Thursday, November 28, 2019

Rainbow Popsicle Quilt Pattern Release


Introducing my latest pattern release - the Rainbow Popsicle Quilt.  This design is so big, so bright and so bold that this quilt will become a firm favourite for those it is made for.

Inspired by all the best things of summer - the Rainbow Popsicle Quilt originally was featured in Love Patchwork and Quilting (Images courtesy of Love Patchwork and Quilting) but now is out for you to get your hands on.

The Pattern includes two sizes - the Lap size - 60.5in x 63.5in (154cm x 161cm) and a Mini Quilt at 14in x 15.5in (36cm x 40cm).  Also included is a Colouring Sheet so that you can design and see what colours you might like to use as well as Cutting Tags that come in very handy when you are cutting out your Quilt to keep all your pieces organized.


The Rainbow Popsicle Quilt will be loved by kids of all ages and not only can you use Solid fabrics but this works up a treat in your favourite Prints as well.


Peek-a-boo! Ice-Scream you!


Seriously fun and fast to make, you will have your very own sweet #rainbowpopsiclequilt whipped up in no time.

Don't you just love it when your nails match your Quilt - well okay - so I had them done like that on purpose and they are just the cutest. Cute pics were taken by @felicitystylesphotography and Nails by @acetone_addicts


I had some absolutely amazing Pattern Testers work on their own versions of the #rainbowpopsiclequilt.  I just love how one pattern can look so very different just with different choices of fabrics and colours.  Check out these spectacular versions below. You can check out even more at the #rainbowpopsiclequilt hash tag. A massive thank you to all my pattern testers.









I hope that you love making your own versions of the #rainbowpopsiclequilt as much as I enjoyed designing this fun treat for you all.

Happy Quilting
Jemima x x 

Friday, November 22, 2019

Mini Master Pieces Book Tour


Welcome to my stop on the Mini Master Pieces Book Tour.  Written by Alyce Blyth of @blossonheartquilts for Lucky Spool this book has all the Blocks you will need to master in your Quilting.

Mini Masters Pieces by Alyce features 12 Blocks along with all the construction know how and then each of the Blocks has a great Mini Quilt or Project to make from your skills in that Block Technique.


The chapters each look at in depth a different Block technique with step by step instructions, photos and extra helpful tips along the way.

I was assigned the Half Rectangle Triangles (HRTs) Chapter and I have to admit to only having once before, many moons ago having made these blocks.  So it was the perfect Chapter for me to get to brush up on my skills in learning some more tips and technique to get these HRTs spot on.


And thanks to this Chapter I have learned that making Half Rectangles are not as tricky as I thought and I would be so much more confidant to tackle them in future projects.


Make sure you check this Book out and add it to your Quilting Library.

Happy Quilting
Jemima x x

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Conquer the Curve - my best tips for sewing curves!


When it comes to Quilting - it seems that sewing curves strikes fear into the hearts of many Quilters.  

Drunkards Paths and Curved Piecing offer beautiful designs and great ways to get some more technique under your belt.  Don't be afraid to give these a go - while they may be a bit intimidating, like most things in Quilting if you want to get better then knowing some helpful tips and a bit of practise will have you on the right path in no time.

So I have put together some of my best Tips to help you conquer the curve.

TIP 1 - TEMPLATE SETS
If the pattern you are using has a matching Template set, get you hands on one or find one that suits the size of your Project.  These are a good investment with curved projects.  They make cutting so much more accurate than tracing out and cutting the shapes individually.   Along with being so much quicker as you can cut out around the Template with a Rotary Cutter.



TIP 2 - USE A SMALL ROTARY CUTTER
When cutting out your pieces, using a Small 28mm Rotary Cutter will make it much easier to angle around the curve of your Template.


TIP 3 - PLACING YOUR TEMPLATE
Curves can create a bit of wastage when cutting out.  You can reduce the fabric wastage by alternating the template along your fabric strip.


TIP 4 - DON'T USE TOO MANY PINS
I have worked with many beginner sewers and the tendency for most is to put a 1000 pins (well that maybe a slight over exaggeration) along their curved pieces to sew them together.  I find this takes a lot of time and isn't actually that helpful.

When working with curved pieces at about 4 or 5 inches I use ONLY 3 Pins.  One in the centre, and one at either raw edge.  If your Curves are about 8in then you can use 5 pins, marking the centre and 1/4in marks in the curve.


While this might look like it is not enough - this allows the fabric to do the work and the bias to make the curve for you. Most of the time when I see curves not having worked out, it is because the fabric has been over stretched and over tensioned as the curve is sewn.

TIP 5 - NEEDLE DOWN POSITION
On your sewing machine turn the "Needle Down" function on.  This allows you to align and re-align your work as you sew around the curve.



TIP 6 - PRACTICE, PRACTICE
Before you start sewing on your project it is a great idea to cut out some extra curves and to practise before you begin sewing your pieces for your Quilt.  It lets you get into the groove and try out a few before you jump in.

When it comes to curves - these tips will defiantly help and give you more confidence to tackle projects using them.  

I'd love to hear how you go - let me know in the Comments below if you are keen to try this or go and try it out and then let me know how you went.  

Happy Quilting
Jemima x x



Friday, November 8, 2019

A Darlings Confetti Quilt


A little earlier this year a Fat Quarter Bundle of Darlings came my way - actually it wasn't by chance or sent to me but from a friend who had purchased it at Spring Market for me.  
Darlings is the "re-boot" collection by Ruby Star Society of all their old favourites which you have had in your stash previously but now brought to you by Moda Fabrics.  So if you have seen a few of these prints before and wondered these are not new - you are not crazy to think you have seen these before.


When I got the Darlings Collection in my hand - I do admit to being somewhat well outside my comfort zone.  There were lots of colours I don't use alot and prints that I wasn't immediately drawn to.  However after a little bit, I untied the beautiful black and gold embossed ribbon to reveal colours and designs that I was now finding a new love for.   And then I was absolutely smitten.


The characters and designs are just gorgeous. There are Tigers, Mustangs, Eggs, Hedgehogs, Octopi, Strawberries, Stars, Tangram shapes and Thistles among theses new colour ways.  Along with the most spectacular metallic accents in golds, pinks and rose gold - I mean seriously the metallic prints are some of my favourite in the collection.


While it tool me a little bit to work out as soon as I realised that these Darlings were calling to be made into a Confetti Quilt  - then I was cutting and sewing like no tomorrow. 


And you guys know that I take matching my nails to my work very seriously right!


While working on this Quilt I took a little video that shows my Continuous Corner Binding Technique that I always love sharing with you.  You can check out the FULL Tutorial here.


And nothing beats a little location shoot - I actually travelled away to Melbourne just after having made this Darlings Confetti Quilt.  These pics were snapped by my sister @felicitystylesphotography while down at the beach in Torquay.



This Confetti Quilt was so much fun to make.  I love the Zip fabric I used for the Binding (by Rashida Coleman for Ruby Star Society) which I cut on the Bias to get the stripe to run in that direction.



Darlings ships to stores in November so get ready friends for the cutest characters in town.

Big thanks to Tracey Berkmortel Photography for all the amazing Studio Shots.

Happy Quilting
Jemima x x


Tuesday, September 17, 2019

How to Pattern Match your Quilt Backing Fabrics


For me – never, ever has the back of the quilt been “just the back”!  So much effort, time, fabric, money and love goes into the front that I certainly like to put plenty of thought into the backing, to make the perfect finishing touch to a quilt.  The backing can be just as much a part of the design of the quilt and make your quilt even more versatile.

When you are joining 42” Quilting Cotton and you have used a substantially printed fabric, pattern matching this joining seam will result in a better looking back.  

If the pattern is a busy small floral or a polka dot, then I usually don’t pattern match these types of prints.  However, if you are using for example a large 1” dot print, floral, novelty or check print then it is worth joining these by pattern matching to give a professional finish to your quilt backing.


When you are purchasing 42in wide fabric you will first need to decide if the print is directional.  Ascertain which way the direction of the fabric runs and how you will want this to run, according to your quilt top.  You will then need to purchase fabric according to the length or width of your fabric depending on the direction of the print.

Pattern matching usually requires the purchase of additional yardage.  This is to allow for matching up where the pattern runs so that you can line up the pattern with the pattern repeat in the print of the fabric. I will usually buy between 1/3yd – ½yd extra depending on the size of the pattern repeat, to allow for pattern matching of my backing fabric.

How to Pattern Match 42in Fabric 
Check Fabric Example

1. Measure the Quilt top so you know its dimensions.  Cut your first length of 42in backing fabric at least 8in longer than your quilt top. Do not cut your second piece of 42in quilting fabric as this is the piece you will use to line up the pattern.

2. Cut the selvedges off the first backing fabric piece.


3. Measure and fold over ½in of the raw long edge of your first cut length of backing fabric. If you are using a check print– fold back a full check. Press this fold.


4. Take your second backing piece (the longer piece) and then using your first piece line up the fold on the pattern repeat.  This may take a little time to find the repeat and your extra fabric will mean you can move it forward of your first piece till you have it in the correct position. Therefore, it is important to have extra fabric.


5. Once you have your pattern lined up – open out the folded edge of your first piece and then pin the seam in place along the folded line.  Pin generously.


6. Sew along the pressed fold line of your backing fabric, removing the pins before you come to them. Take time to ensure your seam is nice and straight. 



7. Trim back both the seams to ½in and press the seam open. 



While it takes longer and requires more fabric the result is always worth the extra effort and time.

Here are some other examples of Pattern matching I have done for backing fabrics - which admittedly I actually do quite often to get the perfect finish to a quilt.  

When pattern Matching other designs like below you may not need nearly as many pins as I used with the check fabric.  Pin at points in the design that you really need to match up.  With the check fabric example there are more places you want to have it match exactly than a more patterned print.  


In this example with the Love Hearts - I was able match directly through the background white fabric as this was a directional print.


This Christmas fabric was the inspiration for the Quilt top colours and was a perfect fabric for the Quilt Back. It was a busy print that worked well.


I pattern matched this fabric because it was too short a piece, I was able to use the extra length of this fabric to cut out a second piece to pattern match to make the required size.

So don't be afraid to give it a go - it is most certainly worth the little extra time and effort to  pattern match your backing Fabric when using 42in wide fabrics.

Happy Quilting
Jemima x x


Sunday, September 1, 2019

Summer Sampler 2019 - Twist and Turn Block

Welcome to the Summer Sampler 2019 - Piecing Bootcamp.  I am so excited to have  designed this weeks block - "Twist and Turn" focusing on Equilateral Triangles.  Equilateral Triangles can be a block that is considered tricky and difficult to sew.  I'm here today to share a few of my best tips for tackling and triumphing over Equilateral Triangles so that you are confidant to take on more in your future.


Tip 1 - Cutting your Fabrics. When it comes to cutting out your fabrics you need to ensure that you have printed out the template at the correct size.  Your Template Triangles should measure 3in.  

Tip 2 - When cutting out,  it is important to take your time and cut accurately.  With Equilateral Triangles the more precise and care given at each stage will ensure that everything comes together nicely.


Tip 3 - Pinning Matters - when it comes to matching up and sewing your rows together.  Here is one way to help line up those points.


Step 1 - Once your rows are sewn together (as per the pattern instructions), to line up the points as perfectly as possible - match the rows right sides together. Then slightly open up along the raw edges of where your sewn seam line will run and match the Points here at 1/4in. Don't just assume you have everything magically perfect to sew along the 1/4in raw edge seam line.  Take the time to match each triangle tip.


Step 2 - Place a pin on an angle at the 1/4in mark where you will sew your seam.


Step 3 - Pin all the triangle points, matching carefully and then pinning along the row.  Sew the seam ENSURING to take out your pins just before you get to them. This is where if you have nice Fine pins the aligned fabrics are not disturbed by shifting bulky pins.  
(NEVER sew over Pins!) 


Step 4 - Stand back and admire your perfect alignment of your Triangle points.


With these simple tips you will have less fear for the Equilateral Triangle block and I hope it inspires you to get sewing with other Equilateral Triangle Quilt Patterns.

I am very excited to see all the Twist and Turn blocks you create as part of the Summer Sampler 2019.  Make sure to check out the IG hashtag #summersampler2019 to follow along.  
Happy Quilting
Jemima

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