October Color Challenge Link Up

The October Color Challenge Link Up is live!

Octobers Color Challenge was Blue Violet. Was this one easier or harder than the Red Violet?

Which block did you use for your challenge? Patterns By Jen, Dizzy Quilter, Powered By Quilting, Clever Chameleon Quilting or did you use something else?

If you made something using the challenge color, Blue Violet, THIS month, you can link up through October 31st and have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics.

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.

Grand Prize

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**

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 September 2018

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

Number 14, Debbie, is our winner! She has been contacted. Thank you for stitching along!

Border Quilt Quilt Along - Friendship Star Border

Welcome to Week 4 of Patterns By Jen's

The Border Quilt Quilt Along!

Can you believe we're up to week four of the quilt along already? Over the next two weeks you will be making the Friendship Star blocks. This is one of my favorite blocks. It uses my beloved Half Square Triangle units and it's fast!

If you are just finding us, there is plenty of time to grab your pattern and fabric and join in. With each border there is a two week time period to make the border before we start on the next. You can stop at any point for any size you quilt you like.

Grab your pattern!

Printed: The Border Quilt

Etsy Digital: The Border Quilt

Craftsy Digital: The Border Quilt

Payhip Digital: The Border Quilt

For inspiration see The Border Quilt tester quilts HERE. I am using Enchanted Forest generously provided by Northcott Fabrics. These gorgeous fabrics are in shops now! They are super soft and easy to work with.

***Please note! If you are using them for the quilt along, wait to wash them until you are done with the quilt, or buy extra fabric. Flannel shrinks more than quilting cotton.***

We're going to start off slow for the first few weeks as we get into the swing of the quilt along. We will be doing the center first, I will go over both versions, then a border every two weeks. This will hopefully give you time to work on them a little bit at a time if you need to, as well as get any questions answered. Don't worry about keeping up, this is supposed to be fun, so go at your own pace. Do try to make at least one block for each border as we go so you can ask any questions as they come up.

To get direct help, as well as opinions of others who are sewing along with us, join the Facebook group: Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen.

Quilt Along Schedule

July 18 - Intro post

Sept 12 - Making the center (both center options will be included in this post)

Sept 26 - Checker border with two background borders

Oct 10 - Star blocks with a background border

Oct 24 - Friendship stars with a background border

Nov 7 - Pinwheels with a background border

Nov 21 - Flying Geese

Dec 5 - Finishing touches

Let's Get Started!

Friendship Star

For Flying Geese instructions see this POST.

Sometimes I accidentally get some selvage left on my cuts.

As long as the selvage is less than the scant 1/4" seam allowance I use then I usually just leave it. That's doubly true when dealing with units that get trimmed.

I will be saying this throughout the quilt along, finger press those seams before pressing, especially with the flannel. It prevents your blocks from stretching and getting wonky.

When working with flannel I like to pin all the way to the end of the block and/or the border so that my ends meet and I don't need to trim or pick and start over.

Our quilt is getting bigger! Take your time adding borders so they don't get pulled in and wavy.  When the quilt starts to get heavy I like to wear my quilting gloves to help move the layers evenly and keep my arms from getting tired.

If you share your progress on social media please tag Patterns By Jen and /or use #theborderquiltquiltalong. I can't wait to see your pieces!!!

If you are a blogger who is sewing along please fee free to grab and use this button.

Patterns By Jen

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Reminder!!  Clean your machine!! Especially if you are using flannel. This lint builds up fast!

Here are the bloggers that participated in the Interview Session. Please take a moment to follow them and see their progress. Some will be posting right away, some will be posting during the two weeks between borders.

Nancy - Masterpiece Quilting

Vicki - My Creative Corner3

Becca - Pretty Piney

Kate - Seams Like A Dream

Terri - Lizard Creek Quilting

Joanne - Quilts By Joanne

 Marija - Mara Quilt Designs

Alison - Little Bunny Quilts

Stephanie - Quilt'n' Party

Daphne - Daphne Greig

Tara - The Quilt District

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 September 2018

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

Picked By Jen - The Navigator Pullover

I had the opportunity to test the newest pattern from Love Notions, Navigator Pullover. A uni-sex pullover in sizes 2T to 16. Link to the Navigator at the end of the post!

Picked By Jen posts feature items from other designers that I have made and found to be worth passing on to you.

I made Kaleb the size 16. He usually wears a size Men's small because of his height. For the size 16 Navigator I simply added some length to the sleeves and body.

Kaleb doesn't like to wear a winter jacket, even though we live in Minnesota, so this was the perfect opportunity to make him a warmer jacket.

I used the Super Plush from So Sew English in his favorite Camo.  I also used their Super Plush Olive for the front piece, inside of the kangaroo pocket and the hood lining.  This fabric is so gorgeously soft you'll want to roll up and hibernate in it all winter long.

The kangaroo pocket is roomy and perfect for keeping Kaleb's hands warm while he waits for the bus, not wearing silly things like mittens.  There are videos included in the pattern for adding the zipper and attaching the hood.

This kid is now ready for colder days.

Get your Navigator Pullover now while it's on sale! Sale lasts through October 23rd.

PS This also comes with a collar version. During testing I made one and totally messed up by sewing the pockets on wrong. Of course I didn't realize it until it was completely done. Whoops.

Early morning, before school picture, interrupting his eating time expression.

PPS I sewed the final version using my sewing machine, because my serger ended up in the hospital. You don't need a fancy machine to make all the clothes and if you are just starting to think about making your own clothing, or clothes for your children Love Notions is the way to go. Easy to follow instructions and great support in their Facebook Group. (When you join make sure to check out the announcements for the free code for their Laundry Day Tee.)

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 September 2018

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

Border Quilt Quilt Along - Star Border

Welcome to Week 3 of Patterns By Jen's

The Border Quilt Quilt Along!

This week we are making the star border and one background border.

A note about the star border, if following the pressing instructions you will want to stay away from direction prints. The blocks are rotated so that your seams nest. If you want to use directions fabrics you take an extra moment to figure out the best way to press your blocks for ease when putting them into rows.

If you are just finding us, there is plenty of time to grab your pattern and fabric and join in. With each border there is a two week time period to make the border before we start on the next. You can stop at any point for any size you quilt you like.

Grab your pattern!

Printed: The Border Quilt

Etsy Digital: The Border Quilt

Craftsy Digital: The Border Quilt

Payhip Digital: The Border Quilt

For inspiration see The Border Quilt tester quilts HERE. I am using Enchanted Forest generously provided by Northcott Fabrics. These gorgeous fabrics are in shops now! They are super soft and easy to work with.

***Please note! If you are using them for the quilt along, wait to wash them until you are done with the quilt, or buy extra fabric. Flannel shrinks more than quilting cotton.***

We're going to start off slow for the first few weeks as we get into the swing of the quilt along. We will be doing the center first, I will go over both versions, then a border every two weeks. This will hopefully give you time to work on them a little bit at a time if you need to, as well as get any questions answered. Don't worry about keeping up, this is supposed to be fun, so go at your own pace. Do try to make at least one block for each border as we go so you can ask any questions as they come up.

To get direct help, as well as opinions of others who are sewing along with us, join the Facebook group: Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen.

Quilt Along Schedule

July 18 - Intro post

Sept 12 - Making the center (both center options will be included in this post)

Sept 26 - Checker border with two background borders

Oct 10 - Star blocks with a background border

Oct 24 - Friendship stars with a background border

Nov 7 - Pinwheels with a background border

Nov 21 - Flying Geese

Dec 5 - Finishing touches

Let's Get Started!

Star Border

Normally my presser foot pressure is set at four, for this I turned the pressure down to 2. It seemed to help with pulling the thicker fabric through more evenly.

For instructions on the Flying Geese Units see THIS POST.

I like to chain piece my No Waste Flying Geese units.

Trim using the Wing Clipper from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design. You can find them in my Etsy Shop. Or use any straight edge ruler.

I like to lay out my blocks and then piece.

With a thicker fabric like flannel, keeping an eye on the seams is important to keep them from flipping and adding more bulk.

Whenever possible sew with the Flying Geese Units on top so you can keep the points.

Finger press the seams before using the iron. This keeps the flannel from stretching when pressing.

To try and keep it in order of the pattern I laid my blocks out in the order they needed to be stitched.

Finger press those seams as well. When adding the star border I sewed with the background border on bottom as that was the one that seemed to want to stretch the most.

Add your background borders next, note width of border strips, press and rest! If this is the size you are stopping at, quilt and enjoy. Plus share, because I want to see your beauty!

If you share your progress on social media please tag Patterns By Jen and /or use #theborderquiltquiltalong. I can't wait to see your pieces!!!

If you are a blogger who is sewing along please fee free to grab and use this button.

Patterns By Jen

<div style='width:100%;text-align:center;'> <span style='margin:5px;padding:5px;border-radius: 5px;border:1px solid lightgrey;display:inline-block;'><a rel=_nofollow href='http://www.patternsbyjen.blogspot.com'> <img style='border: 1px solid gray;width:125px;height:125px;' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0NHJhTMa_RVseH1aZbbg1CQu2SFgnm2DVZiirG__xhw3Hzncb7SSXuhnohi0UGE9ow0dWO88MLJz8wotFGd1FeFJG5wkb4OKUlAZCPvNmpT_VLe28JairHnZ0GB6C3ZqZVpzOEkOgPak/s1600/BQQA+button.jpg'> <p style='align: center;'> Patterns By Jen</p> </a></span>
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REMINDER!!  Take a moment to clean your machine! This was after just doing the stars and putting them on the quilt.

Here are the bloggers that participated in the Interview Session. Please take a moment to follow them and see their progress. Some will be posting right away, some will be posting during the two weeks between borders.

Nancy - Masterpiece Quilting

Vicki - My Creative Corner3

Becca - Pretty Piney

Kate - Seams Like A Dream

Terri - Lizard Creek Quilting

Joanne - Quilts By Joanne

 Marija - Mara Quilt Designs

Alison - Little Bunny Quilts

Stephanie - Quilt'n' Party

Daphne - Daphne Greig

Tara - The Quilt District

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 September 2018

Don't miss the Quilters Meet and Greet going all September. 

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

October Color Challenge

Welcome to October's Color Challenge! This month the color is blue violet. I found it incredibly hard to decide on what was blue violet, especially coming after a month of *red* violet. I kept pulling out red violet to work with.

Here's the block!

Get your free pattern here! It will be available for free through June 2019, at which point it will be bundled with the other blocks and settings 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

The Prize

Our sponsor this month is Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics.

Make something in blue violet and you could win a $25 gift certificate to use at Cherrywood Fabrics.

Piecing tips

I use Frixion pens to mark my diagonals. I know not everyone likes to use them, or has had bad experiences with them. Here are my rules for using them. 1) Use to mark on the wrong side of fabrics where I will be cutting. 2) Never use on batiks. As long as I stick to those two rules I don't have any issues. What do you use for marking diagonals?

Sew just a bit to the outside of the line so that when you press the triangle back it folds evenly with the edge.

On the smaller pieces I use my scissors for trimming.

I sew each square on before trimming.

Use the seam as the straight line (note white line on the ruler runs along the seam) and trim a little bit from one end of strips. Once you have a straight edge cut your units.

Pin the seams and the ends for units that match up and don't need trimming.

Grand Prize

Wait! There is more!

Jen at Dizzy Quilter is providing the grand prize! 

For every month you enter the link up, you get an entry for the grand prize.

The generous prize provided is you will get 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**

 If you are playing along with us, make sure to use #2018monthlycolorchallenge on social media!

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 September 2018

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