Thimble Blossoms Sampler QAL Update!

Yesterday was pretty exciting ... I got some awesome sneak peeks at my second Thimble Blossoms Sampler quilt on Instagram.  Nicole did the amazing custom quilting for me and she is she had shared some pictures with Camille Roskelley as seen below...

I mean, I liked this quilt a lot after finishing the last seam, but Nicole has just taken it to the next level!  I can hardly wait for FedEx to drop this off on my doorstep this week!

We still have a few kits available for this quilt here, but they won't last too much longer!  Learn more about the quilt and see how it came together in this post here.

Happy Sewing! :)

Thimble Blossoms Sampler Week 7 - Nantucket

Hi there!

I am finally back with the last block installment in this sampler project. This week, we are using the Nantucket pattern.  I've heard a few of you on Instagram share that this block is a little intimidating.  And while it certainly does look difficult, you can totally do it!  I photographed a few steps to share some tips with you all.

Before I go into the tips, I will say that this block is a little on the tedious side as you really need to pin carefully in each step.  I would consider myself a confident piecer, so I didn't draw the lines as Camille suggests in the pattern. So, if this is a little scary, I would suggest you definitely do that AND maybe make a test 1/4 of a block to get more comfortable with this block.

First ... you are going to need some pins! The finer the better.

I used pins in all the intersections as I pieced the strips and completed strip sets together.  Put the pin through each unit at 1/4" and this will help line everything up nicely.  (Remove pins as you sew!)
Side note:  be really gentle when pinning ... you don't want to pull or tug the fabric a lot since there is a lot of bias going on here!

Continue pinning as you join the larger pieced triangle units into the quarter blocks.  I used pins at every intersection as well as in the background triangles.

The pattern suggests that you may need to trim these quarter units.  I chose to do so here.  You can use the diagonal lines your mat if you have them to assist you, if needed. I didn't need to trim much ... especially in my 2nd and 3rd blocks where I was much more careful in handling and pressing my units.

Continue pinning when you join the quarter units together.

You'll make two halves of the block.  And I pressed the seams between the quarter units in opposite directions so they would nest when I joined the two halves.

The next thing I want to share has to do with pressing ... and I mean "press" as opposed to "iron." All the block pieces have bias edges, which means that they will stretch.  So you want to be very careful about pressing these blocks - in ALL stages of construction.  Sometimes I "iron" and really force fabric where I need it to go.  Here we want to press... so up and down (vertically) with the iron as opposed to doing more heavy-handed sliding of the iron on the seams, if that makes sense.  I also chose not to use steam here to try and minimize stretching & distortion.

Another tip related to pressing is to finger press seams before you press them with the iron.  I usually "set the seam" quickly with an iron and then gently press the seam open with my fingers before getting the iron involved.  This just helps to make sure I don't work the fabric too hard with my iron.
(My good friend Lee at May Chappell calls this "married seams" in her glossary of important terms.)

Overall, I am happy with how these blocks turned out.  They are not completely perfect, especially this first one that I made ....

You can see where I ended up trimming a little too much - which was possible because I had ironed a little more than I had pressed. :/

I will lose some points on the outer edge of my block.  BUT ... in general, I think they turned out pretty good and this quilt is for me.  Not for a show.  But for me to enjoy and once it is quilted I don't think it will be super noticeable unless you really look. So I decided to live with it. :-)

I can't really decide which I like best.  But I love the floral backgrounds.  I specifically chose these for this block in the kit because the seams would be less noticeable in the background.

Well, there you have them!  Good luck!  If you need help, just tag me on IG @sewlux and use #TBScrappySamplerQAL.

I will be back in a couple of days to share the layout process.  We'll start in the middle and work our way out, so hang tight on that step!

Happy Sewing!

Thimble Blossoms Sampler Week 5 - Flower Patch

Hey there!

I am running a little late again with my sewing (sorry about that!), but I am happy to be popping in to share this really fun (and ginormous!) block for this week's installment in the Thimble Blossoms Sampler.

This week, we're sewing one complete Flower Patch block, which is four units sewn together.  This block includes some fusible applique and I did a small zig zag stitch to secure mine to the foundation squares.  Then made sure to pin the intersections of points so they'd match up nice and pretty!

For the next week, we'll be making Clambake blocks and I wanted to check my layout a little in thinking about distributing colors throughout my quilt.  So, I thought I'd take this opportunity to show you how things are looking and also give you a variation or two for the top row to make your quilt your own, if you like!

First, let me apologize for the sun & wind that made these photos not what I hoped ... ;-)

But anyway ...  this is the original plan with the nine patch blocks on the ends and the three stars in the middle.

You can also move the nine patches between the stars, so it alternates blocks across the top.

And finally, you can sew the nine patches together in pairs and alternate between the stars like this ... 

I am leaning toward option two, but may still change my mind.  Which one do you like the best?

That's all for now!  I am headed to Quilt Market on Wednesday and will do my best to get my Clambake section pieced before I leave, but it may get posted early next week.

If you are just joining along, learn more about the QAL here.  (And remaining kits are now on sale while they last!) 

Happy Sewing!  :-) 

Thimble Blossoms Sampler Week 3 - Houses

Welcome back!  I hope you are having fun sewing along on this QAL ... How did you did with your star blocks last week?

This week, we are still making our way through all the great blocks in the Summerville pattern by Camille at Thimble Blossoms.

If you are using our kit and making these from layer cake squares, please be sure to refer to the instructions included in the kit for cutting the main body of the house from one layer cake square.

These house blocks come together pretty easily, especially if you chain piece to make several at once.

I tried to use most of the colors from the layer cake throughout my houses and I also tried to think about patterns that would be ok with seams in them for the roof parts especially.  (For example, the orange peel could look a little wonkly with a seam in the middle, but the florals hide the seams a little better.)

Is it bad that now I want to make a whole quilt of these house blocks?!

They are just too cute?! :-)

I hope you are having fun sewing along.  Share a link or tag me on Instagram (@sewlux) and use #TBScrappySamplerQAL so I can see your little neighborhood!

Have a great weekend and I will see you next Friday with the next set of blocks!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Thimble Blossoms Sampler Week 2 - Stars

Happy Friday!

Who's ready to sew up some easy star blocks this weekend?

This week, we're still working with the Summerville pattern (available here) for our Thimble Blossoms Sampler QAL.

These star blocks are very easy (and quick!) to sew.  I chose to make them a little scrappy, but you can certainly make them all one color if you want depending on the fabrics you are using.

I put the pinks & reds opposite of each other on my star, as well as the cool colors (aqua and green) across from each other.

To get nice points with half square triangles (HST), I always sew a little big and them trim to size. This helps with accuracy when you join them together into a larger block.  You can use a ruler, but I also love a Bloc Loc for this!

Here are all my pretty blocks awaiting their quilt top neighbors!

Are you sewing with me?  Share a link or tag me on Instagram (@sewlux) and use #TBScrappySamplerQAL

Have a great weekend and I will see you next Friday with the next set of blocks!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Thimble Blossoms Sampler Week 1 - Clover Blocks

Hey everyone!  I am really excited that it is Friday because we are kicking off the first week of sewing in the Thimble Blossoms Sampler Round 2!  

I want to start this week by sharing that you should plan ahead with your cutting if you are using our kit or a layer cake for the bulk of your blocks. 

(sorry for a couple of crappy phone pics here!) 

I used the cutting guide (available here) that we included with our kits to plan out where I would use each fabric.  There is some flexibility, even with using a layer cake, but you do have to plan ahead a little to get all the cuts and distribute the colors throughout the quilt.  You can see below how I mapped things out a little before starting.  Be sure to read all of it and feel free to let me know if you have questions. :-)

Ok .. now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about this week's sewing!  We'll be using the Summerville pattern for the next four weeks.  You can download the pattern from Camille here.

We're making what I will call "clovers" this week, which are made up of four of the border blocks, just arranging them a little differently to make a four leaf clover or chunky X block.  These are quick and simple to sew together - perfect for our first week! :)

One of the reasons we are making these first is that we need to cut these squares out early from the layer cake (refer to cutting guide) so we'll have pieces big enough.  You'll see as we sew along that the leftovers of these layer cake squares will appear all of the place in my quilt top as well.

I did choose to make each of these in a different color, but you can do them however you want!  It's totally up to you!

I found it helpful to pin those intersections where the white background corner pieces met to try and make sure things lined up nice as I sewed the four units together.

Hello Darling is such a fun and pretty collection!  I am really excited for how this quilt will turn out!

Are you sewing with me?  Share a link or tag me on Instagram (@sewlux) and use #TBScrappySamplerQAL

Have a great weekend and I will see you next Friday with the next set of blocks!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Thimble Blossoms Sampler Round Two Layout Reveal

We are pretty excited over here about the next round of the Thimble Blossoms Sampler Quilt Along! We announced the QAL last week and by popular request, are sharing the layout up front this time ... we hope you like it!  :-) 

I managed to cut almost the entire quilt this weekend and sew a few of my blocks (above) so you could get a feel for where we're heading.  Our quilt kits use Hello Darling and this is going to be so fun and cheerful, I think!

The image below shows the general layout of the quilt.  We will also add a border all around the quilt (if you are ordering a kit, be sure to choose your favorite border option!) to make this a nice size quilt at approximately 72" x 82".

You can download the Layout here for reference.

What do you think?!  We hope you like it ... the more blocks I've sewn, the more I can't wait to finish!  If you have any questions, please feel free to comment or send us an email at sewlux at gmail dot com.

Happy Sewing! :-)

Thimble Blossoms Scrappy Sampler QAL : Sashing, Layout and Borders

Hey there!

It's our last week in the Thimble Blossoms Scrappy Sampler QAL and I was too excited not to share my finished top last Friday ... so if you follow me on Instagram, you've already seen it!  If not ...here it is!

I really loved making this quilt and my quilt top is currently on the way to a longarmer who will be working a little magic on it.  I will be sure to show you all those details when I get it back.  :-)

I have created a document to help you with creating the top and bottom borders as well as the sashing to get the top together.  You can download it here.

When I was piecing this together, I started by piecing rows together as shown in the photos below (sorry they are a little dark, but hopefully you get the idea).

Piece the Lollies together all in a row.  Remember the one where we left off a side border?  That goes on the end.  Join the tulips together as shown in the layout file linked above.

Then piece the "Wave" (Vintage Tulips alternate blocks) - there is no sashing between these.  And finally, sew the Swoon blocks together with sashing between them.

Follow the layout diagram to sew rows together and piece the top and bottom borders.  (Here's the link to the background fabric cutting tips again, if you need it.)

I hope you've been having fun if you are sewing along! I'd love to see your finished quilt tops - tag me on Instagram (@sewlux) and use #TBScrappySamplerQAL - it has been so fun seeing your quilts come together over the past few weeks. :-)

I will be back when my quilt comes back from the longarmer with quilting details and a fun link up (probably late July but I will keep you updated).

P.S.  Did you miss out? Find details and all the links to the QAL here. :-)

P.P.S. I am already thinking about planning another sampler QAL when the next round of patterns are released.... would anyone be interested?

Thimble Blossoms Scrappy Sampler QAL : Swoon Sixteen

Happy Monday! 

This week we are moving ahead on our Thimble Blossoms Scrappy Sampler quilt. :-)

So far, we've made five Lollies, one Piccadilly Circus, three Tulips, and three "wave" blocks. 

This week, we're working on the Swoon Sixteen blocks.  This is the mid-size swoon - Camille has both an original (24") and a mini size.  You're wanting the newest pattern, which finishes to 16".  The pattern for this quilt is here if you need one.  We're going to make THREE swoon blocks - no changes to the pattern.  :-) 

My blocks are a little wrinkly - sorry about that!  My initial photos weren't great so I retook them and they got a little rumpled in between.

I really like that this Swoon pattern calls for three prints instead of two.  I think it adds a little fun! 

And one more ...I can't decide which one is my favorite. 

See you next Monday - I'll share the layout, borders & sashing!  We're soooo close and I can't wait for you to see it!

If you are on Instagram, show me your wave blocks and tag them #TBScrappySamplerQAL !

Happy Sewing! :-)

Thimble Blossoms Scrappy Sampler QAL : Vintage Tulips Part Two

Happy Monday! 

This week we are moving ahead on our Thimble Blossoms Scrappy Sampler quilt. :-)

So far, we've made five Lollies, one Piccadilly Circus, and three Tulips. 

This week, we're working on the alternate blocks from the Vintage Tulips pattern (I'll refer to this as the "Wave" section of this quilt).  The pattern for this quilt is here if you need one.  We're going to make THREE alternate blocks following the pattern directions with ONE change....

Refer to Step 6 in the Block Assembly section of the pattern.  You'll make six square blocks (b).  For THREE of the SIX blocks, omit the top row (A/2.5/A).  You'll join one complete (b) block with one altered (b) block.  Refer to photos below as a guide. 

TIP:  Before I cut my pieces for this section, I went ahead and cut the pieces for my three Swoon Sixteen blocks (next week's blocks).  The reason for this is that I am using our kit and therefore need to cut some of these "wave" pieces from some of the scraps.  If you are using our kit, I would recommend you do this to ensure you have enough room to get your Swoon pieces next week. 

I tried to include a variety of prints and colors in these cuts.  I chain pieced all the background pieces to the prints, which made the assembly super quick!  

Then I laid them all out to try and make sure colors & prints were distributed well before sewing the pieced strips together into blocks. 

We're getting so close!  Just one more week of blocks making and then we'll reveal the quilt layout!

If you are on Instagram, show me your wave blocks and tag them #TBScrappySamplerQAL !

See you next Monday for our next installment!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Thimble Blossoms Scrappy Sampler QAL : Vintage Tulips Part One

Happy Monday! 

This week we are moving ahead on our Thimble Blossoms Scrappy Sampler quilt. :-)

UPDATE:   I made a planning sheet to help you with your background fabric cutting.  You can access it here.  (I will also link this on the main QAL page.) 

Two weeks ago, we made five Lollies blocks. Find the post about those here.  And last week, we made our Piccadilly Circus block - see the details here.

This week, we're working on our Vintage Tulip blocks.  The pattern for this quilt is here if you need one.  We're going to make THREE tulip blocks following the pattern directions.  There are no changes this week to the pattern.  (Next, we will make the alternate blocks from this pattern with a small change.)

I made my tulips all from red prints.  If you use any directional prints, pay careful attention to how prints are oriented. 

One tip I would share is to also pay careful attention to the direction your diagonal lines when you are creating the angles on your leaves.  If you make them wrong and don't catch it right away you'll have to start over.  (Ask me how I know... ;-)  Just follow the diagrams in the pattern closely.

I love these big blocks!  I definitely want to make a whole quilt of tulips. :)

If you are on Instagram, show me your Tulip blocks and tag them #TBScrappySamplerQAL !

See you next Monday for our next installment!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Thimble Blossoms Scappy Sampler QAL : Piccadilly Circus

Hey everyone!

It's another Monday and we're moving right along on our Thimble Blossoms Scrappy Sampler quilt this week. :-)

Last week, we made five Lollies blocks. Find the post about those here.

This week, we're working on our Piccadilly Circus block.  The pattern for this quilt is here if you need one.  We're going to make one block, following the pattern's directions with one change - cut your background square at 26.5" (this is slightly bigger than the pattern calls for, but necessary for our final quilt layout).

I am using the kit from our shop.  So I spent a little time using the kit's planning guide to decide what fabrics to use where.  Once I chose and cut my fabrics, I laid them out and rearranged them a few times until I liked the combinations for each of the two different blade's strips.

I want to point out that if you are using fat quarters or fat eighths for this project, you'll need TWO sets of strips that are at least 21" long to be able to make your blades.  Just cut half from each strip set.  Here's a few tips when you go to cut your blades ...

First, press the strips in opposite directions so you can nest your seams when joining the blades together.

Second, if your set of four strips isn't quite as tall as it should be, line up the middle seam with the line on the pattern template for each cut.  You'll be able to fudge the joints at the top of the blades a little, if needed, when you sew the blades together.

Third, press the seam open before turning the blade point right sides out.  This makes it a little easier to get everything flat versus trying to press it open once its turned.

I stitched my center circle down with a small zig zag stitch in red thread.  I used a white thread to stitch down my dresden to the background square (don't forget to adjust the size of the background square ... see note above).

 This block was pretty easy to make and was definitely a lot of fun!

If you are on Instagram, show me your Piccadilly block and tag them #TBScrappySamplerQAL !

See you next Monday for our Tulip blocks!

Happy Sewing! :-)