Sentimental Stitches » Applique Quilts http://sentimentalstitches.net Where Today's Quilters Create Tomorrow's Heirlooms Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:20:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Beyond The Cherry Trees – Block 25 http://sentimentalstitches.net/2012/01/13/beyond-the-cherry-trees-block-25/ http://sentimentalstitches.net/2012/01/13/beyond-the-cherry-trees-block-25/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:39:29 +0000 Gay http://sentimentalstitches.net/?p=7359 Can you believe it? This is the 25th and final block in the Beyond The Cherry Trees quilt! Next month you’ll receive the last border section and our project will be complete.

Here are some pictures of this month’s block.


I know……..it’s sideways. That’s the way the block is facing in the quilt so I had to take a picture of it like that so someday when I get back to working on this project myself I’ll remember.


The bird you see outline stitched was originally appliqued. All that’s left is the stitching where the fabric was appliqued and the quilting lines a scant 1/4″ inside the applique shape. I marked the piece to be sewn with a cheddar color fabric on the pattern but it’s possible this was a “bluebird” that’s flown away. See those brown marks on the fabric? That’s what happens when you use a little spray starch and an iron to try and identify hidden stitches on an antique quilt! I’m surprised no one emailed from the other side of the world after hearing me scream when it happened.


A cute little flower tucked between two blocks.



One of the layered flowers on the block. You can see all of the fabrics look like they are the same but originally I believe one of them was pink.


Change the centers on two of them for a little variety!



I really like this flower. With the reverse applique it’s a bit of work but well worth the effort. Now don’t forget next month you’ll get the final border and it’s sure to be filled with lot of quilting. Remember…….if you’ve missed any of the blocks or borders you can purchase them in the Online Store.

]]> http://sentimentalstitches.net/2012/01/13/beyond-the-cherry-trees-block-25/feed/ 3 Just Takes 2™ Quilt – January 1 Quilt Blocks http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/12/31/just-takes-2%e2%84%a2-quilt-january-1-quilt-blocks/ http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/12/31/just-takes-2%e2%84%a2-quilt-january-1-quilt-blocks/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:12 +0000 Gay http://sentimentalstitches.net/?p=7262 Get out your rotary cutter and ruler!

Set up your ironing station!

Fire up that sewing machine!

It’s January 1st!
We’re off and running – it’s time for the first blocks in the Just Takes 2 quilt!

 

The response to the Just Takes 2 mystery quilt has been fantastic. Brenda and I are glad you’re as excited about this quilt as we are. You see, we’ll be making the blocks right along with you and sharing our progress on the Just Takes 2 blog.

just takes 2 january 1 blocks

We are beginning with six blocks. Five of them are 6″ blocks and one is a 12″ block. One is an applique block. One is a combination of piecing and applique and four are pieced blocks. Have you noticed there is redwork embroidery on two of my blocks? If you know me you know I love redwork and embroidered quilts. There were several in the Infinite Variety exhibit and I wanted to include some in my own Just Takes 2 quilt. From time to time throughout the year you’ll see it on different blocks whenever I think it looks nice. If you don’t like embroidery – no problem. It’s not a required part of the quilt. If you do like it you can add your own designs if you want. It you’d like to use the same designs I did you can do that too. We have an instant download in the Online Store you can purchase for (go ahead and laugh) Just $2!


Blocks 1

Blocks 2


Block 3


Block 4


Block 5


Block 6

I won’t take up any more of your time with details or reminders. I’m sure you’re anxious to download and print the patterns so you can start sewing. There are tutorials for many of the techniques mentioned in the Instructions section and I’ve also put links on the Just Takes 2 page. You can also review techniques in the Dear Jane software. We have fourteen days before you head over to Dear Jane on January 15 to get the next set. I hope you’re as excited as we are and will have a fantastic 2012 with Just Takes 2. Don’t forget to share your blocks on the blog. All you need to do is click on the big red Share Your Quilt button! We’re still working out a few bugs so let us know if you have any problems.
 

Just Takes 2™ Blocks for January 1 – Click here

 

]]> http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/12/31/just-takes-2%e2%84%a2-quilt-january-1-quilt-blocks/feed/ 48 Beyond The Cherry Trees Quilt – A Closer Look at the Top Border http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/12/28/beyond-the-cherry-trees-quilt-a-closer-look-at-the-top-border/ http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/12/28/beyond-the-cherry-trees-quilt-a-closer-look-at-the-top-border/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:13:25 +0000 Gay http://sentimentalstitches.net/?p=7227 I’ll admit I’ve been pretty busy working on the new Just Takes 2 quilt and blog but I wanted to be sure I posted the close up pictures from the top border of the Beyond The Cherry Trees quilt.

These pictures begin at the upper left corner of the quilt and follow along the top border. You’ll see how they match your pattern pages.



A pretty group of flowers and leaves.


A darling double flower.


A feather swag and a new leaf we haven’t seen before.


I did the best I could to make out this star flower.


Sweet hearts.


Interesting leaf


Another star flower and more feathers. The corners sure are filled with unique designs


Look how the vine strips are joined. Makes me think we worry about things way too much! Remember – if you’ve missed out on any of the blocks you can purchase them individually or as sets in the Online Store. You can get the patterns as digital downloads or I can send you printed patterns.



Be sure to visit the Just Takes 2 web site. Brenda and I will begin presenting patterns for the red and white Just Takes 2 quilt on January 1st. I hope you’ll register for the blog and share this journey with us. We had great fun designing the quilt and have quite a few special treats planned during the year.


I’m also busy working on the Sentimental Stitcher Members Only section. I’m making some changes for 2012 that I think you’ll like. As soon as I have all the details worked out I’ll share them with you. All I can say is get your sewing machines tuned up and ready to stitch!

]]> http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/12/28/beyond-the-cherry-trees-quilt-a-closer-look-at-the-top-border/feed/ 0 A Cyber Monday Special Look at Beyond The Cherry Trees Quilt http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/11/26/a-cyber-monday-special-look-at-beyond-the-cherry-trees-quilt/ http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/11/26/a-cyber-monday-special-look-at-beyond-the-cherry-trees-quilt/#comments Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:36:39 +0000 Gay http://sentimentalstitches.net/?p=7125 It’s been a busy few weeks around here between moving back to Grand Rapids for the winter and a whirlwind trip to Shipshewana for the Dear Jane Quilt Retreat. (pictures on Flickr)
In the blink of an eye Thanksgiving and Black Friday have come and gone and we’re approaching Cyber Monday! At this rate if I’m not careful I’ll miss Christmas!!! Don’t worry, that won’t happen but I can’t let this weekend pass by without letting you know how thankful I am for all of you. If you’ve been following the Beyond The Cherry Trees quilt since we started you know what a fantastic quilt it is. We’re now working on the border along the bottom of the quilt. Here’s some close up pictures of that part of the quilt.

Remember, the borders are sewn to the blocks in an unusual way.

These crazy flowers are new designs.


I like this simple sprig. The leaves are almost like little hearts.


Our quilters got ambitious with this big layered flower and polka dot leaves.


Simple yet perfect!


We’ve seen this circle filled flower before.


More polka dot leaves, flowers and cherry berries.


A closer look………

And the grand finale at the bottom right hand corner of the quilt.

If you haven’t looked at the entire quilt in a while you can see what a stunner it is. I know I’m sorry to see the project begin to wind down. We only have one more block and the two remaining borders. That got me to thinking that Cyber Monday would be the perfect time to put the past block patterns on sale for the first time ever! As my thank you for following along with this quilt you can purchase any of the blocks you missed or get the digital download patterns to start your own Beyond The Cherry Trees quilt for


40% off


beginning now and ending at midnight on Cyber Monday (November 28, 2011). All you need to do is click anywhere on the bold text above to get to the Beyond The Cherry Trees pattern page in the Online Store.

]]> http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/11/26/a-cyber-monday-special-look-at-beyond-the-cherry-trees-quilt/feed/ 1 International Quilt Festival – Houston 2011 http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/11/08/international-quilt-festival-houston-2011/ http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/11/08/international-quilt-festival-houston-2011/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:21:58 +0000 Gay http://sentimentalstitches.net/?p=7110 If I could only attend one quilt show it would be International Quilt Market and Festival in Houston, Texas! The show took place last week. No, I didn’t get to go this year but thought you’d enjoy seeing this great video of some highlights from the show. I hope to see you there someday soon!


]]> http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/11/08/international-quilt-festival-houston-2011/feed/ 2 Beyond The Cherry Trees Block 24 – The Vanishing Quilt Block http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/10/13/beyond-the-cherry-trees-block-24-the-vanishing-quilt-block/ http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/10/13/beyond-the-cherry-trees-block-24-the-vanishing-quilt-block/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:53:26 +0000 Gay http://sentimentalstitches.net/?p=7064 You have to look very, very closely before you even begin to see what this block of the Beyond The Cherry Trees quilt looks like. Nearly all of color has faded from the applique fabrics.

The green fabric has faded to brown. The yellow has faded. I suppose the fabric that is now cream could have originally been cream but I doubt it…..


because it’s the bottom layer of the center circles right next to the background and most quilters would have used a color that contrasted with the background in that piece.


This layer of the flowers could have been cream but again, I kind of doubt it. More likely it was a double pink or even a double blue print like we’ve found in other blocks.


When you see an outline drawing of the block it’s quite pretty. I have a feeling all those peaks and valleys in the flowers will get tedious when stitching but it’ll be worth it when the block is finished.


The block has a fair amount of applique on it but the quilter managed to tuck a quilted motif in on all four sides of the block. This simple flower is a design we’ve seem in other blocks and fits nicely.


Now as adorable as these little stacked flower are, they have me still scratching my head. Why would you quilt the simple flower on three sides of the block and then put these stacked flowers on the fourth side? I don’t have a clue but it’s just one of the reasons why I love this quilt so much!


Here’s the block with the four motifs stitched in dark thread.


If you’re just discovering the Beyond The Cherry Trees quilt and would like some of the past blocks there is a new way for you to join in the fun. Blocks 1 thru 20 are now available in the Online Store as patterns you can download instantly. They’re not as expensive as the printed patterns and you can begin stitching right away. If you need several of the past blocks they are also grouped together in sets of 5 blocks with an even greater savings. The last five blocks and borders will be added after we’ve finished the quilt. We have three border strips and one more block to go.

I’ve been thinking about making more patterns available as instant downloads. Please let me know what you think about that. Does that interest you? What patterns would you like that way? Clutch and I want to know!



P.S. I listed a bunch of Christmas patterns on ebay this week and will be listing some Christmas fabric tonight so be sure to take a look!

]]> http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/10/13/beyond-the-cherry-trees-block-24-the-vanishing-quilt-block/feed/ 7 October – Getting Ready For Halloween With The Fright Night Quilt http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/10/05/october-getting-ready-for-halloween-with-the-fright-night-quilt/ http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/10/05/october-getting-ready-for-halloween-with-the-fright-night-quilt/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:20:21 +0000 Gay http://sentimentalstitches.net/?p=6973 It’s hard to believe it’s October already. As much as I love the beautiful colors fall brings I must confess to not being very happy summer is leaving. It has just flown by way too fast. We do however have the fun and frivolity of Halloween coming up at the end of this month so I thought I’d put links to all of the sections for the Fright Night quilt in one post.



If you haven’t made this little quilt you’re going to love it. The finished size is 23″ x 30″ so it’s the perfect size for a holiday wall quilt. There’s a little patchwork, a little applique and a little embroidery. No tricks, just treats for everyone!

The pattern was presented in three parts and you’ll find a link to each one below –

Fabric Requirements

Pieced Background

Applique – Embroidery – Finishing Instructions


I hope you have fun making this great little quilt. Please email me if you have any questions.

]]> http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/10/05/october-getting-ready-for-halloween-with-the-fright-night-quilt/feed/ 2 A Quilt Show – Patchwork in the Pines 2011 – Traverse City, MI http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/09/25/a-quilt-show-patchwork-in-the-pines-2011-traverse-city-mi/ http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/09/25/a-quilt-show-patchwork-in-the-pines-2011-traverse-city-mi/#comments Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:11:34 +0000 Gay http://sentimentalstitches.net/?p=6923 It’s always a wonderful day when you can go to a quilt show! Yesterday was that kind of a day for me. Not so much for Clutch, he had to stay home but that’s another story.
Every three years the Rumpled Quilts Kin quilt guild puts on their Patchwork in the Pines quilt show in Traverse City, Michigan. I’ve watched it grow over the years and always look forward to it. The show moved to a larger location this year and was held at the Traverse City East Middle School. There were 292 quilts in the show along with lots of other fiber arts. I didn’t photograph every quilt but tried to get quite a few. It was busy! I hope you enjoy the Smilebox slideshow I made and I’ll share my treasures from the merchant’s mall later. If you have time, click on the Patchwork in the Pines text in the paragraph above – there’s a very nice video by TV 9&10 News telling about the show, quilting and one of the guild’s founding members.


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]]> http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/09/25/a-quilt-show-patchwork-in-the-pines-2011-traverse-city-mi/feed/ 3 Beyond The Cherry Trees Borders ………..Oh Boy! http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/09/12/beyond-the-cherry-trees-borders-oh-boy/ http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/09/12/beyond-the-cherry-trees-borders-oh-boy/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:28:46 +0000 Gay http://sentimentalstitches.net/?p=6818 Last night I posted the first of the border pattern for the Beyond The Cherry Trees quilt. You’d think after all the time I’ve been working with this quilt there wouldn’t be anything left to surprise me but…………..the quilt wins again!

If you’re a quilt maker looking at the corner of this quilt wondering how the borders were added you notice the seam running parallel to the edge of the quilt and immediately conclude the borders weren’t mitered. Not seeing a second seam indicating the addition of a corner square you’d surmise border strips sewn to each side and then to the top and bottom of the quilt.

Just like this – right?

Surprise, surprise, not with the Cherry Trees quilt! This quilter never ceases to amaze me. I haven’t seen applique borders on an antique quilt like this before. Have you? – Please share the story.


The borders were sewn to the center blocks counter clockwise in a log cabin fashion.



Fabric requirements and cutting instructions are given for adding the borders in a traditional way with the side borders added first and then the top and the bottom. If you want to work with the partial seams you’d need to construct the borders like the original quilt don’t forget to adjust your cutting measurements to allow for this in the length of the border strips you cut. I will admit this method might give you a bit more freedom for design because you could complete the applique on the strips before sewing them to the center and just cut off the ends without regard for how the design stops at the end of each side. I have trouble with circles that aren’t perfectly round so I’m going to need a bit more structure to my method.

This month’s pattern is for the Right Side Border Strip. It was such fun to follow along the vine and find all the hidden treasures quilted in the peaks and valleys of the vine.


Beginning in the lower right corner and going up. Leaves, flowers and feathers.



When I found this arc I thought it was a motif representing the sun but the inside has rounded drops rather than pointed sun rays. Do you think it’s a fern?



Leaves



Leaves and a daisy



Leaves and flowers



Traditional feathers and leaves



A new design!



The top left corner – feathers, flowers and circles.



I love the partial leaf quilted right at the edge of the corner. Corners are rounded


I hope you’ll enjoy working on this border section and maybe use it on another quilt as well. The applique isn’t too overwhelming and the touch of embroidery used for the stems adds to the charm. If you’re missing any of the blocks you can purchase them here in the Online Store.

The weather here has been just beautiful the last few days. It’s hard to believe summer is almost over. They say things are going to change soon so I took a day last week to put together one of the snuggly Cuddle Quilts from Lolly’s in Shipshewana.



If there’s any question in your mind about just how cuddly these quilts are take a look at what happened when I was trying to sew the binding on the quilt.


Yes, that’s Clutch who jumped up on the table when I wasn’t looking and plopped himself down right on the quilt coming out from the back of the machine. What a guy!

Did you notice that sparkling deck under the Cuddle Quilt? All the nice weather has inspired us to do a little deck washing. If there’s something you’d like a closer look at on the Beyond They Cherry Trees quilt send me an email and we’ll spread it out on that clean deck to take a picture.

]]> http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/09/12/beyond-the-cherry-trees-borders-oh-boy/feed/ 3 Midget Blocks – Applique Quilt Blocks http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/08/19/midget-blocks-applique-quilt-blocks/ http://sentimentalstitches.net/2011/08/19/midget-blocks-applique-quilt-blocks/#comments Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:49:58 +0000 Gay http://sentimentalstitches.net/?p=6698 I think it’s pretty obvious to everyone how much I love applique quilts. It’s pretty obvious that i have a great love for little quilt block too. I’ve been stitching 4 1/2″ blocks since 1998 when the wonderful Dear Jane quilt came into my life.

I started offering pieced Midget Blocks from the 1930s Week by Week Sampler quilt in 2006. That seems like such a long time ago.


Even though the first 50 blocks have been retired there are still 75 free pieced blocks available.

and

and

and we even have…..





but we haven’t had Applique Midget Blocks!!!





until now !!!



Midget Blocks – Applique is a set of 52 unique 4 1/2″ applique quilt blocks to be used alone or with your pieced Midget Blocks. This first collection has a wide variety of designs including classic floral applique, baskets, art deco designs, hearts, fruit, baskets, individual flowers, Sunbonnet Sue and much more. Some of the blocks are adapted from my antique collection and some are patterns I’ve designed myself. A few have optional hand embroidery details and there are blocks for every skill level. Each block has color suggestions and drawings are full size. You can use them for hand or machine applique. They are available two ways. You can get the blocks as an instant download pattern or you can order them as a printed pattern. Either way – you’re gonna love them!

If by any chance you don’t have the first 50 pieced blocks in your collection. You can get those blocks as an instant download pattern or order them as a printed pattern too.
*Sentimental Stitcher members – these blocks are included in your membership



Special Note: Some of you have had problems navigating the web site in the last few days. We’re still trying to track down the problem. If you have any difficulties please email me with as much detailed information as you can. I don’t want anyone to have glitches in their stitches!

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