Quilt Pattern Releases

Hello Friends,

I have exciting news. For the next 12 weeks, MIB will be publishing a new quilting pattern each week. All of these quilt patterns use the strip piecing method to allow for a quicker and simpler construction process.

The strip piecing is a method where strips of fabric are cut and then pieced together to make strip units. These strip units are then subcut into smaller units. For example, a quilter could cut a bunch of 2" squares and then piece those squares together to make a block. Instead of piecing tiny piecing together one at a one, the strip piecing method makes piecing easier.

Follow me on instagram to keep up-to-date on the latest patterns.

Make your quilt making blossom.
Sandra

In Bloom Fabric Collection & Butterflies

Hello Friends,

I'm home from a wonderful time in St. Louis. There, I spent time at the International Spring Quilt Market, while mixing in a little family time as well.

My inlaws live outside of town and my dad made the 5 hour drive to spend time with me. I hauled my husband and daughter 12 hours cross country from Denver to support me in market while we visited with family. My dad finally got to see what market was all about and the effort it takes to setup a booth. I'm pretty sure he was proud of me, evidenced by him taking a photos of me and my booth.

I enjoyed my time selling MIB products and networking with industry professionals. The most surprising part of market was these butterflies. I didn't realize it was going to be such a hit with attendees and on social media. I hadn't planned on making a pattern, but by the end of the weekend, the demand was so great, I had to make one. I am here to please. :)

I made 500 butterflies using all 24 prints in my new fabric collection called In Bloom for Michael Miller Fabrics. Each butterfly took me 5 minutes to make. I had to make a bunch to make it impactful.

The pattern is a small $5 fee that you can either download or receive in hardcopy. This fee covers the time it took for me to develop the pattern by delivering you clear instructions and photos, while formatting it in a nice package. The pattern comes in 4 butterfly sizes and is in color.

Now that spring market is over, it's time to plan out fall market. I already have my next collection drawn and now waiting for strike-offs to review and approve. I have some creative ideas for my booth display and quilt patterns. I can't wait to get back to pencil and paper to draft the ideas in my head.

Til next time,
Sandra

Patchwork on the Runway

Hello Quilting Friends,

Of my networks of quilters, I know half of you are all about quilted patchwork clothing and the other half says, not for me. I've been in the latter boat for most of my quilting career, but the last 2 years I've had a slight change of heart. In that time, I have seen a couple of half-circle skirts and a wedding gown made from quilts. I had thought of patchwork clothing in batiks and/or traditional fabrics. Though the skirts and gown were made from vintage quilts with lots of white and faded fabrics. 

This past month, Calvin Klein debuted their 2017 fall collection. And whaddya know, they showcased 3 coats in antique patterned quilts. 

Here's one that is a classic Ocean Wave pattern. It combined with men's suiting for sleeves. It's interesting, right? I would totally wear this and wish I thought of it before.

Here's my Ocean Wave quilt. Here's the dilemma. I could cut this quilt for a half circle skirt, maybe make my version of Calvin's coat, but I just can't do it. See, I can run over to the mall to pick up a coat for $250, where as the quilt below took about $500 of materials, somewhere around 80 hours to make, not to mention my hard effort in matching those points. A coat could last a couple of years through wear and tear, but a quilt can last for generations.

(Pattern is available at my online shop. Head to Etsy for an instant pdf or to my website to order a paper copy.)

And here's a couple more by Calvin Klein. I would like to be a little fly on the wall to overhear his team discussing quilts in fashion.

This one has an antique postage stamp quilt cut for the lining of this quilt. It does give me a Christmas vibe to it, but definitely gives off an antique quilt feel.

And here's a drunkard path quilt. I really like this one, my favorite of the three. For nearly most of my life, I wasn't a pink kindof person. Since having my daughter, I've had a change of heart and I'm making up for lost time. I can foresee a MIB interpretation coming soon.

It is pretty cool to see fashion work with quilts in clothing. I hope it'll grow a greater appreciation from the population at large and in the art world. Meanwhile, I'd like to go through my stack of quilt tops and finished quilts to see if any them are worthy for a clothing experiment.

Sandra

Tutorial - Fabric Easter Basket

 

Easter Basket Tutorial

Today, let’s make an Easter Basket out of fabric. This is quick and easy, and o so cute. 

Materials

Exterior fabric – 1 Fat Quarter

Handle and Interior Fabric – 2/3 yard

Heavyweight fusible interfacing – 2/3 yard

Basic Quilting and Sewing Supplies

Trim – 1 yard (choose lace, rickrack, ribbon, etc.)

Cutting Instructions

Exterior Fabric – Cut one pieces 15” x 15”

Interior Fabric – Cut one pieces 15” x 18”, two pieces 2” x 15”, and one piece 5” x 18”

Interfacing – Cut two pieces 14 1/2” x 17 1/2” and one piece 5” x 18”

Sew with 1/4” seam allowance.

Make Handle

Iron on fusible interfacing on the wrong side of the handle.

Fold the strip of fabric in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press along the fold to make a crease. Each half is 2 1/2”.

Open up the strip. Press each end in to the fold, wrong sides together, to the center crease made in previous step. It should fold 1 1/4”.

Refold the strip with the ends tucked in. The handle’s width is 1 1/4”.

Edgestitch the length of the handle on both sides.

  

Assemble Basket

Stitch the interior 2” strips to one side of the exterior fabric. Make 2. Press the seam allowance towards the interior fabric.

Iron and center interfacing to the wrong sides of the exterior and interior units. Approximately 1/4” around the perimeter of the units will not have interfacing. This is to reduce the seam bulk.

Top stitch over the seam bulk on both exterior units and then add trim. Here I used a ruffle lace. Top stitch the lace along the seam line to secure it in place.

Optional: Take one interior unit to place your label inside.  Top stitch it into place. I centered my label 7 1/2” along the 15” length of the fabric and 1 1/2” down from the fabric’s raw edge. Pay special attention this side of the fabric is the top of the basket.

Fold the exterior fabric in half with right sides on the inside to make a folded rectangle measuring 15” x 9”. Stitch the 9” ends with a 1/4” seam allowance. This would be a good time to trim away the lace. The folded side is the bottom of the basket.

Fold the interior fabric in half with right sides on the inside to make a folded rectangle.  Stitch the 9” end with a 1/4” seam allowance. The opening is the top of the basket. Make sure your label is facing right sides up.

To make the basket stand on its own, find the center of the basket bottom by making a crease.  Pick a side seam and match it to the bottom crease to form a triangle. Use your finger to pop out the point. Press the seam open. Repeat for all four corners of the exterior and interior units.

Pick a corner and measure 2 1/2” from the point with a ruler. Align the ruler along the seam and draw a line. Repeat for all four corners.

Stitch all four corners on the line drawn to box the basket. Make sure to backstitch the beginning and end of the stitch. Fold the seam allowance (shaped as a triangle) under the basket.

Feel free to trim the handle to your desired length. I kept mine at 18”. I liked the ability hold the basket over my shoulder. Mark the center of both exterior and interior units on both sides.

Place the handle at the center mark of the exterior unit. Edge stitch it to secure it in place. Repeat for the other side of the handle.

Turn the exterior unit right sides out and place it inside of the interior unit, which is wrong sides out.

Pin together the exterior and interior units. Pin the side seams first. Align the center marks and pin. Then fill in the gap with more pins.

Stitch around the top of the basket with a 1/4” seam allowance. Back stitch over the handle and side seams to give those areas extra strength. Leave about a 3” opening between the one of the side seam and handle.

Turn the basket right sides out by inserting your handle through the opening and grabbing the end. Pull it through the opening.

Work the boxed corners and seam along the top perimeter of the basket with your finger. Make sure to fold the boxed corner to the base of the basket.

Pin the opening closed by folding 1/4” seam allowance inside the hole. Continue to pin around the basket to make the seam is completely pushed out.

Edge stitch the top of the basket to close the hole.

Now that you have all the ingredients to make your very own Easter basket, it’s your turn to make it blossom.

Enjoy!

Sandra

American Patchwork April 2017

Hello Quilt Friends,

I have a quilt published in a magazine, called Star Bursts. This one is in the the April 2017 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting. If you're not a subscriber, then head over to your local store or to www.allpeoplequilt.com/april to pick up an issue.

 

I'm so happy to see my project published in American Patchwork. They are an awesome team to work with and I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to show my quilt to their audience.

The quilt features Cotton Couture fabric by Michael Miller, although the backing was a quick buy from Hobby Lobby. The Warm Company sponsored the Warm & White batting and Aurifil sponsored the thread.





My family and I took a cross country road trip to see my parents in Moline, Illinois, and on our way there, we hand delivered this quilt to the American Patchwork corporate office. The quilt will arrive any day now and I can't wait to brighten up my home with this quilt.

Sandra

Scrappy Chain Quilt Tutorial

To celebrate the arrival of SIMPLE PATCHWORK book and FRONT YARD fabric collection, I'm presenting a Scrappy Chain Tutorial on instagram. We all love chain quilts. They use up scraps galore and are simply beautiful.

See the below for the quilt design. It is inspired by the Irish Chain and Postage Stamp quilts, but the blocks are set on point and the setting triangles carry the center chain for a smooth chain finish. There's no need to worry about cutting and piecing all those little squares individually. We will be using the strip piecing method to save us time.

For a limited time, the instructions are available for free download (Pattern is no longer available for free, but is available for purchase here.). I'll be making the sample quilt for this pattern and posting my assembly process on Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to follow/like me there to stay up-to-date on my progress. If you're joining in on the fun, then share your progress on instagram. Please use my instagram handle (@sandra.clemons) and hashtags (#makeitblossom and #frontyardfabric). I'm be sure to comment on your progress.

The fabric requirements are listed below and includes 2 quilt sizes. I'll be starting my quilt in the next week. How about you?

Happy stitching,
Sandra

2017 New Year's Resolution

Do you write New Year's Resolution? And keep them? My husband and I do. We do pick what we consider attainable goals for the year. We pick 1 or 2 things to improve our lives. A lot of times, we pick a food omit to improve our diet. Such as, we had a year of no fries, another year of no chips, another year of no ice cream, then the following year we did no artificial sugar. Sometimes, we pick a goal to improve ourselves in career, fitness, and education. I had a year where I read through the entire old testament of the Bible, another year where I reached 50 pull-ups. This year, we picked holding a plank for 1 minute every day combined with 10 push-ups and to draw everyday for 15 minutes. We geeked out over the weekend by going to our local art supply shop to pick up new pencils and pens, and a new sketchbook. The little things to get the new year kicked up on the right foot.

Here's to new hopes, aspiration, and resolutions for the 2017 year. Have a Happy New Year!

Sandra