NEW PATTERN! Garden Breeze Table Runner

Here is my newest table runner pattern, Garden Breeze, just in time for summer. I designed this project using the half-hexagon whirligig block in floral prints. The whirligig block is a traditional favourite and so simple to foundation piece. Anyone new to foundation piecing will love making this table runner.

Garden Breeze Table Runner

Buy now at my PATTERN STORE

My hubby loves to garden. We don't have a big yard, but he turned it into a little piece of heaven. This is the pond that we put in a few years ago.

Photo by Monica Curry

Here is Teddy taking a dip in the pond to cool off. This little guy is a real character!

Photo by Monica Curry

NEW PATTERN! Easter Blessings Banner

Easter is coming up quick and I was so glad to get this beautiful pattern Easter Blessings launched before the celebrations. This is a very simple project if you have basic skills in foundation paper piecing. The optional tabs are a nice touch to create a banner for your home or church.

Easter Blessings Banner

Buy now at my PATTERN STORE

TOP 10 favourite things in my studio . . .

Like most of you, my studio had humble beginnings but over time evolved into a creative sanctuary. As in any good studio, there are special items that keep me inspired, grounded, and working efficiently. In no special order, these are the Top 10 things in my studio I would never part with.

1.  MY ART QUILT ON THE QUILTING ARTS MAGAZINE COVER

This framed Quilting Arts magazine cover featuring one of my art quilts helps to remind me that hard work and perseverance can pay off and that even though I've created some epic fails, I've also created some beautiful work that others can appreciate.

In 2012 my art quilt Mother Ship was selected to be published for the Quilting Arts magazine Readers Challenge. I was even more excited when I was told my art was going to be on the front cover of the magazine. The Readers Challenge was to create an art quilt interpreting the phrase "What If." Being a UFO/alien buff, I wondered "What if I saw a UFO over my house?" and I created a piece with a UFO floating over a row of suburban homes. If you're also fascinated by all things extraterrestrial, download my FREE UFO quilt block HERE

2.  FOLD DOWN MINI IRONING BOARD

I used to use a TV table ironing board next to my sewing machine for small pressing jobs. However, I found it to be a real pain to move around when I didn't need it, and the legs would get caught in the electrical cords. So, I came up with a solution that works great for me. I took the legs off the ironing board and attached it to the wall with folding shelf brackets. It sits next to my sewing machine and is so convenient! When I don't need it I can fold it down out of the way and there are no legs getting tangled in the cords below.

I didn't make a tutorial for this project, but I found a helpful video on YouTube for attaching the table and brackets to the wall. If you want to give this project a try be sure to either hit a stud or use a strong screw anchor aka wall plug when attaching the folding bracket to drywall. I attached two boards to the wall and then attached the table brackets to these. There are many other options for making a folding wall table on Pinterest but I used folding brackets because I didn't want any obstructions under the table.

3.  WOODEN SEWING SCISSORS

My husband is an intarsia artist and not long ago we put our heads together to make this sewing room decor project. I designed the pattern for the scissors and my husband put it together. You can buy the intarsia pattern for these scissors HERE

4.  WOODEN INTARSIA SEWING MACHINE

This is another combined effort by my husband and me. Again, I designed the pattern and he built it. I think it turned out so cute! I am not sure if I'll be selling this pattern, but if I do I'll be sure to let you know. We used a small nail to represent the sewing machine needle and a vintage wooden spool cut in half for the thread. How cool is that?

How to sort and cut fabric scraps for nine-patch scrap blocks

A year ago, I posted a tutorial for sorting fabric scraps. I decided to supplement that post with a quick tutorial for cutting fabric scrap squares for 9-patch blocks. Because of their versatility, 9-patch blocks are great for making scrap quilts.  Below are only a few 9-patch blocks you can make with scraps.

YOU WILL NEED

• A good assortment of quilt cotton fabric scraps
• Iron and ironing board
• Rotary cutter (have fresh blades available)
• 6" x 12" and/or 8" x 8" quilt ruler

SORTING and CUTTING YOUR SCRAP STASH

1. Instructions are for cutting square sizes 5", 3.5" and 2". (Optional squares sizes are 1.5" and 2.5").

2. Separate your scraps into individual colours: yellow, orange, purple, red, etc. This is a very important step. You don't want to have to sort little 2-inch squares by colour, trust me!

3. Sort scraps by size. Smallest scraps for 2" squares. Medium scraps for 3-1/2" squares. Large scraps for 5" squares.

4.  Press all the scraps before cutting. A quick way to do this is to layer about 4 to 6 pieces and steam press.

5.  Before cutting squares, stack several pieces and line up the top right corner.

6.  Line up your ruler about 1/4" away from the top right corner of the fabrics and trim.

7.  Rotate the fresh cut corner to the lower left. Line up your square size at the corner and trim. If some of the offcuts are large enough, cut squares from these as well.

STORING YOUR SQUARES

Store your squares neatly according to colour. Over time you'll accumulate a lot of squares, so finding the right box for them is a good idea. I normally use plastic bins from Dollarama. The container below is a cookie tray from Costco. Use whatever works.

2-inch squares storage option

A variety of square sizes neatly stored, but not colour sorted :(

MAKING SPECIALTY BLOCKS FOR A NINE PATCH QUILT

Nine patch scrap quilts don't have to be made from only squares. Below are simple techniques for making additional blocks from your squares that will jazz up your scrap quilt.

Quilting room storage: Revamped vintage dresser

This is a great storage idea that I wanted to share. I can't afford much for storage furniture so I normally have to think outside the box to furnish my sewing room. I picked this little mid-century modern dresser at a thrift store. I desperately needed more storage for my batting, backing and those miscellaneous things that needed a home. 

I forgot to take the before picture but, basically, it was sprayed in a dark stain and had super ugly drawer handles. After combing over ideas on Pinterest, I came up with this. I really love how it turned out. I can keep an amazing amount of quilting stuff in it!

NEW PATTERN! Vintage Sewing Machine Mini Quilt

This is my most recent foundation pieced pattern, Vintage Sewing Machine mini quilt pattern. I have this piece in my studio and love the bright colours. It measures 15" x 15" (37.5cm x 37.5cm) and would make a perfect little project for your sewing room.

Sewing Machine Mini Quilt

Buy now in my PATTERN STORE

NEW PATTERN! Feather Your Nest Table Runner

I had a great summer! I finished up some UFOs and I have some beautiful new patterns to launch in the next few months. I'm sure you'll love them as much as I do.

My new pattern launch for this month is my "Feather Your Nest" table runner pattern. I had been seeing the feather block all over the internet and had to make my own pattern for it. My method for making the feathers is simple. My instructions are thorough and easy to follow, so don't be afraid to jump right in and give it a try. This pattern is great for using up your scraps. The finished table runner is 38" x 14". The pattern also includes instructions for making a single 12" x 12" block shown below.

Feather Your Nest Table Runner

Buy now at my PATTERN STORE

10 Rotary Cutting Formulas Every Quilter Should Know - Part 2

Click HERE for Part 1

Welcome to Part 2 of my rotary cutting formulas tutorial. Below are the last five formulas. Also, to give you some practice using these formulas, I'm giving away a Modern Baby quilt pattern available for download at the end of both Part 1 and Part 2.

FYI: You can see my post HERE for the Pinwheel block formula. 

NOTES

• All calculations have been tested for accuracy.
• Finished block = block after piecing. Unfinished block = finished block plus 1/2 inch
• All instructions assume a basic knowledge of rotary cutting and patchwork piecing.

INSTRUCTIONS

Read the calculations carefully then cut the required pieces needed to make the block.
Once the pieces are cut, use the step-by-step diagrams to assemble the block.
Several calculations might make a slightly larger block. Square these up to the correct size.

Find instructions HERE for squaring up a quilt block.

YOU'LL NEED

• Rotary cutter with a sharp blade
• Cutting mat
• Quilting ruler
• Calculator
• Seam ripper
• Iron
• Light colour fabric
• Medium colour fabric
• Dark colour fabric

FREE MODERN BABY QUILT PATTERN

This cute little baby quilt uses nine of the ten blocks you've learned in Part 1 and Part 2 or can use any combination of blocks that you prefer. The finished quilt measures 36" x 36" (90cm x 90cm) and the block size is 8" square. This is a perfect project for beginners.

Download your FREE Modern Baby Quilt pattern HERE.