Stencil This Quilt: Peony Pride

I just love everything about this quilt: it's striking, it's simple and yes.. it's stenciled. When it went on Show, everyone was leaning in as close as possible and debating whether or not it was painted or appliqued. You see, with the right quilting outlining each shape, painted and stenciled shapes really do 'puff' out a bit and look appliqued! Well, I got a real kick out of listening to those conversations, I can tell you.

The reason I decided to exhibit this quilt at all is because I wanted to present an heirloom technique. I felt then - and still feel now, that stenciled quilts are not respected enough in the community. This makes no sense to me. Stenciling is an authentic legacy technique that was practiced by the very first quilters and should be a method as celebrated and common as applique or paper piecing. Yet, we so rarely see this technique championed at all. What a shame.

I made this quilt 11 years ago, yes more than a decade has passed since I felt this way and you know what? Not much has changed. Today, I rarely exhibit my quilts because of the effort, transport theft and costs involved, but whenever I create a stencil quilt, I simply feel that I HAVE to put it out there for others to see. Otherwise, stenciling will never get the love and respect it deserves. And that change will only happen when more and more stencil quilts are actually visible and out there to be seen.

This week I'm promoting stenciling as a technique here on my blog, and I've decided to make all my stencil quilt patterns available to everyone and anyone who's interested in making them. It's the best way I can think of to bring attention to this technique.

So, for the next few days, until the end of the week, the complete digital pattern for this quilt, Peony Pride is available for sale for $4.80 USD. Yes, I'm serious. Let's make some stencil quilts everyone!

I'm really happy to report that I blogged the making process of Peony Pride, so if you'd like to look over those old blog posts, you can find them all in the Peony Pride Archive Page, simply click here to visit that page now!

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Peony Pride

Complete Digital pattern

$4.80 USD

Learn more about this quilt by visiting the Peony Pride archive page: 
simply click here now

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What you need to know:

Payment is securely completed via PayPal

You don't need a PayPal account to pay as PayPal also securely processes Credit Card payments

Pattern downloads are INSTANT and followed up with a live link to your email inbox. Check your email for the follow up email (and check your spam / junk folders if you can't see it)

The pattern will download to your computer directly

You REQUIRE an UPDATED PDF Reader in order to open and print the PDF Pattern

Note:When you receive your download, be sure to SAVE it to your computer.
If you print it directly from the browser download screen, it will not be backed up to your computer. 

Click here to read my tutorial on printing my PDF patterns at home

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Lily Rose: the Hearts

I decided to do all my hearts at once. Of course, I did opt for the heart blocks in the Lily Rose border which are optional. I think these blocks really add something special to the quilt and I have a real soft spot for them.

It's just a simple method of tracing out my hearts onto wash away fusible, ironing it down my chosen fabric, cutting it out with a small seam, and then gluing the edge fabric with Elmer's disappearing purple glue and turning the edges over with a small cuticle stick, keeping the whole shape smooth.

You can also create this process with freezer paper using my freezer paper applique method (see my tutorial on the sidebar), but in that case you need to remove the freezer paper. I'm very fond of the freezer paper technique, the reason I use wash away fusible is because I find it easier to work with in terms of speed. Also, I print out my pattern on a copier that prints the pattern directly into the fusible and this saves me time too.

My Bernina 820 has been very bad today. I'm having ongoing trouble using anything but the plainest thread. With this machine, thread, tension and stitch troubles are the three key issues with it. It's the same issue over and over. I am determined to have my gold stitched hearts, but its becoming more trouble than its worth. 

 I have a lot of experience stitching in metallic thread so I go through my thread stash trying them all out until one is accepted by my temperamental machine. Once again, the simplest sewing endeavours become a struggle.

 the Bernina 820 ruins this heart with poor stitch work so I have to remake it. Like most quilters I don't have time to re-make otherwise perfectly good blocks and I certainly don't expect my sewing machine to be the reason why I should! It's remarkable to me that a machine this 'advanced' could chew up and spit out stitches like this

I'm surprised anew at how badly my 820 is performing. It has a knack for turning what should be the simplest work into messy, unusable work. Thanks Bernina. 

I got ahead of myself when I thought the Bernina 820 could be used for a simple blanket stitch - it can't. I'll be changing my plans for the rest of the quilt now. Decorative stitches are out.

Flash Sale: On My Window Flowers Bloom

'On My Window, Flowers Bloom'

Finished size:  38 x 48 inches

'On my Window, Flowers Bloom' says it all. I love this design. I love the flowers and all the fun to be had during fabric selection. Will you go sophisticated with a naturalistic pallette or bright and bold? And what about that sky peeking through? Will it be daytime? Night time? Starry or snowy? I couldn't decide. I kept going back and forth. In the end I played around with two main ideas; the top one is just lovely and I can already see it shining on my wall. The one below is made up from my Fassett stash - because it's about time I started putting that gorgeous stash to proper use in a fabulous wall hanging. 

Whichever way you decide to go with it, I can't wait to see your progress. So don't forget to share as you work and chat along with all of us over in my BOM Group - we're more than just an online quilting group, we're a friendly and supportive community. 

Like it? Make it! 

On My Window Flowers Bloom

An applique wall hanging, finished size 38 x 48 inches

Complete Digital Pattern

$19.95 USD

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What you need to know:  

Payment is securely completed via PayPal
You don't need a PayPal account to pay as PayPal also securely processes Credit Card payments

Pattern downloads are INSTANT and followed up with a live link to your email inbox. Check your email for the follow up email (and check your spam / junk folders if you can't see it).

The pattern will download to your computer directly.

You will REQUIRE an UPDATED PDF Reader in order to open and print the PDF Patterns.

*If you don't know how to download computer files, open PDF's or print, please don't buy this pattern.

Note: When you receive your download, be sure to SAVE it to your computer.
If you print it directly from the browser download screen, it will not be backed up to your computer and your print out might be missing pages, depending on your internet memory and download speed.

Click here to read my tutorial on printing my PDF patterns at home

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Meet 'Juliette': My Fabulous New Quilt Is Launched!

I'm so happy to share my latest quilt with you. Juliette is a quilt I sketched into existence years ago- I had a Mediterranean colourscheme in mind: crisp whites and radiant blues twirling around a quilt top framed by red baskets. When I checked my Quilty To Do List, I realized that Juliette was next on the list and I was delighted. It feels wonderful to release new designs that have been patiently waiting for me to get around to making them.

I know we all have lots of fabric at our disposal. There are so many ranges being released so thick and fast it makes my head spin. Somehow I end up with lots of bits and pieces from several collections knocking about together in 'themes' in various boxes around my studio. This is the perfect quilt for those half and half stashes. The applique is large and easy and the blocks come together quicker than expected. The end result is impressive and seeing your favourite prints put to use will be completely satisfying.

The finished size is 77 x 77 inches.

This is a really interesting design: it's based on octagon tiles. The sashing between the blocks that create so much depth and interest actually comes together when the blocks are pieced alongside each other. This is because the sashing is part of the block. And this design detail can create a stunning impact according to your fabric choices.

Speaking of fabrics, there's lots of room for showcasing your favourite gorgeous prints in the fussy cut boxes of the centre and in the triangles of Border 4. It looks fabulous with a dark background yet also works in a low contrast pallette.

As you can see, I've had a lot of fun playing between colour schemes and love how the attitude of each quilt top completely changes depending on the fabric in use. I love this bright breezy scheme above but can also see myself loving the modern black and white stash  mix up below. 

Juliette 

Complete PDF Pattern

$19.95 USD

What you need to know:

Payment is securely completed via PayPal

You don't need a PayPal account to pay as PayPal also securely processes Credit Card payments 

Pattern downloads are INSTANT and followed up with a live link to your email inbox

Check your email for the follow up email (and check your spam / junk folders if you can't see it)

The pattern will download to your computer directly

You REQUIRE an UPDATED PDF Reader in order to open and print the PDF Pattern

Note:

When you receive your download, be sure to SAVE it to your computer.

If you print it directly from the browser download screen, it will not be backed up to your computer. 

Click here to read my tutorial on printing my PDF patterns at home

Lily Rose: VOTE TO WIN !

I'm over the moon this morning! My quilt 'Lily Rose' has made it into the Quilter's Companion Hall of Fame and is shortlisted for a prize. Please head on over to the Quilter's Companion site by clicking the image above.. and if you love Lily Rose, vote for it!

And when you vote, YOU could win a fabulous prize, so it's worth your effort to click.

To celebrate Lily Rose being shortlisted, I've put the pattern on sale. 

For the next 48 hours, you can buy the complete digital pattern for $4.80 USD. 

  Lily Rose  

  Complete Digital Pattern  

$19.95 USD

It's wonderful to see interest in this lovely quilt: knowing that so many new hands will be creating this quilt brings joy to my heart. Already over in my Group, members are sharing their own Lily Rose's and the images are breathtaking! I love applique and creating new projects and Lily Rose is just so much fun, I can't wait to share my pattern with you and see what you create. 

And don't forget, you can follow how I made my own Lily Rose, step by step, over in my Quilt Archives Page. Simply click here now to browse my Lily Rose creative journey and get inspired to start your own! 

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What you need to know:

Payment is securely completed via PayPal

You don't need a PayPal account to pay as PayPal also securely processes Credit Card payments

Pattern downloads are INSTANT and followed up with a live link to your email inbox. Check your email for the follow up email (and check your spam / junk folders if you can't see it)

The pattern will download to your computer directly

You REQUIRE an UPDATED PDF Reader in order to open and print the PDF Pattern

Note:When you receive your download, be sure to SAVE it to your computer.
If you print it directly from the browser download screen, it will not be backed up to your computer. 

Click here to read my tutorial on printing my PDF patterns at home

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'On My Window Flowers Bloom' Now Available!

'On My Window, Flowers Bloom' an applique wall hanging. Finished Size 38 x 48 inches.

  This gorgeous wall hanging is now available in my pattern shop!  

Yes, I've finally added OMWFB to my pattern shop. I know many of you have been requesting this pattern since I released it last year. At that time it was offered for free. Since the free period expired and the pattern was taken down, I hadn't actually gotten around to adding it to my pattern shop. Until now. I know all you new members to my Group have been pining for this pattern. You can now purchase and download this pattern any time you like. 

For those of you who missed it the first time around, be sure to join my Facebook BOM Group so that you don't miss any more freebies when they happen and yes, this colouring shown has been created with Kaffe Fassett fabrics. Doesn't it just shine? I LOVE IT! There are quite a few OMWFB projects on the go out there and if you spot them on our Facebook Group, you will be sure to swoon. They are completely fabulous.

'On My Windows Flowers Bloom' 
Complete PDF Pattern

$19.95 USD 

What you need to know:

Payment is securely completed via PayPal

You don't need a PayPal account to pay as PayPal also securely processes Credit Card payments 

Pattern downloads are INSTANT and followed up with a live link to your email inbox

Check your email for the follow up email (and check your spam / junk folders if you can't see it)

The pattern will download to your computer directly

You REQUIRE an UPDATED PDF Reader in order to open and print the PDF Pattern

Note:

When you receive your download, be sure to SAVE it to your computer.

If you print it directly from the browser download screen, it will not be backed up to your computer. 

Click here to read my tutorial on printing my PDF patterns at home

Forget Me Not: Like It? Make It!

I've had 'Forget Me Not' on my mind this past week: after all, there are 24 gorgeous but 'forgotten' quilt blocks out there and all of a sudden I can't stand it, I want to see them revived! I want to see them worked on and brought to life. This is the perfect quilt to grow with and learn on - from applique techniques to over painting and embellishing and as my own is buried deep in the WIP pile, it's time to brush off this pattern and make it current again.

So here it is, the entire mystery back from 2012, the complete pattern for just $4.80 for 48 hours. Buy it, make it and show it off for all of us to see, love and be inspired by. 

Forget Me Not

Complete Digital Pattern

Finished Size: 60 x 59 inches 

$39.95 USD

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What you need to know:

Payment is securely completed via PayPal

You don't need a PayPal account to pay as PayPal also securely processes Credit Card payments

Pattern downloads are INSTANT and followed up with a live link to your email inbox. Check your email for the follow up email (and check your spam / junk folders if you can't see it)

The pattern will download to your computer directly

You REQUIRE an UPDATED PDF Reader in order to open and print the PDF Pattern

Note:

When you receive your download, be sure to SAVE it to your computer.

If you print it directly from the browser download screen, it will not be backed up to your computer. 

Click here to read my tutorial on printing my PDF patterns at home

This is an Early Pattern

It references a now defunct group - my old Yahoo Group. Don't try to sign up to that Group, it's closed. My only Group is my online Facebook Group: click here to join my Group

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