12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop (and a Giveaway)

Welcome to my turn on the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop hosted by Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

I've been wanting to try a hidden zipper in a pillow for some time, but I kept hearing that you needed a special foot for your sewing machine and that it was so difficult.  I decided it was time to try it and found a tutorial using a regular zipper foot.

First, I needed something to work with, so I pulled out my Mini Quick Curve Ruler by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

And then I had a poinsettia.  This is free pattern from Sew Kind of Wonderful.  I love my Mini QCR and need to start using it more often.

I quilted swirls in the red and green (which you can't see because I matched the threads so well) and loops and stars in the background.

You'll need to head over to Suzy Quilts to get the full tutorial.  Using a zipper that is shorter than your block, you baste it in place with the largest stitch length on your machine.  I would recommend using a contrasting thread colour.  Down the road, you need to unstitch the basting stitches.  I made the mistake of unstitching non-basting threads.  Ooops...but I managd to fix it with some handstitching.

I would also recommend using a matching thread for your topstitching.  It doesn't take very long to install the zipper.

This was an easy technique, and I can't believe I didn't try it sooner.  If you're going to sew the pillow sides together without binding, make sure you open your zipper first so you can turn it inside out.

You can see my swirl quilting in the photo below.

I am definitely going to use this tutorial again.  I encourage you to head over to Suzy Quilts to get the full details and give it a try.

Giveaway:

Figo Fabrics is a sponsor for the blog hop and has donated a fat quarter bundle of their new Christmas line, Wintertide.

To enter, complete the form below.  Make sure you scroll through the form and hit the blue Submit button.  If you're been following along with the blog hop, you would have discovered that you can enter once on all the blogs.

The giveaway closes on July 30, and the winner will be announced by Sarah on July 31.






Here's the list of blog participants.

SUNDAY, JULY 14TH

Jamie @ L’Fair Quilts

Sharon @ Vrooman’s Quilts

MONDAY, JULY 15TH

Amy @ Sea of Estrogen

Meloney @ Mel’s Quilting Blog

TUESDAY, JULY 16TH

Joy @ Days Filled With Joy

Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17TH

Brandy @ Pampered Pettit

Vicki @ Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting

THURSDAY, JULY 18TH

Kathy @ Kathy’s Kwilts and More

Selina @ Selina Quilts

FRIDAY, JULY 19TH

Moira @ The Quilted Snail

SATURDAY, JULY 20TH

Jennifer @ The Inquiring Quilter

Anja @ Anja Quilts

SUNDAY, JULY 21ST

Tracie @ Riceford Streams

Sharon @ Vrooman's Quilts

MONDAY, JULY 22ND

Katie @ Katie Mae Quilts

Susan @ QuiltFabrication

TUESDAY, JULY 23RD

Mary @ Made by Marney

Selina @ Selina Quilts

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24TH

Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Karrin @ Karrin’s Crazy World

THURSDAY, JULY 25TH

Christina @ Christina’s Handicrafts

Joanne @ Everyone Deserves a Quilt

WIP Wednesday - Jelly Roll Waves Quilt Along

Have you seen the Jelly Roll Waves Quilt Along hosted by Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts?  I'm using a mix of Alison Glass fabrics and Kona cotton.

This week, we are making one-half of the blocks.  I've got my strip sets sewn and cut, but I need to get them pieced together.

You can either make strip sets or sew the pieces individually.  Strip sets sounded like the quicker and easier method.

I didn't have enough Alison Glass prints in the correct length, so I had to supplement with a few Kona colours.

You'll have to stay tuned to see how I piece these together into blocks.  There's still time to join in for the quilt along.  You can get the pattern here.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop

Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict is once again hosting the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blop Hop.

This is my third year participating:  2018 project and 2017 project.

My project will be featured this Saturday, July 20.  You'll have to come back to see what I'm sharing and to enter a giveaway.

Here is the list of blog participants.

SUNDAY, JULY 14TH

Jamie @ L’Fair Quilts

Sharon @ Vrooman’s Quilts

MONDAY, JULY 15TH

Amy @ Sea of Estrogen

Meloney @ Mel’s Quilting Blog

TUESDAY, JULY 16TH

Joy @ Days Filled With Joy

Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17TH

Brandy @ Pampered Pettit

Vicki @ Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting

THURSDAY, JULY 18TH

Kathy @ Kathy’s Kwilts and More

Selina @ Selina Quilts

FRIDAY, JULY 19TH

Moira @ The Quilted Snail

SATURDAY, JULY 20TH

Jennifer @ The Inquiring Quilter

Anja @ Anja Quilts

SUNDAY, JULY 21ST

Tracie @ Riceford Streams

Sharon @ Vrooman's Quilts

MONDAY, JULY 22ND

Katie @ Katie Mae Quilts

Susan @ QuiltFabrication

TUESDAY, JULY 23RD

Mary @ Made by Marney

Selina @ Selina Quilts

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24TH

Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Karrin @ Karrin’s Crazy World

THURSDAY, JULY 25TH

Christina @ Christina’s Handicrafts

Joanne @ Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Turnabout Patchwork QAL - Flying Confetti

You may recall that I participated in a blog hop back in February (click here to see my quilt) for a new book by Teresa @ Sewn Up, Teresa Down Under -- Turnabout Patchwork.

Teresa is currently hosting a QAL for Flying Confetti, one of the patterns in her book.  I've been wanting to try this pattern so I decided to play along.  I had some scraps of Island Batik fabrics from my Ambassador box.

I used my Bloc Loc ruler to trim my HSTs.

The blocks sew together very quickly.

Then you cut the block in half horizontally and vertically.

A quick turn of each quadrant and then sew back together for a new block.

I pieced one block to see how it worked.  It was so easy and quick, so I made all the blocks.  I'm making a baby size, just 9 blocks, so it didn't take long to sew all the blocks, cut them, and then re-sew them.  At this point, I thought I might as well sew the 9 blocks into a top and be ahead of the game in the QAL.

And then I remembered why I wanted to sew along with Teresa.  She was going to show us how to quilt as you go without sashing.  Well damn.  I either had to take all my blocks apart or start another quilt.  So I grabbed some charm squares in my stash and some Kona Seafoam.

And now I have another set of blocks.  Lesson learned....it doesn't always pay to sew ahead.  LOL

Tereas has some tips on chain piecing, pressing, and trimming half square triangles.  Head over to her blog to see the video.  There's still time to join in.

TGIFF - Yonder Quilt and Pillow

I finally finished my quilt I made during the Yonder Quilt Along hosted by Briar Hill Designs.   I used the leftover block to make a pillow, which I shared here.

Both have been gifted to a friend who is expecting a baby in the coming weeks.

When I made the pillow, I just let myself go and did free motion quilting, no worrying about how it looked.  I tried to mimic some of those FMQ motifs in the quilt.

I thought I had chosen a suitable thread colour, but it blended so well in some of the prints.  I did wishbones and loopy flowers.

I found it challenging to quilt wishbones and swirls on angles.  Definitely something I need to practice.

The quilting created great texture.  I'm pleased with how it turned out.

I took my Singer and Pfaff machines in for service today.  What am I going to do for a week???  😊  I have some EPP to keep me busy.

If you have a finish this week, consider linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Chris Knits Sews

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty 
Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting

WIP Wednesday - Summer Sampler 2019 Update

I am more or less up to date with my blocks for the Summer Sampler 2019.  Block #8 was just released on Monday, so I have the rest of the week to get it completed.

You can see my first five blocks here.

Block 6 - Cul de Sac
Technique:  curved piecing

Block 7 - Sparkler
Technique:  challenging paper piecing

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

Broken Panes Quilt Along - Quilting Prep

It's time to get our Broken Panes Quilt Along quilt tops prepped for quilting.  Head over to Jen @ Patterns by Jen to get the pattern and more details about the QAL.

Here's my quilt top if you missed last week's blog post.  It finishes around 50-inch squares because I decided not to add the borders.

Jen has a great blog post on getting your quilt top prepped.  Pop over to Jen's blog to get some helpful hints, whether you are going to be quiting on your domestic machine or sending it to a longarmer.

My backing is pieced -- the majority of it is the teal fabric on the right.

I'll be using the sashing fabric for my binding.

I have a Pfaff mounted on a frame.  I generally add an extra four inches on all four sides for the batting and backing so I can clip them into place.  Sometimes I "cheat" and use less if I don't have enough fabric...don't tell the quilt police.  😊

Stop by next week to see what quilting motif I used.  I'll also be sharing a tutorial on machine binding in the coming weeks.

My QAL journey:

• QAL Announcement
• Cutting Fabric 
• Sewing Strip Sets 
• Block Assembly 
• Quilt Top 

July OMG - Wire Flowers

I almost forgot to set my goal for the July OMG hosted by Patty @ Elm Street Quilts.

My goal is to quilt my Wire Flowers quilt top.  I did piece the blocks together but realized just now that I haven't taken a photo of the quilt top.

I sewed the blocks together in the layout I shared here.

It's a small project, about 25 inches square.  I need to take my sewing machines in for service this month, so I'll be limited with my sewing time.  I think an all-over quilting motif -- time to stop overthinking and get projects finished.  Stay tuned.

Quilt of Valour

Note:  All fabrics in this post were given to me by Island Batik as part of their Ambassador program.

Jen @ Dizzy Quilter organized a Quilts of Valour blog hop for the Island Batik Ambassadors.  I quickly volunteered to make a quilt.  It's the least I can do to support those who serve to protect us (family members included).  A few Canadian Ambassadors volunteered, so Island Batik said we could donate our quilts in Canada.

Island Batik generously provided the fabric to make the Quilt of Valour.  I received a package of 10-inch squares and yardage of the new Freedom collection created by Kathy Engle.  I encourage you to click on the link -- these fabrics are fabulous.

I wanted to use mostly red and white fabrics since this would be a Canadian Quilt of Valour.  So to maximize the fabric I was given, I went with a simple checkboard pattern with a blue star in the bottom right-hand corner.  Thanks for the suggestion, Dena, but start your blog already!!!

A simple all-over stipple in red thread for a quick finish.

I used my go-to batting:  Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20.

I enourage you to visit all the Ambassadors participating in the blog hop, but make sure you visit Jen as she has a giveaway for some of the Freedom fabric.


July 1
Becca Fenstermaker -- Pretty Piney
Denise Looney -- For the Love of Geese
Gail Sheppard -- Quilting Gail

July 2
Pamela Boatright -- Pamela Quilts
Anne Wiens -- Sweetgrass Designs

July 3
Bea Lee --Bea Quilter
Carla Henton -- Creatin' In the Sticks

July 4
Emily Leachman -- The Darling Dogwood
Joan Kawano -- MooseStash Quilting
Jen Strauser -- Dizzy Quilter

July 5
Steph Jacobson -- Steph Jacobsen Designs
Leah Malasky -- Quilted Delights
Anja Clyke -- Anja Quilts
Maryellen McAuliffe -- Mary Mack Made Mine




If you have a finish this week, consider linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Slice of Pi

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty 
Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting

Broken Panes Quilt Along - Quilt Top

And then there was a finished quilt top.  I've enjoyed sewing along with the Broken Panes Quilt Along hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen.  There's still time to join in -- the final link up will be in August.

I made the smallest size, so it didn't take long to sew my four blocks together.

There is sashing between the blocks with an accent cornerstone block.  I didn't take any photos during the process because it went so quickly.  But you can head over to Jen's blog to get some tips on adding the sashing and borders.

You'll see that I was a rebel and didn't add the borders.  I had the border fabric cut, but I liked how it looked without borders.  So I cut the border fabric into the binding strips.  This finishes around 50 inches square.

It's been hard to get photos because we've had so much rain.  When the sun finally came out, it was so windy that it was near impossible to get good photos.

Now to decide on a quilting plan.  Later this month, I'll be sharing a tutorial on how I machine bind my quilts.


You can follow my progress during the QAL:

• QAL Announcement
• Cutting Fabric 
• Sewing Strip Sets 
• Block Assembly

OMG Finish - Blooming Wallflowers

Procrastination at its best...I quilted and bound my June OMG (hosted by Patty @ Elm Street Quilts) today, which is the last day of the month and the last day of the link up.  😊

I had all the best intentions to get this quilted earlier in the month, but I couldn't decide on a quilting plan.  I often struggle because my "longarm" (Pfaff Grand Quilter mounted on a frame) only has a 6-inch depth for quilting, and I don't like to do too many starts and stops -- who has time to bury threads.

In the end, I did an all-over loop in a variegated thread -- Connecting Threads Primary Variegated #21223.

While searching the internet for inspiration, I happened upon a blog post that made me very angry.  It was about free motion quilting, but instead of starting her post with encouragement, the blogger basically said no one should be doing an all-over motif.  Are you freaking kidding me????  I have no idea what she said next, because I quickly left, and I'm glad I don't remember where I was.  Sometimes an all-over motif is what is best, and sometimes I just don't have time for anything else.  Don't judge me because I don't quilt like you.  Maybe offer some helpful tips to help me get better at free motion quilting and share your knowledge.

I wasn't sure if the variegated thread was the right choice, but once I started, there was no stopping.  It blended in quite well, but there was good contrast in the background.  The loops give it wonderful texture.

My efforts to get quilt tops quilted do not seem to be working.  Even with this finish, I still have 11 unquilted tops....seriously??  Clearly, I'm not working fast enough.

This was the last of my FAL Q2 goals.