Alaska

Visiting Alaska is at the top of my bucket list. I hope to have a chance to go to this beautiful state soon!

I love Alaska so much, that I even dedicated one of my designs to this magical place. I am so excited to share some tips on how to create this gorgeous quilt.

I am going to make my blocks using our pre-cut kit. These kits are available on our website and include marking templates and fabric for the quilt top. You’ll also need the Alaska Pattern, it is available as a printed pattern or downloadable PDF. If you are cutting your own fabric, please follow the directions on the first page of your pattern. I recommend cutting strips first, then cut your individual pieces using an acrylic template. Our acrylic templates are extremely useful for not only for cutting, but also

for marking your sewing points that ensure a nice flat block.

Select and arrange your pieces for block one. With this block, we will learn the basic assembly for all of your future blocks.

Place piece D on top of piece C. Then place your template to mark the sewing and pinning points using a Sew Line pencil. I usually do this to the first few pieces to help give me an idea of where to position my pieces.

Pin and sew. I am using Aurifil thread 2310 wt 50.

Push the seam allowance towards the darker fabric.

Place piece C over the previously sewn unit. Then position your template to mark where to pin.

Sew and press in one direction.

Place the units we just made, right sides together. Again, mark your pinning points.

Pin, sew, and then trim all of the bunny ears in the center.

Push the seam allowance in the same direction as your previous seams. If you do this the seams

will lock between blocks when they are put into rows.

Place two halves together and start sewing from the center. Make sure your seams are nesting nicely together.

Finish sewing and trim all the threads.

Open the center, forcing the seam to lay down in the same direction as the previous seams.

Press your block from the back.

Press from the front, using a pressing cloth or an old handkerchief. I do this so that I will not shine the edges in the center of the block. Finish by squaring up your block. You will be making a total of

four blocks like this. I recommend using chain sewing. This will help you get really good in positioning your pieces.

Now we are ready for Block Two. This one is a little bit more difficult. Do not fear, we got this! Start by selecting and arranging all of your pieces and follow your pattern.

Begin by sewing the corners of piece D to piece C. You will repeat the steps that you did with Block 1. Take your pieces, put them right sides together, mark, pin, sew, and press.

Next up – side units. Take piece B and place it on the top of piece A, with the right sides together.

Use your templates to mark the points.

Pin it.

Notice how careful I am on the first few pieces to make sure that the pin goes through the points of both A and B fabrics.

Those few first pieces give me an exact idea of how to place my pieces. Eventually, I will not need to mark them anymore.

Sew and press.

Place your second B, on top of the unit. Mark your points and pin.

Sew and press.

Repeat these steps to make all four sections.

Place the side unit on the top of the corner unit.

Mark and sew.

Trim the bunny ears.

Remember to keep pushing your seam allowance in the same direction.

Place two halves together.

Start sewing from the center to the outside of the block. Flip the block and finish sewing the other side from the center to the outside.

Press from the back and remember to push all seam allowances in the same direction.

Then press from the front and trim to get the blocks ready for your quilt. You will proceed like this with the rest of your blocks. You will make four of each and one for the center. Your steps will repeat over and over. I guarantee that after the first few blocks you will start to become a professional

at placing your pieces together!

You will have a beautiful quilt in no time! If you love quilting with me, be sure to visit our YouTube channel, we’ll have our Alaska video posted there soon.

One common question I receive is, “How can I make this quilt bigger?” There are two ways: 1. You can add additional borders to the quilt top. 2. You could make more blocks and add them around the center of the quilt. In the example quilt shown above, I used the additional block option. For the sides, I used Block 2 recipe of color placement. For my corners, I adjusted the colors to frame my quilt.

Speaking of colors, look how gorgeous our new Evergreen and Braveheart collections are.

It feels like Christmas in July!

We have a new kit – “Alaskan Holiday“, that could be the perfect gift for yourself or someone special!

It’s never too early to start your Holiday Shopping.

Happy Quilting! Edyta

If you would like to download a PDF version of this Alaska Blog – click here!

Perfect Union

I am hoping you are sailing away to a beautiful weekend. The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays; full of family, friends, and a little quilting. I’ve been preparing for the long weekend

by pulling out all my patriotic quilts and planning some new ones. 🙂

Thanks to my dear friend Debby, I am excited to share something special with you.

I am going to use some of my scraps from Little Sweetheart, Something Blue, and the Blue Sky Collections. Those three together form a Perfect Union. We also have a fabric kit available, or you can use any of your scraps for this quilt. To start, we will be making little Ohio stars. I would like to share with you two different ways to make the block.

Instructions for cutting the whole quilt can be found in the “Perfect Union” pattern. For one block, you cut: 8 blue QSTs (quarter square triangles) 8 light QSTs 1 blue square 4 light squares

Start by sewing light and blue QSTs, I am using a Microtex needle, Aurifil thread, and a shy quarter inch seam allowance (this will give me room to square and trim).

Push the seam allowance toward blue.

Match and nest the seam allowances together.

Sew and open the center back.

Trim your little QST unit – this is so important!

My quilting became so much better once I started trimming and squaring as I was sewing. Also, starching my fabric before I cut is advice give to any beginning quilters.

We have 4 QST units ready for our little Ohio star.

Arrange your pieces and sew them into three rows.

Sew the rows together and press, then trim.

From red and light fabrics, cut strips. (The exact measurements are available in the pattern)

Section them to rectangles and arrange them next to the star in alternating colors.

Begin sewing the red strip to the right side and bottom of the star.

Next, add the light strips…

…and finish with the red!

We just completed our first block!

Seeing a finished block makes me so excited for the rest of the quilt. There are so many different ways to create an Ohio star, so I am going to show you another technique that I love to use! Sometimes when I am making a lot of the same block, I change techniques to

make the process more exciting and fun.

This time we cut: 2 blue squares 2 light squares 4 light small squares 1 small blue square

(Sorry, I forgot to add the small blue square into the photography, I was sidetracked daydreaming about fireworks!)

Place the light square on the top of the blue square.

Draw a line across the square (from point to point).

Sew along either side of the line using a shy quarter inch seam allowance.

Cut on the line to create 4 half square triangles.

Press the seam allowance toward the blue.

Place half square triangles, right sides together, matching the light to blue.

Next, draw a line (from point to point) then pin and sew, staying a quarter inch from each side.

Cut on the line.

You now have 4 quarter square triangle units! Let’s press and trim.

Time to lay out the block.

Once again, sew into rows and press.

Then add your strips.

Notice, this time we alternated colors starting with light!

Keep making your blocks, and rolling along. You will need 24 of each, and before you know it…

…you will have the “Perfect Union”, just in time for the holidays!

Thank you, Debby, you brought the fireworks of red and blue scraps to my sewing room! It’s even burst into my Alaska Quilt.

I hope you enjoyed this little project and use both techniques for your next creation!

Remember, there is never just one way to get to where you are going.

Happy Fourth of July! Edyta

Variegated Threads

Summer is here and full of vibrant colors!

With all of the amazing hues, it is sometimes so hard to pick your favorite.

Lately, my Make Space Cutting Table has been full of the most amazing shades from our Linen Texture collection.

From those yummy fat quarter bundles, I begin to cut some strips to make some fun spools.

Our Variegated Thread pattern includes the directions for this spool block that we are going to make.

Group the strips into sets of eight.

I position the strips, right sides together, and start sewing them into sets of two with my machine set

to a smaller stitch. I use my favorite thread, 2370 from Aurifil.

I place the strips on my ironing board, ready to be ironed. Notice that I keep all my salvaged edges on the right side. This keeps me organized and allows me to get the most out of my strip sets.

I press them open, using a little bit of the steam and a hot iron.

Many times, I take a picture of my strip sets, which helps keep me track of the strips position.

Next, I sew them into sets of four. Notice I have been keeping the cut edges aligned and do not worry about the salvaged edges aligning. I will trim those off later.

Now sew them into sets of eight, press again, and we are ready for our next step!

We will be cutting rectangles out, which will be the body of our spools. When I cut, I make sure that I trim the width first, then I cut the top and bottom if it is needed.

I am so happy with all the Variegated Threads that I am going to have. I just need to complete

a few more steps. Shall we move on to the tops and bottoms of the spools?

Position a small light background square on the top of your dark rectangle and sew through the middle of the square. All of your measurements for these pieces can be found in your Variegated Thread pattern.

I then trim a 1/4″ away from the sewing line.

Press the seam allowance towards the dark fabric.

Now, I place a light square on the other side of your dark rectangle.

Sew, trim, and press. Repeat all of the steps on the opposite side.

Alright, this one could be a little tricky. Start by sewing light fabric rectangles to the sides of your spools. Then, you will need to place your spool top, right sides together, on the spool unit.

I am pointing to the crossing of the seams.

That point is where I place my pin to make sure that after sewing, everything lines up!

Once I press it, my spool will look SEW nice!

Repeat the same steps for the bottom of the spool. Match, pin, sew, and press it open.

Sew in love with my spools!

I cannot wait to put them into a Variegated Thread quilt.

I added some fun quilting designs to my quilt. It is going to be perfect for my sewing room.

There are so many fun projects you can make with the Linen Texture Collection, from Spring Bouquet Applique …

… To Illuminate…

… To Sewing Basket.

I hope your sewing table and your Summer is full of color.

Happy Quilting!

Edyta