Sentimental Stitches » Free Patterns

Just Takes 2™ Quilt – May 15 Blocks from Dear Jane

Gay — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:22:00 +0000

There is never a good time to have a computer malfunction and when it happens on the day you want to upload something important it’s even worse. Brenda’s computer has been acting up for the last couple of days and by last night it was simply refusing to cooperate. She’s also on a teaching trip to Dallas, TX so until she’s able to get her computer up and running you can download the May 15 patterns from Dear Jane on the Just Takes 2 blog site or on the Just Takes 2 page at Sentimental Stitches.

There are three blocks this time. Two are foundation paper pieced and one is applique. I’ve been busy making the move to the cottage so here’s a look at Brenda’s blocks -

Block 36

Block 37

Block 38
And now, here’s what you’ve all been waiting for……………(updated 5/16/2012)

Just Takes 2 Blocks for May 15 – Click Here

Just Takes 2™ Quilt – May 1 Quilt Blocks

Gay — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:32:52 +0000

Click on the link below to get your blocks.

Just Takes 2™ Blocks for May 1 – Click here

Vintage Embroidered Cloth Dolls in Embroider Me™ 2

Gay — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:45:08 +0000

I’ve been having so much fun putting together the second collection of designs for the Embroider Me™ series. This time I’ve focused on some of my collection of early 1900s embroidered cloth doll patterns. There are so many wonderful designs to choose from that it was hard to know which ones to present first. I decided on some of the 8″ – 12″ dolls this time. As you can see I’m not the only one who thinks these little cuties are something special!

The new Embroider Me™ Collection 2 has full size patterns for 23 dolls. They are presented in their antique form just as they were stamped on fabric and sold in kits during the early 1900s.

Can you imagine how much fun it would have been to pick up one of these little packages and make a doll? I hope to make a few of them this summer. The kits pictured came with clothes to dress the dolls. Sorry, Collection 2 doesn’t include any clothing patterns, just dolls.

The little flower girl is one of the smaller designs and the Dolly Dingle style doll is one of the larger ones. Here’s a look at their front and back -

Please remember these are antique dolls and have signs of age……..stains, broken threads, etc but I still love them to pieces.

Don’t you just love the little fish she’s holding?

I don’t think her feet could be any cuter. This little girl is included in Collection 2 and there are others her size. Most of the embroidery is done with 3-6 strands of floss. On the larger dolls you could use pearl cotton if you wanted.

These two look like they’re ready for a parade. No back side to these designs. A few of the smaller dolls have oval bottoms and can be weighted to stand on their own.

This exact doll isn’t included in Collection 2 but I wanted you to see how much detail is included on the dolls that were intended to wear clothes. They have sweet little undergarments embroidered on them. They’re cute even without clothes. They really thought of everything!

If I haven’t teased you enough with these sweethearts – you can CLICK HERE for a sample page from the pattern.

If the dolls are the same size you can…………

mix and match them putting a girl on one side and a boy on the other. These dolls are larger than those in Collection 2 – watch for them in future patterns.

You can purchase either a digital download or a traditional printed pattern of Embroider Me™ Collection 2 in the Online Store. Both Collection 1 and Collection 2 will be on sale at an introductory price until the end of April so get your summer embroidery stitching ready now. You’ll need to use the coupon code NEWDOLLS during checkout to receive the special pricing. I’ll bet you won’t be able to make just one!

I’d like your help in putting together the next set of patterns. What would you like?
Flowers
More dolls
Animal dolls (bunnies, kittens, etc.)
Clothes for dolls
Border and corner designs
Animals
People

The next pattern is up to you so leave me a comment or send an email. Clutch and I will tally the results and get to work.

Just Takes 2™ Quilt – April 15 Quilt Blocks

Gay — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:04:41 +0000

It’s April 15 and that means it’s time for Just Takes™ blocks at Dear Jane.
There are four blocks this time. Cathedral Window is a great, interesting block to make.

We set it on point and I filled my triangles with more of the vintage embroidery designs from the my Dad’s kit quilt company. Many of these were used as corners on tablecloths and dresser scarves. We’ve given you several choices if you want to add embroidery to your block. The Optional Redwork Embroidery Pattern can be purchased as a digital download HERE. There are 9 designs to choose from and they’re sized perfectly for triangles in this block.

Block 29

Block 30

Blocks 31

Blocks 32

Just Takes 2™ Blocks for April 15 – Click here to visit Dear Jane

Happy Easter

Gay — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:51:00 +0000

I pray you’re able to share this day with family and friends. It’s a day I treasure in my heart. While growing up, the holiday was a bit of a lottery in our house. Who would be selected as the church where Daddy would sing on Easter Sunday? Thankfully most often it was our own church and the organist would accompany him during his solo instead of me at the piano. Ten Thousand Angels was his signature song at Easter. It’s a beautiful hymn with a powerful message.

Enjoy this special day and when you’re ready to get back to stitching, put needle and thread to this adorable little Easter bunny all decked out in her Easter bonnet. She’s another cutie from the Embroider Me™ series.

Happy Easter Bunny Pattern – Click Here

Just Takes 2™ Quilt – April 1 Quilt Blocks and Section Assembly

Gay — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:51:05 +0000

If you’ve been following the Just Takes 2 quilt from the beginning of the year and have made your blocks every two weeks you’re in for a real treat. The April 1st patterns also include instructions to put together the first section of the quilt. It’s a stunner! I know you’ll be as excited as we are to continue working on the quilt.

Brenda and I have been dazzled by the wonderful fabric combinations some of you are using. It’s makes us think we could make these blocks over and over again in a myriad of fabrics and never tire of looking at them.

There are four blocks to make this time.

Block 25

Use this hand piecing tutorial to construct Block 25 and you’ll be done in no time at all. Press the center seam allowances in a circular rotation and your center will lay nice and flat.

Block 26

Block 27

Block 28

Block 27 is our most challenging applique block so far. I thought it would be a good time for some extra information on back basting and needle turn applique techniques. I’ve become a big fan of a technique called Back Basting. If you’ve never tried it I encourage you to give it a whirl. There’s a complete photo tutorial listed under Instructions in the sidebar.
I’ll include some photos here of the block we’re working on but the instructions in the tutorial are the ones to use. You can also watch the Skillbuilder video below on needleturn applique if you’d like to learn more about the tools I use and how I do some of my stitching.

The applique pattern comes printed on four pages of paper. You’ll need to tape them together to create a master pattern.

Trace the design on wrong side of background fabric.

You can always use a light table if you can’t see through your fabric.

Using the drawn stitching lines, baste applique fabric in position.

I still feel more comfortable with a line to follow when doing my applique so I mark on top of my basting.

Cut out around your basting adding a generous 1/8″ seam allowance.

Clip the seam allowance on inner curves.

Stitch to where leaf and plume pieces need to be separated.

Using a pair of sharp embroidery scissors cut down between the basting to divide the pieces for applique.

A completed leaf and plume corner.

Reverse applique diamonds. If you don’t like reverse applique you can cut diamond shapes and applique them on top. Your block will be beautiful either way!

I didn’t have my large square ruler with me so I cut a square of freezer paper the size I needed to trim my block to. I marked the quarters on the paper and on my block, matched them up and ironed the freezer paper to the block. I used my rotary cutter and ruler to trim away the excess.

It’s section assembly time!

There are instruction in this set of patterns to put together Section A of the quilt. We included lots of pictures instead of numbers so you shouldn’t have any trouble arranging the blocks.

It’s fun to see some of the sections sewn together.

We can’t wait to see how your blocks look! Click on the link below to get your blocks and section assembly instructions.

Just Takes 2™ Blocks for April 1 – Click here

A Free Pattern for Quilting Day!

Gay — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:17:03 +0000

It’s our day! A day just for quilting! Do you have something special planned? This year there seems to be more events and activities planned than what I remember in years past. I’m going to make sure I find some time to take more than just a few stitches on something today. I’m working on the next blocks for Just Takes™

If you’re already working on this quilt you have something special to look forward to with the next installment. If you’re not making this quilt…….you’re going to miss out on a really wonderful project. Click here catch up on past blocks and optional embroidery designs.

“In honor of International Quilt Day (March 17, 2012), The Quilt Show will unlock all of the shows from the first nine series. You’ll be able to watch shows from 100 through 913 for the entire weekend (March 16 -18). Everyone will be able to see 117 shows for FREE. Be sure to share this information with all your friends. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy three days of wonderful teachers, beautiful quilts and great fun. While I’m sewing today I know I’m going to take advantage of the opportunity to watch some of the episodes I’ve missed.

It’s been unseasonably warm in Michigan and today is no exception. It’s had me thinking of springtime flowers and I’ve always loved the sentiment on my little Sue’s Blossom quilt. I decided today was the perfect day to share it with you. For the rest of the weekend (until March 19) you can get a free copy of the pattern to celebrate quilting day!

Click here for FREE Sue’s Blossom quilt pattern

If you didn’t get the newsletter that went out this week (sign up is under the Facebook box in the right sidebar and at the end of this post) and love embroidery, please take a look at the new Embroider Me™ Pattern. It’s the first in a series of vintage design collections for applique and embroidery. There are 108 designs in a variety of sizes from 3″ to 11″ including flowers, fruit, animals, household items, people, children’s designs and more in Collection 1. If you use the coupon code QUILTDAY during checkout you can get the pattern at the introductory price of $18.26 so check it out. Click here to see Embroidery Me™ in the Online Store

More on this new series later – today is a day for quilting!

Just Takes 2™ Quilt – March 1 Quilt Blocks

Gay — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:16:16 +0000

Today’s the day! It’s time for the 5th set of Just Takes 2 blocks. I hope you’ve had a chance to finish the last group. Can you believe you’ve already made 18 of the blocks in this quilt and it’s only the first of March?
You should probably take a deep breath before you scroll down and take a look at the blocks for today.

Okay, I heard that gasp all the way over here in Michigan! We don’t want you to be nervous or intimidated. We have step by step instructions for you.

Block 19

I changed the red center on this block to white and added redwork embroidery. If you’ve never made a Feathered Star block this will be a great learning experience. It’s a 15″ block so the pieces are small enough to be delicate but large enough so you don’t feel too overwhelmed. If you’re in love with some of the embroidery on my block (which we hope you are) there’s an Optional Redwork Embroidery Pattern you can purchase as a digital download HERE. There are 14 designs to choose from and they’re sized perfectly for the squares and triangles in this block.

If embroidery isn’t your thing – don’t worry – the block is beautiful on it’s own using red fabric for the center. Either way there are a few things you can do to guarantee success when sewing.

Take your time! I can’t stress this one enough. Work slowly and you won’t have any trouble putting this together.
If your fabrics have a soft feel to them I suggest using Magic Sizing or some spray starch on them before cutting your pieces. I like Mary Ellen’s Best Press Clear Starch Alternative 16 Ounces-Lavender Fields. It’ll make a big difference in the stability of your fabric pieces when working on this block.
Make sure you’re sewing an exact or slightly scant 1/4″ seam.
Press seams open where suggested in the instructions. I know this goes against almost everything we’ve ever learned but trust me it helps.

There are some additional tips on the pattern sheets and here are a few pictures I took while sewing my block.

Press seams open where instructed in the directions.
By pressing some of the seams open you have a clear view of the intersections of the feathers in your star when sewing these strips to the background squares and triangles.

A completed corner section. (I had cut my background square extra big but wouldn’t do that again.)

Here’s a look at the first partial seam you’ll be asked to sew.

The partial seams sewn on the background triangles.

The kites!

Adding the white corners if you’re making your block with a red center.

Ready to finish up those partial seams.

Block 20

Block 21

Block 22

If you fall in love with Feathered Stars you might want to check out the pattern for the Feathered Star Redwork Wall Quilt in the Online Store.

*** We have found an error on the foundation patterns for the Flying Geese on Blocks 20 & 22. The beak of the last goose has fallen 1/4″ so the angle is incorrect on pieces A14 and A15!

The pattern file has been corrected…….

Just Takes 2 Blocks for March 1 – Retired Click here to purchase

Just Takes 2™ Quilt – February 15 Quilt Blocks

Gay — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:51:04 +0000

It’s February 15 and that means it’s time for the second set of Just Takes™ blocks at Dear Jane.
A couple of these blocks are a bit challenging but if you follow the instructions you’ll be fine. There’s even one block where I used more than one piecing techniques when I worked on it! I’ll share with you what I did.

These are the next 5 blocks!

They are all 9″ blocks blocks this time. Brenda and I had fun working on these. Once again, you’ll get a chance to practice several of your quilting techniques on this bunch. If you need help with the quilting techniques there’s help in the Instructions section here and in the lessons on the Dear Jane software.

Block 14
Easy peasy rotary cutting and machine piecing. I’d love to do a whole quilt with these blocks and put redwork embroidery in the open spaces but I’m not adding embroidery to this one for Just Takes 2™.

Block 15
It was easiest to foundation piece this block. Follow the cutting instructions and you’ll have it done in now time!

Block 16
I thought this block was going to be a real stinker and it did present some challenges but this is what I did. I foundation pieced the center and points.
I machine pieced the points to the center.

remembering to start and stop my stitching at the beginning and end of the seam lines.

I did this for all four points of the block.

I used the template to cut the side pieces of my background fabric and started to sew them following the instructions for Y Seam piecing but still machine stitching. This is where things came to a screeching hault. No matter how much I fiddled with the seam I wasn’t satisfied with how it looked at the pivot point. The foundation paper may have made it more difficult to navigate. Maybe it just my state of mind but I was having trouble with it.

I decided to combine machine and hand piecing in this area. I machine stitched from the corners toward the pivot point and secured the end of my stitching by backstitching. I then hand pieced the pivot area and wonder of wonders – all four pivot points turned out great on the first try. The point I want to impress on you is this – don’t be afraid to combine techniques within an individual block to achieve the results you want!

Block 17
A great fun block to foundation piece. I wish I had the time to make an entire quilt of these blocks too. Set on point like the quilt in the exhibit they’re stunning.

Block 18
Simple machine piecing and some applique to work on during your favorite television show.

Remember…….this time you need to visit the Dear Jane web site to get your blocks. It’s also the last day to take advantage of the Sweetheart Sale on Beyond The Cherry Trees.

Just Takes 2 Blocks for February 15 – Click here to visit Dear Jane

Happy Valentine’s Day – Beyond The Cherry Trees Sweetheart Sale

Gay — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:46:50 +0000

I couldn’t think of a better time than Valentine’s Day to give everyone who missed the Beyond The Cherry Trees album quilt block of the month a ‘sweetheart special’ on patterns for the entire quilt.

Today and tomorrow you can purchase the complete 138 page pattern set for $74.99. That’s a savings of over $50 on the individual prices! There are 25 blocks, four different borders and countless unique quilting designs that were used throughout the quilt in the digital download for the 98″ x 98″ quilt. If you only need a few of the blocks or missed just a single one you’ll find those too.

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and I’ll be back tomorrow to share the next installment of Just Takes 2!