Flower Bloom Pattern Released

Today,  I'm really excited to introduce you to "Flower Bloom" Piece Pattern.  This pattern has been getting all kinds of attention at quilt shops.

We delayed the release of this gorgeous quilt pattern so we could adjust it to not only a wallhanging, but to allow for bed-sizes: twin, queen, and King size quilts.  The wallhanging makes a lovely hanging for an entry or bedroom. The bed-size quilts are beautiful on any bed. 

This quilt is great for Batiks, which will brighten any room.

Our Flower Bloom pattern has complete and easy-to-follow instructions and diagrams.  You can get the pattern here for only $8.00.  If you would like to get this pattern for your store, please email us or visit our wholesale page.

Peace Bird Pattern Tutorial

Wow, I can't believe it December the last month of the year, December.  Time to bring out the Christmas decorations and putting all the presents under the tree.

Quilting Affection's has a small gift for all our readers. We’ve developed a pattern that you can use to make a darling little quilted bird called "Peace Birds".  These little guys are great for last-minute gifts. You can make one to hang in a window or a dozen to embellish your Christmas tree, wreath or Christmas package.  We have attached a PDF version at the bottom of the tutorial.

Peace Bird Pattern
By Tina and Diana Dillard © 2014 Quilting Affection

Material List:
Fabric Scraps – enough to make 2 10” x 10” pieces, this can be one color or 2 different colors
Batting Scraps – 10” x 10” piece
Polyfil Stuffing
Thread and Needles
Template Plastic or Cardboard
Ribbon
Decorative Buttons, 2- x-small and 2 small to medium sizes
Decorative Beads (Optional)
Safety Pins
Scissors
Fabric Marking Pencils










#1
Prepare templates by tracing pattern pieces onto thin cardboard or template plastic. Be sure to mark the notches.


#2
Cut out Templates pieces.











#3
Trace the pattern template pieces onto the wrong side of the fabric with a fabric marking pencil, 2 body pieces, 4 wings.

Cut fabric along marked lines including the notches.

Note: the notches indicate where stitches will begin and end.


#4
Trace template pattern pieces onto batting, 2 body pieces, 2 wings. Cut batting along marked lines.


#5
Lay each fabric body piece right side up onto a body batting piece. Pin-baste each body fabric/batting pair and machine quilt as desired.


#6
Line up the two quilted fabric/batting body pieces aligning notches. Fold the 13” ribbon in half lengthwise and center the folded end between the body pieces at the top of the bird. The folded end of the ribbon will be tucked in at least 1/4” between the body pieces with the raw ribbon ends extending loose. Pin in place. Beginning at a notch, sew a 1/4” seam around bird. End seam at the second notch. Back stitch at the beginning and ending of the seam.


#7
Clip along the edges of the seam allowance being careful not to cut into the seam! Turn body right sides out. Use a turning tool or blunt stiletto to ensure that the beak and tail are fully opened.


#8
Use Polyfil to fill and plump out the bird shape.


#9
Whip stitch the Bird bottom closed.
Set bird body aside.


#10
Place 2 wing fabric pieces right sides together on a wing batting piece. Beginning at a notch, sew a 1/4” seam around the wing ending at the second notch. Back stitch at beginning and end of seam line. Repeat for second wing.


#11
Clip the edges around the seam allowance and then turn right side out.  Whip stitch the open ends closed. 


#12
If desired, quilt the wing or add some decorative stitching.


#13
With a button placed at the wide part of each wing and using a long needle and thread, attach wings to the body. For the eyes, attach a small button to both sides of the head.

Optionally, add beads or other embellishments to the ribbon.





Have fun making this fast and easy pattern.  PDF Pattern

Introducing "Crossing Swords" Pattern

Today, is an Exciting Day here at Quilting Affection.  I'm proud to introduce my first pieced pattern Crossing Swords!  What a great beginning to an exciting new endeavor for our online store!  The development of Crossing Swords! has taken several months of work and several versions of the blocks to give you an easy to read and follow pattern. 
The Crossing Swords! pattern finishes out to be a 50" x 50" which makes a great size for a wall hanging, a lap quilt or sofa throw!  In the picture to the right, the hanging uses the Moda "Grunge" tonal fabrics in sofa neutrals.  These colors are also featured in our kit that we have made available. The kit includes the pattern and Moda “Grunge” fabrics (Grey, Tan and Cream) all for $42 (Backing fabric is not included). The stand-alone pattern sells for only $8.00.

Crossing Swords! appears to best advantage when high contrast fabrics are selected. I suggest using Grunge, Marbles and Belle Solids. You can be bold in your color selection.
If you are interested in this pattern or any other Quilting Affection pattern, please check out the Patterns page in our store.  If you are a retailer and would like to carry our patterns in your store check out our wholesale page. 
Hope you enjoy this pattern,

Tina

Testing your 1/4" Seam Allowance Accuracy

One of the key elements of piecing any quilt pattern is making sure your have a true and accurate 1/4" seam allowance.  There is one way to test to make sure you have a true 1/4" seam allowance.

Cut 3 strips 1 1/2" x 4" (approximately), using 2 different fabric colors.  Sew 2 of the different fabrics together along the length of the strips.  Then sew the remaining strip on the opposite end. Press the seams toward the center.

Now, using a ruler measure the center it should measure 1".  If the seam doesn't measure 1" your will need to adjust your needle positions. The picture below shows the seam allowance is just short of the 1" so the needle position will be adjusted slightly.

After making the adjustment retest by make another set of strips and remeasure the strips, they should measure out like the picture below.

If you don't find your correct adjustment, Be Patient, just keep adjusting and retesting until you find the correct setting.  Once you have the correct adjustment, it will make pay off on your next project.

How do you test your Seam Allowance Accuracy?  Comment Below!


Have a Great Sewing Day,

Tina

Summer Flowers and Rainy Day Play Patterns

Last Month Quilting Affection Introduced our first two patterns in the Precious Seasons Collection "Let It Snow Man!!" and "Falling Leaves".  Today, we are announcing that the we are completing the collection with the second two patterns "Summer Flowers" and "Rainy Day Play".

"Summer Flowers" is a lovely girl sitting putting her freshly cut summer flowers in her vase.   The pattern is a quick and easy project for a little girl. You can have fun making this one with bright or antique colors. 
Sister's out on a stroll on a rainy day in a meadow make up the "Rainy Day Play" Pattern.  The older sister, the more serious is very puzzled about her little sisters playing in the puddles.

The pattern are loaded with detailed instructions, full size diagrams and pattern pieces using the raw edge applique  The quilt hanging finishes at 25" x 25". 

The patterns retail for $12.00 each and you can order them here.  For a limit time buy all 4 patterns for $42.00, a great savings!    

We hope you enjoy these patterns as much as we as we do.  If you do make one of these cute adorable girls please email us a picture so we can put it in our gallery.

Love, Inspire and Create,

Tina

Short Holiday Vacation

This Labor Day Weekend was a great get away for Me and my Husband.  On Friday, we flew out to Denver, Colorado to visit our youngest son who is stationed at Buckley Air Force out there.  We spent most of the rest of that day deciding what we want to do for the 3 days we were there.   We also spent time in my sons and husband favorite store, Bass Pro Shop. 

Saturday, we got up early and headed out to Boulder Area to Heil Valley Ranch to do some hiking.  We hiked through heavy rocky trails approximately 7 miles round trip.  We had to be cautious for other hikers, trail runners, and Mountain Bikers.   At the top was a nice looking overlook point of the valley.  The weather was great for a nice mountain hike, it was nice to get out of the city.  Driving through Boulder, I never seen so many Bicycles in one city in my life.  Boulder has designed the streets through Boulder with their own turning and riding lanes. 

Sunday morning, we head out to Evergreen, Colorado for more hiking.  Parked at Lair o the Bear Park, a very popular park, it was difficult to find a parking spot.  We had to again be cautious for the Mountain bikers and other hikers along the other trail.  We hiked about the first part following the the creek which was a really nice trail.  Then we head up the Bear Creek Trail which was a challenging climb over big rocks and tree roots.  Hiking another 7miles that day.  My feet and legs were tired by the end of that day. 

On the last day, Monday,  we had got advance reservation for the Cog Mountain Train, in Manitou Springs, Colorado.  The Train takes you all the way up on Top of Pikes Pike.  It is a nice ride up to the top, they point out different sites, animals and fun facts about the area as you climb up to the top at a 14,115 ft altitude.  The top was cold at 30 degrees with wind chill of about 15 degrees.  They have a nice gift and food shop at the top.  The food shop sells fresh donuts that were made at the top of the mountain. Was a nice way to spend the day.

The trip was to short for all 3 of us.  My husband and Myself didn't want to leave the Mountain to go back to the big cities of the East Coast, but work and normal of life was calling us home.  I have become very addicted to hiking, so we are now looking for day hiking trip here in Maryland and Virginia for us to explore.

Well time to get back in the sewing room and finish up my patterns. Hope you all had a great weekend like we did.

Tina

"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips - Finishing

Today, we will be finishing our “Let It Snow Man!!” pattern, by going over the hat, hair, and borders. 
The next steps are for the Yo-Yo hat and Zig Zag hair.  Note: If you use the optional 2 ½” circle template and hair template, fuse them into place and blanket stitch all the way around.
Now for the Yo-Yo hat and Zig Zag hair. Let’s start making paper templates of the hair and hat, by tracing the pattern on a blank piece of paper and then cutting them out.  Then lay the hair templates to the side. 
Using the hat circle template trace and cut out the circle on the back of the fabric you have chosen for the hat.  Before making the Yo-Yo, I suggest taking the hat flower and fusing it onto the hat fabric and using a blanket stitch, sew around the flower edge.  Next fold the raw edge of the circle approximately ¼” in toward the wrong side of the fabric. Then with a needle and thread with a heavy knot at the bottom, use a long running stitch with medium stitches, sew near the folded edge of the circle.  Do not cut threat at the end.  Gently pull on the thread ends to gather the fabric circle, to make a 2 ½” circle. 
Now that the Yo-Yo hat is made, position it on your quilt top where it should go.  Then slide the hair template under the hat.  With an erasable marking tool trace around the hat and the hair template.  This will get you an idea to where you will sew the Zig Zag Stitches for the hair. Remove the hat and hair template and set aside.
Note before you begin the Zig Zag Stitches, I suggest with a separate small piece of fabric sew a line of stitches at varies widths and lengths to find the right size.  I use a 3.0 width and a 2.5 length.  This will vary on different sewing machines.  Also suggest using the hair diagrams in the pattern instructions.  Start with a thin layer of Zig Zag stitches all around the trace template area, in straight lines.  Begin and end each of the stitches like you did in machine applique by tucking the ends underneath under a few stitches.  Once you have a thin layer of Zig Zag Stitches, you can go back and fill in bare spots with more stitches that are different width and lengths if you want.  In my project I used a different thread color to add some highlights to the hair.  I used a Brown-Black Rainbow Thread by Superior.  I suggest, as you finish, lay the hat on the hair to make sure it is to your liking.  Once you are done with the hair, press the quilt top to make sure there is no puckering. 
Next, place the hat in its correct location and sew a blanket stitch all around the hat to complete the girl.  Now time for the borders.  Press once again to make sure everything is lying flat.  Trim the Background to a 16 ½” x 17” rectangle.
Assemble the 3 borders, following the directions with the top and bottom first and the right and left sides.  Once your borders are on, will finish be adding the Snowflakes and dots following the Pattern Diagram.  Fuse and sew them on with blanket stitches.  After they are all sewn on then press again to make sure no wrinkles and finish the Quilt as desired.

Other Blogs in this Series:
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Preparing

"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Fusing Webbing

"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Pattern Pieces and Background

“Let It Snow Man!!” Pattern Tips – Machine Applique

“Let It Snow Man!!” Pattern Tips – Finishing

Tina

"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips - Machine Applique

The last couple days I have been showing you how to make the Quilting Affection “Let It Snow Man!!” Applique pattern.  So far we have discussed Preparing to make the pattern, Fusible webbing and Piece Placement and Background. Now we are to the point we start the Machine Applique around all the pieces.
Note before you start Machine Applique on any project practice on a practice piece of fabric before working on you main project.  Also keep a piece of paper or notepad nearby to write down any setting you use so you have them for future reference.
Now the pieces are fused to the fabric we will be using a blanket stitch around the stitches.  I suggest we gathering a few tools to have close by:  First, Self-threading Needles and pin cushion, scissors, and Thread and bobbins.  I love Superior Thread, so when I’m appliqueing I use a #40 to #50 wt. threads, like Masterpiece and King tut.  But you can use Aurifill or your favorite brand but just make sure it is a #40wt to #50 wt. thread.  When selecting your threads also try to match the fabric as much as possible to make sure the thread blends into the fabric.  You really don’t want your stitches to stand out. 
I also recommend cleaning your machine before starting.  Also starting with a fresh 75/11 Microtex or 80/12 needles for this project, they work well with these weight sizes.
Now we are ready to start, I would find your blanket stitch on your machine.  If you not sure where it is on your machine I would refer to your owner’s manual.  After you have found your blanket stitch, I would recommend using a 2.0 width and 2.0 Length only on the larger open areas like the Shirt, Snowman body.  For your tight areas I would adjust to a 1.5 width and 15 length and sometimes you will have to drop to a 1.0 width. 
I start with one color and do all the areas with that color before moving on to the next color area.
When you’re ready to sew and have picked an area to start. Place your needle just outside the fused area and make sure your needle is lined up next to it and touching.  Pull your bobbin thread and then put your needle down.  Make a couple of small stitches and look to see if you need to adjust the width and length you will be using in that area. Then continue sewing until you get to the end of that piece (Don’t clip any threads if you have an auto thread cutter).  Bring the need up and move the fabric to the side clipping the bottom and top thread about 2” away from the last stitch.  Now with your thread clipped one on the bottom and one on the top.  You will now need to get your self-threading needle or our favorite sewing needle, and bring the top thread through the last stitch hole with your needle.  Once you have the top and bottom thread at the bottom tie a small knot and thread your needle again with both thread. Then tuck the thread under about 3 to 4 stitches and clipping thread.  For the beginning stitch for that area on top, you will have to bring the top and bottom thread to the bottom, tie off and tuck the stitches the same way as before.  Repeat this for every applique area.
Once all the blanket stitches are done on the girl and snowman, we will start working on the hat and hair, which will be in tomorrow’s blog.  Then we will finish off with the borders and the snowflakes.
 Other Blogs in this Series:
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Preparing

"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Fusing Webbing

"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Pattern Pieces and Background

“Let It Snow Man!!” Pattern Tips – Machine Applique

Tina

"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips - Pattern Pieces and Background

Now that we have the fusible web pattern pieces ready to go. We need to prepare the background before we continue working with the pattern pieces.   Before you start, I suggest pressing your chosen background fabric and if needed use a little starch, like Best Press Starch. 
Once your fabric is ready, cut a piece of the background about 18 ½” x 18 ½”, a little bigger than the directions say, this will help with and shrinkage in the fabric.  Next, after you cut the 18 ½” x 18 ½” take your piece of background fabric back to the ironing board.  Press and starch heavy to make the background stiff (but don’t go too stiff, you want to keep the fabric moveable and light weight).  Once you are done, then cut your fabric to a straight 18”x18” square.
Leaving the 18” x 18” square on the cutting board, take your favorite marking tool and lightly mark 16 ½” x 17” rectangle on the backing.  You will center your pattern pieces in the center of this rectangle.  Now, this is where the quilter Padded Quilt Board comes in handy.  Center your backing on this board and using a straight pin, pin your backing to the board and set aside.  Time to get your pattern pieces on the fabric.
Lay out all you pattern pieces and fabrics you will be using for the snowman, snowbank and girl.  Separate out the pattern pieces on the fabrics you have chosen to use for each piece.   Like I have done. 
Now that the pieces and fabric is ready to go, time to fuse all the pieces to the fabrics.  Press the fabric before you start pressing the fusible webbing pieces to the fabrics.  Remember press the fabrics to the reverse or back side of the fabric.  Following you manufactures instructions of the fusible webbing, press the pieces to the fabric.  Let the fabric cool a little bit and then check to make sure that the webbing is sticking to the fabric, if not press again.  Once you have the pieces on the fabric to your liking, cut them out following the pattern lines.  Do this to all your colors and pieces.  If fraying starts with any of the pieces especially small ones you may want to use a little “Dritz Fray-Check” around the pattern pieces.
Once you have all your pieces on the fabric and cut out to their shapes. Then the fun begins with the placement of the pieces.  You will need the Applique Placement Number in the instructions and the full size pattern diagram to help with this step.
Starting with pattern piece #1, position the piece on the background fabric according to the Pattern Diagram.  Remember to remove the paper backing if needed (this depends on the fusible webbing you are using).  Then continue following the numbers one at a time. I recommend leaving the hat, hat flower, hair template and snowflakes off for now.  Just placing the main parts.  Note: long handle tweezers can be a big help when placing and arraigning the pattern pieces.
Also note the following when positioning the pieces:

• Snowman Arms and Ear Muff band are positioned under the snowman before fusing

• The right mitten is over the carrot and left is under the carrot before fusing

If need, place straight pins to hold the pieces in place until you are ready to fuse them permanently.  Once you have the placement to your liking, you can then fuse the pieces according to manufactures instructions.
Tomorrow, I will start to show you how to do some of the Machine Applique.
Other Blogs in this Series:
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Preparing
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Fusing Webbing
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Pattern Pieces and Background


Live, Inspire and Create,

       Tina