Patches of Blue Quilt Along – Quilt Assembly

12 months ago we planted this seed and started growing our Patches of Blue Quilt-A-Long.

There were so many beautiful quilt blocks in our Patches of Blue book to inspire and make,

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it was hard to wrap my arms around them all. No less, I picked a few of my favorites and

you were so kind to quilt along with me, I am so thankful for that!

January 2018 – While the ground was still covered in snow and Frost we started our first block.

February 2018 – We got our sweetheart a Gift Basket.

March 2018 – It might not have been a light show but making our saw tooth stars brightened up my day, and I hope yours too.

April 2018 – I should have been sprucing up the house but instead I was working on my Blue Spruce block!

May 2018 – The April showers brought us Blue Bell flowers.

June 2018 – Those hot summer days had me dreaming of winter and the Shimmering Snow.

July 2018 – What a TREE-T it was to have this block to work on in the middle of the year.

August 2018 – While enjoying my time outside, I couldn’t help but notice the big sky and Shinning Stars.

September 2018 – As the seasons were changing, I was already imaging the First Flakes of winter.

October 2018 – It might have been pumpkin season, but we were more excited about our Blue Barn Block.

November 2018 – Can you hear the Sleigh Bells ringing?

Before I start on my Christmas cookies, lets put our quilt together.

I start by pressing all my blocks and double check the sizes. Then I sew my blocks in selections as you can see above. Also, this is the time you can slowly add some applique pieces over some of the seams as shown above using our Blue Sky Silhouettes and Blue Snowflakes.

Start by sewing the top left corner section to the center section (this seam is only partial, leave an opening at the bottom for later). Now you can sew the right corner section.

Then sew the First Flake block to the bottom of that section.

We will proceed by sewing the bottom left section to the First Flake and finish the top seam from the opening all the way to the edge. Add bottom section of the blocks to the quilt top.

(if that section is not long enough, you may add a 1″ strip to the right side.)

Time to add inner borders – cutting dimensions are as follows:

1. Top border 2″ x 57-1/2″

2. Left and right border 2″ x 67-1/2″

3. Bottom border 2-1/2″ x 57-1/2″ (bottom border is a 1/2″ bigger than top border)

Add the left and right border, then press the seam allowance towards the border.

Add top and bottom inner border, press seam towards outside of the quilt and finish all of the appliques.

I hope you have been making your 2″ Half Square Triangles (HSTs, 1-1/2″ finished size) You will need 356 of them for our border.

Save a handful (approximately 20) of the HSTs to the side. Lay the remaining triangles out like the picture above.

Sew the HSTs into sets of two.

Then into sets of four.

I found it easier to have my triangles in units of four or eight when laying out the borders.

Once you have your triangles laid out, its time to sew them together. Notice, that some of my triangles on the side borders will switch directions to the zigzag layout and the corners I desire.

Sew and press the border pieces together.

Follow the diagram above for the border layout.

Sew the outer border to the left and right side of the quilt and press the seams toward the center.

Finish by adding the top and bottom border. Finished quilt size is 64″ x 77.5″

Time for quilting! Since this is a sampler quilt, I thought it would be fun to make my quilting a sampler of a few of my favorite edge-to-edge designs also.

I planned the rows of quilting to give a little something extra to my blocks.

I hope you enjoyed this project, and as you quilt along you found your favorite blocks.

I know my buddy Oliver has put a paw on his favorite.

I am so pleased with the way this quilt turned out and just in time to decorate for the holidays!

Tank you for quilting along with me. Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful and happy holidays!

I ho-ho-hope you were sew good this year and Santa stops at your house! Leave us a comment by Dec 22nd with your favorite block from this Patches of Blue Quilt Along for chance to win a Christmas Surprise from Laundry Basket Quilts!

Happy Quilting and Merry Christmas! Edyta

If you would like to download a PDF version of this Quilt-Along Block 11 – click here!

Patches of Blue Quilt Along – Block 11 Sleigh

Hello, it’s me again!

And it is time for another block in our “Patches of Blue” Quilt-A-Long. This is our last block and next time we see each other we will be putting the quilt together!

This month we will make an appliqued block called “Sleigh Bell” from page 110.

I know some of you like to stay away from applique like it is a picky cactus. Do not worry, I am going to make this as simply as possible!

We will need the pattern from page 116 and 117, fusible webbing (Lightweight Heat and Bond) 16-1/2″ x 24-1/2″ light fabric for background, one fat eighth in blue, Blue Sky Silhouette, and Blue Snowflake Silhouette.

We will start by tracing the sled to the paper side of the fusible webbing with a pencil.

You need to trace exactly on the lines.

Sometimes I like to use stencils to draw my designs on the fusible webbing. Since I have a little left over, I am going to use it to draw one Gingerbread Man and later on I will add him to one of the blocks I have previously made.

Once you finish drawing, rough cut  your shapes leaving 1/8″ on the outside of your pieces.

If you would like, you can cut out the fusible webbing on the inside just leaving fusible on the edges. This will make your shapes nice and soft. I want my shapes to be a little bit firmer so I am keeping the fusible as my stabilizer.

With a dry iron, press your shapes to the wrong side of the blue fabric.

Using sharp scissors, cut out your shapes. (Stay on the LINES)

We have a lovely sled for some of the cold winter days. We will use Blue Sky Silhouettes for branches and berries to fill the sled.

Remove the paper from the back of the shapes and start laying out your applique following the layout. I place the long pieces first, then cut the stems to make winter branches. Make sure to tuck the edges under each other.

In the Blue Sky Silhouette package you will find two blues birds and even though they are not in the original design, I have included them in this block. I think they are so cute!

You are going to love the Blue Snowflake Silhouettes. In the package you will receive 3 large snowflakes and 3 small ones.

Gently peel the paper from the back and position the snowflake in the middle of the sled.

Gently press all pieces – be careful not to over press!

“Touch of Blue” Aurifil threads are perfect for stitching around the applique. There are so many beautiful shades of blue to choose from.  I would love for you to watch this YouTube video before you start your applique, I think it will be very helpful.

I am going to use a blanket stitch around the edges of the branches and sled.

And a straight stitch through the snowflake.

Save every bit of the leftover branches from your Blue Sky Silhouette package. We will add them to some of our previously made blocks as we assemble our quilt next month.

The Gingerbread Man has found his cozy spot under the blue spruce block with some snowflakes.

Fusible applique is so much fun and provides you with quick and beautiful results during this busy time of the year…

As you travel to visit your family …

as you are decorating for the holidays,

and as you are waiting for someone special to visit.

I hope you enjoy all the Stars upon Stars this season has to offer.

Happy Quilting! Edyta

If you would like to download a PDF version of this Quilt-Along Block 11 – click here!

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Patches of Blue Quilt Along – Block 10 Blue Barn

Welcome back to our Quilt Along!

Blue Barn is the October Block that we will make and add to our beautiful sampler quilt from the “Patches of Blue” book.

October is filled with Pumpkins,

one of my favorite flowers – “Mums”,

and many new fabric collections like our “Bakers Dozen”.

Which are perfect for blue and white quilts like our “Alaska” pattern.

I can’t help myself to grab one of these “Bakers Dozen” batik pieces to add it to our Quilt Along Block. For this block you will need:

1 fat eighth blue fabric 1 fat eighth light fabric

The Blue Barn pattern can be found in our “Patches of Blue” book on page 44.

Cutting directions are on page 45 and you’ll also will need templates from page 50-51 to cut some of the shapes.

Start by tracing the templates from page 50-51, double check the size against the book before cutting your fabrics.

Position your templates on the right side of the fabric you are using. (I use a bit of double sided tape to keep the templates from moving.)

Place ruler along the edge of the template to protect them as you cut with a rotary cutter.

All remaining blue pieces for the block should be cut following the cutting directions in the book.

Now we need to do the same for the light fabric, first cut pieces with templates,

then cut window and door trim pieces by following the cutting directions from the “Patches of Blue” book.

Now we are ready to start assembling our block. Layout all pieces as shown.

Let’s begin with chimney squares and strips.

Sew strips together as shown above and remember to push seam allowance to the blue. NOTE: longest light strip is on the left side.

Rooftop is next, don’t hesitate, it looks harder than it is. Keep your templates handy, we will use them to mark the matching sewing points.

Place your template on the right side of the fabric and use a pencil to mark the matching sewing points.

I push my pencil through the paper template to make a mark on the fabric.

Align fabrics right sides together, match pencil points on both pieces and put a pin through this matching point.

Adding one piece at a time, I slowly raise the roof.

Next I prepare pieces to frame the door.

Sew side pieces to the door first, then add the top piece.

Then we’ll layout the window pieces.

Sew center and side trim to the windows first, then sew top and bottom trims.

Now it’s time to add the light trim to the window unit.

Start with left side light trim and then add top light trim.

Things are looking really good, layout all of the units as shown for our block.

Start by sewing chimney unit to roof unit. Position the units right sides together and pin it to guarantee a nice seam alignment.

Remember to do this on both sides of the the roof.

Sew door unit to window unit. Press seams toward blue fabric.

Finally sew roof unit to house unit. Remember to pin so your seams align.

Your Blue Barn block is complete and ready to enjoy!

I am so pleased how nice the “Bakers Dozen” blue batik looks in this project.

I have a little treat for you, click here to download “Secret Recipe” the free pattern released with this fabric collection.

And if you like our fabrics, I’m sure you’ll be thrilled to hear that we have some new collections that are soon to be released.

“Bed of Roses” with amazing selection of prints and colors. (Available spring 2019)

“Sonoma” a handful of relaxing neutrals, perfect for any project.

And let’s not forget “Spots and Dots” with vivid colors and a gentle print to accent your quilt.

Hope you’re enjoying our Quilt Along, until next time;

Happy Quilting! Edyta

If you would like to download a PDF version of this Quilt-Along Block 10 – click here!

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