Showing posts with label baby quilt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby quilt. Show all posts

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Flirty Birdies

This will be a quick post, as my list is beyond long today...in fact, so long that I am not sure where to start. I finished up a labor of love this week...a quilt my husband requested for one of his employees at work. I'm pretty sure he has no idea of the work or expense involved...he didn't even let me know how the recipient responded until I asked (sigh)...but it was for a great cause and hopefully I put some good karma out in the universe. This is a flannel baby quilt... using an older collection of fabric - Flirty Birdies by Michele Scott for Northcott. I actually didn't get a good photo of the completed quilt (another sigh), as I was in a bit of a rush to get it done...and it was late at night when I finally finished it. The expectant mother is waiting until birth to learn the sex of the baby, so this is the more gender neutral option. I used my embroidery machine to create a special label for the back using coordinating colors (I have blocked out some of the information for privacy reasons). Although, I don't have a picture perfect photo to share, it did turn out cute and cuddly...and hopefully, it will be well-loved.




So I have marked this off my "to-do list" and I can get back to work that needs to be done. I'll be in my cutting room for the rest of the day - I have piles (and piles) of project bags to cut, two stitching mats, several mug rugs, a couple wall hangings and bunches of needlework finishing pieces to prepare. I am feeling overwhelmed trying to get the majority done before a trip to Florida in mid-February...luckily, most of my clients have patience...much more so than the weight I put on my own shoulders to get things done quickly. With that, I am done procrastinating and off to the cutting tables...I hope the rest of your Thursday is a happy one...

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Geometric Gems

Hello friends - happy July! It's a hot and humid Iowa afternoon - the calm after the storm and flash flooding. I am just about ready to settle into my sewing nest for a marathon project bag session (the piles are overwhelming)...but before I get started, I thought I would quickly stop by and share some of my quilting designs. These six AccuQuilt patterns/projects were created as companion patterns for six cutting dies. For those of you unfamiliar with the AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutting System, every cutting die includes a free pattern in the packaging to help you get started. Each of my quilt designs shown below accompanies a corresponding AccuQuilt GO! Cutting Die...not only did I design each pattern, but I also created each sample. Today, I am sharing the projects I created for the GO! Circle-6", the GO! Circle-8", the GO! Strip Cutter-5" (4 1/2" Finished), the GO! Strip Cutter-3" (2 1/2" Finished), the GO! Strip Cutter-4" (3 1/2" Finished), and the GO! Rectangle-4 1/2" x 8 1/2" (4" x 8" Finished).

If you purchase the GO! Circle-6", inside the packaging, you will find a free pattern for the GO! Circle in the Square Wall Hanging. This unique, modern quilt uses basic patchwork and machine appliqué...and the sample uses lovely fabrics from the Mix Bag 2017 Collection by Studio M for Moda. It finishes at 40" x 40".




The GO! Circle-8" includes a free pattern for the GO! Petal Power Table Topper (which also works well as a wall hanging). Measuring 32" x 32", this cheerful project sample was created with Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids. Blocks are created by sub-cutting the circles into quarters and using machine appliqué to apply them to basic patchwork - this design may look complicated, but it is actually obtainable for a beginner!




Inside packaging for the GO! Strip Cutter-5" (4 1/2" Finished), you will find a free pattern for the GO! X Marks the Spot Baby Quilt. This quick and easy baby quilt is the perfect gift for an expectant mother and would look great in a variety of fabric prints! For the sample, I used the Sew Cherry 2 Collection by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet for Riley Blake Designs. With a finished size of 40.5" x 40.5", using basic strips and squares, this baby quilt can be put together in just a day or two...




If you add the GO! Strip Cutter-3" (2 1/2" Finished) die to your collection, you will find the free pattern for the GO! Mind Over Matter Table Runner inside the packaging. This is the perfect summertime table runner when using the same red, white, and blue color scheme as the sample (I used Andover Fabrics for the model). I can see this runner in a variety of holiday and seasonal fabrics. It measures 16" x 45", but could easily be adjusted to fit just about any length!




One of my favorites is the GO! Chains of Love Bed Runner that I designed for the  GO! Strip Cutter-4" (3 1/2" Finished). This comfy bed runner finishes at 42" x 84" and the sample was worked up with soothing Island Batiks. Rows could be added to make this a bed quilt...or subtracted to make this a table runner...and it would look lovely in solids or prints....




Finally, here is the GO! Give it a Whirl Throw Quilt that I designed for the GO! Rectangle-4 1/2" x 8 1/2" (4" x 8" Finished). This sunny lap quilt finishes at 48" x 64" and the sample was created with Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids. You could easily add more blocks to this quilt to increase the size...and it would look great using a variety of fabrics. Although it may look complicated, it is quite easy to create with this large rectangle and can be pieced rather quickly...




All six of these AccuQuilt GO! Cutting Dies are quite versatile and would be nice additions to any collection. For more information on the GO! Fabric Cutter, GO! Cutting Dies, or other AccuQuilt products, visit their website: https://www.accuquilt.com/ 

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Talk To The Animals

Today, I am back to share the fourth GO! Owl design I recently created for AccuQuilt...the "GO! Talk To The Animals Baby Quilt"...this fun, unique quilt has created quite a bit of excitement.  Just a note, before we get much further - to me this isn't necessarily a baby quilt - I think it is fun for all ages, and at 41" x 41", it is a great lap quilt, throw quilt, or wall hanging (don't let the word "baby" throw you off!).

A little bit about how this design was born...
If you have seen the packaging for the GO! Owl die, then you know there is an image on the back where the owl shapes are used to create a cow (I didn't design the cow and can't take credit for it...I'm not sure who did...). AccuQuilt asked me to come up with a small design that used the cow that was created with the owl shapes...but then that idea grew and they asked for another animal or two that could be made with the owl die....well, in usual Belinda fashion, I came up with not two, but SEVEN more animals. Each one is made using only shapes cut from the owl die, along with a few hand or machine stitches...making the owl die extremely versatile! Have I lost you yet?? Well here is an example (my favorite block)...my regular readers know "it's all about the squirrel", so of course, I used the owl shapes to make a squirrel holding an acorn. You can see I used the wing shape to help make the tail, ears, and arms...the beak is used for the feet and the acorn...and the eyes and mouth are machine or hand stitched - I machine stitched the mouth, then hand stitched French Knots for the eyes.



With my seven animals - a rabbit, a raccoon, a mouse, a frog, a pig, a koala, and the squirrel...plus the cow and the owl...we decided to put the smaller projects aside and use all the animals in one quilt. Each animal block is framed with sashing and cornerstones and a border was added. To me, what makes this project fun and extra special is: you can use only your favorite blocks, you can embellish each block, you can come up with your own animals, you can play with fabrics...you can truly make it "your own"! This model uses fabrics from Riley Blake Designs...and I finished it in time for AccuQuilt to take it to Quilt Market, where it caused a little bit of buzz (which made me smile).

The pattern gives images and instructions for each individual block, so you can make your own zoo...and you only need a few cutting dies - the owl and several squares and strip cutters...




....and, once again, the good news...for a very limited time, this pattern is available to download for FREE on the AccuQuilt website...simply visit: http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/go-talk-to-the-animals-baby-quilt-pattern.html.

It was quite creatively fulfilling for me to design and create this project and I hope it brings you as much joy as it brings me! I would love to hear about your owl projects and see your finishes!




You can read more about my four owl designs on the AccuQuilt Blog, where I recently did a guest post. I hope you have enjoyed seeing all four of my GO! Owl creations this week...and the many ways you can use one single cutting die. I will be back again tomorrow to share some needlework finishing...I have been very busy this week!

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Tempting Tumblers

What a productive week it has been, even with holiday celebrations and obligations. I have been steadily working through a list of deadlines and marking items off my never-ending to-do list...and that's a great thing, because a new pile of quilt projects is arriving in a few days. Today I thought I would share a couple items I completed for AccuQuilt several months ago...they are fun and colorful...and should brighten up your weekend! I am blessed to be able to work on so many creative projects throughout the year...and the AccuQuilt pieces never disappoint. These two projects were cut using the GO! Baby Fabric Cutter...the GO! Tumbler Bright Baby Quilt and the GO! Tumbler and Flower Table Runner.

If you have been looking to purchase an AccuQuilt fabric cutter, the new GO! Baby Fabric Cutter Starter Set now includes two (yes, TWO) GO! cutting dies - the GO! Tumbler-4 1/2" (4" Finished) and the GO! Flower...along with a pattern booklet that includes both the projects I am sharing with you today...this makes it super easy to get started using your fabric cutter right out of the box!



The GO! Tumbler Bright Baby Quilt is made using the GO! Tumbler-4 1/2" (4" Finished)...and can easily be made in just about any size you can imagine - just add or remove rows to adjust the size - or change the size of your tumbler. The color layout for this quilt gives it an illusion of rows woven together...and the vibrant colors can definitely brighten any mood. I can see a throw quilt made from this pattern in black, gray, and white prints - it would be perfect in my living room! I actually finished this sample baby quilt in just a couple easy days of sewing (and the entire quilt was cut in less than an hour!)...and the tumbler die shape has specially designed corners with clipped dog-ears making the piecing process stress-free! If you like working with the versatile tumbler shape, this pattern is available for FREE for a limited time on the AccuQuilt website:
http://www.accuquilt.com/go-tumbler-bright-baby-quilt-pattern-2.html



The  GO! Tumbler and Flower Table Runner utilizes both the GO! Tumbler-4 1/2" (4" Finished) and the GO! Flower. I truly enjoyed working on this table runner, because I got to add rick rack and button embellishments...and the zig-zag binding was fun too! I was able to cut the entire runner quickly and easily...and both the piecing and the appliqué were a breeze. The size of this runner could also be adjusted, making it the perfect size for your table...simply add or remove rows of tumblers (and appliqué)...and it would be lovely in a variety of fabric prints and colors.
...and there is more GREAT news, if you want to try out this project, the pattern is available for FREE for a limited time on the AccuQuilt website:
http://www.accuquilt.com/go-tumbler-and-flower-table-runner-pattern.html



Both of these projects are perfect for a beginner or seasoned quilter...and can be done with a traditional or modern flair...plus they are great winter weekend projects! So, take advantage of the free patterns while they are available...and schedule a little sewing/quilting time....

In the coming weeks, I will have a plethora of creative AccuQuilt projects to share with you...so stay tuned...AND...I will be participating in the GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter Blog Hop in February and will have a special project tutorial to share with you...yep, BIG things are on the way!

For now, I am back to work on a special quilt for a magazine...then, this evening, I will be model stitching a new design for a future Just CrossStitch magazine...I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, as well...