Showing posts with label miniature quilt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label miniature quilt. Show all posts

Thursday, November 16, 2017

little winter wonders - a new fpp pattern

Hi everyone! I am happy you are here taking the time to read my blog post! I know that I don't blog much anymore, but I feel that I really have something to say before I can write a blog post. Since I am a woman of few words, today is the day I will speak more than my 2000. I have a running joke with my husband that he must speak 10,000 words and I just a mere 2000. According to the traditional spouse rules, women usually speak the ten thousand and men two thousand, but not us.

I really love the different seasons of the year and like to celebrate them by sewing a quilt or pillow to add to the sofa in my home. We don't have a lot of decorations up, so this is one way I can really change the feeling of our house. Nothing gives me a better feeling than cuddling up under a homemade quilt in the fall and winter months. But after quilting for 15 years, we have accumulated a lot of quilts especially with the highly loved flannel backing. So now, I am starting to make a lot of miniature quilts and wall hangings for a simple change of decor.

I wanted to create something special for the winter months that could actually stay up longer than just until Christmas. Here in Germany, Christmas decorations start the second to third week of November and last until the 6th of January. (Thanksgiving as Americans know it, does not exist in Germany. A lot of people ask me about that.) After the 6th of January, we pack everything up and the house just seems bare! So, this was a little idea to cover the months until spring starts showing us her flowers again.

I love the cardinal and but also the blue jay (also known as blue bird, I think). Both of these birds are found in North America and Newfoundland in the winter months. They just make me happy with their bright colors standing out in the snow covered trees singing a tune. When I designed this quilt I truly looked at a lot of other bird blocks out on the market. I wanted a block that was small and easy to construct and look realistic.

I started designing a cardinal. I wanted a bird perched in the trees. Although this looks a bird, you usually don't see a cardinal with its wing tip stretched out. Come on...it's cold in winter!These birdies are huddles under their wings trying to keep from freezing their feathers off.


Then I posted on Flickr to get some feedback that this one was better.


I started adding some pine combs to the picture to make it more realistic. Although this could be doable for some, others would get very frustrated quickly with those tiny pieces. I wanted to create something simple and easy to make with very little pieces to put together.


And I not only wanted to create a cardinal, I also wanted to make a beautiful blue jay too. They both have those pointy feathers on their heads. Sorry, my vocabulary is not up to par. I am not a bird watcher nor ornithologist; I am a simply bird admirer. So I thought I could design a bird that could fit both the cardinal and the blue jay.


I printed out some templates from EQ7 and sewed my first blue jay.


Then I started thinking about the best way to construct the block. When you design FPP patterns, you can draw lines to change the construction of your quilt blocks. I wanted to make the block easy for beginners, but also look interesting. I sewed this block together six to seven times to get the construction I thought would be easiert for all quilters.


After looking at these blocks a couple of days, I decided this did not look like a blue jay. I asked a friend, Karen of Ka Holly, who is a little closer to nature than me, what she thought about the designs. She gave me her honest opinion - this one looked better. It might still not be the best, but it does the job for me.


I altered the beak to be narrower and pointier like a real blue jay. This was now my main block. I created the cardinal from this block. All of the features are the same, but the bills and collar have been changed. I really wanted just to make a block where you could mix and match features...sort of like the Granimals from the 1970's that my sister and I wore. I love mix and match!

Then, after a few alterations, the cardinal was born. I hope you like both birds. They were designed to be interchangeable so less confusion and ease of repetition in construction. I also minimized the amount of piecing for ease.


 In the pattern, you also gain another little tip about how to pep up your own designs by making piping. It is very simple and adds a lot of pizazz. Here is a close up of those singing love birds. In the background you can see some quilted snowflakes and free motion quilting of wind-swirls. I made my own snowflake templates by folding a circle in half then in quarter or thirds, tracing them onto the quilt and straight line quilted with the machine. It wasn't enough, so I also did some FMQ. I am not totally happy with it, (and seriously thought about ripping git out) It was another learning experience for me to get better.



And here is the final design of Little Winter Wonders! The quilt measures 17" x 22" and is for intermediate quilters with FPP experience. I hope you like it. There are ideas in the pattern of what you can also make if you only want to make a smaller flock of birds.


A big thanks goes out to Katrin of Cattinka for proofing my patterns in both English and German. Thanks, Katrin!!! You are the best! I can't thank you enough.

And of course, my husband, who helps me with my design ideas and helps with my German translation. Love you, Sweetie!

The German version will be available soon.

If you are interested in purchasing this pattern, you can find it in my Etsy store - easypatchworkshop. If you would like to sell this pattern in your store, wholesale patterns are available. Please contact me.

Just a little side note... a lot of time and energy is put into optimizing patterns. Although there is some good software out there on the market, quilt designers are still writing and creating all of the graphics themselves as well as having the patterns tested. Support your quilt designers and your quilt shops. When they are gone, the hobby will be gone as well. There is nothing like going in to a well stocked quilt shop where the store owner knows you by name, greets you and shares their enthusiasm for your hobby.

Thank you for stopping by and learning about my designing process. I truly appreciate it! Thanks! Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday, March 2, 2017

retro bathing suit

I have been very, very busy lately designing new patterns for magazines, shops, and patchwork groups. One of my projects this year is help design a Row by Row with a specific scheme. I will let you figure it out yourself just what that theme is. ; ) In the meantime, since so many of you ask about my patterns, I thought I would start to share them with you as well. You can find all of them on Craftsy.


This cute little retro bathing suit is foundation paper pieced. You might think it is too small to sew, but I know you love a challenge. You can always blow it up if you need to. I am really curious to see what you can make with this too. I found it is the perfect size for a journal cover made by the talented Sandra aka Hohenbrunner Quilterin. She has a fantastic tutorial on how to make them.



I would love to see a mini quilt out of these!! Here is a little glimpse of how a mini quilt could look designed with Glamping from Moda. I just love the look of this!



Here is another close up of the the assembly. The block is made with just three sections. Believe me, it is a lot simpler to make than you might think. And no, it's not too small. I worked on an ice cream cone with three scoops of ice cream in the same size as this week that was rather tedious. This you definitely can manage. So hop on over to Craftsy to download your new Retro Bathing Suit FPP Quilt Block.I would love to see what you make!!



Thanks for dropping by!

Friday, October 3, 2014

halloween a'whirl

I am a member of the Doll Quilt Monthly swap where optional monthly themes are supposed to challenge you and your partner to make something creative yet on an achievable small scale. I sat the summer out and had no exchanges but so was anxious to get back in the game and start designing again. I really do love the challenge of designing for someone else; just give me a theme, and I am all over the challenge. It jolts my brains with new ideas and possibilities. The themes for September were Farmer's Market & Back to School, but I thought if we got a jump on Halloween, we both could put something out on the kitchen table for the rest of the next month of October.

I quilted just the outline of the pumpkins and thought about an allover or meander in the purple areas. Since I am so afraid to mess things up, I just left the purple areas open. I quilted the outer border of the whirlwinds and outlined the center two in the middle. I finished it off with a 1/4" binding. The faces were fun to make, but not as easy as you might think. Not all looked good with the "standard" face. It must have been that great fabric I used called Juggling Summer from Brigitte Heitland. It was a great choice for the more sophisticated Halloween quilt.


I love celebrating Halloween and am happy that Trick-or-Treating is seeping its way into German culture. (It was actually there a long time ago with "Zuckerruben" and going door to door!) I went last year with my kids Trick-or-Treating with my dear neighbor, Derya and her two kids. We had a lota of fun! I am not sure we are going to go this year. We are expecting friends for a weekend visit and think it would be nicer to visit Lego Land. I am sure they put on a fantastic show for Halloween.


I just have to put this cute little label on it using my new style and technique of outlining in the binding color/fabric and hand sew it down. It goes into the mail on Monday morning!


I really had a lot of fun creating this table runner. Maybe one of the funnest parts was the fact that I used fabrics from my stash only; I didn't buy and new fabrics! Most of the whirlwinds and pumpkins came straight from my scrap bin. You can learn more my creative process here.

Thanks for dropping by!
Karen

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

doll quilts throughout the year

Last year I joined up with the Doll Quilt Monthly club where I was allowed to make little quilts for a great group of ladies. Every month we were given a theme. You could roll with it, or not. That all depended on your partner. So far, I have had very easy-going, uncomplicated partners that have made some very stunning quilts.

I wanted to share with you the beauty and warmth I have received. Here are a few of my favorites!

 Lynn - "Diamonds are Forever"

"Citrus" from Julianne

"Pieces of my Heart" from Sher

"Through my Window" 
from Paula from Mud, Pies and Pins

"Stars and Stripes" 
from Vickie at Creative Notions


These ladies really deserve a great round of applause! They made some very fantastic quilts that I will cherish forever! Thank you!

Now, I would like to hear from you. What do you like and dislike about quilt swaps? Please share you thoughts with us!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

trying something new - a mini plus quilt challenge

I recently had the honor of making a quilt for a new quilt exchange partner, the darling Julianne in California, and the assignment was trying something new. I pulled out my Mini-Mosaic Quilts from Paula Doyle that I had in my library since it was hot off the press.

The book showed me how to use an older technique and sparked new possibilities for a very popular design in mini! What is cool about this technique is that you adhere one and a half inch squares to paper or fusible web and sew everything in strips. Your points always match! (Just make sure you sew in opposites directions when you sew the strips. If you don't, your final patchwork will be bowed in one direction. My logical sense allowed me to accept this advice without trying it out. ;-)


I really loved sewing this and kept going! I made a matching mug rug using one inch squares. They finished up to 1/2"! Is that not cool?? My hubby actually said he wanted one for the office! And since you use the fusible web, you don't have to use additional batting!

Here are a few pictures from the process. It is a great way to use up scraps; I used a 6" charm pack!




Don't you just love those night photos? I was determined to get it done that night! If you have a chance to try this technique, go for it. It will enhance your mini quilt possibilities!

Here is my challenge to you...
I challenge you to use this book or technique to make a mini plus quilt. It can be any size you want but those pluses should be no larger than 3 inches square or each segment no larger than one inch finished. Make your quilt and send me a photo of your completed quilt by March 14 (1pm, German time)! I will upload all photos and pick a winner on March 15, 2014. You have one month! The winner will receive....a lovely new charm pack. I will ship internationally. If you will be participating, leave a comment in the comments section of this post. If you a Google+ member, you may be a "no-reply blogger" so leave your email address as well. If you need a badge, grab the one below by clicking on it with a right click and copying the graphic address and insert into your page.

 I look forward to seeing some really lovely mini plus quilts ladies and gentlemen!! Knock my socks off!

Happy patching!
-Karen

Monday, November 11, 2013

sneak peek - a new free pattern at moda bake shop

Almost one year has gone by since I had my first free pattern published at Moda Bake Shop. If you remember, it was called "prairie Traditions" - made from one layer cake. I have submitted a few more patterns for the Bake Shop over the year, but they are a hard bunch of Chefs! However, they did like a small quilt which I named the Forgotten Five Mini made from your favorite charm pack. You will be able to download the directions for one miniature quilt, one pillow case and one pin cushion over at their site sometime this month.

I look forward to seeing your interpretations and what you can do with your free pattern.

Also, if you haven't already, register to win a free charm pack to make items from the featured pattern. I will be drawing a number from registered Google Followers one week after the pattern is published. You can join this site under Patchwork Friends at the bottom of this page. The lucky winner will receive a little package of goodies!

Warm wishes,
Karen

Sunday, August 25, 2013

more mini quilts

I have been working dliligently on my miniature quilt collection for and from my partners over at the Doll Quilt Monthly swap. They are such a great group of ladies. I wanted to share with you a fantastic little quilt that Vickie from Utah made for me. I love the celestial star and is a great little summer quilt.

And of course, I made her a star quilt as well, since our monthly theme was "stars and stripes." I was looking forward to the theme, but wasn't really turned on my the traditional red, white and blue. I love the country and love the rustic feel, but my color palette is not in the muted color area. So, Vickie and I talked about it and agreed to make something bright and cheery including stars and stripes.


Here are two different ways to celebrate the month of July and be patriotic but thinking outside the box using more colorful colors.

 It was a pleasure getting to know Vickie and she remains a good friend and correspondant.

The Internet is a great way to meet other people with the same interests even if they live 5000 miles away.

Oh, wait a minute. I also forgot to upload and share with you this little quilt. I received this little beauty last month from Mary Pat in Wisconsin. She made a very nice use of prairie points to set off the appliquéd flower. I love the offset flower and borders. The colors are great. I love the fact that even the more matured ladies are daring enough to use such bold colors! Bravo ladies!!

 And what is yet to come? Hmm...more mini quilts. I am anxious to show you the next quilts soon. I also have on in the works for Moda Bake Shop which should be posting in November 2013. Until then, use up those scraps and start making minis!!