First Quilt Block 2024

 

My first quilt block for 2024 is done!

This is block one of sixteen for the 

Corinne & Cecile 2024 QAL Challenge

which I introduced on my Saturday post.

My fabric choices took a curve in the journey

when it came time for cutting.

I may still use some of the original choice fabrics,

but I have decided to use this blue background and white and black print

for the bee wings.  The rest of the bee blocks will be scrappy gray and yellow prints.

All these fabrics are from my stash.

The block pattern is a free one from Tilda's World:

Free Bee Block from Tilda's World

I love all the wonderful

Free Patterns @ Tilda's World

It is gray and cold and another winter storm is arriving later this afternoon.

This storm is forecast to start with snow and change to rain and wintery mix.

Another good day to stay in and sew and stitch.

May you and yours be safe and well whatever your weather.

Hugs & Stitches.

My Witch Hat Block Tutorial

 

Witch Hat Block ~ Tutorial 

Here is my promised tutorial for the Witch Hat Block, 

which I designed for my ...

Bats & Boos Quilt

I wanted to make a block with a large purple triangle to add movement to my quilt and extend the purple from the bat blocks and the orange from the pumpkin blocks into the outer block border.

I researched free witch hat blocks online and did not find one that worked, 

so I designed my own block.

I am very happy with how this worked up.

Here is how I made my plan. I drew the block up on graph paper, found a triangle ruler that I could use.  Then I drew and cut cardstock templates.

I cut the triangles using this ruler, which may also be used to just cut the fabric.

60 Degree 8.5" Triangle Ruler @ Quilt in a Day

Any 60 degree ruler will work or you could use the lines on your cutting mat. 

I like making templates and storing them with my block pattern for future block making.  

Then I sewed my first black, adjusting the plan as I sewed.

After sewing, my prototype block measured 12.5" wide but only 12.25" high. 

I did sew the other blocks to match my first block and they fit perfectly with my other blocks, but I have changed the cutting measurement in this tutorial so those who sew it may be able to make perfect size blocks.

Here are the pieces I cut for my blocks ...

Here are my corrected cutting instructions ...

Cutting for one Witch Hat Block:

Background (Black Stars)

A  -  Two 2" x 8.5" rectangles

B  -  Two 2.5" x 2" rectangles

C  -  Two 8.5" Half Setting Triangles (in opposite side pairs) 

D  -  Two 2" squares

Hat (Purple Print)

E  -  One 8.5" 60 Equilateral Triangle

F  -  One 12.5" x 2.5" rectangle

Hat Band (orange print)

G  -  Two 3.5" x 2.5" rectangles

H  -  One 1.5" square

Buckle (gray print)

I  -  Two 1.5" x 1" rectangles

J  -  Two 1.5" x 2.5" rectangles

I cut my first block with the ruler as shown.

Then I cut cardstock templates for the rest of my blocks. 

When sewing the setting half triangles, this is how I position the pieces.

The points should extend 1/4" beyond the edge of the other fabric.

Then I pieced the buckles by adding the I rectangles to the top and bottom of the H square, pressed and added the J rectangles to either side. 

Here is the top of my hat block, ready to add the A rectangles to each side

and the buckles, ready to add the G and B pieces to each side.

Next I cut off the corners of my strip F and D squares.

 ... and sewed.

You may prefer to draw a line, sew and then cut away the extra fabric.

Everyone has their own way of doing things in their happy sewing place.

Always follow your own quilty muse. 

The long rectangles for the brim of the hat is the cutting correction.

I did not change the size of the 2" background squares, so your bottom unit will have a 1/4" inch of purple at the bottom.

After you sew these units together, square and trim your block to 12.5" 

Here is my Witch Hat Block in my quilt.

Happy Sewing!

 

Do You Want Some Soup? ~ QQQs Making Us Laugh ~ My Day!

"Utinni!" says the Jawa.

This Jawa is not giving up this pillow ... not even to trade for The Egg.

This Jawa put together the free pattern for this pillow for you to make one for yourself.

May you enjoy some soup and sew a bowl of ...

"Bone Broth For The Little One"

My daughter, who is the Jawa, and I got together to make this design.

Yes, My Girl made her Jawa costume,
and several other Star Wars cosplay costumes.
My Girl is very creative.

My Girl did most of the designing and pattern writing.
I did the pattern testing and sewing
and added the fabric applique instruction details.

Our collaboration is called "Me & My Girl Designs"
and we are sharing this free applique block pattern with you.

We had so much fun designing and making that this is going to be the
first in a series of free patterns based on this character.
We are already working on Block 2 in the series. 

My Girl and I designed this because we are fans of all things Star Wars.
When our kiddos were growing up it was  family tradition to watch
the original Star Wars trilogy from the Gold VHS Boxed Edition
every New Years Eve,
while eating Dad's homemade pizza
 and sipping non-alchoholic grape juice and sparkling cider.

When I visited her in Texas in November and December,
together we watched the first five episodes of
The Mandalorian on Disney +

Spoiler Alert ::: Spoiler Alert ::: Spoiler Alert!

~ ~ ~

 This scene appeared in my favorite Episode Four.

The pattern name and soup quote are actual dialogue from this episode.

When I returned home I signed up for this streaming service
so I could see the rest of the series.

If you are staying in right now need some joy in your life,
consider catching the antics of this cute little one.
There is a lot of bad guys being bad guys, good guys being good guys
and battle violence in the scenes,
 but this little "Baby Yoda" makes me laugh.
The animation that brings this puppet creature to life,
... to look and act like a human toddler ...
 is a real work of art.

Neither I nor My Girl are associated in any way with Disney or Disney Plus.
We are just fans.

 This is fan art in fabric.

This block is designed to make a 12" finished machine applique block.

Here are the fabrics I used for my pillow.
All are from my stash and only the woven sashiko fabrics
for the collar and robe were new to my stash.

Starting tomorrow, I will be posting a series of photo tutorials of how I sewed
this applique block and how I made the pillow.
I am not an expert in machine applique
and I am self-taught by trial and seam ripper.
I hope this will help others who have not sewn this kind of pattern
who want to try their hand at something new.

I took many photos trying to show the beauty in the details of the colors and fabrics.
It was a morning of bright sun and shadow of early spring in my yard when I took these.
These photos are now on my desktop slide show
 to brighten my day and make me smile every time I see them.
I loved making this pillow and feel it is the best applique I have ever stitched.

Here is the back of my finished pillow.
I enjoy making this type of envelope back with snaps.
It is very easy to do with the right tool.
My tutorials will include making this pillow back.

I gifted  this pillow to My Girl to enjoy

This free pattern is  "For Personal Use Only."
It is Not For Sale or Resale.

Please enjoy sewing one of these for yourself or as a gift.

Please do not sell items you make with this design
as that violates the "not for profit" user agreement.

"Cute I am.  Sew me you will"
says this Little One.

Download This Free Pattern Here

This cute little critter makes us laugh and I hope it brings a big smile to your face today.

Please enjoy all the smiles in all the stops 
in this fun blog hop. 

Here is today's schedule: 

Wednesday March 18

Life in the Scrapatch (you are here) 
The Darling Dogwood

Words & Stitches

Websterquilt
Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
Creatin' in the Sticks
Podunk Pretties

This happy blog hop is hosted by 

Joan @ MooseStash Quilting

Thank you, Joan! 

I will be posting a series of tutorials for how I make this project.

Tutorial links below ...

How To Make This Pillow 

 Part 1 ~ Gathering Supplies and Getting Started

Part 2 ~ The Fine Details of the Applique ~ Click Here

Part 3 ~ Quilting the Applique Block

Part 4 ~ Making the Snap Envelope Back of the Pillow Cover

Part 5 ~ Binding and Finishing the Pillow Cover

Thank you for visiting Me and My Girl today.

May The Force be with with you! 

Moda Blockheads II ~ Block 1

Block 1 ~ Stellar Star 

for the 

Moda Blockheads II

Read Here for all the Info and Free Pattern

I am using my treasured Corey Yoder stash.

These fabrics are from the Sundrops and Flower Mill line.

I had a lot of fun playing with the colors and fabrics and design.

This block would make a wonderful scrappy quilt.

Are you sewing long?

Owl Tree ~ June Block ~ Wild BOM

Owl Tree Block

my design for

the June ~ Block 5 for the 

"It's a Wild Life" Block of the Month

The background of this block is pieced.

I drew this layout of the block on EQ but

I used graft paper, pencil and my own measurements for design and cutting.

The owl is the main component of the applique pieces.

There are several smaller appliques, including a snail,

that are optional and may be added.

Most of these appliques were handdrawn by me ...

... and my furry helper ...

"the old-fashioned way,"

with paper , pen and light box.

The snail was drawn on EQ,

as my applique efforts are entering the computer age.

This block measures 12 and 1/2 inches wide by 24 and 1/2 inches high.

It is designed to be placed in the June position

 of this master layoutof this mystery quilt.

I am also designing the November block.

The background of the June block will transition 

into the reverse L-shape of the November block.

You may wish to plan your background fabrics accordingly. 

I have also designed an optional

Bonus Block for this month

and it will be released on June 15th. 

You may find the pattern for my

Owl Tree Block

Free Pattern for the Month of June

Download Here

Scrapatch Quilts Craftsy Shop

This file may also be

Downloaded Here in Google Docs

Join Our Facebook Group Here

See Amy's Owl ("Friends")Tree Block 
and add your block to this month's 

Wild Block Party Page @ Sew Incredibly Crazy

Visit my other design team friends for their version of this block:

Carol @ Just Let Me Quilt

who added an adorable knothole critter to here tree.

Joan @ MooseStash Quilting

who used beautiful batiks for her block.

Carla @ Creatin' in the Sticks

who carved her initials in her tree!

I hope you enjoy making this block s much as I enjoyed designing it
for this wild and wonderful Block of the Month!

Looking forward to seeing your version of this block!

Thinking Sun, Sand, Sea and Fabric

I am back!

My laser eye procedure went well and I am recovering.

Thanks to all who have sent me supportive messages and well wishes

and who have stayed my followers through good times and not so good times.

My vision is already much improved.

Good timing as ...

Amy @ Sew Incredibly Crazy

has released the first Free Block

for the new

Sun Sand Sea BOM February Block 1

   Free Craftsy Shop Pattern Link HERE.

Also check out the beautiful block that

Carol @ Just Let Me Quilt

has made.

Sew Inspiring!

I am also inspired by fabric.

These are my main choices and color palate for this quilt.

All are from my stash.

It will be a scrappy quilt

I love scrappy quilts!

I love these fabrics!

Makes me feel like a taking a walk on a winter beach near me.

The Atlantic is very cold and the sand is rocky and hard and the wind is biting

at the beaches near me right now

but I love bundling up and walking and breathing in the frosty clean air

and dreaming of the warm sands where this vast body of water flows 

on distant shores.

Thinking of sun, sand a surf ... and fabric.

A happy day ... :)