Focal and Four Tote Bag - New Quilt Pattern

Yes, you read that title correctly - I have another new quilt pattern! This is my “Focal and Four" bag - a large-sized tote made with four-patch blocks and focal fabrics (perfect for showing off a very favorite fabric!). This versatile tote has two bottom-pointed pockets on the outside (one on each side) and two large pockets inside. It measures 15" W x 15 H x 5" D and has a handle drop of approximately 8". It's the perfect size for a stack of cross stitch project bags, or as a daily tote, or a trip to the farmer's market. The pattern contains comprehensive/detailed instructions with all sorts of color diagrams and a template for the pointed pocket. This 13-page pattern is designed to easily use your favorite fabric collection, is precut friendly, and is good for all skill levels. You can find this new design in my Etsy Shop, in both paper and digital format...

I designed this tote bag several months ago and made my first sample bag with Finding Wonder by Sherri McCulley for Poppie Cotton - you got a sneak peek of this design in March on the Finding Wonder Fabric Tour.  I already have an oversized tote bag pattern (Forty-Five Tote Bag) and a medium-sized tote bag pattern (Mini-Medi Tote Bag) in my current catalog...and this one fits in-between as a large tote. It has a fun shaped pocket on the front and on the back, the perfect size for a cell phone...and has large pockets inside, both measuring 9-inches square. 

The model bag was created with Mushroom Blooms by Jill and Rani for Poppie Cotton (shipping to quilt shops this month). This fabric has a wonderful mushroom print (Shroomies Mint, Shroomies Pink, and Shroomies Yellow) that I knew would be my focal fabric for the tote. This collection also has wonderful florals, dots and stripes. Plus, I knew the color scheme would be perfect for this new bag! I had fun creating the patchwork, putting this extremely useful bag together and writing the pattern...and I hope you will add it to your design collection.

I used a fat quarter bundle to create my model, along with 1 1/4 yards of coordinating fabric for handles, pocket and bag linings, and the bag base (Country Confetti - Strawberry Lemonade Light Pink). It also uses 1 3/4 yards of HeatnBond Fusible Fleece, my favorite for a soft, but structured bag! If a fat quarter stack isn't your speed, a 10" precut stack (layer cake) gives you all the variation in fabrics. This bag also works great for scraps - I am hoping to make a scrappy version from my scrap bins soon. I really want to showcase how easy it is to create this pattern in any fabric collection (or scraps!) and how versatile it really is! 

You can still find the pattern in my Etsy Shop in both paper and digital format.
Digital: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1743028230
Paper: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1762265076 

Thank you so much for visiting with me today and checking out my latest quilt pattern. I will be back tomorrow for my turn on the Mushroom Blooms Fabric Tour, where I will show of this tote bag and what I made to put inside of it! Then, stop back on Wednesday to see my latest project for Therm O Web...and it is a beauty...

For now, I am back to the studio...I am scrambling a bit right now to get things done...I have EXCITING news...I will be accompanying my parents on a trip to Paris and London in September. I just found out about the trip a week ago and I was not prepared to travel out of the country for a couple weeks (in a little over a month). I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be going on this trip and my head is swirling! I have a lot to do in a short amount of time. More all about this in a future post...

Pretty Posies Pouch - Cottage Charm Pattern

I thought I would stop back today and talk a bit about my other new quilt pattern...which is actually a revisited quilt pattern - my "Pretty Posies Pouch." This adorable patchwork pouch is a versatile addition to any tote bag. It can hold quilting and/or stitching tools or a small project...or can be used for health and beauty items...really any small items you need to travel or transport. The small patchwork (mini charm) squares show off the variety of prints...and you can always fussy cut the squares to feature your favorite motifs. I added a removable wrist strap (using a Swivel Clip with D-Ring) and a coordinating zipper pull for added embellishment. This mighty little bag measures 9" W x 8" H x 2" D, making it a perfect accessory for any tote bag. I used a fun focal fabric for the back side of my bag (cute little cottages), using the patchwork only on the front...this gave me the "best of both worlds" with a variety of small quilted squares on the front and lovely favorite print on the back! You can find this new design in my Etsy Shop, in both paper and digital format...

When I started working with the Cottage Charm fabric collection by Kenzie Elston for Poppie Cotton months ago - I thought the prints were perfect for this pattern. I had so much fun fussy cutting some of the cottages and motifs to showcase for this design. I actually worked up this and my other projects in this new collection for Poppie Cotton to take to Quilt Market. The results looked so cute, I decided to put out a new version of my Pretty Posies Pouch pattern featuring this fabric and some new notes/instructions. Don't worry, if you were one of the few that purchased the original pattern, no need to replace it - it is almost identical, minus the photos and some better wording. I just thought I would brighten it up with these gorgeous fabrics, especially for those who aren't fans of the collection I used for the original....or missed this versatile pattern altogether.

This zippered pouch was created by cutting mini charm squares. It features a removable wrist strap - that is easier to add to a bag than one might think! It can be made with one mini charm pack and a couple fat quarters of any fabric you choose, but I thought it was wonderful in these charming cottage prints. The directions and diagrams in this pattern are quite thorough, so this is great project for all skill levels. I used Poppie Cotton Country Confetti Waffle Cone Yellow for the lining and wrist strap (to match the Mini-Medi Tote Bag I showed off yesterday).

Paper Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1743029512

Digital Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1757224909

The previous cover model was created with the Dots and Posies fabric collection from Poppie Cotton.

I really wanted to showcase how easy it is to create this pattern in any fabric collection (or scraps!) and how versatile it really is! You can still find the original version with the Dots and Posies fabric in my Etsy Shop in both paper and digital format.

Thank you so much for visiting with me today and checking out one of my new/revisited quilt patterns. Next month I will have a brand new lap/throw quilt pattern, created with the sweetest upcoming collection from Poppie Cotton (Market Day). ...and just wait until you see the amazing quilting - my dear friend Leslie (Quilting by Leslie) did the quilting on her longarm for me and it makes it even more special. Stop back in August to see this new pattern I am calling "Bunting and Berries!"

Mini-Medi Tote Bag - Cottage Charm Pattern

I thought I would stop back today and talk a bit about a new quilt pattern...which is actually a revisited quilt pattern. This is my “Mini-Medi Tote Bag" - a medium-sized tote bag made from mini charm squares. This versatile tote has two rounded pockets on the outside (one on each side) and two large pockets inside. It measures 12.5" W x 12 H x 3" D and has a handle drop of 5.5"....the perfect size for a couple cross stitch projects, or as a daily tote, or a trip to the farmer's market. The pattern contains comprehensive/detailed instructions with all sorts of diagrams and a template for the rounded pocket. This 11-page pattern is designed to easily use your favorite fabric collection, is precut friendly, and is good for all skill levels. You can find this new design in my Etsy Shop, in both paper and digital format...

When I started working with the Cottage Charm fabric collection by Kenzie Elston for Poppie Cotton months ago - I thought the prints were perfect for this pattern. I had so much fun fussy cutting some of the cottages and motifs to showcase for this design. I actually worked up this and my other projects in this new collection for Poppie Cotton to take to Quilt Market. The results looked so cute, I decided to put out a new version of my Mini-Medi Tote Bag pattern featuring this fabric and some new notes/instructions. Don't worry, if you were one of the very few that purchased the original pattern, no need to replace it - it is almost identical, minus the photos and some better wording. I just thought I would brighten it up with these gorgeous fabrics, especially for those who aren't fans of Halloween or the collection I used for the original.

This medium-sized tote bag was also created by cutting mini charm squares - hence the name. It features two pockets on the outside with round bottoms and two large pockets inside, that can be created with feature fabrics or patchwork or charm square 5" precuts. It can be made with one charm pack and one yard of any fabric you choose, but I thought it was wonderful in these charming cottage prints. The directions and diagrams in this pattern are quite thorough, so this is great project for all skill levels. I used Poppie Cotton Country Confetti Waffle Cone Yellow for the bag/pocket linings and handles.

Paper Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1743026780

Digital Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1743028230

The previous cover model was created with the Kitty Loves Candy fabric collection from Poppie Cotton and 1-yard Country Confetti Licorice Black from Poppie Cotton (for linings and handles) - I also did a test bag using the Renew fabric collection by Sweetwater for Moda.

I really wanted to showcase how easy it is to create this pattern in any fabric collection (or scraps!) and how versatile it really is! You can still find the original version with the Halloween fabrics in my Etsy Shop in both paper and digital format.

Thank you so much for visiting with me today and checking out one of my new/revisited quilt patterns. I will be back tomorrow to share my other newly released design - a revisited version of my "Pretty Posies Pouch." For now, I am back to the studio...I am working on my new Therm O Web project tutorial - think summer and outdoors - it is a fun one! Until we visit again, happy creating!

A Huge Milestone and a New Quilt Pattern

Greetings friends - thank you for stopping by for a visit today...and it is a BIG day!! I can't believe I am typing this...today is my 1000th blog post...yes, you read correctly, my 1000th post. I'm really not sure how that is possible...it doesn't seem like I started yesterday, but it doesn't seem like I started fourteen years ago, either. My first post was May 18, 2009 - so yep, fourteen years ago this month...that just doesn't seem feasible. Many of you have been here since the beginning and I am thankful you have continued to visit with me over the years. It has been a joy to share snippets of my life with you - this creative space has treated me well, been a diary of so many life events and creative endeavors, and a place of friendship and kindness...it has also been my voice, when needed. As I look back at my very first post (and posts throughout the years), I can see so much growth in who I am as an artist, photographer and writer. Thank you for joining me on this journey - my heart is full.

On to today's news...a BRAND NEW quilt pattern.  Introducing my “Mini-Medi Tote Bag" - a medium-sized tote bag made from mini charm squares. This versatile tote has two rounded pockets on the outside (one on each side) and two large pockets inside. It measures 12.5" W x 12 H x 3" D and has a handle drop of 5.5"....the perfect size for a couple cross stitch projects, or as a daily tote, or a trip to the farmer's market. The pattern contains comprehensive/detailed instructions with all sorts of diagrams and a template for the rounded pocket. This 11-page pattern is designed to use your favorite fabric collection, is precut friendly, and is good for all skill levels. You can find this new design in my Etsy Shop, in both paper and digital format...

The cover model was created with the Kitty Loves Candy fabric collection from Poppie Cotton and 1-yard Country Confetti Licorice Black from Poppie Cotton (for linings and handles), plus HeatnBond Fusible Fleece. I also did a test bag using the Renew fabric collection by Sweetwater for Moda (see below).

Paper Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1478728707/mini-medi-tote-bag-quilt-pattern-paper

Digital Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1478737849/mini-medi-tote-bag-quilt-pattern-digital

Thank you so much for visiting with me today and checking out my new quilt pattern. I will be back really soon to share some needlework finishing and a new ThermOWeb project tutorial. For now, I am back to the studio, where my project bins are full. My husband and I are taking a road trip to Iowa this weekend to see the best of friends and attend the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival, so I am trying to make a good dent in my workload beforehand. Until we visit again, happy creating!

Songbird Serenade Fabric Tour

Happy Friday - welcome to the Poppie Cotton Songbird Serenade Fabric Tour! I am thrilled to be today's stop on the tour - thank you so much for visiting. I have a very special lap quilt to share (and a little needlebook too!), created with the new Songbird Serenade Fabric Collection designed by Sherri McCulley for Poppie Cotton. It was a nice change to put on my quilt designer hat and work with these soft and detailed prints. This brand new collection (shipping to shops now) has lovely songbird motifs, gorgeous florals, and a fabulous Songbird Hankies Fabric Panel...all done in a calming pastel color pallet. I truly found my joy working on this project, as I haven't had much design time lately. Creating this quilt definitely brought harmony into my studio! Let's take a close-up look at my project...

"Songbirds and Sashing" - A Lap Quilt

I titled my lap quilt (or wall hanging) "Songbirds and Sashing" - this quilt was built around the Songbird Hankies Fabric Panel featuring nine unique songbird blocks. My quilt combines paper foundation blocks and traditional piecing. Twenty-five 7" blocks make of up my lap quilt along with sashing and cornerstones - giving it a finished size of 47" x 47". I used a fat quarter stack that included a fabric panel and a little bit of Country Confetti (Marshmallow White) yardage for the background. I had plenty of fabric left from my fat quarters for a scrappy binding. I have written a pattern that is available in my Etsy Shop in both paper and digital format...AND my local quilt shop (The Quilted Sunflower) will have the patterns and kits in stock (once the fabric arrives - it's on the way!) - I will add the shop information below. The pattern has yardage listed for those who do not want to use a fat quarter stack...and it has basic paper foundation piecing instructions included, along with the foundation blocks for the Floral Corner Blocks and Flying Geese Blocks. I fussy cut all the cornerstones to showcase each of the special bird motifs, so the layout works perfectly for a wall hanging, as well.

Songbird Hankies Fabric Panel

Paper Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1329413493/songbirds-and-sashing-a-paper-foundation
Digital Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1315432708/songbirds-and-sashing-a-paper-foundation

After completing my quilt, I was compelled to work with some of my leftover fabric pieces and made the sweetest little needlebook with pockets inside. I even fussy cut a little birdie heart and appliqued it on the first wool page inside. If there were more hours in each day, I would have made a pile of these for gifts!

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour and are feeling inspired - thank you for visiting with me today. If you love this fabric collection, be sure to check out your favorite quilt shop - Songbird Serenade is arriving now. If you are interested in the pattern, you can find it in my Etsy Shop - I have it available in both paper pattern and digital pattern. If you are interested in a quilt kit, feel free to contact my local quilt shop - they will have them put together as soon as the fabric arrives (it is shipping now!). Here is the shop information (and side note - Leslie, the shop owner, did the fabulous longarm quilting on my quilt model):

The Quilted Sunflower
111 South Main St.
Spring Hill, KS 66083
(913) 592-0100
thequiltedsunflower@gmail.com
https://www.thequiltedsunflower.com/

Paper Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1329413493/songbirds-and-sashing-a-paper-foundation
Digital Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1315432708/songbirds-and-sashing-a-paper-foundation

FlossTube Episode Eleven: New Quilt Patterns and Cross Stitch Sneak Peek

Greetings friends...my latest FlossTube video has been posted - I hope you'll come visit with me! I share all the details for my two new quilt patterns - plus I show a sneak peek of a new upcoming cross stitch design. I also share a bunch of needlework finishing, project bags and some quilting...and I talk about my recent classes and class projects.  I look forward to sharing my passion for all things done with needle and thread with you...

You can find my YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/BelindaKarlsNace and I will post the latest video (https://youtu.be/WmqJ6isZQqw) below:

I also filmed a short tutorial video, with my trick for cutting pattern pieces accurately using freezer paper - this technique works great for wool applique, cross stitch finishing and quilting applique - it is a great trick for your creating arsenal. This video will be posted in the next week - I just have to finish editing it. I hope you will find this technique tutorial helpful...

On the home front, we have been doing some home improvement projects - so that is going on behind the scenes, as well. We had our garage flooring done this week and had to remove everything from our garage so they could do the epoxy coating. Once that was complete, we decided while our garage was empty to paint it - I know, not the best time to paint our garage walls, as it has been well over 100 degrees, but we finished it up really late last night. Now we have the task of putting everything back in the garage - I am making my husband become more organized out there...and we are cleaning everything before putting it away. It has been a big job, but the end is in sight and it has been well worth it.

I will be back soon to share my most recent projects (I've been busy in the studio). It has been difficult to find a balance with my new designs, Etsy projects, custom and finishing work, teaching, and my freelance designing...I am incredibly busy, but it is truly a blessing! Thanks for making the time to stop by my blog today...💗

Floral Charm and Starflowers

Happy Monday friends! I have two new quilt patterns to share with you today...and that is the reason for my absence the last few weeks. I have been busy designing, writing patterns and working on quilt class materials for May...I've got new cross stitch models in the works and I've also tackled a Poppie Cotton wall hanging, some needlework finishing and custom bags...and piles of Etsy items...and if you could see my to-do list, you would probably shake your head. The piles keep growing...but here I am marking another item off my list and taking a little time to blog.

I had fun coming up with the two new quilt patterns. I have been asked to do more teaching at my local quilt shop (The Quilted Sunflower) and after deciding what classes the shop would like me to teach next, I decided to design new patterns to go along with the curriculum. I will share more details on my class schedule in a future post - but today, let me introduce my new patterns...

First up is "Floral Charm Table Runner and Pot Holders" - the pattern was designed for my Patchwork Quilting 101 class. We planned for a beginner quilt class, so I wanted a project that covered all the basics - cutting, piecing, pressing, basting, binding...and I wanted a smaller project that would cover all of those in class and give each student something finished to take home...plus a larger project to start. I worked with the lovely fabric collection Beautiful Day by Corey Yoder for Moda, which is such a bright and cheerful array of fabrics. This traditional pieced pattern uses a charm pack and several cuts of yardage...and goes together quite quickly. The table runner measures 52" x 16" and the pot holders measure 8" x 8".  I am looking at a Patchwork Quilting 102 class in the future that would add triangles to the mix. This pattern is now available in my Etsy Shop for digital download...

Next, is "Starflower Pillow and Pincushion" - a paper foundation pattern that will be used for my Foundation Piecing 101 class. I think foundation piecing is a skill that every quilter should have in their technique arsenal - it is great for tiny blocks, very intricate blocks, and you can get very accurate results and points. Again, I wanted a smaller project to complete in class and a larger project that the students can get mostly done (if not completely finished) in class. I really enjoy using my full scrap bins for foundation piecing, but for this pattern I used the beautiful collection Wild Iris by Holly Taylor for Moda. It uses a handful of fat quarters or 1/4 yard cuts and a 2/3 yard cut for the backs. The pillow has an envelope back and measures 16" x 16", so you can use a standard pillow form...and the pincushion measures 6" x 6". I include basic instructions for foundation piecing and the foundation patterns, plus full instructions for creating the pillow and pincushion. This pattern is also now available in my Etsy Shop for digital download...

Thank you so much for visiting with me today and checking out my new quilt patterns. I will be back really soon to share my upcoming class schedule and details. Plus, I am long overdue for a post featuring all the fun finishes I have had lately. I will try to get both those posts done before we go on vacation next week (yes, I am taking a week away with my husband to celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary - we are taking a week to unplug and recharge - heading to Fredericksburg, TX). So stay tuned for more later this week...