Blogger's Quilt Festival: Hopscotch Kona Challenge Quilt (Fall 2011)

Pin It

Welcome to any visitors from Blogger's Quilt Festival!  Can you believe it's time for the Festival already?  This year is cruising right along.  This quilt I completed in May for the Modern Quilt Guild Robert Kaufman Kona Charm Pack Challenge.  It's huge!  And is one of my kids' favorites.  For anyone who remembers this quilt from it's first post, I decided to keep it for my kids instead of giving it to 3 newborns.  My boys loved playing on it all summer in the cool A/C.

Hope you like it!  And thanks so much to Amy Ellis for all the work you've done for this online quilting community.  I had the pleasure of meeting her at the Sewing Summit - she is such a sweetheart.  Thank you Amy!

Well, I've done it.  I've gone and quilted the largest playmat ever.  Well, maybe not ever..... but this thing is HUGE!

Our Modern Quilt Guild was given a Kona Charm Pack in the bright color palette.  We were to make a quilt using "Summer Fun" as a theme.  One day in the shower it came to me that I should make my Kona quilt a hopscotch game.  After all, the Twister quilt went over really well.... this would be just as fun.

We were allowed to add one solid for background and one additional print or solid.  At first I chose, a green print from Tweet Tweet by Keiki for Moda.  But after sewing the print into the cornerstones for ALL TEN blocks AND adding the number appliques, I decided I hated the look!!

There was a ton of green in the charm pack and the green print added sensory confusion in my opinion.  I debated just to leave it and finish the darn thing.  (Enter "Angry sewing")  So after a little break from working on it, I decided I couldn't let it alone.

CRAZY = I took all the frames off the center squares, removed the cornerstones, replaced them with Kona Bahama Blue, cut new center squares, repieced the blocks, recut all the numbers, fused 1-10, and zigzaged all the applique.

Yes, I feel really crazy writing it too.

BUT.  

Now I like it.

Here's the back (Amy Butler and Metro Rings, leftover Kona Bahama Blue)

Quilt Stats:

Name: Charmed Hopscotch
Size: 28" x 90"
Design: pieced framed blocks with number applique
Piecing: Me

Quilting: Me -  Stipple on my home machine

Pin It

GO! Baby GiveAway

Pin It

Before I get to the BIG GIVEAWAY, I wanted to mention that a couple people have asked if it's still ok to join the CHARMED PRINTS QAL if they would like to make smaller projects.  Maybe you don't have time for a whole quilt right now...  it is ABSOLUTELY OK to quilt along with us if you'd like to make a mini quilt or table runner, etc.  I'd love to have you!  Join us in the flickr group here and watch for the fabric requirements and schedule on Nov. 1st!

Now, on to the GIVEAWAY!

Here we GO!  It's GiveAway time!  One lucky Gen X Quilters' reader will win an Accuquilt Go!Baby Fabric Cutter along with 3 dies of your choice.

  Check out my review and tutorial to learn more about this product and see the Baby Changing Mat I made using the adorable ric rac die.  

GiveAway / Here's how to enter:  

1. leave a comment on this post - pehaps tell me which die is your favorite (one entry)

2.  sign up to get 22 FREE patterns from Accuquilt by following this link, all you need is an email address... come back here and leave an additional comment that you signed up. (one entry)

** please be sure that an email address is available on your profile or is included in your comment if you are a no-reply blogger**

Enter by Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at midnight EST. A winner will be randomly drawn on Thursday.

Pin It

Join in the Charmed Prints Quilt-Along!

Pin It

<a href="http://www.genxquilters.com/"><img src="http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad268/amli77/charmedprintsQALbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="Gen X Quilters Prints Charming Quilt Along" /></a>

WHAT:  Would you like to make a fun and simple quilt AND get it done in time for the holidays?  Child's quilt or Lap quilt..... no problem!

I've got just the project for you.  I am hosting my first quilt along, the Charmed Prints Quilt Along!

WHEN:  The new quilt along kicks off next week with fabric requirements on Tuesday, 11/01/11.  We'll be making an I-Spy sort of quilt using charm packs (5" squares) and a few "feature" quilt blocks to showcase some fussy cut charms.

All you need is a cute charm pack (child) or two (lap) to get you started!

PREVIEW:  Here's a small preview of the quilt layout (including what the feature blocks look like):

WHO:  This quilt-along is perfect for quilters of all levels.   If you've never done a quilt-along before, now's a great time to try it!  It's a lot of fun to work on the same pattern with many other quilters and to see how each quilter interprets it.  And since this quilt is designed to be customized, it will be fun to see the unique results.

CUSTOMIZE:  We will keep most of the charms full 5" squares.  There are 4 feature blocks that I will be giving instructions for.  You may add as many feature blocks to your quilt as you desire!  Love this block, but not that one?  Customize this quilt-along pattern to make a quilt that is you.

INCENTIVE:  On Your Wish List perhaps?  Those that enter a picture of your completed quilt by the end of the Quilt Along will be entered into a drawing to receive this fat quarter bundle of Lizzy House's Outfoxed from Fresh Squeezed Fabrics!

              Outfoxed fat-quarter bundle (outsmarted colorway)--9      pieces (2-1/4 yards total), Lizzy House, Andover Fabrics

HOW TO JOIN:  Hop over to Flickr and join the Charmed Prints Quilt Along group.  You can post photos there of your fabric selections as well as your progress throughout the quilt along.  Grab a button for your blog and get excited!

SCHEDULE:  Each segment of the Quilt Along will be posted on Tuesdays, for 7 weeks, starting 11/1 and ending 12/13.  Just in time for gifts!

UP NEXT:  I'll be announcing the fabric requirements and the quilt-along schedule on Tuesday, 11/1 and telling you more about this quilt, to help you with your fabric selections. 

In the meantime, if you'd like to join in, start thinking about some charm packs you might like to use.  Any charms with a few cute little novelty squares that can be fussy cut would be adorable for this quilt!

Just some Ideas from GXQ sponsors:

Japanese/Spoonflower charms from GXQ swaps

Christmas/Holiday charms

Anything Aneela

Crafty Girls Workshop Charm pack SALE - hurry! ends 10/31

Riley Blake charms

Pin It

Baby Changing Mat Tutorial using the Accuquilt GO! Baby

Pin It

Like many other quilty bloggers, I have been fortunate enough to get a chance to play with an Accuquilt GO! Baby Fabric Cutter.  It is certainly a time saver when it comes to cutting out those odd shapes.  I received the hexagon, diamond and ric rac dies.

I have to admit, when it came, I went straight to the ric rac.  If you've been reading here a while, you know that unlike a lot of other modern quilt bloggers, I actually enjoy applique when used in a more contemporary way.  The ric rac die screams baby items to me.  Of course, there are plenty of other uses too, but it's probably just on the brain!

Before running the fabric through the GO! Baby, I applied fusible web to the fabric.  Then it comes out of the cutter absolutely ready to be applied to your foundation.  This will come in very handy when using those applique shapes covered in the dies offered by Accuquilt.

I was surprised at how small and compact the cutter was.  And until I saw it demonstrated, I had no idea it was manually operated.  That's even better for portability to guild meetings, retreats, etc.  I only noticed that sometimes there are small threads that need to be clipped before removing the shapes from the die, but this is a very minor issue considering how much time you are saving.


I've made a little tutorial for a Baby Changing Pad using the GO! Baby Ric Rac die.  Hope you like it!

Accuquilt GO! Baby Tutorial – Baby Changing Pad using Ric Rac die

Here is a simple, yet sophisticated changing pad I made.  After all, moms want to look stylish even in the middle of messy diapers!  Remember you can always add cute embellishments, like monogramming or birthdates, on the solid to make this an extra special gift.

MATERIALS

Fabric	Yardage Requirements
Print for front	1 fat quarter (18” x 22”)
Print for backing	1 fat quarter (18” x 22”)
Coordinating solid (appliqué and binding)	1 fat quarter (18” x 22”)
Fusible web	6” x 18”
Batting	1 fat quarter (18” x 22”)
Coordinating Thread	1 spool
Elastic hair band	1
Cover Button Kit (1.5”)	1
Fabric scrap to cover button	3” diameter circle
GO! Baby dye	Ric Rac

CUTTING REQUIREMENTS

Fabric	Quantity	Dimensions (w x L)
Front	1	17” x 21”
Back	1	18” x 22”
Solid	1	6” x 17”
Solid (binding)	5	2 ¼” x 18”
Fusible web	1	6” x 17”

MAKING RIC RAC

1.    1. Place the 6” x 17” fusible web rectangle, bumpy side down, on top of the wrong side of the solid 6” x 17” fabric.  Fuse the fusible web to the fabric.  Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions prior to beginning for appropriate heat settings and length of time to press.

2.     2.  Leaving the paper on the fused fabrics, run the 6” x 17” piece through the ric rac dye.  The piece will fit perfectly on top of the die.  This will yield one wide ric rac strip and one thin ric rac strip.  Remove the paper backing from the strips.

ADDING APPLIQUE TO FRONT

1.     Fuse the ric rac strips (sticky or wrong side down) to the right side of the front fabric.  Place the wide ric rac strip approximately 3” up from the bottom edge of the front.  The thin ric rac strip is placed 2” above the wide strip.

2.     2. Zigzag or blanket stitch around the shapes to secure the appliqué. If you would like to add any embroidered embellishments to the front (such as a name, initials or date), do so now.

PREPARE THE QUILT SANDWICH and QUILT

1.     Baste all 3 layers together.  First lay the backing wrong side up.  Next layer the batting.  Then place the quilt top in the center of the batting and backing.  The backing fabric and batting should be slightly larger than the quilt top.  I used pin basting, but for such small projects like this, spray basting may work as well.

2.     2.  Quilt as desired.  I used a simple all-over stipple in coordinating plum thread.

3. Trim the excess backing and batting from the quilt.

BINDING

1.  1.    Use the 5 binding 2 ¼” strips to make continuous double-fold binding.  

2.   2.  I recommend using machine binding with mitered corners for this project to make it quick and easy.  Sew the binding to the back of the quilt first. 

3.     3. Turn the quilt over and sew the binding to the front.

MAKE ELASTIC BUTTON

1.   1.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the covered button kit to press the button layers together.  Push the elastic band through the loop in the back of the button.  Make a knot with the elastic band around the button loop to secure the band to the button.

There you have it…  Fold the mat in half and roll it up for travel.  Secure the roll by stretching the elastic button band around it.  All done!  Hope you like it!


Be on the lookout for Gen X Quilters' GO! Baby GiveAway coming soon!

Pin It

2 remaining spots in the Japanese Imports Swap and Book Winners

Pin It

There are only TWO spots left in the Japanese Imports Fabric Swap!!!  Sign up today to be included!


The swap is now filled!  Thanks everyone!

For those of you who are already signed up, I'll be emailing the group confirmations/mailing details in a day or so.  Can't wait!

It's time to announce some winners!

The winner of The Devil's Puzzle by Clare O'Donahue is Stray Stitches!  There were lots of wonderful ideas about murder-mystery block names in the comments.  What fun!  There are actually a ton of blocks that would make good books.  My favorite is Buzzard's Roost.

Stray Stitches said...6

A block that sounds like it could be a mystery title is Moon Over The Mountain. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your great giveaway!

OCTOBER 18, 2011 9:30 AM 

Also, last week's winner of Deploy That Fabric never contacted me, so I am choosing another winner today.  The new winner is Laura!

Laura said...

5

Wow, I'm never the first poster! lol Anyhow, love your site and giveaway! I have had this book on my wishlist from the first day I heard about it! I have friends and family either currently or retired from the various armed forces. This book will give me the info to make some cute (the guys might not like that word -lol) how bout awesome gifts! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

OCTOBER 11, 2011 7:37 AM 

Thanks to all who participated!  I'll be emailing the winners shortly.

Pin It

Swap Signups: I-Spy Japanese Imports Fabric Swap 2

Pin It

The Swap is now filled.  If you didn't get in, leave me a comment here.  If there is enough interest, I'll consider running 2 rounds.  (Am I crazy??)

I mentioned in a previous post that I am planning a Quilt-Along....  well, I'm going to use the fantastic charms received in the first Japanese Imports Swap.  It is such a unique collection of prints!

I thought I would host another one of these swaps hopefully to get you excited about a Quilt Along!  If you just want to hoard the lovelies you get in the swap that's ok too...  I guess... :)


Here's a little teaser... the charms swapped in the first round.... 

You can see the detail on these prints in the flickr group.

 I like having those small squares to add some unique flair to those little projects, bee blocks, etc.

Anyone game?

Gen X Quilters' Japanese Imports Fabric Swap 2

This is an opportunity to join a centralized swap to send in 1 yard of Japanese Import Fabric and receive a Charm Pack of cute Japanese Novelty prints in return.

 Fabric Details:

1.  Each swap member will purchase 1 yard of Japanese Import Fabric.  Fabric may be 100% cotton or a linen/cotton blend.  Fabric must be new and unwashed.  When purchasing fabric, please consider that the yardage will be cut into 5" charm squares and that large prints may not be desirable once cut down to size.  The I-spy theme should lead you to purchase cute, kitschy, novelty type prints (very typical of Japanese Imports!).  Please buy from a well known reputable shop (there are imitations out there).

Before sending to me, fabric must be cut into Charm Squares (5" x 5" squares).  1 yard = 56 charms

Elizabeth Hartman has a great tutorial for cutting yardage into charms here.

2.  Send a 3" x 5" index card with your name printed at the top.  Next list the Fabric Manufacturer and the Print Name/Color  (i.e. Kokka Japan, Dress Up Dolly Natural).  

Examples of Japanese Import Fabrics perfect for I-Spy Charms!  Available at Fabricworm.

Shipping Details:

1.  Your package of 56 charm squares and 3" x 5" index card should be placed in a ziploc bag to protect the fabric.  The going rate according to most etsy shops I surveyed for shipping a charm pack is roughly $2.50-$3.

2.  Included inside your package, please put another Self-Addressed Envelope for me to mail the swapped fabric back to you.  Please put the amount of postage needed to get the swap back to you on your Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope.

3.  There will be a shipping and handling charge of $1.00 to have the swap sent back to you.  (This helps me cover the P.O. Box rental fee.)  Please include the dollar in your ziploc bag.  Payment must be complete prior to the shipment of your package!

Once I receive every one's Charm Squares, I will sort them out and give you back an array of new Japanese Novelty Charms for you to try!

This swap will be limited to 28 participants.  With 28 participants, each person will receive 2 charm squares from each participant's package.  Sign ups start today and end when the cap is reached. 

Charms must be mailed to me by Tues. Nov. 8, 2011.

I hope to have the packages back to you within 1 week in order to be ready to join in the Quilt-Along!

(Participants must be in the U.S. or Canada please.)

To Sign up for the Japanese Imports Fabric Swap:

Sign ups start today!!  Do not hesitate - these swaps tend to fill up quickly.

Fill out the FORM HERE.


The swap is filled.  If you still have interest, leave me a comment here.  I'll consider 2 concurrent rounds if enough people want in!

 grab a button (at the top) and leave a comment so we can see who's in!

Fabricworm is one of the largest sources of Japanese Import Fabrics online, so be sure to check it out!

Also, check out GXQ's other sponsors who carry Japanese Imports,Fresh Squeezed Fabrics, Sew Fresh Fabrics and Swell Cloth.

Pin It