AGF Quilt Block Tour of Makers - Hoop Quilt

November 19, 2017

Hoop Quilts Pattern now available. (PDF Download or the Printed Pattern)

Welcome! Today I am sharing a project I made using one of the quilt blocks available in the Art Gallery Fabrics Video Tutorial Series on YouTube. If you haven't stopped by their channel, take a look there the next time you need inspiration. There are free PDF pattern downloads for quite a few quilt blocks, all with corresponding video tutes using your favorite AGF fabric collections.

I made the Morning Star quilt block.... and of course...... turned it into my favorite project..... a Hoop Quilt!

I decided to use Pat Bravo's Indie Folk collection. Indie Folk is very different from my normal mix of solids, blenders and tone-on-white prints. I wanted to work with this bohemian collection to explore something different from my norm and show how well Hoop Quilts can work with all different styles of fabrics.

Due to the sewing of curves to assemble the hoop, I had to make a small change to the assembly of this quilt block. Instead of the center square being one solid square, I had to make it into 4 smaller squares in order to make 4 quarter circles for the hoop. No biggie - with a busy floral in the center, I think you may only notice since I pointed it out.

The colors in these fabrics are stunning and I love the way they came together to show off this Morning Star block. With such busy prints in the line, this hoop only needed a very small amount of embellishment to let it shine. I added, as always, big stitch hand quilting around the perimeter of the circle and just a few lazy daisy and running stitches at the corners of the quilt block. Love it!

This pattern works with the templates for a 23" hoop in the Hoop Quilts pattern. It's big and bold, and totally killing it!

Follow along with the rest of the tour and don't forget AGF hosts a monthly contest for their Quilt Block Collection.

Bountiful Holiday Blog Tour: Hoop Quilt

November 2, 2017

Hoop Quilts Pattern is now available. (PDF Download or the Printed Pattern)

Good morning! Today I am sharing with you a special project that I've sewn up for the holidays as a part of the Bountiful Holiday Blog Tour. Welcome to any newcomers to my little space! Here you'll find that I'm busy making - sewing, quilting, and sometimes a little embroidery too. There just are not enough hours in the day to keep up with the ideas!

I was honored when Sharon Holland asked me to be a part of the tour. I almost always am in denial that the holidays are right around the corner, and usually end up short on time for making gifts. This tour got me started nice and early.

But really, the best part about this gift is that it's a quick project. I made a slight variation on a mini quilt. It's fast to put together and is perfect for gifting (especially for those who are so hard to think of ideas for).

This round variation of a mini quilt uses my pattern, Hoop Quilts, to frame up a quilt block inside a large quilting hoop or embroidery hoop. I absolutely love these as wall hangings and gifts.

I decided to use the Harvest color way of the Bountiful Fabric Collection for Art Gallery Fabrics. It has such a delicate calmness to it that called to me right away. When I first start making a Hoop Quilt, I always try to do a fabric pull and embroidery floss pull at the same time. It gives me more options and ideas when I can see all the possibilities laid out together.

Bountiful Fabric selection for Hoop Quilt

The pattern is based on using half-square triangles (HSTs) pieced inside a drunkard's path curve block. There are hundreds of (if not more) options on how to lay out 16 HSTs, so I started there. Making pretty HSTs and eating chocolate truffles. ;) I highly recommend both the fabric AND the truffles.

I just couldn't get the idea of basket quilt blocks out of my mind when working with this collection. Not only the name Bountiful, which brings to mind those pictures of overflowing cornucopias at the holidays, but the colors were inspiring as well. This palette, so soft and gentle, begged to become a basket block. So, of course, when the fabric begs, you oblige, right?

It was easy to substitute a couple of squares/rectangles where HSTs were supposed to be. I was super pumped to watch this come together because the Hoop Quilts pattern easily accommodates on-point blocks. And this was my first time trying it!

After sewing the mini quilt top and adding some fusible fleece to the back, it was time to embellish. This is often my favorite part of making a Hoop Quilt. It's so relaxing and therapeutic to hand stitch. I added some big stitching around the border and couldn't stop myself from going a wee bit crazy with the cabbage roses. You like?

A stunning addition to the basket if you ask me. The only problem is I'm not so sure I'm giving this away as a gift anymore!

Thank you so much for stopping by and enjoying my little project.

Chocolatier Block of the Month Club #11 (Bracelet #1 and #2 Blocks)

November 1, 2017

Time to power though BOMers! Month 11 of the Chocolatier Block of the Month Club is available and ready to go. This month we continue making supportive blocks to the center LeMoyne Star. This is the last of our detailed block making. A major pain - but SO worth it! Please don't hate me. I know you're going to be cussing me out, making all these at the end. Believe me, I was calling myself names during the remake of these blocks. Promise.... Promise. Absolutely worth the pain.

There are (8) of the white Bracelet #1 blocks and (16) of the Bracelet #2 blocks. The Skittles version requires more colors than the 3 Chocolate versions, so I had my work cut out for me.

Oh man, once you see them all laid out tho.... it totally comes together.
Don't worry about keeping up. Just work at your own pace. This quilt will be beautiful when it's done!

Fabric is Cotton Supreme Solids by RJR Fabrics for my version of the BOM. Find my color selections listed here.

SHARE with US! I'd love to see what you make.
There are several ways to share your participation in the BOM. I hope you'll join in the fun of quilting along online with us.
#chocolatiersampler on Instagram