Oakshott Scandinavia Blog Hop 'On The Wings Of Love' !

Welcome to the Oakshott Scandinavia Blog Hop!! I am so glad you stopped by! 

Oakshotts are shot cottons and therefore have cream warp and a luscious color weft. Because of this special weave, they are particularly luxurious, and have a rich deep sheen. They also wear like iron, so are worthy of your heirloom makes!

Today's tutorial is for my crib quilt, On The Wings Of Love, a sweet breezy baby quilt to lighten your heart, and your day!

I chose to design a quilt that emphasized the negative space in the quilt, and the luxury of the cream Bergen, while giving the colors of the other wonderful Scandinavian fabrics, place to shine.

I wish you could feel how soft and squishy it is! 

When I think of Scandinavian design, I think of bright, light, breezy interiors, and simple curved lines so evocative of Nature and Purity.  So I made you this quilt for your little round cheeked bouncing baby. It has everything you need...

Messages of Love to wing your cherub to their dreams,

And luscious soft colors to wrap them in comfort.

The back is pure Scandi in soft grey and soft white,

  With a grid to guide their way home from their Nighttime adventures,

Sweet Dreams Little Ones!!

Tutorial

Materials

Fabric:

Oakshott Scandinavia

1 1/2 yard 01 Bergen (vanilla creme)
1 yard 08 Stockholm (dark grey)

 Fat Eights in:

02 Copenhagen (green)

03 Tromso (pink)

04 Helsinki (grellow)

05 Malmo (blue)

06 Oslo (purple)

07 Uppsala (light grey)

Thread:
Aurifil 2021 (cream) in 50wt for piecing and quilting

Other Materials:

fabric glue stick

card stock

painters tape

Quilting ruler and rotary cutter, pins, iron and ironing surface.

Preparation:

Iron all fabrics

Print and cut out templates. Glue to cardstock, and cut out heavy template. 

Place painters tape on the back of templates to provide a non-slip grip surface. 

Cutting:

Cut fabric using templates;

A -Cut  2 Helsinki, plus 1 all other colors

B -Cut 8 Bergen 

Background;

Cut 10, 7 1/2" squares of Bergen

Corner Stones (4);

Cut 2, 5 3/4" squares of Bergen. Cut in half on the diagonal

Setting Triangles (10);

Cut 3, 111/8" squares of Bergen. Cut into quarters, diagonally. (There will be 2 extra).

Border;

65", Cut 4, 2" strips. Join diagonally. 

Assemble Blocks:

Sewing;

3 Pin Method;

1. Fold all block components in half and finger press to mark the center of the block

   -press B ws together

   -press A rs together

2. Nest centers of A and B together. Pin at center mark. 

3. Match beginning of A and B, pin.

4. Set needle to scant 1/4" seam

5. Set stitch length to 3.0 or one setting above your regular stitch

6. Needle down, and pull/hold needle and bobbin threads during your first few stitches so that your block doesn't get sucked down into your machine

I did not sew over that pin :)

7. Using your fingers to keep the fabric edge together, pull curve straighter, sew slowly along edge up to center pin, do not remove pin,

8. Place last pin at end of curve, making sure that the outside edges are even

9. Remove center pin. Sew slowly, fingers keeping fabric edges meeting as you go, pulling gently

Just before the end, pull up on the center of the upper fabric to align edge and keep from getting a tuck in your seam.

Continue sewing to pin, remove pin, sew to end. Wahoo! First curved seams!!

10. Press all seams towards the dark fabric (away from background). Do not swish your iron in an arc!!! Just press straight down in parallel lines,

Place blocks while hot under a heavy book for super flat blocks! 

11. Trim blocks to 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" 

Assemble Quilt:

See Layout chart for guidance on block placement

1. Layout your blocks in your desired order 

2. Pin in diagonal rows

3. Sew rows. Add cornerstones to each corner. Sew

4. Press seams in each row in opposite directions from each other

5. Nest seams of first two rows, pin. Sew. 

Repeat for all rows. Press

6. Trim if necessary

7. Sew all rows together to form quilt top, nesting seams and pinning as you go. Press

7. Add borders to sides, Press. Add borders to bottom, Press.

Quilting the Quilt:

TIPS for quilting quilts with inset designs:

1. Use spray baste. 505 Spray baste is safe for babies, four legged or two legged. It will wash completely out in the laundry. It will also keep you from getting gathers on the underside of your quilt as you work.

2. Use a 90/14 needle. Increase your stitch length. 

3. Work from the center, out. I machine embroidered the center Love motifs. The pattern can be found here. Do these first.

4. Then quilt your grids. I left two sections with only diagonal lines to add more interest. I'm not sure you can even see them in the final quilt ;) When you are quilting the grid, begin at the center motifs and work towards the edges of the quilt. You can mark your grid with chalk, or if your quilt is nice and square, you can do as I did, and work section by section. 

TIP - I used wool batting because it drapes so nicely and is warm but light. If you use wool batting be sure you cannot see the backing through it! Also, it will be fluffier when you are quilting, than cotton, so set your stitch length to 3.5 or more when going in one direction, and then to 4.0 or the next step up when finishing the grid in the opposite direction. This will keep you from getting puckers. Just say no to puckers!!

5. Man, you are going to love seeing that grid happen! It's so cool!! Gloves with sticky dots (machine quilting gloves) will help you to hold the fabric while it moves through your machine.

6. Do NOT stretch the quilt while you are feeding it under your needle! When you release it, it will bounce back into place and cause you to have strange eddies in your work. Ack! Just say no to eddies!!

7. Relax! Take breaks! Don't eat chocolate or drink tea while you're quilting...  HeHe ask me how I know;)

Binding:
1. Trim the quilt back and batting even with the outer edge of the borders. Make sure they're straight! Sew 1/8" from edge all around the quilt to stabilize the edge and keep it from puffing up anywhere.
2. Cut 4, 2 1/4" strips of 08 Stockholm. Make one long strip by attaching them on the diagonal. 
3. Fold in half along length, press. 
4. Using a scant 1/4" seam, sew binding to back of quilt, raw edges together.  Here is an excellent resource for remembering how to join the ends of the binding together on the diagonal when you get to the end. Easy!! 
5. Go to the ironing board. Fold the binding up and press straight up from sewing line.
6. Wrap binding around to front of quilt and press and clip in place. See Lynne Goldworthy's blog, Lily's Quilts for several excellent tutorials/tips on binding quilts. 
7. Using a binding or edge stitching foot, stitch the binding to the front of the quilt. Don't forget to label your beautiful work!!

Here are the Layout Diagram and pdf Templates for this pattern. 

Have a blast making it!! 
A million thanks to Michael and Lynne for sharing these truly delicious fabrics with me :)
We'd love love love to see your finished works! Post them on the Oakshott Blog, Shotthrough.

Don't forget to follow the Oakshott Scandinavia Blog Hop!

Sarah Sharp 5/4

Heather Schrimnscher 5/5

Amy Sinibaldi 5/6

Rossie Hutchinson 5/7

Elaine Poplin 5/11

Sarah Fielke (I know!!!!) 5/12

Nicholas Ball 5/13

Lori Landenburger 5/14

So lovely to meet you!

XX!

Lori

Quick Mod Paper Pieced Wall Hanging

It's Finish It Up Friday over at Crazy Mom Quilts, and this week I have a new pattern for you!

Tangerine Fizz!!

I just love the colors in Katy Jones' Priory Square. And just look how well Karen Lewis Textiles' printed panels go with them!! When I saw Priory Square, it said Mod and Fun to me. So I used as many of the fabrics from that line, as I could for this fun soon to be floor pillow. 

When I see this flimsy, I think of Summer days with flowy dresses and yard parties; Flowers in the borders and scenting the air; Fresh leaves beckoning, and Ease and Comfort and outdoor fun with Friends!!

Such WONDERFUL COLORS!!

I have made this as an easy beginner pattern that you can tailor any way that you like.

The pattern is ready and I will have it and a lovely tutorial for you in two weeks. It will have templates for the paper pieced phobic, and paper foundations for the exacting crowd :) and LOTS of pics!

Your points will come out even and pretty. I think it looks  Modish with wide connections where the centers meet. 
What do you think?
Here is how some of the design process went. Isn't it amazing how such a simple block can make such a great design?!!

 

I hope you are having a wonderful week!!

Don't forget to follow the Oakshott Scandinavia Blog Hop!

Sarah Sharp 5/4

Heather Schrimnscher 5/5

Amy Sinibaldi 5/6

Rossie Hutchinson 5/7

Elaine Poplin 5/11

Sarah Fielke (I know!!!!) 5/12

Nicholas Ball 5/13

Lori Landenburger 5/14

XX!

Lori

Cacti Embroidery Patterns!

It's Sunday Stash over at the effervescent Molli Sparkles!!
Today's Stash is brought to you by Needles...

Embroidery Needles, that is!!

Check out that middle cacti focusing on growing her flower :)

These delightful embroidery designs are by 

Anita over at Daydreams of Quilts

Oh my goodness!!!! Have you ever seen anything so CUTE??!

 Christmas Cactus! Bwahahaha!!! I love it!!

And check out these adorable pin cushions!!

I CANNOT resist a well written pattern. And there was No Way I wasn't getting my hands on these sweeties. 

So, Ne-phew, lover of all things prickly, I know what you're getting soon!! 

Now, I didn't know how to embroider. But that did not matter because Anita uploaded excellent tutorials on 

How to Start Your Embroidery Project, and an

Embroidery Stitch Tutorials page.

Anita is also featured on Sew Mama Sew, where you can find her demonstrating several embroidery stitches. I love her style! Such cuteness!

I am thinking of making a set of towels for my sis's new place, as well... unless I keep them for myself!!!

You can rush right over and purchase a set of patterns or 

a beautifully made quilt,

HERE 

But I'm warning you, I will wrestle you for that floral polka dot baby girl quilt!!!

And don't forget that the Oakshott Scandinavia Blog Hop is coming up! 

Here is the schedule and a sneak peek at my project.

 I have seen some peeks of other people's work, and all I can say is 

WOOOOOWWWWIIIIEEEEE!!

Sarah Sharp 5/4

Heather Schrimnscher 5/5

Amy Sinibaldi 5/6

Rossie Hutchinson 5/7

Elaine Poplin 5/11

Sarah Fielke (I know!!!!) 5/12

Nicholas Ball 5/13

Lori Landenburger 5/14

What an AMAZING line up of talented designers!! 

If you haven't checked out their work, please do. They are so inspiring!!!

I hope you are having a wonder-filled Spring!!

XX!

Lori

Sew My Stash 2015 March Challenge. It's on!!

Woo!!!
It's March, the heat's back on (after three weeks, brrr!), and the Sun is shinin'! Now what could be better than that??
I know what!! Another Sew My Stash 2015 Throwdown!!

You haven't seen me here for awhile, 'cause it was too cold to sit next to the window, without heat, and type. But that doesn't mean that I didn't accomplish anything during February! No, I and my handy dandy sit-upon heating pad manned up and got it done!!

So here are my finishes for February for the Sew My Stash 2015. Eat your hearts out, they're all going as gifts to other folks!!

First up is my mini quilt for Madi at Shop Corner 52. We were partners in the #BitchesgetstitchesSwap. If the hashtag doesn't give enough of a clue, it was a swap of items that were bawdy, or swearing. I tell ya, I learned that there is a whole world out there about which I knew nothing!! Check out the #bitchesgetstitchesswap hashtag on Instagram and roll down the feed for alot of fun! But I'm warning you... Some of the items will light your eyes on fire!! Who knew the Brits and Aussies were so naughty??!

I will do an entire post on the construction of this mini. Such great paper piecing patterns from Quiet Play!

Second, I completed this mini wall hanging for a friend, but noone gets to see the whole thing until she has received it. Lol!! But you know I'll fill you in as soon as she does!

Velvet ribbon!! I just cannot get enough of it! 

Then, I finished this purse for my Niecey... I was pattern testing the pattern for The Littlest Thistle, so I can only give you a glimpse. A full reveal will occur when she releases the pattern. All I can say is, WOW!! Katy really puts alot of time and thought into her patterns, and it sure shows when you make them! Easy Peasy!!! Now I have two more that I have to make!! Lol!

Somebody's watchin' you! Sing it!

And, last, but certainly not least, I was a participant in a Round Robin quilt exchange with my quilting ladies, and I finished the last quilt. Woo!! We had our exchange last Wednesday, and I will do a complete post on all 8 of the quilts. They are AMAZING!!!! The one I received, is the best. I'm just sayin'. 

This is Rebecca's quilt. Have you been in a Round Robin exchange? I'd love to hear your stories!!

AND NOW...

MARCH'S SEW MY STASH 2015 THROWDOWN!!!

Ok, Anita!!! Here I go!! I challenge you to complete your list before I do mine.... or I owe you CHOCOLATE!!!

That's right!!! CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE!

(and no fair cheating, what with the stakes being so high, and all!!) ;)

I will complete:

1) The pattern for Cheeky Lattice, for Fat Quarterly. The top has been done for a month, and it is killing me to not show you all!!!! SOONNN!!!!!!! My quilting lady Denise, a fibre artist extraordinaire, is quilting it. But I still have to do the actual work of writing the instructions. 

2) PJ Pants. I. WILL. complete. a. pair. Even if it kills me. Which it might. I am not showing a pic of the materials, because I will probably change my mind twice, and make them out of entirely different stash than I originally intended. No wise cracks about my having a stash big enough to have several options in pj potential yardage ;)

3) Box Car Tote: Or TWO!!

What a nice sized tote to carry all of your stuff to retreats and sewing days!  One for me and one for ??? I'm taking a class with my quilty peeps from the SewAlaskan instagrammers. Fun!!! 

This is my project for  A Lovely Year of Finishes over at Sew Bittersweet Designs. 

4) Another Mini Messenger Bag, or two!!! Here are my stash pulls for them. What do you think??

Flap of Anna Marie Horner Echinacea, body of Aubergine and blue, gusset of aubergine, interior of Alison Glass.

AND

Flap of Joel Dewberry mod, interior of Alison Glass at left, pocket of Pickle, exterior of Kona Charcoal, flap lining of Kona Teal Shade. I tell you, these things are worse than potato chips! You can't make just one!!

6) I am also incredibly honored to have been asked to participate in the International blog hop for Oakshott Fabrics new line, Scandinavia.

Oh my!!! Aren't they completely Delicious??!!!

Oakshott fabrics are shot cottons, which means that the warp and weft are two different colors. This gives them an iridescent glow and a luxuriousness that is really so lovely. I like them better than my Kaffe Fasset shot cottons, because they are softer to the hand, and are such a nice weight. Perfect!!

I cannot wait to get started on this project!! Woo!

I hope you had a Fabulous February and are ready for a Marvelous March!!
XX!
Lori

 Linking up with: