Cotton Cuts

I had the wonderful opportunity of working with a company called Cotton Cuts.  As a member you receive monthly a variety of fabrics chosen specifically for you.  You answer a few questions and they surprise you with a custom created bundle.  You receive either 12 fat quarters or 20 fat eighths, your choice.  You can change your fabric preferences at any time.  You get to choose a pattern from their designer of the month and you also get two collectible block of the month pattern cards.  Each box has something extra as a thank you.  Doesn't this sound wonderful?  It is!

In addition, Cotton Cuts is on a mission to create jobs and have partnered with a local workshop that provides dignified employment opportunities to the intellectually challenged and to those with other disabilities.

I created a quilt with eight of the fabrics they sent me.  I paired it with "Weewander", by Sarahjane Studios, in "With the Birds".  What I love about these fabrics is that some of them are ones I would not have chosen on my own but, after receiving them, absolutely love.  This allows me to play with fabric and look at texture and pattern in a different way.  It was so fun!  I used the "Baby Blocks" pattern from the book, "Sweet Celebrations" compiled by Lissa Alexander.  The quilt measures 37.5 x 44.5.  It is quilted with soft wavy lines in pink on the front and white on the back.

Because Cotton Cuts was kind enough to send me a box to try, I am going to pay it forward and give this quilt to one of you!  I am having a giveaway on Instagram (IG name is sewnwithgrace)  and all you need to do to enter is visit me there and leave a comment on the post.  I will choose a winner by random number generator on Wednesday, December 7. 

High Tea Party! Blog Tour 18 Designers, 18 Days

Today I am very excited to be a part of the High Tea Blog and Instagram tour!  This beautiful line of fabric by Jera Brandvig of Quilting in the Rain for Lecien Fabrics is just stunning.  I used the pattern, "A Cuppa" by Brenda Riddle of Little Acorn Quilt & Gift Company.  I must say, this is one of my most favorite quilts to date.  The combination of Jera's fabric with Brenda's pattern is a wonderful pairing.  My favorite print in the line is the strawberry fabric in the blue which I used on the border as well as in the quilt.  This line is dreamy and you'll want to get some before it becomes hard to find! Jera has a wonderful quilt as you go book which can be found here.  My love affair with Lecien goes way back and they continually create gorgeous fabrics for our enjoyment.   A shout out to the wonderful quilting by Rhonda Loy of Quality Quilting.  Please see the schedule above for more wonderful creations with this beautiful line!

Pretty Playtime Quilt Along

Good morning friends!  One of my very favorite designers,  Elea Lutz, for Penny Rose Fabrics has recently released her first book called Pretty Playtime Quilts.  For 16 weeks, the Fat Quarter Shop is hosting a blog tour featuring a new block each week from the Garden Fairy sampler quilt, found in the book and featuring her latest fabric collection, Strawberry Biscuit.  This delightful book has six patterns in addition to the fifteen block patterns for the Garden Fairy Sampler quilt.  I am hoping to make every pattern in the book!

This week is my turn on the quilt along and I sewed a block that is very near and dear to my heart, the bowtie block.  My husband wears a bowtie every day to work and I had fun matching up some of his bowties to Elea's gorgeous fabric! This block is super easy to make and is just so lovely when completed.  I would love to work my way through my scrap bin and make a whole quilt with this block!






































Thank you for stopping by today.  Have a great start to your week!  Be sure to visit the blogs below for pictures of their gorgeous Garden Fairy Sampler blocks!

Week 2 – Erin from Why Not Sew?

Week 3 – Wynn from Zakka Art

Week 4 – Anorian from Samelia’s Mum

Week 5 – Amy from Diary of a Quilter

Week 6 – Renee from Sewn with Grace

Week 7 – Jemima from Tied with a Ribbon

Week 8 – Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl

Week 9 – Debbie from Happy Little Cottage

Week 10 – Tina from Emily Ann’s Kloset

Week 11 – Erica from Kitchen Table Quilting

Week 12 – Kristyne from Pretty by Hand

Week 13 – Heidi from Fabric Mutt

Week 14 – Brigitte from The Family Hearth

Week 15 – Lorrie from Sew Mod Designs

Week 16 – Kristin from They Grow Up Too Fast

Market Sewing

Just popping in to say hello!  It's been awhile since I've blogged.  I'm doing some International Quilt Market sewing for Lecien Corporation.  I've been working with this fabric line called, "Retro 30's Child Smile" which is due out in May.  The prints and colors are so fun and happy!  I'm recreating a vintage quilt that I own.  It's been a pleasure to work on.

The other fabric line Lecien sent for me to work with is called "Mrs. March's Antique Collection" also due out this spring.  The colors are so different from what I normally work with and I loved it!  This is going to be my first pattern release once I get it written up.  It's called, "Songbird" and is very beginner friendly.  Once this is quilted I'm going to do some embroidery on the birds.  I also hope to be making a pattern for the vintage quilt as well.   I hope you are having a happy day!

Paperie Giveaway Winner!

 

 The winner is Marlene!

I have sent you an email

Please send me your mailing info

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt Sew Along

The Fatquarter Shop and Gnome Angel have teamed with Marti Michell to kick off this year long sew along.  They have asked a group of bloggers to join in on the fun and I am happy to be included in this group of talented quilter/bloggers.  Over the course of a year, each blogger will be making blocks and showing a tutorial on their blog.

We are using the book "The Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt" by Laurie Aaron Hird.  The back of the book reads:  " In the 1930s, The Farmer's Wife offered inspiration and positivity in the "Letters from Our Farm Women" column.  Each month, the magazine published letters from readers that offered support and encouragement to each other in an economically challenging time for our country. The Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt shares ninety-nine of these letters from The Farmer's Wife magazine published during the 1930's, and a traditional quilt block inspired by each one."

The blocks can be made in a variety of ways.  The book includes a CD with templates, paper-piecing patterns and rotary cutting instructions.  In addition, Marti Michell has developed a set of templates that can be used to create the blocks as well.  She has a list of the templates you need on her blog.

I am using my Singer Feather Weight Sewing Machine from that era to complete the quilt because I feel that much closer to the women who originally wrote the letters and stitched quilts of their own.

It was fun deciding what fabric to use.  My choice is "Line Dried" by Mama's Cottons for Connecting Threads.  I love the vintage feel to this collection and it's just so pretty!

Here are some important links compiled by Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (no point in reinventing the wheel, thank you Sedef!):

Official Sew-Along Page:  here

Facebook Group:  Search FarmersWife1930sSamplerQuilt

FAQ's:  You can find answers to common questions here

The list of bloggers can be found here

Book:  The Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt: Inspiring Letters from Farm Women of the Great Depression and 99 quilt blocks That Honor Them by Laurie Aaron Hird for Fons & Porter/F+W, here

From Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Templates:  Find information about the templates and a list of templates that you can use to make the blocks here

If you put any of your blocks on Instagram, please use the hashtag #FQS1930FarmersWife so we can see your progress and you can get inspired by other quilters.

I will be back tomorrow to show you my first four blocks.
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Farm Girl Friday & Giveaway

Today is my turn on the Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along blog hop hosted by the Fatquarter Shop and Lori Holt, using Lori's book, Farm Girl Vintage.

My block is the Spring Star Block found on page 62 of the Farm Girl Vintage book.  Lori does a great job of explaining each step resulting in a win every time!  The hardest part about this block was picking out the fabrics.

I had a lot of fun making a table runner for my dining room using this Spring Star Block, great fabrics and hand quilting.   Lori has lots of patterns in the book using her gorgeous blocks.

Be sure to check out the other bloggers on the schedule for more inspiration.  It's never too late to join in the fun! To help you get started I am giving away a copy of Lori's book, Farm Girl Vintage!

To enter leave your email address in the comments and a winner will be chosen at midnight on Sunday, September 6.  International friends are welcome to enter!  A big thank you to Lori Holt and the Fatquarter Shop for hosting sun a fun sew along!

Little Joys Quilt Finish

Today the Little Joys Quilt Along comes to an end.  It's time to put all those blocks together!  Find the finishing instructions on the Fatquarter Shop blog, The Jolly Jabber, here.  It's also a fun time to personalize your quilt.  I choose to put corner posts, yo-yo holly and the words to a favorite Christmas carol on mine.  I loved working with this gorgeous line of fabric, Little Joys, by Elea Lutz for Penny Rose Fabrics.  The kit is still available from the Fatquarter Shop (click on Little Joys) and you can download the free patterns for just a bit longer.  I must say, it feels good having a Christmas quilt done in July that is all ready to go for the Christmas season.  Have a great day! 

Sewing for Quilt Market

Some fun things have been going on lately.  I was asked by one of my favorite fabric companies, Lecien Corporation, to design some quilts using their new lines.  These quilts will be shown in their booth at International Quilt Market in Minneapolis May 15-17.  The first quilt uses their latest line of Retro Child Smile.  I picked a little dog from one of the fabrics to embroider.  This second quilt uses their L's Modern and L's Modern Mini line and one of their solids for background.  I love the riot of color!  I have always loved Japanese fabrics.  One of my very favorite Lecien lines is Flower Sugar.   It was a fun experience and I hope to do more in the future.