Tag: Free Patterns

Modern Love Mini Quilt Along #2

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Thanks for joining me for part 2 of my Love Mini Quilt Along. Links for the supply list and the tutorial schedule are shown at the end of this post.

I am making this table runner which finishes approximately 30″ x 12″. I played around with EQ7 and fabric swatches from BasicGrey’s Kissing Booth to come up with a couple of different color options. My version is shown for the step-by-step photos and at the end.

Love Runner

Step 1 – Cutting the Fabric

  • Cut 4 roughly 4.5″ squares for your letters (red).  You will prepare them in step 2 below. Or you can fussy cut your appliques by using a big chunk of fabric instead.
  • Cut 4 – 5″ squares of background fabric (cream).
  • Cut 13 – 2″ x 5″ rectangles for sashing (red check).
  • Cut 10 – 2″ squares for sashing squares (red).
  • Cut 2 – 2.5″ x 8″ strips for side borders (pink floral).
  • Cut 2 – 2.5″ x 30″ strips for top/bottom borders (pink floral).
  • Cut 3 – 2.25″ x WOF (Width of Fabric) strips for binding.
  • Cut 1 – 14″ x 32″ piece of batting.
  • Cut 1 – 16″ x 34″ piece of fabric for backing.

Step 2 – Preparing the Love Letters

Love ReversedDownload and print of a copy of the letters L-O-V-E (click here). (Or if you’d like to be a little more creative, you can enlarge any font style you like and make your own letters.)

Flip your paper over so that your letters are backwards. Trace the backwards letters onto the paper side of your fusible web.

You may need to use a lightbox to see through the paper. Or print the letters out on transparent vellum for tracing.

Rough cut around each fusible paper letter. Then following the mfg’s instructions, adhere your fusible web to the backside of  your letter fabric. Use this phrase: rough to wrong. The rough (glue) side of the web needs to be stuck to the back (wrong) side of your fabric.

Use Fusible Web

I used Pearl Bracelets fabric for my letters and positioned them to take advantage of the printed design. Cut out the letters following their outlines. Don’t forget to cut out the center of the O! You have now made your own iron-on appliques.

Love Lettters

Step 3 – Assembling the Quilt Top

Sew your inner-quilt pieces (IQ) into 3 separate rows (sash row, block row, sash row):

Sew the Rows

You will notice I have not added the letters yet. I like to add them once the top is done so I can space them just right. Press seams open or towards the sashing fabric.

Add the Borders

Join the rows and add side borders that are trimmed to size. Then add the top and bottom borders and press towards the border fabric.

Lover Runner

Remove the backing from your cut out letters. Following the mfg’s instructions, adhere them to your block backgrounds. You can eyeball them in place, arrange them whimsically, or use a ruler to measure exact placement. It’s up to you!

Next week I will demonstrate you how to applique and quilt all at the same time. The key is to use thin thread that matches your letter fabric. I prefer silk or very thin polyester thread for this, but regular cotton thread is ok, too.

Here is the mini-quilt along schedule. Links will become active once that blog post is done.

Please join my ChristasQuiltAlong flickr group to share pictures of your work-in-progress!

For these other arrangements, just follow the modified steps below.

Love Wall QuiltLove Squared
The vertical love wall banner uses the exact same directions as the table runner except that the letters are arranged vertically instead of horizontally – watch out for directional fabrics and cut them accordingly.

To make the 18″ Love Square wall-hanging or pillow, use these cutting instructions:

  1. Cut 4 – 4.5″ squares for your letters.
  2. Cut 4 – 5″ squares of background fabric.
  3. Cut 12 – 2″ x 5″ rectangles for sashing.
  4. Cut 9 – 2″ squares for sashing squares.
  5. Cut 2 – 2.5″ x 14″ strips for side borders.
  6. Cut 2 – 2.5″ x 18.5″ strips for top/bottom borders (pink floral).
  7. Cut 2 – 2.25″ x WOF (Width of Fabric) strips for binding (for wallhanging only).
  8. Cut 1 – 20″ square piece of batting.
  9. Cut 1 – 22″ square piece of fabric for backing (use muslin or scrap for pillow).

Then sew together so that it looks like the diagram above.

Christa’s Quilt Along 4.5 – Sea of Squares Pieced Backing

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Click here to sign up for more fun and free quilt alongs!!

Today I will show you two different ways to make a pieced quilt backing: (1) All from one fabric, or (2) from scraps and chunks. I have a little “cheater” disclaimer here. Since I am on vacation this week, I haven’t actually had time to sew my back together. Most of my tutorial pictures were designed in EQ7, but I’ll whip up my own back in no time when I return!

Step 1 – Measure Your Quilt Top

Sea of Squares Quilt Top

A good rule of thumb is to measure your quilt top and then add 4 inches around the perimeter on all four sides. This means you will take your quilt dimensions and add a total of 8 inches to each number. Let me demonstrate:

My quilt top measures 51″ x 62″ from raw edge to raw edge. I will add 8″ total giving me a needed back dimension of 59″ x 70″.

Step 2 – Calculate the Yardage Needed For One Fabric

The backing width I need is 59 inches as stated above. Rounding that up to the nearest 1/4 yard increment gives me 1.75 yards of fabric (or 63 inches). However, that will give me a length of just 44 inches from selvedge to selvedge (which I round down to 40 inches to account for seam allowances and trimmed edges). But  I need a total length of 70″.

Pieced Back 1 Fabric

Pieced Back 63″ x 80″

To solve this problem, I will need to double the amount of fabric purchased to 3.5 yards. This will allow me to use two 1.75 yard pieces and seam them together to get a total measurement of 63″ wide x 80″ long.

Step 3 – Calculate Pieced Sizes for a Scrappy Backing

If you like an artistic backing like I do, take your diagram above and subdivide it into smaller chunks and random pieces. Use your creativity and fabrics from your stash as a guide. Here’s one hint – if you have a lot of white in your quilt top like mine, try to use lighter fabrics on the back so they don’t show through to the front.

I will “draw” a pieced backing measuring 60″ x 70″ (for easy math) and fill it in like a puzzle, adding random chunks wherever I choose. My diagram looks nice and straight but you can certainly use improve techniques with more wonky lines to achieve a similar effect.

Pieced Back

Just remember that the outer 4-5 inches will be cut off so do not place any smaller chunks near the edges. For my diagram above, I have selected 10 chunks of fabric. Let’s look and see how they would be sewn together:

  • Add chunks 1, 2 and 3 together, then chunk 4
  • Sew 5 & 6 together, then add to piece 1-4
  • Next, sew 7-8 into one unit and 9-10 into another unit
  • Piece both of these sections together
  • Then add the top piece (1-6) to the bottom piece (7-10)

I will press seam allowances open and use a liberal amount of starch to keep everything tidy.

If you would like to follow my diagram exactly, here is how large you would cut each piece:

Pieced Back

  1. 8.5″ x 32.5″
  2. 12.5″ x 32.5″
  3. 20.5″ x 10.5″
  4. 20.5″ x 42.5″
  5. 20.5″ x 10.5″
  6. 20.5″ x 32.5″
  7. 14.5″ x 28.5″
  8. 18.5″ x 28.5″
  9. 28.5″ x 14.5″
  10. 28.5″ x 14.5″

Quilt-Along Schedule – Links are Active at the Completion of Each Step:

Sharing is Caring

Please share your work in progress in my facebook group: Quilt With Christa . 🙂

Christa’s Quilt Links – Finish Your Quilts with these fun Sew-Alongs

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There are so many fun projects to work on that I could literally start a new project a day for an entire year.  Since there’s no way I would have time for that, I will share a few fun project ideas and inspiration that I found on some blogs instead. Join the fun below:

A Year of FinishesSewBitterSweetDesigns is hosting A Lovely Year of Finishes.

The way it works is that you pick one project per month that you know you can finish. You check in at the beginning, middle, and end of each month to show your progress.

Prizes will given each month as well as year-end prizes for those who finish. Sounds like a great way to set some goals!

Finish AlongSpeaking of setting goals to finish your  sewing projects this year, Leanne from She Can Quilt is hosting her own Finish-Along. Each quarter, you will have a chance to show pictures of projects you want to finish over the next 3 months. Those that finish are eligible to win prizes, too! The opening for the first quarter has already passed, but you many want to follow along anyway, so you can secure your spot to join up in April for Q2!

Project QuiltingIf a weekly finish is more your thing, be sure to check out Project Quilting‘s Weekly Challenges, hosted by Persimon Dreams.

There will be loads of inspiration, prizes, and of course, fun!

Express Your LoveLeah Day from the Free-Motion Quilting Project invites you to quilt-along with her Goddess Quilt series she is offering on her blog.

This talented quilter has so many ways for you to make this outstanding piece of art: order a pre-printed panel, outline-stitch on your machine, or practice your applique techniques.

You can Express Your Love in so many ways with quilts!

Row AlongIf a quilt-along is too much for you, how about a Row-Along?

Lori Holt from Bee in my Bonnet has been hosting a lovely set of tutorials for making a row quilt.

She’s on row 9 right now but you can hop on over to her blog to join the fun.  She has a flickr group, too!

And if you think all of the above is great, but you still want to add to your pile of UFO’s  Finished Quilts, you can start on your own version of a scrappy Trip Around the World. Unless you’ve been under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard of it by now. This is the beauty of social media – someone has a fantastic idea and it goes viral!

Check out Bonnie Hunter’s Scrappy Trip Along Tutorial at Quiltville!

Christa’s Quilt Along 4.4 – Sea of Squares Quilt Top

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This week it’s time to finish sewing the Sea of Squares quilt top. If you are just joining me, please scroll down to the end for links to each step of this do-it-yourself quilt tutorial. It took me a total of 2.5 hours to complete the steps shown below.

Step 1 – Quilt Layout (30 minutes)

Lay out all 42 of your blocks on a design wall or other large flat surface, or even the floor. Play around with your block arrangement until you find a pleasing composition. Take pictures of any arrangements you like as you “play.”

Sea of Squares Layout

Arrange your blocks in a 6 x 7 grid – 7 rows of 6 blocks each. Be sure to alternate between your X and O blocks and distribute your values and colors evenly.

Step 2 – Sewing the Rows (1 Hour)

For this quilt layout, it’s easiest to sew the top together in rows. I numbered them 1 through 7.  You can press all of the odd blocks in one direction, and all of the even rows in the opposite direction so that seams will nestle together when sewing.

If the darker fabric shows through the white, you may choose to press your seams open.

Stack of Blocks

For a speedy sewing tip, I stacked up all of my blocks into pairs of two next to my sewing machine. I  added a pin to the right had side to indicate this is the side I will be sewing.

Before sewing, I took a photo of my layout with camera’s phone. I referred to the layout as I sewed the rows together and was able to keep the blocks lined up in order. I continued joining the blocks together in order until I had 7 rows of sewn blocks.

7 Rows of Blocks

Since my design wall was too small for all of the rows, I used part of the floor, too!

Step 3 – Completing the Quilt Top (1 Hour)

2 Rows of Blocks3 Rows of BlocksFirst, sew the top two rows together.

Pin at all of the intersections (I like using flat-head flower pins).

Be sure to remove your pins just before you get to them so you don’t accidentally break a needle. (Ask me how I know?!)

Next, sew together rows 3-4 and 5-6 together in the same manner.

Row 7 will be on it’s own. Next, you can join each of these segments into larger “chunks”.

Join rows 1-4 and rows 5-7.

Add these two “chunks” together to complete the quilt top.

Give your top a final pressing and set aside. Or do what I do:  leave it up on your design wall for awhile to admire it until it’s time to baste and quilt!

Sea of Squares Quilt Top

I have decided to split apart the backing and basting into two separate tutorials so I can go more in-depth with each. Next week I will show how to sew a pieced quilt backing, either all from the same fabric, or from bits and pieces from your stash (my favorite). You need a total of 3 1/2 yards for the backing (perhaps a little more if piecing lots of chunks together).

Due to the popularity of this quilt kit, I have put together a limited number of kits in an alternate colorway. This one is called Apple Jacks and would be perfect for a little boy!

Apple Jacks

Quilt-Along Schedule – Links are Active at the Completion of Each Step:

Be sure to post pictures of your progress on my flickr group: Christa’s Quilt Along.

Quilt Kits are available for a limited time.

Modern Love Mini Quilt Along #1

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I have decided to create a mini quilt-along to express how I feel about quilting – pure love! Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I am going to make this table runner using machine applique techniques. You can follow along with me according to the schedule below:

Love Runner

Supply List for Love Quilt Runner, Finished Size Approximately 31″ x 12″

  • 1 Fat Quarter Cream Background
  • 1 Fat Quarter Red for Letters
  • 1 Fat Quarter Red for Small Sashing Squares
  • 1 Fat Quarter Pink/Red Check for Sashing
  • 1/3 Yard Pink for Outer Border (or 1 FQ if you don’t mind a pieced border)
  • 1 Fat Quarter Red for Binding
  • 1/2 Yard Fabric for Backing
  • 18″ x 36″ Piece of Batting
  • 1 Sheet of Fusible Web (at least 8 1/2″ x 11″)
  • Thread to match your applique letters fabric
  • Matching thread for machine quilting (cotton or polyester)
  • New Sewing Machine Needle

Although I will be using different fabrics than those shown above, I will use the same color-scheme of red and pink. You can do this in whatever colors you like!

And just to give you more options, I have made a couple other arrangements:

Love Wall QuiltLove Squared
Although I will be making just the table runner, the fabric requirements above will be enough to make any of the layouts shown here.

The Love square would also make a cute pillow.

Please join my ChristasQuiltAlong flickr group to share pictures of your work-in-progress!

Christa’s Quilt Along 4.3 – Sea of Squares Blocks

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Today it’s time to sew all of the cut pieces and charms together to make our Sea of Squares blocks. We will sew a total of 21 “X” blocks and 21 “O” blocks. It took me 4.5 hours total.

X BlockO Block

Step 1 – Sewing the X blocks (2.5 Hours)

I like to chain piece as much as possible. This means sewing the pieces together in an assembly-line fashion without cutting your threads in between pieces until you are done.

Chain Piecing

Chain Piecing

Start with the middle section of the X block which is composed of one dark 5 inch charm and two white (light) 2.5 x 5 inch rectangles.  Use 1/4 inch seam allowances at all times.

To chain piece this section, sew 21 white rectangles to one side of all 21 dark charms. Then go back and add 21 white rectangles to the other side of all 21 charms.

Sew white rectangles to either side of charm square.

Sew white rectangles to either side of each charm square.

You should have a total of 21 completed “middle” sections. Finger press your seam allowances open or to the darker fabric. I like to use a wooden seam roller for this.

I prefer to use a seam roller whenever I can, especially when working with white fabric. I use the iron as little as possible to reduce the chances of scorching or distorting my fabrics. If you press nice and firmly with the seam roller, the seams will lie down nicely. Then I give the blocks a final pressing with an iron at the end.

Seam roll the back.

Seam roll the back.

Seam roll the front.

Seam roll the front.

After the middles are complete, sew all of the tops and bottoms. I like to sort all 4 of each smaller dark square together so it’s easier to stay organized and sew each as needed.

Small Dark Squares

Sew a small dark  2.5 inch square to either side of a light 2.5 x 5 inch rectangle. Repeat this for a total of 42 units (21 for the top and 21 for the bottom). Press toward the dark fabric.

X Block Units

X Block Units

Pinning at intersections, join the top part of your block to all of the middles. Be sure to take out your pins as you go so you don’t sew over them.

Pin Intersections

Add the bottoms to all of your blocks in the same manner and press seams open.

Finished X Block

Step 2 – Sewing the O Blocks (2 Hours)

The O blocks are sewn together in the same manner but with reversed fabric placement. It took me a little less time to sew them because I was in my groove!

Again, starting with the middles, add the same dark rectangle to either side of a white (light) charm. Repeat this for 21 middles.

O Block Middles

Moving on to the tops and bottoms of the O block, add one white square to the end of 42 dark rectangles. Then repeat for the other end of the rectangle until you have 42 sewn units.

O Block Units

Add a top and bottom unit to each side of your middle. Again, pin and chain piece all of the top units; then go back and chain piece all of the bottom units.

Chain Pieced O Blocks

Press all of the final seams open so that you can eliminate the shadowing of the darker fabric through the white background. Do this with an iron, but be careful not to scorch the fabric.

Press Blocks Open

You should have a total of 42 blocks, half X’s, and half O’s. They should all measure 9 inches from raw edge to raw edge. The finished size of these blocks will be 8.5 inches. If your blocks are larger or smaller, it’s ok. As long as they are all the same size the design will work.

Finished BlocksThat’s it for this lesson! Next week we will put them up on a design wall and “play” to find a pleasing arrangement.

Quilt-Along Schedule – Links are Active at the Completion of Each Step:

Please email me pictures of your progress on this quilt or any of my previous tutorials! You can reach me at christa@christaquilts.com.

Quilt Kits for Sea of Squares and all of my other blog tutorials are available in my shop for a limited time.

Christa’s Quilt Links – New Projects for the New Year

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In addition to my ongoing Do-It-Yourself quilt-along, there are a host of exciting new quilt projects to participate in for the new year. The ones below are just a few that I’ve had my eye on or am going to participate in.

And Sew OnKristy from Quiet Play is hosting a paper pieced block of the month for 2013.

She has included a tutorial on paper piecing and will be showcasing her original patterns each month.

Each block pattern will be free for the current month. And the best part is – there will be prizes each month for those who participate!

Pile O' FabricAlyssa from Pile of Fabrics is also hosting a fantastic year-long project she’s calling her Skillbuilder Block of the Month.

From January-October she will demonstrate 2 blocks per month utilizing quilt-as-you-go techniques.

Then in November-December she will show how to add the borders and put on the finishing touches. And it’s Free!

In Your WordsLinda from Buzz-N-Bumble is hosting a blog hop in January called, “In Your Words.”

Each hop participant will show an item made from fabric with words added that tells a little bit about that person.

It will be fun to hop around,  find some inspiration, and maybe even win some fabulous prizes!

For the complete blog hop schedule, click here.

Dare to DresdenFor another fun January blog hop, visit Christine’s Quilt Monster in My Closet blog.

She will be posting the blog hop schedule on Sunday and it promises to be loads of fun. Do you Dare to Dresden?

Blogger Girls BOMAnd finally, Monique at Open Gate Quilts is hosting a free Blogger Girls Block of the Month series.

The block patterns are very traditional yet they can be interpreted in numerous ways.

She has posted a schedule of other bloggers who will be joining with their versions so you will get to see the blocks in lots of different colorways.

If you love to blog and hop like me, feel free to send me links to more fun events. I try to post my favorite blog quilt links each week, and I’m always on the hunt for more!

Christa’s Quilt Along 4.2 – Sea of Squares Cutting

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This week we will start our Sea of Squares quilt by cutting all the pieces from charm packs: 2 light and 2 dark. I used 2 packs of Seascapes and 2 packs of White Bella Solids. As long as you have great contrast between your light and dark charms, this quilt will turn out great!

Seascape Charms

It took me just under an hour to complete this week’s homework.

Step 1 – Sorting the Squares (10 Minutes)

This seems like a very basic step, but it is important to sort all of the squares so that you cut them correctly. Of course you can make your quilt as scrappy as you like, and then you don’t need to worry as much about fabric placement.

Each block is made from 4 charm squares – 2 of the same dark plus 2 of the same light.
Let’s call them X blocks and O blocks.

X BlockO Block

The X blocks have a dark charm in the middle with matching smaller squares in the corners. The O blocks have a light charm in the middle with matching light squares in the corners. You will be sewing a total of 21 X blocks and 21 O blocks.

Sort your 84 dark charms into 2 piles  – 42 charms for the X blocks (2 identical charms per X),  and 42 charms for the  for the O blocks (2 identical charms per O).

Dark Charms

Moda charm packs are wonderful because each comes with exactly 42 squares with the same number of duplicates per pack. (Print placement may vary depending on how it’s cut).

Sort your 84 light charm packs into 3 piles:

  1. Pile 1 = 21 white charms (whole) for the block centers.
  2. Pile 2 = 21 white charms (to cut) for the little squares.
  3. Pile 3 = 42 white charms (to cut) for the rectangles.

White Charm Squares

Step 2 – Cutting the Dark (Print) Charms (25 minutes)

From your “X” pile, pull out 1 of each charm for a total of 21 intact squares.

From the remaining 21 squares, cut them into 4 – 2.5 x 2.5 inch squares each. You should then have a total of 84 smaller squares that match the prints of the larger squares.

Dark X Block Charms

From your “O” pile, cut all of the squares in half yielding 2 rectangles each. You should have a total of 84 dark rectangles measuring 2.5 x 5 inches each.

Dark O Block Charms

Step 3 – Cutting the Light (White) Charms (15 minutes)

Set aside pile 1 which is composed of 21 light squares (5 inches square).

From pile 2, cut the 21 light squares into 4 equal smaller squares each. You should have a total of 84 small light squares, measuring 2.5 x 2.5 inches each.

From pile 3, cut all 42 light squares in half yielding 2 rectangles each. You should have a total of 84 half square rectangles, measuring 2.5 x 5 inches each.

Light Charms Cutting

Light Charms: Cut Piles 1, 2 and 3

Now that your pieces are all cut out, you are ready to begin sewing the top together next week. Wasn’t that fun?

Quilt-Along Schedule – Links are Active at the Completion of Each Step:

You can email me pictures of your progress at christa@christaquilts.com. I can’t wait to see all the variety and possibilities with this quilt!

Christa’s Quilt Along 4.1 – Sea of Squares Supply List

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Sea of Squares

Sea of Squares is the 4th in my series of do-it-yourself quilts where I will take you through all of the steps of making a quilt from fabric selection to cutting, piecing, basting, machine quilting and binding. If you follow along with me you will have a completed quilt in no time!

Sea of Squares

About This Quilt – Finished Size Approximately 51.5″ x 60″

I designed this quilt in EQ7 and downloaded fabric images from Moda to color it.

I named it “Sea of Squares” because I wanted to make a simple quilt pattern from nothing but charm squares. I used Deb Strain’s Seascapes in calming shades of blue from teal to navy to aqua, with Bella Solids in white for the background. This monochromatic color-scheme calls to mind the tranquility of the sea with the occasional whitecap of a breaking wave.

SeascapesBella Solids White

Supply List

Important! If you’d like to pick your own charms, make sure that each pack contains at least 42 – 5 inch squares. Not all manufacturers are consistent with their charms.

Each block consists of 4 charms (2 light/2 dark) so cut or purchase additional charms as needed for a bigger size. You may also use layer cakes if you want to super-size it!

Fabric

  • 2 of the same charm packs in darks or prints – 84 charms total (seascape blues)
  • 2 of the same charm packs in lights or solids – 84 charms total (solid white)
  • 1/2 yard for the binding (one of the blues in the picture above)
  • 3.5 yards for backing split into 2 equal pieces if using all the same fabric. If you prefer a scrappy backing like I do, collect assorted chunks and scraps to total this amount.
  • Batting piece measuring at least 60″ x 70″

Supplies

  • Basic sewing equipment in good working order
  • Rotary cutter with a fresh blade, ruler and mat
  • Brand new sewing machine needles
  • Neutral cotton thread for piecing
  • Decorative thread to match fabrics for quilting
  • Walking foot for straight line quilting
  • Optional – pinmoors and pins for easy basting
  • Optional – machingers gloves for smooth quilting

Quilt-Along Schedule – Links are Active at the Completion of Each Step:

I plan on posting each week on Wednesday or Thursday depending on how my “homework” goes that week. Even though I will be sticking to the above schedule, feel free to work at your own pace.

By the way, this quilt uses the exact same fabric requirements as my previous Charming Chevrons quilt – so you can do either one, or both, depending on your mood!

Sharing is Caring

Please share your work in progress in my facebook group: Quilt With Christa . 🙂

Christa’s Quilt Links – FMQ, Block of the Month, Free Patterns

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I’ve been doing a lot of machine quilting lately, finishing up a few quilts in time to enter them into some shows. That got me thinking about all of the wonderful quilting tutorials, blocks of the month and free pattern ideas there are out there.

I can only begin to post a few, but here are some of my favorites I ran across this week.

ElizabethModern Patchwork Hartman from Oh Fransson shows how to do easy some easy free-motion quilting with her Dogwood Quilting tutorial. This one is definitely on my list to try!

Elizabeth is also offering a wonderful (FREE!!) Craftsy class called Creative Quilt Backs. I love “back art” so this is definitely the class for me! I just ordered it (FOR FREE!!)  and can’t wait to have some time to watch….

Angela Walters In StudioAngela Walters has a wonderful new book out and she has loads of FMQ inspiration and tips on her blog.

I’ve signed up to take one of her classes at QuiltCon and have viewed her machine quilting class on Craftsy, too. She is my FMQ muse right now 🙂

In Color Order BOMI found a super cute Block of the Month hosted by Jeni of In Color Order.

All of Jeni’s blocks feature half-square triangles (one of my favorites!) in a striking combo of Citron and Aqua.

She just posted the final block in December and you can visit her blog for the entire group. She included some setting instructions, too, along with her finished quilt. It’s gorgeous!

ZiggyI found this totally modern quilt block tutorial called “Getting Ziggy With It” from Kelly at Live Love Create. Isn’t it cool? I’ve never seen anything like it before!

Speaking of fun projects, the Art Gallery fat quarter gang has a fantastic Pillow Cover tutorial on their blog. Hmm, I wonder how you become part of the “gang”??? That sounds fun!

I’vePearl Bracelets been checking out Andover‘s blog a lot lately, considering I’m expecting Lizzy House‘s Pearl Bracelets to arrive any day now.

In fact, Andover has have a super funky free quilt pattern to go along with Pearl Bracelets, aptly titled, “Pearls.” Lizzy designed it herself and it features large applique circles in a rainbow of colors.

Kissing FishIf applique is not your style, how about this awesome free pattern from Lee at Freshly Pieced?

It’s called Kissing Fish and is available as a free pattern download. Nice share, Lee!

By the way, that’s Lee who hosts the WIP linkup every Wednesday on her blog.  But I warn you – it’s quite addicting and can take hours to view and read about all of the lovely quilts each week!

Wow, there’s so much to check out that I could spend all of my free time blog-surfing rather than quilting. What a tough balance!