Today is my stop in the month long Blog Hop to celebrate the release of Geogram by Samarra Khaja!
Geogram Blog Hop
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Category Archives: Patterns
My Collaboration with Gingiber
I’ve been quiet these past few months here, but I haven’t been sitting around twiddling my thumbs. Back in September 2016, I started a collaboration with the company Gingiber. They make super cute piece with loads of different animals and I highly recommenced checking them out. Stacie, who is the artist behind the name, is now a fabric designer with Moda Fabrics. We met and talked about pattern design at the Spring 2016 Quilt Market, and decided to work together.
I designed two smaller quilts to go along with her upcoming fabric line called Merrily. You can see one of the quilt and wall hanging above. Both were made specifically to fit her illustrated panels from this line and the previous one called Thicket. Both also include tips and tricks that double as skill builders. That was my favorite part.
The patterns will be printed booklets, and available to purchase the same time the fabric is available in stores. I am super excited about this and I’ll share more once they are available!
Stacie was so great to work with, I have agreed to continue the collaboration and we will be releasing three more patterns within the year to go along with her next line (name and images are top secret, so I have to wait to share that info).
As well as these two patterns, and then the three after, I myself will also be releasing several patterns. Both PDF and printed. I’m going to take the leap, and this will be the year of patterns!! Woohoo!
What Shade Are You Blog Hop with RJR Fabrics
Today is my turn on the ongoing What Shade Are You Blog Hop with RJR Fabrics.
I made a rainbow version of my Pixelated Circles Quilt and talked all about it on their blog! Head on over to read a little about the project and get a full list of all the fabrics I used.
Pixelated Circles Quilt Pattern: Release Day!
For the last 6 weeks I have been talking abut and working on this pattern. I have name it the Pixelated Circles Quilt, because if you add some background fabric in the circles it gives it a pixel like look.
About the Pattern:
The pattern includes four template sizes which can be assembled into four different size quilt. The quilts range from 18″ to 56″ square. The templates can also be used to make numerous other things like pouches, pillows, bags, journal covers and more.
I also designed the quilt to work with pre-cut fabric bundles or scraps. The quilt shown above uses four 5″ charm pack, which means it went together rather quickly.
There are curved seams involved, but I promise you, they aren’t as scary as they seem!
I’ve added this, and a handful of my other patterns to my new shop! I switched to shopify so that I could manage my own digital downloads and offer free PDF’s too! This means I will have more patterns soon AND I’m looking to add embroidery files to the catalog. I’m excited.
You can find it all here:
www.shop.artschooldropout.net/
A Few Sample Projects:
Since this is my first pattern to be released that isn’t a paper piecing pattern, I started a test group to make sure I didn’t miss anything. They were seriously the best group too. They helped with grammar, spelling, misplaced words, incorrect yardage, etc. They also made some of the best sample pieces and I’m so excited to share of few of them today.
This sample was pieced and assembled by Margaret Smerd. She used the center block from the quilt as the centerpiece for this awesome bag! As you can see she fussy cut the the little bears and it really adds to the piece. You can see more of her work on her Instagram profile under @Margo_bibz
This fantastic bag was dreamed up and assembled by Angela Zolner. She took one of the full circles and a handful of quadrants and came up with the brilliant configuration. I was so happy when I saw the finished pieces because her sneak peeks didn’t give anything away. You can see more up close shots and other creations by Angela on her IG profile @stitchyscientiest
This notepad cover was another super creative creation in the test pool. Yevonne Cearns came up with this design and used a bunch of half circles on the front, back and inside. She also added all that perfect hand stitching around each one. She shows off more of her stuff on her IG profile under @yevonnec.
Well obviously I think this project is adorable with that puppy hanging out on it! (all dogs are puppies to me) This huge pillow was pieced and quilted by Deirdre Devlin and she used the center circle from the quilt. I love the colors she chose and the mix of straight and circular quilting. Deirdre posts a lot of neat quilting project on her IG profile @nerd_vikings, you should check it out.
I had asked a few if the testers just to try out a block, no project needed. Belinda Mollison-Sadd made the block above AND another small version in a completely different color way. You can see more shots of both on her IG @bjaney. This was Belinda’s first time sewing curves and fussy cutting fabric. I think she did a fantastic job, don’t you?! Look at those curves!
This block should win a prize for best use of fabric. Melissa Draper made the smallest circle, which is super tiny at 6″ finished! You can only guess how small those squares are. She used all vintage fabric, including that wondering background fabric that was already adorned by yarn!! How cool is that? You can see all the other wonder things Melissa makes over on her IG @msmelis.
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I still have a huge folder filled with more samples, but I want to spread them out so no ones photos get overlooked. They are seriously all just wonderful and I am beyond grateful for them all!!
Keep checking back over the next week for more quilt layout ideas, information about the pattern and more sample pieces.. Who knows, maybe I’ll figure out the editing software and have a little video too. Fingers crossed.
Before you head off though, I am offering 20% off all the patterns in the shop to celebrate the Pixelated Circles Quilt Pattern AND my 34th birthday!!! Just use the code PCQ20 at checkout. Coupon code expires Friday, Sept. 2nd at midnight EST.
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Ring of Coffins Pattern: Tips and Tricks Part One
A few weeks back Sylvia of Flying Parrot Quilts contacted me with her idea to do a quilt along for a quilt she made using a mash up of a bunch of Halloween themed patterns. She calls it the Epic Halloween Quilt. You can see a photo of it here.
Each week she talks about a different pattern, either free or paid, that fits in the quilt. Like a puzzle piece.
This week is my Ring of Coffins pattern with Heidi Kenney’s Occupied Coffin add on (that’s included)
For anyone out there that hasn’t worked with English Paper Piecing / EPP, where it needs to be basted straight, I’m here to help! Just Keep Reading…
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Quilt Pattern Testers Needed!
It’s that time again! I am in search of pattern testers for upcoming quilt designs. This time around though I have a proper schedule and will hopefully be releasing a new pattern every 6-8 weeks.
The first group is not needed until mid to late July and the finished quilt or block would not be expected until mid August. Then all other patterns will follow with a similar schedule.
To keep everything organized this time around I will be using a Facebook Private Group to pick and choose who will test what, and then Facebook Secret Groups for each individual pattern.
I will need 8 to 10 testers per pattern, at least 2 each of the following:
- beginner
- intermediate
- advanced
I design my patterns for solid fabrics mostly, but I always love seeing them in print too.
There are many techniques involved in each quilt too. Most will include one to three of the following:
- English paper piecing / epp
- foundation paper piecing
- curved piecing
- foundation paper piecing curves
- Y seams
- large format templates
- and more!
If you are interested I have more info and outlined most of my rules in the group, which can be found here.