Hey everyone! My new pattern, Lincoln Stars, is here and it’s on sale! You can find the pdf pattern in my Etsy shop, on sale for $6 (regularly $9).
This quilt is much easier to make than it looks. There are two sizes offered: Lap size which is 57″ square and Double size which is 84″ square. There are two different blocks in this quilt and they both measure 14″ square.
Lincoln Stars Quilt using Merry Starts Here by Sweetwater
I think this quilt would look wonderful in red, white and blue, or with a large floral for the block centers (which is also perfect for fussy cutting). I played with my software and love this version using Catalina fabric by Fig Tree for Moda Fabrics.
Lincoln Stars Quilt using Catalina Fabric Collection by Fig Tree
One of my pattern testers, Wendy, has been quilting for just a little over a year. She made the smaller version and had no problem with the instructions (whew!)! Thank you, Wendy!
Lincoln Stars Quilt made by Wendy D.
I love the way the Lincoln Star block looks like it’s set on point. All of the pieces are cut from squares and rectangles – no tricky triangles! The simpler, alternating block sews up very quickly, making this quilt go together in no time.
Instead of marking diagonal lines on my fabric, I used Diagonal Seam Tape by Cluck Cluck Sew. It’s a huge time saver! I’ve mentioned it before; it’s basically Washi tape with a center marking line and 1/4″ markings on each side. You use the markings to guide your fabric through your machine.
Thanks for cheering me on and motivating me to finish this pattern. It will remain on sale for the rest of December. If you make it, I’d love to see a photo. Use the hashtag #Lincolnstarsquilt if you post it on Instagram.
I have randomly chosen a November UFO & WIP winner! Out of 36 entries, the winning number is 32, Cynthia P. She made this beautiful quilt, All Boxed In (pattern by JoAnne’s Designs). Congratulations Cynthia!
All Boxed In made by Cynthia P.
I’m always glad to see the variety of finished projects each month. In November we had a pillow, a treeskirt, a blouse, an apron, wall hangings, backpacks, mug rugs and lots of quilts. Well done everyone!
You can enter this month’s giveaway starting on December 28, when the link-up will be active. Just finish a project this month, and you can add a photo to the link-up at the end of the month! More general information about the 2019 UFO & WIP Challenge can be found here.
I expect (and hope) there will be many finished holiday projects this month. That’s definitely the case for me. I have two travel pillowcases to make for my granddaughters, a mug rug and a new tutorial for a Lavender Llama. Say what? Yes, a Lavender Llama! My son’s girlfriend had one, and now I have to make them for everyone. They are the cutest thing and they can be heated or cooled for warmth and relaxation. I think it will be an easy make.
I’ll share my results and a brief tutorial when I get mine done. I’m being optimistic for this weekend! Have a great day everyone!
{I love the idea of “paying it forward”. I think the world would be a better place if we could spread some joy and acknowledgement of good deeds done by others. I try to do that once a month for my Sew Thankful Sunday posts. I highlight some great content that I’ve found on other people’s blogs that I hope will inspire you and reward the originator by bringing traffic to their site. If your blog has been mentioned without your consent, please let me know and I will take you off the current list of featured bloggers.}
Oh my goodness! December is here and I’m late (again) for this month’s Sew Thankful Sunday Post. There is still time to create a few last minute things for the holidays! You’ll find some wonderful ideas in this month’s list of things I’m sew thankful for.
Note: If you use Pinterest, please pin from the original source and not this blog post. Remember, you can click on any of the images in this post and it will open up a new tab to the associated link.
I love this Snowball Crumb Catcher by Caroline at Sew Can She. This cute project would make a great gift ensemble with a pretty plate and your favorite cookie recipe.
Jen at Jen Daly Quilts is having a Merry Little Stitch-Along for the month of December. By Christmas time, you’ll have yourself a lovely pillow to cuddle with.
Merry Little Stitch-Along @ Jen Daly Quilts
It’s time to start thinking about the new year and Erica at Kitchen Table Quilting is here to help. She has 10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Sewing Time so you can be more productive and organized in 2020.
I think these Triangle Zipper Pouches by Minki Kim for We All Sew would make a perfect gift bag for the holidays. Or just to keep small trinkets organized, too!
Triangle Zipper Pouch by Minki Kim for We All Sew
This sweet HOME Pillow by Amber at Gigi’s Thimble is so cute! She had the perfect fabric for the job: Gingham Farmhouse by Poppie Cotton.
HOME Pillow Tutorial @ Gigi’s Thimble
Check out this roundup of Handmade Christmas Ornament Ideas from Amy at Diary of a Quilter. There’s something here for everyone!
If you need a good cookie recipe, you’ll want to check out the Virtual Cookie Exchange that has been organized by Carol at Just Let Me Quilt. I have such a sweet tooth, and I’m dying for a cookie now!
I know we’re all busy, but I hope you find some time to enjoy the holidays and perhaps create a little something for yourself. Thanks to everyone featured today. Happy December!
Well guys, we’ve made it to December and the Happy Little Things Border & Finishing Instructions from Jacquelynne Steves are here! If you’ve been following along, you should have four blocks made and ready to be assembled into a quilt top. You can find out more details about this free block of the month by visiting Jacquelynne’s blog here, and you can still sign up here. This month we have another terrific giveaway, so keep reading to the end!
I’d like to thank Jacquelynne for another fabulous block of the month program. I know it takes a lot of work coordinating everything and everybody, and I appreciate it so much! It’s been a privilege being a participating blogger again this year.
Happy Little Things Border & Finishing
I have finished my mini version of Happy Little Things and renamed it “Winter Friends”. My quilt blocks finish at 6″ square and the quilt top measures approximately 23″ x 30″. It’s the perfect size for a wall hanging!
For my quilt, I’m using an older fabric collection titled Jingle Birds by Keiki for Moda Fabrics along with some of my own blenders. The main print is perfect for fussy cutting those little birds. I ran out of that fabric for the borders, so I had to substitute another. I ended up using cornerstones that I fussy cut from the main print.
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINI VERSION. I was recently made aware that I never gave fabric requirements for the mini quilt. You’ll need 1/8 yard (or large scraps) of most fabrics except: black (1/4 yard), white (1/4 yard) and border (3/8 – 1/2 yard if fussy cutting).
I used machine applique with Heat ‘n Bond Lite (fusible web) for the letters. You can find a complete tutorial on my machine applique techniques here. I am providing the applique letter templates in my mini version cutting instructions (farther below in next section).
I always use a stabilizer on the back of my applique while stitching around the shapes. My favorite stabilizer is one that you can leave behind your applique shape such as Ricky Tims’ Stable Stuff or Quilter’s Select Print n Piece Fuse Lite. This makes your stitches even and gives your applique a slight lift. After you’re done stitching, you tear the stabilizer away from the outside of the applique only.
Mini version cutting instructions & applique templates
All of the assembly instructions are the same as the original, except I have substituted appliqued letters for the top and bottom pieced borders. Remember, you still need to sign up for Jacquelynne Steves’ block of the month here to get the complete directions.
You can download the finishing instructions and Winter Friends Applique templates here:
December Giveaway
This month’s giveaway is generously sponsored by Thermoweb. I love using their Heat’nBond Lite for all of my applique projects. I used it for my Winter Friends letters and it worked perfectly as always. This giveaway will remain open until Sunday, December 8, at midnight (PST).
To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment telling me anything you’d like!
NOTE: To leave a comment, make sure to scroll down to the bottom of this blog post (not from my home page), and look for the rectangle that says “Enter your comment here”. Please be sure that I can contact you immediately through your email. If I choose your name but cannot contact you immediately, I will choose another winner.
Here are the giveaway rules:
To enter, leave a comment telling me anything you’d like.
You must comment by 11:59 pm PST on Sunday, December 8, 2019.
There is ONE prize per person per month (in other words, the same person cannot win two prizes within the same month.)
Giveaway is open to ALL.
Winner will be chosen at random.
Due to the high volume of comments, I won’t be able to reply to you (unless there is a direct question), but I will read each and every one. Thank you in advance for your participation and for leaving a comment.
Participating Bloggers
Make sure to visit all of the participating bloggers to see their version of Happy Little Things! You can also enter the giveaway on each respective blog so you have more chances to win.
Here we are at the very end of the month, so it’s time for the November UFO & WIP Challenge Link Up! For the next 7 days, you get to show us your finished project(s) and be entered into this month’s giveaway. You can find all the details about this challenge here.
The prize package for this month includes a fat quarter of black and white pre-printed quilt labels (I don’t know the manufacturer), a Rainy Day Sewing pattern by Thimble Blossoms, Alex Anderson’s Essential 4 in 1 Sewing Tool and my new favorite notion: Diagonal Seam Tape by Cluck Cluck Sew. The total value of this prize is $40 and it is donated by me and my stash!
My November finished project
I took it easy on myself this month and focused on finishing my latest quilt pattern. I am just waiting for feedback from my pattern testers, and then I’ll be able to offer it in my Etsy shop.
Thanksgiving came and went without any pictures taken (but lots of food and fun). The weekend before that we had a vegetarian Thanksgiving with two of our daughters and our son. We also made a trip to Regale Winery in the Santa Cruz mountains which provided the perfect photo op with beautiful weather and scenery.
November UFO & WIP Challenge Link UP
Now it’s your turn! I hope you were successful in finishing a project or two this month. Add a photo to the link up below and in one week I’ll randomly choose one winner to receive this month’s prize!
Link-up Rules:
You may add up to 2 finished projects.
One image per finished project.
Project must be quilting, sewing or needlework related.
The link-up will be open until December 7, 2019, at midnight, PST.
This month’s giveaway is open to US and Canada only.
Winner will be drawn at random on December 8, 2019
Link-up Instructions:
Click on the blue “add link” button (below).
Enter the URL of your link. If you don’t have one, click on the blue “enter without link” button. The upload widget will activate.
Note: If your photo size is too large, it may not accept it. You’ll have to re-size it to a smaller file size.
Enter a caption for your image. This should describe your project and it can include your name if desired.
Enter your email address. No one will be able to see this but me.
Agree to the InLinkz terms of service & privacy policy.
If you have any trouble, just leave a comment or send me an email with your photo attached. I can add it for you.
