Grandmother's Flower Garden

After spending many hours on the internet, I came up with a pattern to make my "Grandmother's Flower Garden" quilt.  I really liked both the green background and the white background so I decided to incorporate both into my design.

So, I decided to make a double flower with white hexagons around the flower and then a row of green around the flowers.  I also decided to make all the centers in yellow.

Now that I had my design in my head I went to the internet to download some hexagon graph paper. I went to the bottom of the page and used the 5ish to the inch black link, and printed the paper.

 Using colored pencils I mapped out my design.  This may change, but it is a start.

Now it is time to start my "Grandmother's Flower Garden" quilt.

I am going to try to post my progress each week on the blog.  So look for updates every Tuesday!

 Week one progress!

Hexagons

When Martelli had templates on their Redline Direct, I bought a set of hexagons. At the time I bought then I had no idea what I was going to do with them.  Then I saw a "Grandmother's Flower Garden" quilt on line and knew that I had to make it.

 Well, for starters it is pieced together using the English paper piecing method.  If you don't know what that is, here is a video that will help you understand English paper piecing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHe-MJavMqI.

I decided to start by making a pin cushion that I found in McCall's Quilting Magazine (Nov./Dec. 2013) to get me started with hexagons.

I used Martelli hexagons to cut both the paper and the fabric.

I used the 2 inch fussy cut template to make my paper pattern.  After I make one sheet, I then copied the paper several times and then cut out all the hexagons.

 

I first cut a 2 1/2 by 3 inch pieces of fabric, then using the template, I cut the hexagon shapes.

 

Next I pinned the paper shapes to the fabric.

I have stitched the edges down and now I am ready to whip stitch the hexagons together.  I stitched mine down differently than in any of the other videos.  I tack down ONLY the corners (with a stitch and then a back stitch) making sure that I do NOT go through the paper. This helps preserve the paper so that it can be used over many times.

Next I pressed them and right after I press them and before I sew them together, I take out the papers (which can be used again).  This is different than any of the youtube videos that I watched.  I just don't see the need for the paper when sewing them together.

I sewed all the sides together except one.  I stuffed it with crushed walnut shells, that I got at the pet store, before whip stitching the last side of the last hexagon.  My finished pin cushion!

Martelli Red Line Direct

Martelli is selling their mats and Christmas Stocking templates at 50% off this Thursday October 10th.

QUESTIONS: Call 850-433-1414 9a - 4p, Monday - Friday Date & Time Thursday, October 10, 2013 Midnight to Midnight, Eastern Time Remember to adjust for your time zone!

50% OFF! Promo code: RL1309 Single use per customer. Valid on purchases thru online store. Not valid with other offers. Get started now at: www.martellicatalog.com OCTOBER 10, 2013 ONLY!  QUESTIONS: Call 850-433-1414  9a - 4p, Monday - Friday

Quilting guild

Quick note.  I joined the Haymarket Chapter of Quilters Unlimited.  Looking forward to becoming a participating member of the guild.

My Applique Class

Last Saturday was my second Applique class.  I finished the first block while traveling back from Disney on the train.

It's not perfect, but this is my first block.   I should get better with each block.

I thought I was ahead of the game by having everything already cut out for the second block, but when I got to class a lot of the people already had the second block finished and was already working on the third block.  We are all working at our own pace and I love that. Not sure how much I will have done by the next class but I will keep you updated.

Original Sewing and Quilt Expo

Today I went to the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo in Fredericksburg, VA.  For those of you who think it is more about sewing than quilting, you couldn't be more wrong.  I would say that 75% of the show was dedicated to quilting. I had a great time wondering through all the booths.  For this expo I concentrated on patterns.  Boy did I find a lot.  Let me share with you some of the things that I picked up.

I have always wanted to do a nativity quilt.  I probably won't have it finished before this Christmas, maybe next Christmas.

I figured this would be a great go to table runner.

I always wanted to learn the tea leaf pattern.  This looked quick and easy.

How could I resist this with two daughters and three granddaughters. The words are covered up by the flash, but it says "Sometimes I miss my sister".  I'm thinking I'll make it for my oldest granddaughter.

OK, I know it is not quilting but how cute is this petite wallet and this checkbook wallet.

I have been admiring this in the Keepsake Quilting catalog for awhile.  Can't wait to try it.

This was done by the same person that designed the "Up North" quilt.

I think they are supposed to be wall hangings but I think they would make great table runners.  One of my goals is to have a table runner for every season.  These will help a lot.

I also stopped by the Martelli booth.  I met Linda Winner and she was telling me that they have redone all of their instructional videos.  She was really excited about them.  The best place to find her videos is www.youtube.com/lindavideos.

While I am talking about Martelli, there is a Redline Direct coming up on October 10.  Up next is cutting mats.  These mats last a life time.  I don't know about you but I go through mats.  I'm getting one from the show, it is the demo mat, but since they last forever I don't mind that it is used.