Pat Sloan's Blog

Christmas Figs Sew Along Block #13 + extra news!

** FIRST ** 

I want to let you know that...

My "Oh My Stars" Addon pattern

with 3 other sizes is now available!

For $5.00 you can buy my add on pattern which includes the supply list and diagrams

Each time you shop via my links you support our small family business and we are honored to have you as part of our quilting neighborhood! 

CLICK to my FREE small version

Now for our 'Lucky Lady' Block #13 of Christmas Figs!

Article continues below these Amazon Goodies

The Christmas Fig Book is Required

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

TIPS for Making the Blue version

• I used the blue fabrics 'one to one' for what the red/green version again this time, so it makes it easy.
• I pulled in a darker tan this time, at the end I have some thoughts on this with all the blocks together
• IMPORTANT - I cut just what is needed. I do not subcut as the book does because my fabric is not an exact substitution for the red/green quilt in the book. I don't want to waste any fabric

TIPS

• I find laying out the pieces with the design board and alphabitties is my saving grace.
• I don't get any pieces confused when I work this way. So Treat yourself to the right tools for the job.
• DESIGN BOARDS
  
• ALPHABITTIES

TIPS

• I use a blanket stitch on my Baby lock machines. This was done with my new Solaris, it's stitches so beautifully!
• I am using my 50 wt Aurifil thread. 
• Get My Teach Me To Applique book with step by step photos and tips for easy fusible machine applique

Pat's Tips 

I love that the points on this float. This is the way it is designed. 

Article continues below this Ad

TIPS

Let's talk color balance. I've not yet sewn any rows. I'm looking at my balance and for the rest of the blocks I'll build in some repeats. Here is my plan

• 2 more blocks that read darker like today
• A few more with no ivory in them.
• Add more polka dots!!
• When they are all done I'll lay them out to balance the colors across the quilt. 
• BUY a good 6.5" Ruler, this is my fav
• BUY the Trimming Ruler
• And buy a GREAT rotary cutter, Olfa in Pink, Turquoise and Purple!
• Wool Pressing Mat
• BUY an Oliso Iron for 20% off with FREE shipping an my code PATSLOAN20 

 

• The digital is not exact fabric placement, it's just a draft for me to work from. 
• AT the END share your block in my Quilt show! Several times during this sew along I will do random prizes for people who shared their blocks

 DETAILS:

• Christmas Fig BOOK IS REQUIRED -
  • DOWNLOAD Supply list for both colors 
  • Christmas Figs Red & Green fabric
  • Something Blue Fabric 
  • Project Details
  • My Triangle Book
• CLICK & Enter your email to get notices of my new articles

Article continues below these Amazon Goodies

An InLinkz Link-up

Cuddly fabric, Memory quilts, darling patterns and quilt travel today!

Guests Teresa Coates, Bill Locke, Suzanne Paquette, and Anna Bates join Pat for a chat!

CLICK THE PLAYER & Listen to Show 411 -- My favorite find at the end!

LISTEN to THIS show right at the player above. 

• ITUNES subscription available - Subscribe HERE 
• GET the APP to listen on your Android
• If the player or down do not work CLICK TO LISTEN/Download at the station
• Prior Shows can be Listened to at MY Podcast Guest List page!'

Shannon Fabrics creates amazing textured fabric that are so fun to snuggle under. My friend Teresa Coates is an artist and the Event & Education co-ordinator for Shannon. You remember seeing her videos for Fat Quarter shop. Can’t wait to learn more about this fabric, I have a great kit to sew up!

BUY Shannon Fabrics Kits & Yadage, it's fabulous for backing!

Wolf Pattern

Visit Shannon Fabrics https://www.shannonfabrics.com/ 

Video Teresa did for Fat Quarter Shop

Visit her at  http://www.teresacoates.com/

Bill Locke is a fabulous designer and teacher. I know many of you follow his work. I had the chance to have a long chat with him and found out that he made one of my patterns earlier on, It was so exciting to see his! I also love that Bill is a one stop shop for your projects needs. Plus he is going to tell me about his Appli-simple technique!

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

Article continues below these Amazon Goodies

When I saw the book ‘Modern Memory Quilts A HANDBOOK for capturing Meaningful moments’ I knew I had to learn more. The author is Suzanne Paquette of Atelier Six design. Here book is full of amazing suggestions to create meaningful quilts. To bring the story into your quilts. And you know how I love a story.

Buy Suzanne's Book

Visit her at http://ateliersixdesign.com/blog/

My friend Sue told me I needed to look at the Woolie Mammoth blog and video, when I did I found Anna Bates and her quilt travel videos! Anna is so delightful and she is having a blast sharing her quilting life. I thought we all need to get in on the fun. And she made my Let’s Go Sew quilt, I have to love her!

BUY My Let's Go Sew Pattern

Visit her at https://wooliemammoth.blogspot.com/

And her youtube https://www.youtube.com/anna

Article continues below this Ad

Precuts  of the Week SALE includes this bundle of wovens that is amazing!

Basics this month are solids! Perfect to have on had to add into your quilts and stretch your budget!

 ALL Solids on Sale

• BUY a WOOL mat
• SHOP 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 

FREE Aurifil Designer Block Challenge, 2019 Block #2

I love the Aurifil Designer of the month day, I am constantly inspired by the designer that I interview! This is my 9th year hosting and I never tire of it. 

Each year I pick a theme and give the designer a set of color criteria for their challenge block. Then I interview the monthly designer at the Aurifil  blog.

Our February designer is Natalie Barnes of Beyond the Reef.  This is her block, its a gorgeous showcase of scrappiness that will use up your tiniest of pieces.

And each month share your block at the Aurifil interview page to be in the running to win a box of thread! 

Below I have some of my tips for making this block along with a small switch up.

I always select a different color group to make my blocks in.

This year I'm working with

• A Feeling Peachy Bundle
• A set of Green from 'Well Said'
• 2 or 3 Navy fabrics like this Dot & this bow tie
• With some White.

To get the pattern - DOWNLOAD it at the end of the interview and come right back as I have a tip!

Article continues below this Ad

Article continues below these Amazon Goodies

Pat's Tip

• These blocks are 1" finished square and HST. If you are not used to small patchwork you might want to starch your fabric first.  A lot of people like to do that
• Natalie gave you oversized HST to trim down, which is nice if you are not used to this size.

Pat's Tip

• Cut the strips 6.5" x 1.5" and subcut the 1.5" units.
• Make 2 sections for variety
• Do the same for the Peach strips. There are only 3 blocks so cutting those 5" x 1.5"

Pat's Tip

• Use a design board to keep track. It becomes confusing quickly if you don't keep the pieces orderly.

Pat's Tip

• I decided to cut the 1.5" triangles with my Gemini Die cut machine because they will not need any trimming.
• I did 6 layers at a time, right sides together. 
• Pull them out of the die and sew!
• SUCH a time saver with this many.. I ALMOST did the peach ones as HST too.. almost.. wink!

LEARN about the GEMINI Die cut machine I'm using

Pat's Tip

• The guidebeam on my baby lock Destiny II is amazing for sewing these. I look towards the tip and I always have a perfect 1/4" seam allowance
• And since the pieces are die cut, I have no trimming to do!

Article continues below these Amazon Goodies

Pat's Tip

• I piled pieces into the quadrants to keep them together. 
• They are small and easy to lose track of

Pat's Tip

• You make 4 identical units
• I pressed all my seams open, it made the block lay nice and flat
• my OLFA Mat and OLFA Splash cutter are my best friend

I REALLY love how mine turned out with LOTS of color!

article continues below ad

• Each month the Interview, download & Challenge Block entry are done at the Aurifil Website. 
• Download the pattern at the end of My interview 

• NEW HERE? Enter your email for my fun free weekly tips & finds!
• Prior Block INFO

Oliso iron, I have a coupon for you! use PATSLOAN20 for 20% off + free shipping. CLICK HERE.