On the Cutting Edge...

If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know there is always a special project going on in my studio...and earlier this year I had my design hat on, creating a plethora of quilt blocks and projects for the new AccuQuilt GO! Qube Companion Sets. Now, I know these have been available for a few months, so you might already have seen all of this...but I have quite a few AccuQuilt enthusiasts that follow my blog....and so, better a little late than never. Plus I wanted to share what I designed/created for these versatile new die sets...

I'm sure you all remember my excitement when the GO! Qubes were released (if not, you can read my blog post here: https://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2015/11/quilt-block-heaven-in-qube.html)...so you can probably guess that I was "over the moon" when AccuQuilt decided to release a GO! Qube Companion Set to coordinate with each size of GO! Qube - seriously, how cool is that?! The GO! Qube Companion Set-Classics is available in each of the four GO! Qube sizes: 6",  8", 9", and 12"....and is designed to expand the possibilities of what you can create with the existing GO! Qube Mix & Match Blocks. Each Companion Set includes four classic shapes labeled 9-12 (a continuation of the 1-8 die numbering system from the GO! Qube Mix & Match Blocks), a cutting mat, an instructional DVD, and a 20-page pattern booklet. Yep, it's pretty awesome! The four GO! Dies included in the GO! Qube Companion Set-Classics are:

• GO! Chisels (Shape 9)
• GO! Signature Block (Shape 10)
• GO! Drunkard’s Path-Arc Shape (Shape 11)
• GO! Drunkard’s Path-Quarter Circle (Shape 12)

The fun thing for me...I designed/wrote all the patterns for the GO! Qube Companion Set Classics-72 Block Pattern Booklets (for each of the four sizes)...and that includes the new Mix & Match block patterns included in each box! Plus I designed/wrote the pattern for the GO! Cutting Edge Throw Quilt (for each size) that is included in the Pattern Book in each set. I was pretty ecstatic to see the finished product when the sets were released! Right now, you can download both the GO! Qube Companion Set Classics-72 Block Pattern Booklets and the GO! Cutting Edge Throw Quilt patterns on the AccuQuilt website for free (yes, FREE!). Here are links and photos for each size...

GO! Qube 6" Companion Set-Classics
GO! Qube 6" Cutting Edge Throw Quilt Pattern

GO! Qube 6" Companion Set Classics-72 Block Patterns Booklet

GO! Qube 8" Companion Set-Classics
GO! Qube 8" Cutting Edge Throw Quilt Pattern

GO! Qube 8" Companion Set Classics-72 Block Patterns Booklet

GO! Qube 9" Companion Set-Classics
GO! Qube 9" Cutting Edge Throw Quilt Pattern

GO! Qube 9" Companion Set Classics-72 Block Patterns Booklet

GO! Qube 12" Companion Set-Classics
GO! Qube 12" Cutting Edge Throw Quilt Pattern

GO! Qube 12" Companion Set Classics-72 Block Patterns Booklet

It is always rewarding to share some of the projects I have had the pleasure of working on...it just took me a little time to get around to these. I hope you enjoy exploring the links and downloading the free patterns/booklets...and if you have a GO! Qube Companion Set, I would LOVE to see what you have been creating...

Tomorrow, I will be back to share another new pattern design that uses the GO! Qube Mix & Match 9" Block and the GO! Qube 9" Companion Set-Classics...a colorful sampler quilt!

Piece of My Heart

With the cold winter weather, I thought I would share a new project with you that warms my heart - it is my latest pattern design for AccuQuilt called the "GO! Piece of My Heart Wall Hanging." I had so much fun designing and creating this project that uses the GO! Strip Cutter-5 1/2" (5" Finished)...and the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (2" Finished) for the binding - that's it - only two cutting dies! Once I had the pattern written, it went together super easy and I was thrilled with how it turned out...so much so, that I had a really hard time boxing up the sample and sending it to AccuQuilt - I wanted to keep it for my very own! I worked up the sample in beautiful Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids...but this pattern would work well with prints or batiks...and it could even be done with one basic color in a variety of prints. For the quilting, I used simple wavy lines on my domestic machine (yep, I'm still dreaming of the day I will own a longarm!).

You can find this new pattern on the AccuQuilt website...and it is currently free of charge (yes, I said FREE) to download:
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/go-piece-of-my-heart-strip-quilt-pattern.html

My tip to you (if you want to make one of your very own) - keep your pieces organized - I pinned my pieces for each vertical strip set together until sewing....and then I placed each strip set in order on my design wall. The finished wall hanging measures 55" x 55" and would also work quite well for a lap quilt.

This colorful project is sure to brighten up a winter day....and with Valentine's Day in less than two months, it is the perfect time to get started! So, go check out the AccuQuilt website, download the free pattern, and gather your supplies - you'll be finished in no time...
Happy quilting!

Freeze Frame Mug Rugs

Hello creative friends! Be sure to head over to the AccuQuilt Blog today for my latest guest blog post...there you will find a complete tutorial for my "Freeze Frame Mug Rug", perfect for holiday gift giving...

This project is perfect for a beginner...and the entire project was cut on my GO! Fabric Cutter (project is GO! Big, GO!, and GO! Baby compatible) using:

GO! Qube Mix & Match 6” Block (55775)

• Dies Used: #1 GO! Square 3” Finished, #2 GO! Square 1½” Finished, #4 GO! QST 3” Finished Square, #5 GO! HST 1½” Finished Square, and #8 GO! Rectangle

GO! Qube 6″ Companion Set-Classic (55779)

• Dies Used: #9 GO! Chisels

GO! Strip Cutter-2″ (1 1/2″ Finished) (55025 or 55164) (binding only)...

My winter mug rug is created with both traditional piecing and machine appliqué...and with the small size, it can be worked up rather quickly. This project is great for scraps or fat quarters...and while I used cotton print fabrics, it would look great in solids or batiks...and one of my favorite things about this design - once you build the house, you can embellish it with any of your favorite motifs - I chose pine trees, but it would look great with an assortment of snowflakes, reindeer, or even a Santa! You could also change up the scenery and make it for any season. Using the 6" Qube and Companion, it finishes a nice size (9”W x 6”H) - but you can adjust it to any size Qube/Qube Companion to make it larger for a runner, candle mat or table topper.

So  be sure to stop by the AccuQuilt Blog for a materials list and step by step tutorial, with images: 
https://www.accuquilt.com/blog/education/go-project-tutorials/freeze-frame-mug-rug-a-quilting-tutorial/

I know they may look a bit complicated, but I show step by step how to create them...a beginner could have several created before Christmas! 

Finally, I would like thank everyone who has voted for my video in the Husqvarna Viking #sewworthit Video Story Contest (see the prevous post for more details)! I truly appreciate your support. The competition is heating up and I only have a slight lead (several people have even copied my video idea - using images, think bubbles, and music - GRRR!). I hope you will visit the following link and view/vote for my video....you don't have to sign-up or sign in or leave any personal information - simply click on the link, then click vote - easy peasy! ...and to those who have shared my link/details in their groups and on social media - I appreciate you more than you know - you are AMAZING! Thank you for helping me try to win my dream sewing and embroidery machine...
http://woobox.com/eyk7zi/gallery/DvLFOHRtQis

Autumn In Iowa

Can you believe autumn is upon us already?? - I feel like the months are rushing by...pretty soon it will be Halloween...then Thanksgiving...and then (dare I say) Christmas...whew - where does the time go?! Signs of fall are everywhere here in Iowa - the tree leaves are turning lovely colors (I've already had to rake my front yard) and I am hoping sweatshirt weather is here to stay for a while...plus, there have been a plethora of autumn projects on my to-do table lately - which is perfect, as I really like working with fall fabrics. One of my most recent projects is a quilted table runner tutorial (titled "Autumn in Iowa") that I designed and created for the AccuQuilt Blog...you can find my guest post/tutorial with all the details here:
https://www.accuquilt.com/blog/education/go-tutorials/autumn-in-iowa-table-runner-quilting-tutorial/

For this project, I used my AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter and these four AccuQuilt GO! cutting dies:

• GO! Rustling Leaves #1- Sweetgum and Poplar (Large) (55389)
• GO! Rustling Leaves #2- Maple and Oak (Large) (55390)
• GO! Square-6 1/2″ (6″ Finished) (55000)
• GO! Strip Cutter-2″ (1½” Finished) (55025 or 55164) or your favorite width for binding

After using a blanket stitch to machine appliqué each of the leaves on a base block, I used a straight stitch on my machine to create all the leaf veins and stems....you can read about this step on the AccuQuilt Blog and see close-ups and the backs of my leaf blocks. I stitched them freely and organically (it was quite enjoyable) or you could draw lines to follow...or you may choose not to have stems and veins.

My runner is 24″ x 48″, but you could easily be adapt the size to your needs by changing the number of blocks per row…or simply by adjusting the number of rows.

The tutorial for my design includes fabric amounts, instructions, and additional photos...that way, you can make one of your very own! Stop by the AccuQuilt Blog and check out my guest blog post for all the specifics: https://www.accuquilt.com/blog/education/go-tutorials/autumn-in-iowa-table-runner-quilting-tutorial/

...and be sure to check out all the guest blogger tutorials happening this month - each one is full of creativity! For a list of contributors and links to their blogs, see my earlier post here:
http://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/2015/09/meet-team.html
My next AccuQuilt guest blogger post and tutorial will be in November...and it will be another holiday tutorial...it is already in the works!

For now, it's back to my daily to-do list - I finished up 72 quilt blocks this week (a very large project, which is why today's post is a couple days later than anticipated) and I am on to three more GO! Talk to the Animals quilts and a pile of custom projects, plus some model stitching and designing...you know me - there is always something creative happening in the Blue Ribbon Designs studio!

Big-hearted Blossom

I had to drop in today and tell you about one of my latest creations: "Big-hearted Blossom" (a quilted wall hanging or runner). Recently, my dear friend Mary was celebrating a birthday and I thought I would go through my fabric stash/scraps and pull her favorite colors to make a beautiful bloom as a gift for her special day. This project was aptly named after her HUGE and loving heart.

I am always looking for alternate ways to use my AccuQuilt GO! cutting dies, and that is exactly what I did with the GO! Orange Peel-4 1/2" (55455) in this project. Instead of using it for the popular traditional Orange Peel 4-Patch quilt block, I decided to use it for appliqué leaves along with a GO! Fantasy Flower. I purchased GO! Fantasy Flowers by Robbie Joy Eklow cutting die quite some time ago and I was excited to put it to good use!

The orange peel "leaves" were super easy - I just ironed fusible web on the back of eight assorted charm squares from the Sunkissed Collection by Sweetwater for Moda (the GO! Orange Peel-4½" die works perfectly for charm squares!). Next, I went through my fat quarter stash to find fabrics for the stem and flower petals. The stem was originally cut with the GO! Strip Cutter-1" (1/2" Finished), but I thought 1" was a bit wide, so I trimmed it down to a ¾" width. After seeing the approximate size of my Big-hearted Blossom, I cut a piece of neutral fabric (Natural Kona Cotton by Robert Kaufman) approximately 18"W x 35" H. I was able to easily center, fuse, and machine appliqué my flower on my neutral background - I used a blanket stitch for the machine appliqué, but a zigzag stitch, blind hem stitch, or satin stitch would work very nicely. Once the quilting was complete (I simply quilted about 1/4" out around the perimeter of each shape), I trimmed the piece to 15"W x 34" H and added a pretty floral binding that coordinated with the backing fabric.

The GO! Fantasy Flowers die is quite versatile with multiple fun petal shapes included. Plus, it was fun to dig through my fabrics...I just used what I had on hand, giving it a scrappy look. If you are anything like me, you have a scrap bin (or two or three) filled with fabulous floral colors perfect for this project.

This entire design truly came together in one afternoon and I was extremely pleased with the results! It could be used as a wall hanging or a runner...and additional flowers could easily be added...I can see it with a patchwork border too....hmm, I can certainly see more of these fabulous flowers in my future...

Visit the AccuQuilt blog later this week to read my guest blog post about this project...

A Quilted Sampler

I know my stitching friends are familiar with needlework samplers...but are you familiar with a sampler quilt? Sampler quilts are made up of an assortment design blocks - they are often used as a teaching tool for beginner quilters to help with skill building or for more advanced quilters to show off their skills or a variety of quilt blocks. The sewist makes a range of quilt blocks and then those finished blocks are pieced together to make a full quilt.

Several months ago, AccuQuilt asked me to create a sample for their GO! Value Die Sampler Quilt which features twelve 8" quilt blocks that can can be created with one cutting die (the GO! Value Die). This sampler quilt is perfect for a beginner quilter and/or a beginner AccuQuilt GO! user, as it is straightforward piecing of squares, triangles, and strips - and you get to try out a variety of quilt blocks. Although this quilt looks a bit complicated, it only uses three cutting dies: the GO! Value Die, the GO! Strip Cutter-4 1/2" (4" Finished), and the GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (2" Finished) - and it really is simple, if you break it down block by block. It only uses six fabrics...and if you are unhappy with any of the individual quilt blocks, AccuQuilt has 72 GO! Mix & Match 8" Quilt Blocks available, so you can easily make adjustments. I made this quilt in a couple days, but you could do one block a day (or one block a week or month) and have it done in no time.

If you are in the market for a GO! Fabric Cutter, the new GO! Fabric Cutter Starter Set includes the GO! Fabric Cutter, the GO! Value Die (55018), a 6" x 12" cutting mat, a die pick, and a 20-page pattern booklet which includes the 12 block patterns and the GO! Value Die Sampler Quilt pattern I am featuring today...so you can start creating this beautiful sampler quilt right away. If you already have a fabric cutter and/or you would like to have the sampler quilt pattern, you are in luck - for a limited time, you can download the pattern, along with instructions for any/all of the 72 - 8" quilt block patterns for FREE...yep, I said free!..and that is A LOT of sewing inspiration...

You can find the GO! Value Die Sampler Quilt pattern here:
http://www.accuquilt.com/go-value-die-sampler-quilt-pattern.html

You can find each of the 72 - 8" block patterns and instructions here:
http://www.accuquilt.com/patterns/block-patterns/go-mix-match-quilt-blocks.html

You can read more about these quilt blocks and the sampler quilt on the AccuQuilt Blog:
http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/72-go-quilt-block-ideas/
http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/53-free-quilt-block-patterns/

Believe it or not, AccuQuilt has asked me to make four more of these sampler quilts, and I enjoyed the first one so much, I took on this huge job...so I will be creating four more. This quilt is a great size at 48" x 48"...maybe in my "spare time", I can make a fifth one for myself - it would make a great lap quilt! If you want to brush up on your piecing skills...or try some new quilt block designs...or perfect your triangle piecing, then I hope you will try making this sampler quilt - I think you will be impressed with yourself and how quickly it comes together!

Do The Math...

Today I have a new design to share with you that I created  especially for AccuQuilt. This geometric quilt was a treat to design...and I truly enjoyed making the sample. It is called the GO! Add It Up Bed Quilt and is a great size at 60" x 60". Head on over to the AccuQuilt Blog to read my guest blog post and see my tips and tricks for making this bright and cheerful modern quilt...and for a limited time, you can download the pattern for FREE (yes, I said free) - just visit this link: http://www.accuquilt.com/go-add-it-up-bed-quilt-pattern.html. This quilt is comprised of 12" blocks that come together rather quickly using strips and squares - this design uses uses the following GO! Cutting Dies:

• GO! Square-3 1/2" (3" Finished) (55006)
• GO! Square-5" (4 1/2" Finished) (55010)
• GO! Strip Cutter-1" (1/2" Finished) 7 Strips (55052)
• GO! Strip Cutter-1 3/4" (1 1/4" Finished) 5 Strips (55083)
• GO! Strip Cutter-2 1/2" (2" Finished) 3 Strips with Angled Guide Lines (55017) (binding)

My AccuQuilt guest blog post gives you tips for making perfect strip sets and flawless straight seams which will make your project shine - I hope you will stop by for a visit and read all about this "positive" quilt!

Why not try doing a little "addition" and make a GO! Add It Up project yourself?!...there are many possibilities with this versatile 12" block...for a smaller project, how about a table runner or a set of pillows?...feel free to be creative!

I have more exciting projects to share with you in the next several days...please stop back and visit with me again soon...

Designing, Creating, Organizing

I have an abundance of creative things to share with you this week...be prepared to be inspired! I have been working on a plethora of deadlines - both needlework and quilting...and I am so EXCITED I can  finally share some of my recent projects with you!

In December, I was designing and creating sample models for AccuQuilt...I was asked to design a couple projects to aid in organizing your sewing room...I had a BUNCH of ideas, but the two they decided to use were for fabric baskets and a sewing machine organizing mat. I had so much fun designing and creating the samples, as these types of projects are right up my alley!

I made several prototypes of my Strippy Catch-All Basket Pattern before settling on the construction and fusibles. AccuQuilt wanted them to be a bit sturdier to hold cutting dies, and while that wasn't the original plan, these will hold the AccuQuilt dies, as seen in the photo below. These are simple strip piecing, light quilting, and basic sewing...and can be made in a variety of sizes! They are great for organizing just about anything: rick racks/trims, sewing notions,rulers, threads, and cuts of fabric...and you can make them match your sewing space by choosing fabrics that work well with your decor. If you would like to make some of these fabric cubes for your sewing room, you are in LUCK, as the GO! Strippy Catch-All Basket Pattern is FREE (yes, I said FREE) for a limited time on the AccuQuilt website: http://www.accuquilt.com/go-strippy-catch-all-basket-pattern.html

The sewing machine organizing mat is also the perfect pattern to utilize when organizing your creative space! The blocks and sashing strips are pockets that are the perfect size to hold all your tools...and your sewing machine sits atop the mat to hold it firmly in place. The sashing strip pockets (gray fabric) are 1 1/2" wide, which may seem narrow, but they are perfect for pencils and marking pens, a stiletto, a seam ripper, a quarter inch ruler, and my favorite - small scissors with a fob attached, which I am always misplacing (point of scissors goes in the pocket, the handles sit atop)...those are just a few ideas. I designed a standard size mat, but you could (fairly easily) adjust the size depending on your machine type and the space you have available. Also, as the AccuQuilt photo shows below, you can use it for your fabric cutter - the GO! Big fits perfectly (I love this idea)! I can't wait to make a few of these for my sewing room - or at least one - you know, in my spare time. If you would like to make one for your creative work-space, I am THRILLED to tell you that the GO! Sewing Machine Organizing Mat Pattern is also available for FREE for a limited time (how awesome is that?!): http://www.accuquilt.com/go-sewing-machine-organizing-mat-pattern.html

The AccuQuilt Blog also has a feature on getting organized - so stop by for a visit and read their tips for storing your cutting dies: http://www.accuquilt.com/blog/

I am off to my sewing machine for a few hours, then to my stitching nest - I have more deadlines quickly approaching...but I will be back soon with another update...I have so many interesting ideas and projects to share this week...

Winter's Here...

It's true, winter has arrived in Iowa...bitter cold, gusts of wind, and lots of snow flurries. I thoroughly enjoy the winter scenes, but truth be told, I'm not a fan of the arctic cold...which definitely gives me a good excuse to stay inside and cozy up in my sewing studio. Recently, I had the chance to work on another large quilt sample for AccuQuilt...and this one combined traditional piecing and machine appliqué, my favorite! This is the GO! Winter's Here Sampler Quilt and it was an absolute joy to piece...and probably my favorite sample I have created for AccuQuilt to date. I had to chuckle when I was getting the details for this project and I realized I had all fourteen dies needed already in my collection...yes, I guess it is time I admit I have an addiction...

This wonderful winter quilt uses the following dies and is compatible with the GO! Baby, GO!, GO! Big, and Studio Fabric Cutters:

•  GO! Bird (55352) 
•  GO! Dove (55350)
•  GO! Cardinal (55351)
•  GO! Reindeer (55353)
•  GO! Snowflake (55359)
•  GO! Holiday Medley (55043)
•  GO! Square-31⁄2" (55006)
•  GO! Square-43⁄4" (55019)
•  GO! Square-61⁄2" (55000)
•  GO! Half Square-3" Finished Triangle (55009)
•  GO! Triangle-47⁄8" (55002)
•  GO! Strip Cutter-11⁄2" (55024)
•  GO! Strip Cutter-21⁄2" (55014 or 55017)
•  GO! Strip Cutter-31⁄2" (55032)

The finished blocks each measure 12" square...the finished size of the sampler quilt with sashing and borders is 57" x 57"...the entire quilt was cut quickly and accurately in an evening...and I can envision it in several different colorways. I did vertical curvy line quilting...which reminded me of Christmas ribbon candy when I had it complete. Oh, how I wanted to keep this quilt for my very own - I just loved it! Maybe one day I will have enough time to recreate it (a girl can dream)...

If you think this is a project you would enjoy, you can download the pattern for free for a limited time by visiting:

http://www.accuquilt.com/go-winter-s-here-sampler-quilt-1.html
I think you will be surprised how quickly and easily it comes together!

Tomorrow will be another productive day spent in my sewing studio - I have a pile of needlework finishing to complete, several custom quilting orders, and freelance design work to do...I'll be be keeping busy, happy, and warm!

Oh, and one more thing....don't forget to stop back tomorrow, Thursday, November 20th for my stop on the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour...I'll be unveiling my block and I will have a couple giveaway opportunities! Here's a little video to show you what all the excitement is about...