Wednesday, July 31, 2019

August Color Challenge - Red Orange

Hello "Dog Days of Summer"




If you are new to the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge you can hop over quick to read through the introduction and also see the colors coming up in the months ahead.




This month's flower inspiration is the Marigold. I chose the red orange version for this month. This block is easy peasy, because here in the northern hemisphere we are entering into the hottest days of summer, and we don't need to use our brains when we should be out drinking lemonade while slowly rocking back and forth on the front porch or back deck.





Are you a beginner? For this month's blocks you might find these posts helpful:




For this months block you will need:

Mat
Rotary cutter
Ruler





A great group of bloggers joins us each month. Please make sure to visit each one and see their blocks and read their stories.

*Note* Due to the early release of the block some of the links may not work until August 1st.
Joanne - Quilts By Joanne
Kathy - Penny for my Thoughts
Pamela - Pamela Quilts
Sarah - The Quilted Diary

This is a great way to meet new quilty bloggers!



Ready for your free August Monthly Color Challenge block? Find it HERE. Remember there is a change this year and the block is available for free only through August 31st. Use #2019monthlycolorchallenge on social media so we can see your blocks.

**NEW** Each months set of instructions comes with a full video tutorial!





To get the block instructions delivered right to your email sign up HERE.

This will not give you any of the previous month's blocks, you still need to go to Payhip and download those, but from this point on it will come directly to your inbox on the first of each month. Make sure to add patternsbyjen(at)gmail(dot)com to your email address book.

Happy Stitching!
Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?


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Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Broken Panes Quilt Along - Finishing Touches

It's time to fully finish our quilt!




I'm going over how to hand stitch binding onto your quilt. However, I'm really, *really* bad at machine binding, so Anja was kind enough to write up a how to post for you. Find it HERE.


PS: This is a photo heavy blog post.

Binding





To bind my quilt I am using the stripe included in the Big Bang fabric line from Northcott Fabric.



Everyone has their favorite width to cut their binding strips. I cut mine at 2" while many do anything from 2 1/4" to 3."  It's up to you to find the one that works for you.




Trim off the selvages then get ready to sew your binding together.  I usually just take the strips to my machine, but it was hard to see how the strips line up. Place fabric right sides together with 1/4" over lap for both ends.




Sew from one corner to the other.




Once sewn you will need to trim the excess. I like to use my scissors, but you can use your rotary cutter and ruler as well.




Trim off the large triangles, then trim off the little doggy ears. This helps to reduce bulk when you are stitching your strips to the quilt.




Press the seam to the side.




Next, fold your binding strip in half and press.




I catch my binding in a basket to keep the fabric off the floor and to keep it in a tidy bundle.




I take one more minute to wind my binding up to keep it from tangling while stitching.




When stitching the binding on I move my needle to the right.




I use a walking foot and wear my quilting gloves to help keep the heavy quilt moving, and binding to be stitched on evenly.




Leave enough fabric loose at the beginning to make finishing the binding easier. I usually leave 5 to 10 inches.  Once you round the final corner sew until you have about 5 to 10 inches until you reach the start of the binidng. Place the end of your binding over the beginning and measure 1/4" more than the width of your binding strips. In this case, I cut my strips at 2" to start with, so I'm going to cut at the 2 1/4" mark.




Sew diagonally. This part is a bit tricky and I highly recommend watching the videos shared in the post below.




Since I'm using my walking foot I turn my stitch length down when sewing this diagonal. Normally it's at 2.5.

Find the Binding How To Videos as well as how to figure out how many binding strips to cut in THIS POST.


Labels

Once your binding is done  you have one more step. Adding the label. There are many ways to add a label, and many ways to make them. It's a final, important step, though. How many lost quilts do you see without any information on them. Sad! Lets make sure yours gets back to it's rightful place if something should happen to it.




First I cut a piece of iron on stabilizer, this happens to be HeatnBond Lite. Then I cut the fabric for the label 1/2" longer and wider than the stabilizer. I use a Pigma Micron marker to write with. This one is 01, but I would recommend going a little thicker.


Following the instructions press the stabilizer to the wrong side of your label fabric, leaving the 1/4" of fabric all the way around.




Next I grab a piece of lined paper and make the lines darker with a fine point sharpie. This is because I can't write in  a straight line to save my life. All of my sentences slant.  Once the stabilizer/fabric has cooled, place your label, wrong side to lined paper, and write your label. The stabilizer not only keeps the fabric on place once on the quilt, it makes it much easier to write on the fabric. Many people embroider or printer their labels instead of write on them. They are all great ways to mark the making and/or giving of the quilt.



Once your label is written, press it to the back side of your quilt. I like mine on the bottom right hand side (when looking at the back of the quilt).  Supplies for stitching your label down include thread to match your label fabric, sharp needle, thimble and scissors.




Start by knotting your thread, I use a single thread, I don't double up. Stitch so the knot is hidden under the label and you come out just catching the edge of the label. I start a little bit from the corner so that I can stitch around that last corner and knot my thread in a flat area and not bulk up the corner area.




Stitch the label the same way the binding was stitched, using 1/4" long stitches.




When you come to a corner make sure the extra folded fabric is caught in your stitching.




I like to double stitch my corners.  When you come to the end, knot off the thread and bury it.




Label is done and that means....




your quilt is done! Congratulations!

Please ask any question you may have, and I really encourage you to check out the Beginners Unite post listed above for more information and how to videos.




I'm so grateful to you for joining me on the Broken Panes Quilt Along. I hope you enjoyed the process, and maybe even learned something new. I can't wait to see your quilt!

 I hope to share all of the Broken Panes tops, finished or otherwise on August 13th. That's two weeks from now. If you would like to have your top/block added to the final post please email me by August 12th at patternsbyjen(at)gmail(dot)com with the picture and "Broken Panes Quilt Along" in the subject area.

Still need the pattern?

Etsy Printed

Etsy Digital

Payhip Digital

Schedule and supply list

Share in Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook Group

Use #brokenpanesquiltalong on social media.



Happy Stitching!
Jen




New to Patterns By Jen?


Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring



Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.

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


Thursday, July 25, 2019

July Color Challenge Link Up

Time to link up your July blocks!




This year the link up is available just for you to share your gorgeous blocks, there are no prizes. You will need either an Instagram account, a Flickr account, or you will need to email me directly so I can put your block on my Instagram account and get you added. patternsbyjen(at)gmail(dot)com
If you haven't downloaded your June block yet, it is still free through the end of the month. You can find it in my Payhip store HERE. Each block now comes with a link to a full video how to!




You can also have the block instructions delivered directly to your inbox on the first of each month. Please make sure to add patternsbyjen(at)gmail(dot)com to your address book so you get the email.



If you are having trouble getting the link up to work please read THIS POST.




If you haven't already, you can join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group to get inspiration for you blocks as well as tips, advice and encouragement from quilters sewing along with you.

If you missed the introduction post you can find it HERE. This post will be updated each month with a link to the new Color Challenge post, so you may want to bookmark it.

I can't wait to see your blocks! Thank you for stitching along with the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge!


Are you interested in a quilt along? The Broken Panes Quilt Along is perfect for beginners, I hope you will join in the fun!

Happy Stitching!
Jen


New to Patterns By Jen?


Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring


Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.

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

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Broken Panes Quilt Along - Quilting

We've reached the quilting part of our quilt along. Are you ready?




Who is nervous?! I'm not going to lie, every time I get set up at my machine to start quilting I have to do a little pep talk to get myself started. There's something so permanent about "quilting." Don't let those thoughts stop you though, even the quilting isn't permanent if you don't like it. That's what the handy seam rippers are for!




I've chosen a gorgeous teal for my quilting, which makes me even more nervous, because it's not a white that will blend in. It's the perfect shade though, so I'm going to go for it. 




I'm matching my bobbin thread to my top thread this time around. If I'm doing free motion quilting, with the free motion foot, I tend to match my bobbin thread with my top thread, in case the tension isn't quite right, With a walking foot I usually match the backing. Whatever color you decide to use, wind a bunch of bobbins so you can quickly put in a new one when you run out.




When starting my quilting with a free motion foot I I bring the needle down, then up, one time to catch the bobbin thread. I pull that thread to the top and when I'm done quilting I will knot those threads and bury them in the quilt.

To start the quilting with the walking foot I take a few stitches right in place, then bump up my stitch length to .5 to take just a few small stitches before going to my regular stitch length. In my case that is a 2.5.




Here is the design I quilted, simple loopy circles. You can seem my stitches aren't exactly even, some not even close, and my circles aren't very circular. I am far from a perfect quilter, but I keep trying. :)

One thing I try to do is pick a design where I don't have a lot of stopping and starting. The less threads I need to bury in the end the happier I am.




If a thread breaks, or I run out of bobbin thread, I simply start about 1/2" over the stitching already done, repeat with pulling the bobbin thread to the top, and then continue quilting as before.

Next we will go over finishing touches, which will include the binding and adding a label. There is no rush or pressure! I hope to do a little share starting Aug 13th, but I don't want anyone to feel like their quilt has to be completed by then. I want you to take your time and go slow.

Next up: Binding!!

Still need the pattern?

Etsy Printed

Etsy Digital

Payhip Digital


Sign up for email reminders

Schedule and supply list

Share in Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook Group

Use #brokenpanesquiltalong on social media.

Next week we will go over strip piecing, sub-cutting, and how to plan for directional fabrics.

Happy Stitching!
Jen




New to Patterns By Jen?


Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring



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Thursday, July 11, 2019

Introducing Petit Hibou

I'm so excited to introduce you to Petit Hibou!




Petit Hibou is French for Little Owl. 
This pattern was a collaboration with embroidery artist Loronda of Heav'n Sent Creations.




The pattern has three quilt sizes and three pillow options.




The pattern includes 12 embroidery formats as well as applique templates.


Tester Quilts

Lets take a look at a couple of the baby sized quilts that were tested.




Sherra's pretty quilt using the applique templates. She's ready for a Canadian winter!




Linda's quilt, with awesome striped borders, is ready for a Minnesota winter!

This pattern is for the Advanced quilter.

Pattern is on sale now through July 19. Get your pattern:

Printed (ships around July 19)






Happy Stitching!
Jen


New to Patterns By Jen?


Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring



Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.

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

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Broken Panes Quilt Along - Quilting Prep

It's quilting prep time!




I'm going to show how I get my quilt top ready for quilting on my domestic machine. I use my hardwood floor, you could also use a table.




Supplies needed

Top
Backing
Batting
Masking/Painters tape
Curved safety pins
Kwik Clip tool

Backing prep

If you are having your quilt quilted by a long arm quilter you will want to make sure you have 4" of extra fabric and batting all around the top. Stephanie has blog post on prepping your quilt for the long arm quilter. Read it HERE. When I'm quilting on my domestic I find that 2" of extra fabric and batting is enough.




I fold my backing in half the long way, end to end, not selvage to selvage.




Then cut on the fold.




For this quilt I needed a little extra length. This is a great way to use up any extra fabric you may have from piecing your quilt tops. To start I give myself a straight edge on one end of my backing fabric.




For this quilt I cut a 10" strip. Repeat for the other half of your backing. You can choose to do the exact same width on both pieces, or make them different widths.




I didn't need a lot of extra length for my backing pieces, so I just cut two 3 1/2" strips. You can cut them as wide as you want, you can mix it up and cut them at different widths, whatever you choose.




Then I sewed the strips to my backing pieces, sewed the 10" strip to those and pressed.




Then sew the middle seam 1/4" from the selvage.  Trim off the selvage and press to the side. Do NOT press this seam open as it will start to pull open when you pull the backing taught. If I have a wider backing than needed I will plan for the seam on the back to be off centered and trim off the extra from one side.




This way I don't have to worry about trying to line up the middle backing seam with the middle of the quilt top.


Basting

To keep the back from getting tucks or wrinkles in it during quilting the back needs to be pulled taut.




Lay it out on the floor or table, right side down. Tape the top middle to the floor. Go the the opposite side and tape the bottom middle to the floor. Next place a piece of tape on both sides of the center bottom, repeat on the top, making sure to keep the fabric smooth and taught. Repeat on the sides.
The tape is numbered in the order I like to do it.




I'm using a washable wool from Hobbs Batting.  I usually quilt lap sized quilts and smaller on my domestic and buy my batting in "King" size.




Lay the batting on the backing. I choose a corner and work out so that the extra batting spills over two sides. I trim one long piece first.




Then trim the top. This usually leaves me with enough batting for 3 more tops, dependent upon the size of the tops. Smooth out your batting and tape like you did the backing.




Now lay your quilt top on the batting, right side up. Starting in the middle smooth it out, but make sure to keep extra backing and batting all around the outside.




Starting in the middle, and working your way out, start pinning. I love the Kwik Clip tool for closing my pins, it saves my fingers and nails.  Keep the pins no further than 4" a part. This will also help keep the backing from getting tucks and wrinkles in it from quilting. I use my hand as a guide to know if I need more pins.

Once the pins are in place and closed carefully remove all of the tape. Your quilt is now ready for quilting! I will be using my walking foot, but you can use a regular foot or quilting foot. What you will really need to relax and take your time, but we'll get to that next week. We are almost done!

Still need the pattern?

Etsy Printed

Etsy Digital

Payhip Digital


Sign up for email reminders

Schedule and supply list

Share in Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook Group

Use #brokenpanesquiltalong on social media.


Happy Stitching!
Jen




New to Patterns By Jen?


Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring



Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.

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