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...

Fabulous Flying Geese

GO! Flying Geese-3½” x 6½”
 (3” x 6” Finished) (55456)

Today I thought I would share a few of my recent projects for AccuQuilt. Back in July, I started working with AccuQuilt on five original designs using the new GO! Flying Geese-3 1/2" x 6 1/2" (3" x 6" Finished) die for a project booklet. As most of you know I absolutely love the design process (whether working on needlework or quilting patterns), so I thoroughly enjoyed writing patterns for five Flying Geese projects. The patterns I created included a set of placemats, a table runner, a bed quilt, a pillow, and a wall hanging...and after writing the patterns, I had the pleasure of creating the samples of each that AccuQuilt would use for their photography and marketing. It is always fun to see what fabrics they choose and to put together the models, as we all know how much I adore spending time at my sewing machine....and this time it was even more fulfilling, as I had designed the patterns!

Here are the GO! Flying Diamonds Placemats - this set of placemats totally inspired me to make a set of my own in fabrics that match my decor. This geometric placemat pattern uses only one die for piecing: the GO! Flying Geese-3 1/2" x 6 1/2" (3" x 6" Finished) and is perfect for a beginner! To speed up the process even more, you can cut the binding with the GO! Strip Cutter-2½” (2” Finished) (55014). You can easily make one placemat in an afternoon and have a full set in no time...

GO! Flying Diamonds Placemats Pattern 

Next, here is the GO! Celebration Table Runner. This patriotic table runner is perfect to show off your sewing skills at a family gathering! It is another project that a beginner can tackle, using only three dies for the quilted top and a strip cutter for the binding:

• GO! Flying Geese-3½” x 6½” (3” x 6” Finished) (55456)
• GO! Square-6½” (6” Finished) (55000)
• GO! Square-3½” (3” Finished) (55006)
• GO! Strip Cutter-2½” (2” Finished) (55014) - binding

GO! Celebration Table Runner Pattern

Creating this chevron style GO! Fly Away Pillow was quite fun...and although it looks intricate and possibly complicated, it is pieced completely with the GO! Flying Geese-3 1/2” x 6 1/2” (3” x 6” Finished) (55456) die...yep, you only need one die to make this bright and cheerful pillow!

GO! Fly Away Pillow Pattern

Looking for a new bed quilt pattern that can be made in a weekend? The GO! Take Flight Bed Quilt Pattern is the perfect solution! I had so much fun making this colorful quilt - again, pieced completely with the GO! Flying Geese-3 1/2” x 6 1/2” (3” x 6” Finished) (55456) die and using the GO! Strip Cutter-2½” (2” Finished) (55014) for the binding. You can use your favorite fabrics to make this project your own...and it is easy to change the size by adding or removing rows/columns of Flying Geese blocks! Chain piecing your flying geese makes this project come together rather quickly...and a design wall helps line up all your blocks to perfection. It was extremely hard to ship this finished quilt off to AccuQuilt - I wanted to keep it for my own!

GO! Take Flight Bed Quilt Pattern

And finally, here was my favorite project to design and create - the GO! Wallflowers Wall Hanging. We all know how much I like to combine appliqué with traditional piecing, so this wall hanging was right up my alley. This floral wall hanging uses several dies, but of course, features the GO! Flying Geese:

• GO! Flying Geese-3½” x 6½” (3” x 6” Finished) (55456)
• GO! Square-6½” (6” Finished) (55000)
• GO! Round Flower (55007)
• GO! Strip Cutter-6 1/2” (6” Finished) (55086)
• GO! Strip Cutter-2½” (2” Finished) (55014) - binding

GO! Wallflowers Wall Hanging Pattern

So, how was that for some Saturday sewing inspiration??...are you ready to start creating?? You can find all five of these patterns on the AccuQuilt website available for purchase/download, simply click on the title of the pattern in the photo caption(s). If you are purchasing or plan to purchase the brand new GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter (oh how I wish I could afford one of these beauties - all I can say is WOW - yep, I am drooling - a girl can dream!), the GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter Starter Set includes the the GO! Flying Geese Die (55456), and a 20–page pattern booklet which includes all five of the Flying Geese patterns shown above.

GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter Starter Set

I am now back to my Saturday sewing session...I am working on a pile of new items for my Etsy shop, including more stitching wallets (they are selling faster than I can create them!)...I plan to hideaway in my sewing studio all afternoon!

Drunkard's Path Projects

I have been at my sewing machine all week - my favorite place to be! I had a large commissioned order that consisted of a pair of placemats, a pillow, a table runner, a large applique wall hanging, and a bed quilt - and although I had a terrible (TERRIBLE) migraine for several days, I managed to get them all complete...along with several stitching wallet special orders, a couple birthday gifts, and a drunkard's path pillow cover. It's been a busy week; however, busy is truly a blessing. This weekend will be full as well, as I have another wall hanging, a pair of wool applique pincushions, and a couple more birthday gifts to complete.

I have been wanting to make a drunkard's path pillow for quite a while and I finally carved out some time for it....and although it may look a little bit tricky with all the curved piecing, it was actually a breeze and I completed the entire thing in just a few hours. I used a new AccuQuilt GO! die...it is the Drunkard's Path-4" Finished Die...each small two piece set is a 4" square and four sets create one 8" block. I was quite excited to use this new die, which is one of the new exclusive dies for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. I made four 8" blocks for my 16" pillow cover and played around with the pattern, until I found one that was unique and eye-pleasing to me. I used the Tuxedo Collection by Doodlebug Design Inc. for Riley Blake. The die cut shapes made this a quick and easy project - and matching up the notches helps make perfect curved piecing easily obtainable. My tip to make a project like this - press and starch your fabrics before beginning - it will give you smooth clean cuts and make your fabric much easier to work with...

 I was actually able to try out this test die months ago to make the GO! Retro Drunkard's Path Quilt sample quilt (this is the free pattern that accompanies the die) - I just had to wait until the die was actually released to share the project with you. This quilt alternates between drunkard's path blocks and broken dishes blocks...and it measures 68" x 76" (a nice large size - but a little bit of a challenge when quilting on my sewing machine - yep, I'm still dreaming that one day I will have a longarm machine...). It is made from an assortment of fabrics from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores...and actually was quite fun to make. I was thrilled to see my sample quilt on the packaging for the die and in the online video...again, another quilt I made is famous....and this was a big project, with lots of curved seams and matching points...I am proud!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my drunkard's path projects...and I have several more fun and famous quilting finishes to share with you in the near future...

Wishing you a wonderful and creative weekend!