Affiliate Disclosure

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Benartex Quarter 3 - Spicy Windmills

 I'm sharing my next project as a Benartex ambassador today.



I've called this quilt "Spicy Windmills" as a shout out to the fabric line I used, Pumpkin and Spice, by Valentina Harper.



This fabric was so fun to work with. I'm sure I say this every quarter, but the colors in Benartex fabrics are so vivid, it's hard not to be inspired to make all of the things.



I have to say my favorite fabric in the line is the mushrooms. Each top is a different design, and they are fun and whimsical.



When laying out scrappy blocks I like to take a picture and then change it to black and white or greyscale to check and make sure the lights and darks are spread fairly evenly.



I felt like this one flowed well.



I had to find another way to use the mushroom fabric, so I decided on a Seminole Patchwork border.



I love the look of this border, but it's a scary thing to take these pieces and trim them to size. Quilty math doesn't always work out for me the first time. Ha!



Have you done a Seminole Patchwork border before? Did you like making it? If you haven't, is it something you are interested in?




Make something extraordinary!


Jen


New to Patterns By Jen?




Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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.


Friday, August 25, 2023

Twisted Flight Quilt Along - Fabric Prep

 Let's get this party started!



For the next two weeks your "assignment" is to get your fabrics prepped, cut and marked. I love this part of the process. Every square is perfect, every mark is straight and it all looks so good in happy little piles. It's after this, when I start sewing, that things can get hairy, so those fresh cut lines are a joy to me. 😅

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links. When purchases are made through these links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your purchases help support my small business and keep my husband's head from exploding every time a new quilting notion arrives in our mailbox. Thank you for that. Find out more about Affiliate Links Here.

Fabric Prep

Prepping fabric can mean different things to different quilters. For me, it simply means using starch (Best Press and a mister for me) and giving the fabric a good pressing.

I buy my Best Press by the gallon, only scent free because of sensitivity, but there are many different sizes and scents.

Using a mister means the gallon lasts forever.



For other's it may mean washing first or pressing without starch. I'm here to tell you: do what works best for you. If you've been quilting for a while you have found what you like. If you are a new quilter, I encourage you to try different ways of prepping your fabric to see what you like and what gives you the results you are looking for.


Cutting

When you have your fabric prepped and you're ready to start cutting I encourage you to read through the cutting instructions.



First, read through all of them. Go ahead and grab a pencil or pen to circle or highlight the sizes and/or number needed for the quilt you are making. Take the time to also write in the colors you are using for each section, just to keep yourself organized.



Next, read them again, but just the section for the fabric you are going to cut.

*Tip* I like to do any marking that is required as I cut each fabric. If I have 40 squares that the diagonal needs to be marked on, I will cut those 40 out and mark them right away. Then move to the next cutting step. This keeps me from getting bored. Plus, it breaks up the monotony of cutting and marking, which when you are making a large quilt like I am for this quilt along, really helps to keep it from becoming a chore.

Finally, make sure to check off each set as you finish cutting. That way if you are called away, or get distracted by the puking cat 🤦 you can start again as soon as you get back.



*Tip* As you finish each cutting set, mark the sizes. I simply write the size on paper and pin it to the top piece (I reuse these pieces over and over again). Then, put them in the storage bin you are using for the pattern. I love shoe box sized buckets for this. You might be surprised at how much you can fit into one. Label it, put the pattern in with it if you have it printed, and you are ready for the next "assignment."



How do you keep your pieces organized when you are participating in a quilt along? I'd love to hear!


Missed the Introduction to the Twisted Flight Quilt Along? You can find it HERE.

Come back September 7th for tips on making our Flying Geese units!

Make something extraordinary!


Jen


New to Patterns By Jen?



Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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, August 10, 2023

Twisted Flight Quilt Along

 It's been a few years since the last PBJ Quilt Along and I'm excited to get this one started.



The Twisted Flight Quilt pattern is a customer favorite and I think we will have a great time stitching it together.


Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links. When purchases are made through these links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your purchases help support my small business and keep my husband's head from exploding every time a new quilting notion arrives in our mailbox. Thank you for that. Find out more about Affiliate Links Here.



Twisted Flight comes in multiple sizes and is beginner friendly. It's a three color quilt and I love how when the blocks are sewn together you get a second pattern.




Schedule

*NOTE! The dates have changed a little. My husband and I are moving from Minnesota to South Dakota and I'm condensing it just a bit.*

Aug 10 (today) - Introduction

Aug 24 - Fabric Prep/Cutting

Sept 7 - Flying Geese

Sept 21 - Quarter Squares

Oct 5 - Assemble the Quilt

Oct 19 - Quilting/Finishing


This quilt along will have two weeks between each new section. This will hopefully keep the Twisted Flight Quilt Along a light and enjoyable time for all of us. I will share my tips for each new section as we go and we'll finish in time to give as a holiday gift if you so wish.


Supplies

Twisted Flight Pattern:

Etsy - Printed

Etsy - PDF

Payhip - PDF

Cutting Mat

Rotary Cutter

Sewing Supplies

Rulers:

6 1/2" x 24 1/2"

6 1/2" x 12 1/2"

6 1/2" square

Recommended specialty rulers (NOT required):

Tucker Trimmer™

Wing Clipper™

Fabric Requirements:


You can choose the size that works for you. I am taking the opportunity to make a new quilt for my bed, so I'm going for the King Size. 😲 My favorite size though is the 76" square.




Thank you to Benartex for sponsoring this quilt along with fabric from their beautiful basics line, Whisper Weave. I'm not actually going for a Halloween colored quilt, but I am redoing my bedroom in orange. Fingers crossed I don't have to decorate with pumpkins all year long!

Joining in?

If you are stitching along with us I hope you share your progress! Use #twistedflightquiltalong when you share on social media so I can see your work.

You are also invited to join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook Page. We love to ooo and ahhh over your pretty work.




Want to get a head start on finishing your quilt, but aren't sure if free motion quilting is for you? Check out String and a Story's HollyAnne and her Introduction to Free Motion Mini Class! It's available for you to take at your convenience and is a great way to get ready to finish your Against the Grain Quilt.


Get your pattern and come back August 24 for fabric prep and cutting.

Make something extraordinary!


Jen


New to Patterns By Jen?



Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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, August 1, 2023

2023 August Monthly Color Challenge

 Bring on the "dog days" of summer. 




Remember last month when I said the block was easy peasy? What I meant was, THIS month would be easy peasy. Ha!


Photo Info


This month our classic car color is brown.




Brown is such a comfy color. When I think of brown I think of logs on the fire and comfy sweaters. Which really doesn't work well in August. I'll have to do better next year.

This year Benartex is sponsoring the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge with their Basics Line, Cotton Shot. I am loving these fabrics. They are easy to work with and saturated with color.





The light brown is "Coffee" and the dark is "Chocolate." Two more reasons I love the color brown.




This year we are doing things differently with the bloggers. There will be just one quilter a month that will be featured. August's blogger is Kate.  I encourage you to grab your favorite cold (or hot if it's cold where you live) drink and stay awhile to check out what she's working on.


You can also find her on Instagram: KatieMaeQuilts


Ready for the block? Here it is! So simple, yet such a cool look. Make sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the instructions page for the link to the How To Video.




Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group (make sure to answer the questions so I know you are a real person 😉) where you will get a lot of support and questions answered! If you aren't on Facebook you can also follow Patterns By Jen on Instagram. Use #2023MonthlyColorChallenge when sharing so I can be sure to see your block.


I can't wait to see all of the different browns flood my world this month! It will get me ready for the cooler weather that we know will get here eventually.



Ready to get the pattern? Go to Payhip and download it now! The block is free for the month of August! Each set of instructions includes a "How To" video.

It's too late to receive the January and August instructions through email, but you can still sign up to have the September - December blocks (and the layout!) sent directly to your email. Sign up HERE.

Let's make something Extraordinary!

Jen


New to Patterns By Jen?

Don't forget to sign up for the Bites of PBJ newsletter while you are here for early releases and sales just for subscribers!



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.