Daisies in a Row

When we say this one is quick and easy, we aren't kidding.  The strips can be pieced in a matter or minutes and the applique is created with fusible interfacing for a turned edge with minimal fuss.  The quilt is pure happiness and sunshine!

Cut the different width strips as indicated in the pattern. Randomly sew strips together along the length and press. Trim the selvage from both sides.   

Cut a 13 inch section from the left side of the sewn rows. 

From the appliqué background fabric cut two strips 12 inches wide by the width of the fabric.  After trimming the selvages, sew together end to end.  Measure the length of the row section and trim appliqué background to the same length.  

Trace 15 daisy petals and three center circles on to the non fusible side of interfacing.  Cut apart leaving about ½ inch of interfacing from the drawn line.

 Place the fusible side of the interfacing against the right side of daisy fabric and sew on the drawn line.  

Trim 3/16 inch from the line.  Cut a slit in the center of the interfacing and turn each petal right side out.  

Finger press the edges and make sure the interfacing is turned under.   

Arrange the petals to create 3 daisies on the appliqué background.  Add the center circles and press to fuse.  (Steam helps shrink the interfacing so it doesn’t show.) Stitch the daisies to secure.

Sew the appliqué section between the two row sections taking care to make sure the rows line back up evenly.

Sew the 2 inch first border all around the quilt.   Sew the final border around the entire quilt.   Quilt as desired.  Bind and enjoy!

We will be using fabrics from the Andrea Victoria line from Riley Blake Designs for the June Mystery quilt.  Please join us.

 

We would love to have you all stop by during Shop Hop June 3 - 7.  Becky is working on some great projects. We will be giving a free pattern for a really cute patriotic table topper Becky has designed.  Check out all of the participating shops at beehiveshophop.blogspot.com.

Flowers of Happiness wall hanging

Some time ago we received the "Down to Earth" fabric collection by the Buggy Barn folks.  It is kind of a dark, earthy collection that includes a pre-printed panel.  The panel is cute enough on its own but Becky decided to enhance it with some fun embroidery stitches.  She cut the panel apart and created some half square triangles and a few flying geese and look what happened when she put it all together.

I think it really turned out nice and we finally found a way to use the old door that has been banging around in the back room for way too long.

Here is a close up of one of the blocks to give you a little better idea of what they look like.

We are cutting kits and will have them available soon. 

Another bench

Our daughter and son in law recently purchased their first home.  It's a cute 100 year old brick home with a wide front porch just beckoning to be sat on.  When I spotted an old bunk bed at the thrift store down the street, I figured it was destined to decorate the front porch of their newly acquired home.  You probably remember the post a while back where we turned an old headboard into a cute little bench.  Well here we go again except I think I like this one better. 

 After having already done one, this one seemed to go together really quickly.  Taelor likes turquoise, so a couple of spray cans later the bench became the color she loves.

Of course, Becky was certain it wouldn't be complete without complimentary throw pillows.  (She cut up a $2.50 bed pillow from WalMart and made both of the pillows for much less than buying one pillow form.)  I really appreciate her thrifty nature!

Anyway - It was all delivered in time for Mother's day. 

April Mystery Quilt - The Perfect Parfait

We are really pleased with the way this quilt turned out.  Hope you love it too.  

Please read through the pattern instructions before cutting.  The measurements in the pattern are based on an accurate ¼ inch seam allowance.  You may want to measure as you complete each step so you can adjust if needed.  Have fun!

1.  To create the center medallion square cut 2) 10 inch white squares and 1) 10 inch square of the blue, pink, green and yellow polka dots.  Cut each of these squares in half diagonally.   

Set the white triangles and one of each of the polka dot triangles aside to create the large center pinwheel.  Fold the remaining polka dot triangles in half matching the corners precisely.  Place the petal template on the corner and trim along the curve cutting both layers of fabric. 

 Repeat to create two petals from each of the polka dot triangles.   

Lay the remaining triangles in pinwheel fashion alternating the white with the colored polka dots.  Appliqué the petals to the center angles to create the blossom.  (Use your favorite appliqué method.  We used a little Elmer’s washable school glue to hold in place and sewed about 1/8 inch away from the edge of the curve to secure.)  Sew the triangles together to form the large center pinwheel.  The center medallion should measure 18½ x 18½ inches when sewn together.

2.  Add the yellow gingham border.

3.  Add the white border.

4.  (Saw tooth) From the white fabric cut 4) 8 inch squares and 4) 3 ½ inch squares.  From the green polka dot cut 4) 8 inch squares.  Place an 8 inch white square with an 8 inch green polka dot square with the right sides together.  Draw two diagonal lines on the back of the white 8 inch square. Sew ¼ inch on each side of the drawn line.  Cut apart on the lines and exactly half way (4 inches) through the squares vertically and horizontally.  (See diagram.)  Square the resulting half square triangles to 3 ½ inches.  (We love the Quilt in a Day triangle square up ruler for this.)  Press toward the green fabric.  Repeat with the remaining 8 inch squares to create a total of 32) half square triangles.

               

                                                    

(The fabrics in the photo are from a different quilt - don't look to hard to try and match them to fabrics from your kit.)

                                                                               

Sew the half square triangles into rows of eight as shown in the photo below.  Pay particular attention to the direction of the angles.   

 Create four rows of saw tooth squares.  Sew one row to two sides of the quilt.  Sew a 3 ½ inch white square to both ends of the remaining two rows.  Sew a row to the top and bottom of the quilt.

5.  Add the next white border.

6.  Cut 6) 3 ½ inch squares from each of the prints except the green stripe.  You will need a total of 48 squares.  (Note: the yellow chevron print is used in an upcoming border.  To save piecing, cut 4) 2 inch strips from the width of the chevron fabric before cutting the 3½ inch squares.)  Sew the squares together randomly to create two rows with 11 squares and two rows with 13 squares.  Sew the smaller rows to each side of the quilt.  Sew the remaining rows to the top and bottom of the quilt.  

7.  Add the next white border.  (We were able to cut the 42 ½ inch strips from the width of the fabric.  Trim the selvages carefully.)

8.  Add the yellow border.

9. (Create the pinwheels) From the white fabric cut 32) 3 inch squares, 14) 1 ½ x 4 ½ inch strips and 4) 3 ¼ x 4 ½ inch rectangles.  Each pinwheel requires 2) 3 inch print squares.  Cut 16 sets of 3 inch squares from the print fabrics.  (We used all but the green prints.)  Draw a diagonal line on the back of all of the 3 inch white squares.  Place a white square with a print square with the right sides facing and the outside edges aligned.  Sew ¼ inch on each side of the line.   

Cut apart on the line.  Repeat using a matching print.  Square the half square triangles to 2 ½ inches.  Press toward the print.  Assemble the half square triangles to create a pinwheel block. 

  Repeat the process to create a total of 16 pinwheel blocks. 

Create two pinwheel rows.  Each row will contain 8 pinwheels.  Sew the 1 ½ inch white strips between the pinwheels.  Sew the 3 ¼ x 4 ½ inch rectangles to both ends of each row.  Your pinwheel section should measure 45 ½ inches in length.

10. Create the border strips as directed in the pattern.

Sew a 2 ½ inch strip to the top and bottom of the quilt.  Follow with the pinwheel section to the top and bottom and then the 4 inch strips.  
  

 Piece the remaining 4 inch border strips to create two 4 x 65 ½ inch strips.  Sew one to each side of the quilt.

Quilt as desired.  Bind and enjoy!

We will be using fabrics from the Evening Blooms collection for May's mystery quilt.

Thank you so much for your support.

Where does the time go?

We looked at the calendar and realized it's time for another $5.55 first Friday fabric sale.  Has a whole month really gone by? 

So, Becky immediately hopped in the van and ran to the warehouse this morning to bring back bolts of fabric for the sale tomorrow.  Hope you will bring your friends and join us for a good time and a great deal!

We are still working on the tutorial for April's mystery quilt.  (We neglected to take all the photos as we were making the quilt.) We will have the tutorial ready soon.  In the meantime, here is a photo of the finished quilt for those who would like to get started.

 

Didn't it turn out fun?  Even with the bad photo I think it's a keeper!

We have a few extra kits available.  The "after mystery" price is $44.95 and includes the binding.

Lastly, here is a sampling of some of the fabrics we will be using for the May mystery quilt.

 It is the Evening Blooms collection from Riley Blake Designs.

Have a happy May day!