Welcome to 2017!

Welcome to 2017!

As I look back through 2016, I have to say I was truly blessed with new a beginning for me personally and continued growth for Quilting Affection.  Personally, 2016 was a lifestyle changing journey to lose weight and get healthy.  My new lifestyle allowed me to lose 50+lbs, as of today.  I’m healthy and have tons of energy to work on my pattern designs, and exercise. I have also found a love of hiking.

As for Quilting Affection, I made several decisions that took my pattern designing business up a notch. I was truly blessed to be accepted as an Island Batik Ambassador and pattern designer for them.  Timeless Treasure Fabrics also accepted a couple of my patterns.  In addition, a few patterns I put out this year are designed to use Bloc_Rulers.  I also expanded out and began Teaching EQ7 and offering Trunk Shows.

In 2017, I have several goals for the business and myself.  Personally, I want to hike parts of the Colorado and Appalachian Trails.  Also I want to help others learn how to change their lifestyles and get healthy.  Then I want to set aside time to work on Unfinished or Unstarted Quilting Projects.

As for the business, I have several goals and have already started a few. 

• I want to be more active on the Social Media, Newsletters, and Blogs for the business. 
• Design a couple patterns a month to be published in the future or in magazine publications.
• Make my business name more known and respected.
• Vend at more Local Quilt Shows in the Virginia and Maryland area.
• Expand my teaching and talking to guilds and other quilts.
• Learn more about how grow my business.
• To keep working with Fabric Companies to highlight there fabrics.
• Finish some personal quilting

The first change that I have done to help my business goals is update my Business name: As of January 1^st “Quilting Affection” is now “Quilting Affection Designs".  The reasoning of the name change is to distinguish myself as a Pattern Design Business instead of a quilt store.  Also I have changed the logo to have a more professional appearance.

 

I will keep you all posted on our progress on these goals throughout the year.  I hope you all have a good 2017 and all your quilting goals come true.

Tina

Island Batik "Winter Wonderland"

When trying to come up with a idea for the this months Island Batik "Winter Wonderland" project and was having a hard time.  Then late one night, I thought about my old Christmas stocking in a box out in the shed with the other decorations.  mice had started eating on the toe a couple years ago, I needed a new one, but was attached to that stocking.  My mom had made it for me when I was kid.  So there was some sentimental value with that stocking hole and all..


I decided to I was going to make me a new stocking this year and needed a pattern to make it from.  I took my old stocking and traced a rough outline pattern of it on a piece of paper.  When drawing out the pattern I decided I want to add a toe and heel patch to it also.  

With the pattern made, I went to my Island Batik box and dug out some strips of reds, greens and gold.  I trimmed the strips that where cut crooked into 2 1/4" strips.   Sewed the them together into long strips, And then cut them again into 2" strips and then sewed them together in to make a patchwork affect to my stocking.  

I then drew the outline of my stocking pattern on my rows of fabric with a piece of chalk, also drawing in where the toe and heel would be placed.  The toe and heal were made with pieces of red and green and blanket stitch in place.





I stitched in the ditch with my sewing machine. Which gave it a quilted look and puffiness. I decided to use my embroidery machine attachment on my Bernina and Embroidered my name on a piece of red fabric that matched the back of my stocking.







After sewing them all together.  I turned them right sides out and pressed lightly around the outer edges.  
Finally, added my little name decoration and my bell from my old stocking to my new stocking. 


Now, I have a new stocking that will get hung each year.  I still have my old one, I know the mice chewed on it a little but I still want to keep for sentimental reasons.

Thank you for stopping!  I hope you all have a great and thankful Thanksgiving.  

Tina

Flower Bloom Revealed Again

This week I'm revealing new patterns developed using the Island Batik Fall and Winter Fabric Collection.  

Today's featured pattern that I'm revealing is a remake of a pattern currently on my website. "Flower Bloom", was refreshed with a whole new fabric Collection "Blushing Blooms" part of the Island Batik Winter Collection. See the samples at the International Quilt Market Island Batik Booth.

Delight your eyes and add color to your room with “Flower Bloom”.

This pattern contains instructions from wall hanging to king size bed quilt.

The pattern is already available on my website and Island Batiks. 

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my newest pattern.  What do you think of Flower Bloom?

Garland Reveal

This week I'm revealing new patterns developed using the Island Batik Fall and Winter Fabric Collection.  

Today's featured pattern that I'm revealing is "Garland". This 62" x 62" pattern was developed for the Island Batik Winter Collection using the Jolly Holly Collection. See the samples at the International Quilt Market Island Batik Booth.

The quilt will add holiday cheer in any room! This festive pattern uses a combination of half square triangles and flying geese that will bring home the holidays.

The quilt blocks are designed around the awesome Bloc_Loc Rulers®.

Rulers Used in this Project:
Half Square Triangle Ruler - 4 1/2” or larger

Flying Geese Ruler - 3 1/2” x 6 1/2”

Haven't heard of and never used Bloc_Loc Rulers, check out some great videos at their   webpage. Try one of these rulers and you will be hooked.  They are a great tool that will help you make your blocks accurate with ease.

The pattern will be available on November 1st for purchase through my website, Island Batiks, and Bloc_Loc Rulers. 

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my newest pattern.  What do you think of Garland?

Batik Heaven!

I'm now in Batik Heaven!  

Yesterday, I receive my Island Batik Ambassador Box #1.

Wonder what kind of project will be in store these beauties this year...

#Islandbatik

Tina

Dance with Me BOM Block 1 – Step 1 Flying Geese

Step 1 Flying Geese

Today, starts the first of 3 blogs on how to assemble block 1.  I will be just talking about the assembly process in these blogs, if you need the exact number of blocks to make or cutting instructions, please download the pattern, HERE.

I’m assuming that you have already finished the cutting of your fabric pieces following the Cutting Instructions.  

Tip: One clever way to label your pieces is to use the white parts selvage pieces mark the letter with a fabric marking pencil. All seams are sewn with ¼” seam allowance.

OK, let’s get started. No Waste Flying Geese is my favorite way to assemble flying geese.

For the flying geese you will need pieces C and F.

Step 1. On the back of the C squares you will need to draw a diagonal lines.

Step 2. Lay an F square down right side up and lay 2 C squares right sides facing down on the opposite corners of the F square. Make sure the corners overlap and the diagonal lines match up. Sew 1/4"  on each side of the diagonal line.

 

Step 3. Cut down the center to make 2 units.  Press open.

Step 4. After pressing, lay another C square on the corner of the half unit, like above.  The diagonal line will be in the center of the two wings. Sew ¼” on each side of the diagonal line.

Step 5. Cut down the center of the diagonal line and press the open to finish the unit.  Square to the size your instructions state.  Repeat until you have all the center blocks completed (refer to pattern instructions).

Please feel free to comment below if you have questions or comments.

Tomorrow, we will be making the Center Blocks.  Have a great day!

Happy Sewing, 

Tina

Dance with Me Block of Month, Block 1!

Today, launches the First block in our series of blocks for the Dance with Me, Block of Month.  Block 1, Piece Blocks.  The blocks measure 10 ½” x 10 ½”.

Get Your Free Download HERE.

You will need to only need to make 9 blocks for this month.

The pattern has 3 basic elements:

- Flying Geese
 - Center Block assembly
- Assembly

I will go over the each element in the next 3 days blog post to help you along through the process.

If you need the Fabric Requirements, the link is located HERE.

Some Reminders: This block be will only be available for Free until February 29^th.  (See Requirements, on our website or blog) 

Block 2 will become available on March 1^st.

Please feel free to comment below if you have questions or comments. 

See you tomorrow on first of 3 blogs on the assembly process.

Happy Sewing,
Tina

"Dance with Me" Important Information

Wow, it’s already the 20th of January and this month is going by fast.

So it’s time to start thinking about making your “Dance with Me” Block of the Month.  Today, I want to give you more information on this Block of the Month. The pattern uses a combination of Piecing and Applique. Pieced blocks are not challenging, there are no 'Y' seams or curved piecing. The applique blocks directions are written for the hand appliques or raw edge appliques.

Fabric Requirements for Dance with me!  Are now up just click on the link.
 
Starting on February 1^st 2016, the first month block will be posted for a free download for one month only. After that it will still be available for purchase from our website. Please read the Fine Print below for any clarification of the program.  

This Block of the Month program runs 6 months. At the end of the Block of the Month, I will be planning a link up to show off the finished quilts at the end.  I’m excited to see what color combinations you will choose.

See you all starting February 1^st.  

Tina


Fine Print

Here is how this year's BOM program will work. Please read.

Each block will be offered free for 30 days and then it will be available for purchase on my website.  

1. After 30 days the block will be removed and a new block will take its place.
2. There will also a blog tutorial on how to put the block together that will be posted on same day the block is released.
3. You may download and print one copy of the pattern for your personal use.  Any other use requires written permission by the designer. If you make this quilt for exhibition please indicate on any label that the design is from Quilting Affection by Tina Dillard.
4. Even though this block is free it is still copyrighted. You may not copy, share, duplicate, revise, sell, or redistribute in any manner.  Please direct friends to download their own copy. Guilds may request the use of the Block of the Month for a modest fee.
5. Requests for past blocks will not be honored.  They will be available for purchase on my website.  This is how I make my living.  Please honor the hours and hours it takes me to prepare these designs by respecting my guidelines. I make links easy to find.  If you can't find a link to what you want then it isn't available.
6. Blocks are 10" finished and are designed for machine applique.  In each pattern you will receive instructions, templates and a full size layout guide.
7. Patterns are available as a PDF downloadable file.  You will need Adobe Reader to access these files.  Please download the file to your computer and save the file.  Print the file from your computer rather than from the download link.  You will have fewer problems that way.
8. Those who subscribe to my newsletter you will get a monthly announcement when each new block is posted, and other announcements and freebies not available anywhere else.  
9. Please sign up for my newsletter by clicking the link here.
10. I respect your privacy and I don't clutter your inbox.  I send out 1 to 2 newsletters each month, and I NEVER share your information with anyone. You can unsubscribe at any time right from the bottom of each newsletter.  Please make sure your email is correct when you subscribe. 

Christmas Is In My Heart Blog Hop

The holiday's are just around the corner, wow the time has just blew by this year. That mean the Christmas Is In My Heart blog hop is just around the corner.  Starting November 12th - 19th. 

 Fat Quarter Shop will be sponsoring this Blog Hop with $25.00 gift Certificates what will be given out each day of this hop.  To enter, you just need to go to the featured sites of the day.  The daily winner will be announced on Seams To Be Sew blog each day. 


Below is the full schedule of the 32 bloggers participating in the blog hop with some cool projects.  

Thursday, November 12
Bejeweled Quilts
Quilt Shop Gal
The Quilting Queen OnlineIn The Boon Docks
BumbleBerry Stitches

Friday, November 13
All Thingz Sewn
Marjorie’s Busy Corner
Jane’s Quilting
Grandmama’s Stories
Just Sew Quilter
Batts in the Attic

Monday, November 16
A Stitch In Time
Apple Avenue Quilts
From This To That
Just Let Me Quilt
Quilting Affection Blog
Kwilt Krazy

Tuesday, November 17
Just Because Quilts
Words & Stitches
Feather Your Nest
Patchwork Breeze
Quilt In Piece

Wednesday, November 18
Pink Doxies
Miss Loreen’s Schoolhouse
Morning Glory
In Stitches and Seams
Moose Stash Quilting

Thursday, November 19
Meadowbrook
Tea Time Creations
Selina Quilts
Living My Dream
Seams To Be Sew

Come and Join in all the Holiday Fun starting Tomorrow November 12th. And see you on November 16th my day. See you all then! 

Tina