Friday, September 27, 2019

Against the Grain received an upgrade

Have you loved Against the Grain, but wished it came with different sizes?




Your wish has just been granted! Against the Grain now has FOUR additional sizes.




That's not all, though, it now comes as a printed pattern. If you are like me and prefer paper over digital, now you can get Against the Grain in print!




So much goodness going on I can hardly contain myself!




Lets take a look at the quilt tops from the testers.




Sandy tested the 60" square quilt. She is planning on adding a border to this one to draw out the teal.




Joanne's dark background really sets off the strip going "against the grain."




What I like the most about getting testers photos back is how each one is different and you get to see how the pattern can change with colors. I love the lighter background Fawn used.




Melva's colors worked perfectly with her choice of backdrop for her photos.




That rust orange is the perfect background for her teal.




Grab your copy of Against The Grain, on sale now through Oct 4th. Beginner friendly!
PS If you have already purchased the pattern with just the one size, check your email, you have a surprise waiting. :)

***NOTE*** Printed patterns will ship around Oct 7th.



Interested in wholesale? Contact me at wholesale(at)patternsbyjen(dot)com




Happy Stitching!
Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?


Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

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Thursday, September 26, 2019

Men's Game Day Jersey

I was sewing clothing again....




This time I helped test the newest men's pattern from Love Notions Sewing Patterns, LLC.




A great shirt to make in your favorite team colors, or simply go solids.




The stripes can be added or left off for whatever look you are going for.




I made the size Med and XS.




My Medium model did great...




my XS model, well lets just say he was hangry.




Love Notions also has a women's and children's pattern out as well, run and get all 3 and make it a family pattern!

I am a beginner sewist and love these patterns. They are easy to follow and understand and the Facebook group is full of helpful people. If you have thought about making your own clothing, or clothes for you children, this is the place I would start.

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.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Two quilt shops and a little fabric

This weekend was a perfect chance to visit a couple of quilt shops.


My Timeless Day

The first shop I stopped at is in Canton, South Dakota. "My Timeless Day" opened it's new doors on Tuesday, September 17th and I was able to stop in on Friday.




Allison is the owner of "My Timeless Day" and it was a pleasure to put a face to the name of someone I've emailed with a few times.




You can find super pretty fabrics and a few PBJ patterns in her cute shop.




I grabbed these fabrics for an updoming pattern release. I had never heard of Penny Rose Fabrics, and now I will have to keep an eye out for them.




How cute is the crow fabric? You can find them online at My Timeless Day Quilting and Sewing.


Sassycat Quilts

The second shop is SassyCat Quilting Co in Yankton, South Dakota.




It's a little bit of a drive if you are coming from Yankton, but worth the extra minutes to get there. If you are coming south on Hwy 81 you get to it before you hit the town. Sally has a great shop, with pretty fabrics and this fabulously painted horse to admire.




While there make sure you look up. There are beautiful barn quilts to be seen.




Side note: It's very hard to take pictures of a ceiling. After you have shopped a bit don't forget to grab a brochure so you an check out all of the barn quilts that are up around town. It's pretty awesome and an amazing program the guild has going.




While in the shop I had to grab a few striped fabrics for future bindings.




I need to work on photographing stripes, it's hard!

If you are close to either of these South Dakota towns it is worth scooting over and checking them out. I also promise to go into shops with a better photography plan. My last minute, "Oh, I should write up a blog post!" photography leaves a lot to be desired, but don't let that deter you from stopping in and meeting Allison and Sally!

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, September 24, 2019

Dakota Prairie Trunk Show and Class



This past Friday night I had the honor and pleasure to share my quilts with the Dakota Prairie Quilt Guild and their guests. It was a fun night filled with laughter and a few tears on my part (but you have to see a trunk show to find out why).




I love to share some of the quilts I've made over the years, but it's always hard to choose which ones to bring.







Here is the pattern that Saturday's class would learn to make; "Softly Circled."




Each quilter finished a block and a few started the border to make sure they had it figured out. This class was so fun and they all made such beautiful blocks, each with it's own unique beauty. Let's take a close up look at the pretty pieces.


Softly Circled Blocks



Many quilters used fabrics from their stashes (yay!) for their planned quilts. The block above used 2 different fabrics for the pink because the quilter didn't have enough of the one. I think it makes a great block.

The light fabric in the block below was dyed during class a few years ago. I love that she pulled it out and used it! You know that makes my heart happy, and look how pretty it looks being used in a quilt!







The block above are leftover fabrics from a wall hanging already made in these gorgeous prints. The background almost has a look of leather.

Below, this quilter was challenged to step out of her comfort zone with her color choices. She is going to have a gorgeous quilt when finished! (The picture does not do the color justice.)







The colors of the above block are soo soft, I can't wait to see the effect of all four blocks together. She also has a bit of border put together.

Below this quilt will be a donated baby quilt when finished. How precious will it be? The colors will be blue, green and pink to match the little buds in the background.









You may not believe it, but the centers in the blocks above and below are the SAME fabric! How amazing is the difference that simply changing the background makes?








The top block is going to be stunning with the black background, her blocks will all be different colors, I think it will almost have a jeweled look to it.

You know I love patriotic, so this set makes me drool! I love the use of the print in the background fabric, too.








The black and white polka dot in this block is striking. Each block will have a different color, but I'm so glad she started with this one first, because it really stands out.

Below is, I believe, the first scrappy version of Softly Circled. I didn't know if it could be done and was so excited to see this one. So if you like scrappy, now you know you can do it!






The last two are perfect as we head into fall and winter. The stunning blue and white fabrics are going to make a fabulous winter quilt to use for the next few months.

Below the Christmas fabrics are being made into a table runner.





Last night this quilter shared a picture of her 3 finished blocks and this afternoon I got this picture. I think she was right, this makes a fabulous table runner. She also thinks, if you made the 4th block it would be a great bed runner. I love when quilters take my patterns and make them their own!




I hope you enjoyed the mini quilt block show. If you are interested in having me teach or share a trunk show with your guild you can find more information HERE. Lock in 2019 rates with a signed contract.

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.

Monday, September 23, 2019

September Color Challenge Link Up

It's time for the September Color Challenge Link Up!




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 September 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!



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.