Cloud 9 New Block Blog Hop

Welcome to the Cloud9 New Block Blog Hop, hosted by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs, Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl and Stephanie of Late Night Quilter. Using the Organic Cirrus fabrics from Cloud 9 (shown here in one of the Christmas gifts my daughter made me, Mom brag!) designers from all over the globe designed a 12" finished block to share with you. 

You are in for a treat!

PBJ is just one stop on this amazing blog hop, so please make sure you stop by the other blogs that will be listed at the end of this tutorial. You will kick yourself if you don't!

My block, Lassi, derived it's name from the first letters of the colors used (yes, I totally copped out on the naming of this block, and I'm not afraid to admit it), Lilac, Amazon, Sky, Shadow and Iris.

This was really fun to design and make, I hope you enjoy it.
To get the PDF version click here.

CUTTING

Shadow - Cut two 4 1/2" squares, cut twice on the diagonal

Amazon (darker blue)- Cut four 4 1/2" squares, cut once on the diagonal

Sky - Cut four 2 5/8" squares

Iris (darker purple) - Cut sixteen 2 3/4" squares

Lilac - Cut eight 3 1/2" squares

INSTRUCTIONS - note: tutorial is in a different order then the PDF file. 

I am using fat quarters for this block. I folded them so that they measured 18 x 11. 

First, I cut a straight edge along the 18" top.

Then I cut a straight edge along the 11" left side ( I am right handed).

All of the fat quarters get squared off like this, and then I cut all my pieces starting from the left.

We are going to start by making the flying geese units. These units will be over sized and we will trim them down when they are pieced.

After I have cut my 4 1/2" squares of Shadow, I need to cut them on the diagonal twice. 

This is my first cut:

Second cut:

When separated you should have four triangles:

For the Amazon square, I will only cut once on the diagonal:

The last piece needed for the flying geese blocks are the Sky squares:

Your first step is to add the Shadow triangles to your Sky squares.

Press towards the triangle.

Add the next Shadow triangle, paying close attention to which way it is turned this should look like a large right triangle. 

Press towards the triangle.

You should have a nice straight edge where the triangles meet.

Next we are gong to add the Amazon triangles.

Flip the pieced triangle over the Amazon triangle, remember these are over sized, so you should have extra fabric on either side. Just eyeball the center, it doesn't need to be exact.

Stitch and press towards triangle.

Add second Amazon triangle.

Next we will trim them down to 3 1/2" x 6 1/2". I use the Wing Clipper. (LOVE IT!) Excuse the freaky reflection, I hope you don't have nightmares!

Next we have our "diamond" blocks. These use the Iris.

We will be marking the diagonal on the wrong side of each square.

We will also be using our Iris blocks.

Sew an Iris square to an Lilac square, stitching just inside the drawn line (so you are closer to the corner then the middle).

If you are interested in using up those extra corners we will be trimming off, follow the next set of instructions, otherwise, press towards the triangle and trim off excess.

Mark a second line 1/2" from the line you just stitched.

Stitch just next to that drawn line, this time closer to the center then the corner.

Cut 1/4" from the seam.

Now you have an extra half square triangle. 

Remember, this is EXTRA. You can use it in another project, or I like to piece a block to add to the back of the quilt.

Repeat with a second Lilac square. Here you can either draw the extra line to get more half square triangles, or just press towards the triangle and trim the excess.

Your diamond block.

Next we will make the block.

The center comes first, and you will use four of your diamond blocks.

Position as shown, you will need two of these.

Stitch down the center and press to the side.

*Hint* Slow your stitching down as you go over this seam. The seams should be going the same direction, so there is a lot of fabric there, but I have found just slowing down allows the machine to walk over it fairly easily.

Stitch the center seam. 

I completely forgot to take pictures as I put my rows together. Whoops! I stitch my block top, middle, bottom and then stitch those rows together. Rows 1 and 3 I pressed out, Row 2 I pressed towards the center. You can do it however you prefer.

LASSI

Don't forget to check out the hosts, because there were blocks shared yesterday, and there are more blocks coming tomorrow!  It's like Christmas, your birthday, my birthday and Santa Claus' birthday all wrapped up in a big fat quilt! Did I mention there are prizes? I told you it's your birthday.

Happy Stitching!

Jen  

Check out today's featured blogs:

Miranda @I Have Purple Hair

Jennifer @The Inquiring Quilter

Sarah @123 Quilt

Leanne @Devoted Quilter

Jennifer @RV Quilting

Amanda @Quiltologie

Sharon @Yellow Cat Quilt Designs

Jen @A Dream and a Stitch

Jen @Faith and Fabric

Carole @Carole Lyles Shaw

Stephanie @Quilt'n Party

Susan @Sevenoaks Street Quilts

Katrin @Now What Puppilalla

Amista @Hilltop Custom Designs

Nicole @Handwrought Quilts

Marla @Penny Lane Quilts

Silvia @A Stranger View

Sarah @Smiles Too Loudly

Carrie @the zen quilter

Mary @Quilting is in My Blood

Velda @GRANNYcanQUILT

And the winner is...

We have a winner!

Janice was chosen by the Random Number Generator to receive a copy of Frayed Edges. 

Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments and encouraging words! I really appreciate them.

Happy Stitching!

Jen

Snowflake Shimmer Quilt Along - update 2

I am all done with the first set of piecing instructions for the Snowflake Shimmer Quilt Along from Quilting Jetgirl, Yvonne. This has been so easy, you can easily catch up and follow along.

Three of my finished blocks. Yes, I really am done with all of them, but do you really want me to take a picture of blocks that are all the same? I didn't think so. 

This picture is even more fun! A couple of long pieces, sewn together, very exciting. Actually, as I've said before, I could look at this purple all day, so of course I had to share it again. Plus, I really did finish all of the pieces, and it feels weird not to have them pictured. 

I can't wait for the next set of instructions...that come out tomorrow. Guess I won't have to wait long!

Don't forget that I am having a giveaway that ends Friday night at 11:59 pm CST. You can find details here on how to win my newest pattern, Frayed Edges.

Happy Stitching!

Jen

Introducing Frayed Edges! (and a giveaway)

I am excited to introduce the newest pattern in the PBJ family:

Using one simple block Frayed Edges gets it's real beauty from the HST sashing. 

The middle of the block is perfect for fussy cutting, as Sandy showed in her test quilt.

Dedee was feeling patriotic when she tested Frayed Edges.

I love her backing choice!

Kelly went with a bright, crisp look. 

If her daughter hadn't already claimed this one, I would. I still might. Designer privileges anyone?

This red beauty is featured on the back cover. So many choices, so little time! Pick up your copy of Frayed Edges at my Etsy shop.

If you prefer to support your local quilt shop, please have them contact me, I am happy to give wholesale prices on any of my patterns to LQS!

Currently you can find my patterns, including Frayed Edges, at Fabrics Plus of Marshall. 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of this pattern, simply leave a comment. Giveaway ends Friday, Aug 26th at 11:59 pm CST.

For another chance to win, check out my Instagram post @patternsbyjen and leave a comment there. 

Good luck!

Happy Stitching!

Jen

Crossroads Quilt Along - Chain block

I just want to say, I've had these blocks done for a few days, I just couldn't  find time to write about them. So yes, I was slightly late, but not as late as it seems. ;) That being said, I am scheduling this post for the 15th, the day the last set of instructions comes out. 

18 chain blocks. Whew!! There is still time to join the Crossroads Quilt Along from Fat Quarter Shop, and you can still donate to the March of Dimes.

I've been keeping all my extras, and I was able to pull these for the center blocks from them. I had to cut a piece for the pink strawberry and green floral, but I'm going to have some extra fabric to play with. Darn. 

I love a pile of freshly cut squares.

There are more seams to sew just a thread over from your drawn line. It really does make a difference. 

How do you catch your chain piecing? I have a basket that my sewing just falls into as I go so it doesn't hit the floor. I love picking up that basket of pieces. 

When sewing pieces together like Flying geese, or Square in a square, I try to always have that piece facing up, so I can see where I am stitching and not lose my point.

Beautiful chain blocks to finish up our blocks.

Happy Stitching!

Jen

Snowflake Shimmer QAL ~ all cut out

 Cutting instructions were given last Friday for the Snowflake Shimmer Quilt Along.

I love this roll of binding.

My super sweet, light purple.

I love this medium purple. I am so glad I chose to make this in purple. I think I stayed pretty true to my inspiration photo. You can see that here.

Oh, this purple. I will say it every time I post a picture of it, you just can't see how scrumptious and rich this purple is. 

It was an easy cutting job, though, I did have a moment, when I had finished cutting out the dark purple. I had 2 1/2 yards left over. Even if I had purchased extra for binding, there was no way I should have that much left. So that meant, Yvonne was wrong, or my quilt shop had mis-cut. 

Who was guilty? ME, of course! I had skipped the first cutting instructions for the color and went right to where the diagram was. This is why you read through instructions again and again, and then one more time, at least, to figure our where you messed up.

There is still plenty of time to join this quilt along. Won't you join us?

Plus, you can make a beautiful roll of binding like this. (I told you I loved this picture.)

Happy Stitching!

Jen