Pat Sloan's Blog

Behind the Scenes on my Antique Memories block + a Bonus Layout!

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I'm so excited to tell you the story behind my Splendid Sampler 2 quilt block today.

First the block!

It is a traditional log cabin in the Court House Step Setting.

 

Because it's an easy block, I decided to try out 2 colorways for my 100 block quilt. 

I really love the taupe, it's soothing and I could see a whole quilt like this. I've never done one in all taupe. You can see them together at the end and tell me which you would use!

The Design boards help me keep track! (you need some, click here)

My block is Antique Memories Page 34 of Splendid Sampler 2

Visit the other 3 Tour guides today at our Splendid Sampler website

The Story of my block started a LONG time ago.  Back when I was a baby quilter.

I went into an antique shop and saw this quilt with so many great red & white stripe fabrics. It was an amazing hodge podge of stripes. Some strips were pieced with different fabrics together.

When I flipped over the price tag I saw it was not in my price range... So what does a quilter do? 

I said 'I can make that!'

So the drafting began and the hunt for red and white stripe fabric began. What happens when you want a certain fabric? It's NOWHERE to be found. Such was the case when I went hunting.. BEFORE the internet. I had to drive to stores, ask my friends, and I even bought poly/cotton blends to have enough variety.

Then I convinced some friends they needed to make it too.. and we did!

I love this quilt so much that to this day it hangs in my studio. 

A few years ago I ran a sew along/challenge and this is the pattern. The block is larger than 6", but I"m thinking a 6" version is in my future. What do you think? 

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Working with Panels, EPP tips, Quilters stories and a Trade show behind the scenes with Pat!

Guests Barb Cherniwchan,  Sue Daley, and Michael McCormick join Pat for a chat!

 -- My WEEKLY DEAL the end, it's a great one!

LISTEN to THIS show right at the player above. 

• ITUNES subscription available - Subscribe HERE 
• GET the APP to listen on your Android
• Prior Shows can be Listened to at MY Podcast Guest List page!

This whole show is done from the Trade Show in Houston TX. I set up interview and then we try to find a somewhat quiet spot near my guests booth so I don't have to have them go to far. 

I was so glad to catch up with the super creative Barb Cherniwchan of Coach House Designs! She talks us through how she thinks about working with panels. And she has a great new FREE feature at her website to change out colors in designs before you decide what you like! It's called FabSwitch, you will have such fun with it! 

Barb's super cute HOUSE quilt

Visit her at  www.coachhousedesigns.com/home

Sometimes it takes a few years until I finally meet a designer I admire, Sue Daley and I had a fabulous chat! She is so talented and had a great array of patterns, fabric and tools.

 

BUY all things SUE!

Including the Pink Rotating mat she gave me

Visit her at https://www.suedaleydesigns.com/

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------------- Pat Sloan, quilt, quilting, patchwork, applique, learn to quilt. fabric, sewing, podcast, free quilt pattern, I love to make quilts

 

When I got the first issue of QuiltFolk I knew this was going to be a journal for me. Full of stories and amazing photos of quilt makers. It does not have patterns, but it does have amazing inspiration. Michael McCormick is created this magazine with the goal of telling the stories of quilt makers. He had some time at the show to chat and you'll love hearing the behind the scenes!

BUY QuiltFolk 

Visit him at  https://www.quiltfolk.com/

Happy 25th Anniversary to American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine! I remember that first issue, the excitement!

At the end of the show today I give you an overview of the trade show, including what's behind me!

I spotted this quilt kit regular price $39.06 now at 40% OFF at  $23.44. I love that it can be used in Dec and January with the gorgeous winter blues!

BUY the SALE KIT

• SHOP ALL the SALE Kits
• My Aurifil thread kits, many on SALE!
• Rolling cart I've been using, comes in several color

--Then Listen ON YOUR COMPUTER or download the PODCAST after the show, the recording is available after 6pm eastern.

--ITUNES subscription available - CLICK HERE To subscribe

--APQ Facebook page CLICK HERE to Join

--My Facebook Quilt Classroom CLICK HERE to Join

--APQ magazine online 

 

Block #7 Christmas Figs Sew Along

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How was your Thanksgiving? I had a wonderful time with my family, we all traveled to my brother's home this year. I could get used to the beach for Thanksgiving! Block #7 might have a new skill for some of you, so I'm doing a tutorial to help you out. It has appliqued stems that I made with the bias maker. 

This is a Gorgeous Block.  Joanna has a bonus project in her book using 4 blocks for a table topper. See the back . As always the Red & Green is just like the quilt in the book. I am doing the tips with Something Blue Fabric  as I make a 2nd quilt

How This Works:

• The Book is Required, it has the sampler of 20 blocks and the book has 10 additional projects using the blocks. 
• CLICK HERE for Supply list for both colors 
• Christmas Figs fabric
• Something Blue Fabric designed by my friend Edyta
• On the  2nd Friday & last Friday of the month I'll post notes about this weeks block
• I'm doing the blocks in the order they are in for the book, you have all the patterns in the book so you can work on it anytime you like. 
• There are lots of triangles, so pick up my Triangle book to have step by step photos and additional options for making them. 

TIPS for Making the Blue version

• I cut just what is needed. I do not subcut as my fabric is not an exact substitution for the red/green quilt in the book. I don't want to waste any fabric
• We are going to make a bias stem and applique it for this block, I LOVE making bias stems!
• Mark your cut shapes to keep track. The alphabitties are perfect as they have numbers and letters to match the book. 

Pat's Tips 

• Sew and flip construction for the flying geese, you should be getting good at it!
• My Triangle book can show you how if you are new

BUY my Triangle Book 

TIP

• To make the bias place the 45 degree line along the bottom edge of the fabric, it will be angled like photo #1
• Cut along the edge. Now you are on the bias of the fabric. Which is needed  to curve the stems
• Cut a 1" strip. That is what you need for a 1/2" bias stem. It folds under 1/4" on each side.
• BONUS Quilt Math Lesson - 1/2" finished stem size + 1/4" seam + 1/4" seam = cut a  1" strip

BUY a good Ruler, this is my fav

And buy a GREAT rotary cutter, Olfa in Pink, Turquoise and Purple!

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Pat's TIPs for Using the Bias maker:

• A - Feed the bias strip into the wide end wrong side UP
• B - Let it come out the end just a little bit. Next step is pressing. 
• I'm using a thick wool pressing mat and i am IN LOVE with these! They are very firm which is excellent for making your blocks flat, And flat blocks help you keep your patchwork accurate.  And it's great for pressing stems as you'll see, we can pin into it!

Wool Pressing Mat

Bias Makers

BUY an Oliso Iron for 20% off with FREE shipping an my code PATSLOAN20 

• Press the stem with STEAM! The steam sets the folds.
• Press close to the end and pull the maker with the handle on the left, it's SO easy!
• I thought I had a video, but couldn't find it. Someone remind me in December to do a video

• Here it is done, and curving nicely

 

• I position the center stem and run a bead of Roxanne's basting glue. under it
• Press
• Next follow the book directions to measure where to put place the side stems. You can easily pin right into the wool mat, sweet!

 

• Both stems in place, the pin in the wool mat works perfectly!
• Glue baste all the stems so you can machine applique them.
• I place a single strand of Aurifil 50 wt thread over the stem to see which color matches best. The top one, #2326, wins!
• I use the blanket stitch on my machine. 

• Here is how I blanket stitch by machine with some extra tips!
• This is for baby lock and I'm using the awesome Crescendo Machine. 

• Check your position before sewing.
• Once again being able to pin into the wool mat is GREAT!

My Favorite tools for this project

• Seam Trimmer if you didn't get one yet.. we used it for Block #3 and will use it more
• A Wool Pressing Mat
• An Oliso Iron for 20% off with FREE shipping an my code PATSLOAN20 
• Aurifil 50 wt thread
• Alphabitties
• Wonderclips

 

I am making the blue blocks weeks... a few days.. the day before.... I write the post using my digital rough draft above.

The digital is not exact fabric placement, it's just a draft for me to work from. 

TIP:

• Be sure you download the supply list or read what is used for the blue one
• AT the END share you block in my Quilt show! Several times during this sew along I will do random prizes for people who shared their blocks

Be sure you are ready : 

• Christmas Fig BOOK IS REQUIRED - BUY the Book HERE (on sale!)
• Project Details
• My Triangle Book
• CLICK & Enter your email to get notices of my new articles

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