Bee Blocks 'n Such

Last month I waited until the day of the meeting to sew my bee block...  I don't normally operate at the last minute, so I was worried how the block would turn out.  These two blocks are for the Columbus Modern Quilt Guild's Bee - CbusMQBee.  Janna let us pick whatever block we wanted for March - including colors.  Talk about overwhelming...  The decisions!  I decided on this Blueberry Pie block, based on seeing Canoe Ridge Creation's Starburst Minis on Instagram.  I love the way it came out!  I need to stop avoiding purple.  It can be such a lovely color when you choose the right shades and prints.

This month I am all over it - not wanting to leave it to the last minute again.  I'm SO not good at procrastinating.  This block is for Cynthia - she chose to have us make this Rolling Stone block with the centers all using Leah Duncan's Meadow print.  Dreamy!  This quilt will look fantastic once it's put together.

I am so glad to be back in a bee.  It always forces me to make blocks I haven't tried before - and I love being able to explore without having to commit to a whole quilt.

And the last little project I will show today, is this cute little Plus Pillow.  I made this along with the class I taught at Dabble & Stitch in March.  Cheerful, right?  I'm going to send it to my niece, who will love all the fantastically girly colors.

Patchwork Napkins Pattern


Today is the big day!  I've been showing you peeks and snippets of my newest pattern for the past month almost - and I am so glad that the Patchwork Napkins Pattern is finally ready for you.


I've developed a new fabric buying problem that is called "buying-by-the-bolt". :)  Recently, I bought a bolt of Robert Kaufman's Essex Linen in Natural - and while I was pondering what lovely things to make with said bolt, I decided I wanted a napkin set.  After all, linen seems a pretty traditional material for dinner napkins.  I began to troll Pinterest for napkin ideas - and nothing was quite like this idea I had in my mind.  Poof!  New pattern inspiration was born.


I wanted to create a pattern that you could customize and make again and again. Make some for yourself, some for your mom, some for your friend's housewarming.  Holiday.  Every day.  The possibilities are endless...

To facilitate each napkin set being different, there are for 4 different quilt blocks that are the center of attention in the accent patchwork block.  You can choose to make your set with all the same blocks and fabrics - or add some flair by mixing and matching with scraps.


Don't they make a table setting look so fun and exquisite?  This will be my Easter table this year - and to be honest - this is completely gung-ho for me.  I didn't even own cloth napkins before I made these.  Usually, my holiday hosting is good to go if my kids haven't made a fort out of the living room and the dinner table is play-doh free. :)



The pattern has an intermediate skill level (although if you choose some of the simpler patchwork blocks, I believe an advanced beginner could tackle it).  It has a great self-binding method in which the same fabric is used for the backing and binding - you won't need to cut binding strips!

The pattern lets you choose from 2 sizes to make. 
  • Everyday 14" x 14"  (these are intended to replace the small paper napkins usually bought in bulk at a large box store)
  • Formal 18" x 18" (larger for use with napkin rings - based on etiquette's "lunch" sized napkin)
Below you can see the difference in size between the everyday napkin (left) and the formal napkin (right).  See how there is room at the top of the formal one to slide a napkin ring over the tip? ....while still emphasizing the patchwork, of course. :)

Patchwork Napkin Fabric Requirements. 

Everyday
Formal
Makes
2 napkins
2 napkins
Front / Linen
1/2 yard
5/8 yard
Back
1/2 yard
5/8 yard
Assorted Scraps
Small amount for 4 1/2" block
Small amount for 4 1/2" block
Coordinating Thread
1 spool
1 spool

everyday napkin with patchwork backing


The Patchwork Napkin Pattern (PDF) is now available in my shop!  It will be on sale all this week for just $7.  After it's debut week, the pattern will bump up to $9 at it's regular price.

Enjoy!  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!  {annemarie@genxquilters.com}

everyday (left) and formal (right)
**Fabric for the samples in the pattern cover is Lark by Amy Butler, Tea Garden by Dena Designs, Love by Amy Butler, and Summersault by Erin McMorris.  

RJR Supreme Solids Blog Hop

When I was asked to participate in RJR's Supreme Solids blog hop, I happily said yes - as I am always interested in trying out different solids for quilting.  I had not tried RJR's Supreme Solids until now - and they are quite lovely to work with.

Here is a mini quilt I made to decorate my new sewing space using a cheery bundle of the Supreme Solids.  I am calling it Origami Bloom.


I think this quilt shows a different side of my personality, perhaps one that is analytic, geometric and basic.  I chose two shades of greens, oranges, blues, and purples.  The two shades of each color are intended to be close to each other, and in the same tone.  I wanted each petal of the bloom to look as if it were a piece of origami paper, bent and angular, with the lighter shade mimicking the backside of a continuous loop.  


I gave this mini tight straight line quilting to add simple dimension to the quilt - and the bias navy stripe from Bonnie & Camille's April Showers to give the binding a PUNCH.  I love it!  And the little confetti ticker tape squares in the border make me smile too.  :)

Thank you to RJR, who is giving away a bundle of the Supreme Solids I used for this project!   Scroll to the end of the post to enter the giveaway.

Quilt Stats.
Name: Origami Bloom
Size: 24" x 24"
Design: by AnneMarie Chany
Fabric:  RJR Supreme Solids: 033 Optical White, 314 Oriole, 276 Tangerine Dream, 333 Bougainvillea, 331 Pink Orchid, 296 Electric Blue, 126 Royal Blue, 347 Grass is Always Greener, 346 Sour Apple, and Navy Stripe from April Shower's for Moda
Piecing:  Me
Quilting: Me

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win this cheery bundle.
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