact me for information on weekend retreats. patternsbyjen(at)gmail(dot)com

If you are interested in a different pattern for a class, please let me know.

Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Join the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge.

The Border Quilt Quilt Along is coming August 2018

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates.

Trimming Layer Cakes Tutorial

I found myself in possession of a gorgeous layer cake, provided by Island Batik as part of their Ambassador program, and needed to find a way to use them.  This tutorial will be going over how I trimmed them down to the size I needed (8 inches square), it will work for all sizes except for the original 10 inches they are supposed to come in.

First I laid out the first square...not square.
(PS Forgive the glare, I was still getting used to the new sewing room set up, I think I've figured out how to avoid it now.)

I am trimming my layer cake down to 8" so I want to line up the ruler making sure I can see 8 all the way around *on* the fabric.

When you are trimming any unit, I think it's important to make the first trim as little as possible.  The less you take of in the first trim the more wiggle room you have for miss cuts.

Rotate your fabric square.

Line up the 8" mark (in this case) along the newly trimmed edge.

Taking the least amount of fabric with my first trim means I have very usable pieces left after the second trim.

This is the second square.  Not square. If you want to use pre-cuts keep in mind that the accuracy can be off, which can throw your pattern off, so just check sizes. Or, if you are more of a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of quilter, just go for it, and know that I'm slightly jealous of your ability to let go.

One thing that is really nice about pre-cuts is the variety you get in each one, so I think trimmed down they are a great way to add to your stash.  I cut my bindings at 2" so a jelly roll would make great scrappy bindings.

The 2 1/2" mini charm packs work perfectly with the 1" hexagons from Paper Pieces. I used a couple packs to make this table runner a few years ago.

Do you use pre-cuts? Do you use them as is, or do you cut them down for different sizes? Let me know in the comments. Be sure to add your email address so I can talk with you!

Happy Stitching!
Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Join the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge.

The Border Quilt Quilt Along is coming August 2018

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates.

May Color Challenge

We've been waiting for it and it's finally arrived, the May Color Challenge is here!

Anyone else feel like they need some green in their life? It's been missing for far too long here, but I noticed buds on the lilac bushes last week, so I think we're in for some green.

Grab your free pattern HERE.. 

**The block patterns, and setting instructions, will be available for free until June 2019, at which point they will be bundled and sold as a full pattern. Settings will be released in December**

Blog Hop

Don't forget to visit the other bloggers. A few of the bloggers have designed their own block for you and they have been pretty great so far. You won't want to miss them.

Jen S of Dizzy Quilter

Sherry of Powered By Quilting

Jen R of A Dream and A Stitch

Nancy of Masterpiece Quilting

Dione of Clever Chameleon Quilting

Joanne of Quilts By Joanne 

The Prize

Island Batik is our sponsor again this month.

At the end of the month there will be a link up and you could win a fat eighth bundle of their beautiful Mountain's Majesty line.

Piecing tips

The square in a square units are over sized for trimming.

Since we will be trimming these down you don't need to worry about matching the centers on any of the pieces for the square in a square. Find hints for trimming the square in a square units HERE.

I find when I'm working with larger pieces for the No Waste Flying Geese units, it helps to lay them out to make sure I see which way the lines are.

Then starting with just one square I start sewing.

I add the second one as I get close to the center. I have found the second square slips around on these bigger sizes and it's distracting. This way I can make sure it's lined up properly when its time to add it.  Find trimming instructions HERE.

Find trimming instructions for the Half Square Triangle units HERE.

This is a pretty simple block, because lets face it, we want to be outside right now. At least here in the northern hemisphere, those of you finally ending your extended summer (as we are finally ending our extended winter) have my sympathies, but that's because winter was so long. I'll be ready for it again come October...or January.

What's next?

You've visited the bloggers, you've made the block, or something in green, and you're ready for the next step. Entering for prizes! On May I will open up a link party. From May 24 - May 31 you can add your green "something" to the link up party. One entry per person, please, and it must be made in May. On June 1st I will randomly choose a winner.

**Remember! Every month you enter gives you an entry for the grand prize. If you enter all 12 months you receive 12 entries into the grand prize!**

Grand Prize

Jen at Dizzy Quilter is providing the grand prize! 

The generous prize provided your top quilted by her (up to 90" x 90"),  a $202.50 value!

You must provide the backing, 8" longer than width and length. Batting can be purchased from Jen, for $20, if you like.

Return shipping is included for US residents only.
**Please note, the quilt will not be trimmed or bound, those services are extra**

Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Join the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge.

The Border Quilt Quilt Along is coming August 2018

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates.