The Paper Pieced Home blog hop

I am very pleased to take my turn on the Paper Pieced Home blog hop today!
I got really excited when I first heard Penny wrote a book. Knowing her designs I could not imagine it to be anything other that great. She surely did not disappoint!

The Paper Pieced Home contains no less than 40 paper pieced quilt block designs and 14 projects all of which are so clever and fun it's hard to play favourites! I've included only a few of mine in this post.
The patterns come on a separate CD which makes printing them out just that bit easier.

The book starts with a really comprehensive introduction into paper piecing. Penny proves what a fantastic teacher she is by covering absolutely everything you need to know and then some! From the basics to beyond the basics there's not a single thing missing.

Penny has a way of not only making beautiful paper piecing blocks but she also designs them so that the construction of the block is done in the most logical and easy way possible. This makes even the more complicated blocks very manageable.
I'm convinced that whatever your experience and confidence level may be, you'll find something fun and pretty to make from this book.

For my blog hop project I chose the lamp block because I absolutely love the vintage feel of this design. It includes Y seams but in a way that is not at all intimidating.
I have been a little out of practice so there are a few minor imperfections in the finished block. Nothing so bad to make me want to whip out the dreaded seam ripper, it adds charm (or at least that's my excuse!) I think this block would make a fun cushion to add to my couch collection, don't you think?

In full disclosure I was asked by Penny's publishers to write this article and sent a free copy of the book in return. My opinions are all mine.

Do check out the rest of the blog hop for more of The Paper Pieced Home!

x Leila

3/16       McCall’s Quilting / Sewing Machine Block

3/17       Love of Quilting / Review

3/17       Sandi Sawa Hazlewood  of Crafty Planner / Watering Can Block

3/18       Quilty Pleasure (Quiltmaker blog) / Review

3/18       Imagine Gnats / Rotary Phone Block

3/20       Verykerryberry / Lion Block

3/21       Artisania / Cast-Iron Skillet Block

3/23       Where the Orchids Grow / Lamp Block

3/24       Katie Blakesley of Swim Bike Quilt / Layer Cake Block

3/24       House on Hill Road / Oven Mitt Block

3/24       Lee Heinrich of Freshly Pieced / BBQ Grill Block

3/26       Pink Penguin / Allie-Gator Block

3/26       A Happy Stitch / Giraffe Block

3/27       Bijou Lovely / Jar Block

3/27       Two Little Banshees / Saucepan Block

3/27       Charise Creates / Espresso Mug Block

3/30       Karen Lewis Textiles / Couch Block

3/31       Poppyprint / Clawfoot Tub Block

3/31       One Shabby Chick / Stack of Books Block

3/31       During Quiet Time / Sleeveless Dress Block

4/06       Pat Sloan The Voice of Quilting / Author Podcast Interview

The Paper-Pieced Home: Quilting a Household One Block at a Time

By Penny Layman

Interweave/F+W; $26.99

http://bit.ly/1zClNAv

Vin Rouge and Creative Mojo

In Ringo Pie Charise chose Paris as the theme for her month. I figured no trip to Paris would be complete without a nice big glass of 'vin rouge'.
One glass full, one glass half empty you take your pick ;)

I even found a piece of Suzuko Koseki fabric to use for the label listing different wines in French, I'm pretty pleased with that!
I started off with a dark green for the bottle for a more realistic look but I was having the hardest time trying to pair it up with other fabrics. Nothing in my stash seemed to work with it, at best it looked rather masculine.  So I had to opt for the easier solution and use white for the glass.
It really isn't an easy colour to use, bottle green what would you pair it with, blue? orange? 

Anyway, it always feels good to be able to check another belated bee block off the list!

In other news I'm going to be live on the Creative Mojo podcast tonight - eek! I'm pretty nervous about it but I'm just being silly that way. I'm sure it will be lots of fun! So if you fancy listening in come join me at Creative Mojo tonight\ this afternoon. I'm on around 4pm Eastern, that's 10 PM here and 9PM in the UK, that's all the time zones I know I'm afraid ;)

* edit to add: due to technical difficulties I didn't get to chat with Nessa on Creative Mojo, my interview has been rescheduled for next week.

x Leila

Schoenrock Cross

Back when we were working on the Value Added QAL I had intended to use the Schoenrock Cross block for my quilt. Due to time restrictions there was no way I could finish the quilt in time. I only got as far as two blocks which was enough for me to know I really want to finish this quilt!

Who would like a QAL for this one? I thought it might be fun if I do a few posts about the block and different ways to construct it as I work my way through the minimum of 30 blocks I'll need to make a decent sized lap quilt. (but I'm really hoping to make it to 42)

I'm making 10" blocks using freezer paper templates for the diamond and triangle shapes and rotary cut squares and rectangles. The template can also be used for foundation paper piecing for those of you that prefer that. I plan to do a tutorial for both freezer paper and foundation piecing plus a variation that includes Y seams for the overachievers ;)

Before we start though I have to be honest, piecing these blocks is rather time consuming and requires a fair amount of patience. If you enjoyed the Farmers Wife blocks, if you like paper piecing or just want a bit of a challenge to start the year off - this is it!
For now I find the slow progress well worth the effort as the blocks are just so pretty and I can picture a quilt in the end that will rock your socks off!

So far I have only a small head start with four blocks completed, I still need to make the tutorials, and test the templates, make a Flickr group and blog button...well pretty much everything really!

But I'm excited to get started! So let me know, are you in?


x Leila

Pineapple

Autumn has arrived with it's mandatory seasonal colds and shivers. Now that we're just a little under the weather but no longer huddled up under a pile of quilts watching DVDs I can finally catch up on some sewing.

October was Tamiko's month in Cocorico her theme was Hawaii. I was glad to get a second shot at this theme as I wasn't too pleased with the block I had made her in Ringo Pie.
I settled on a pineapple block from Patchwork 318.

I'm quite pleased with this cute little pineapple. Seeing as it finishes at only 5.5'' I decided to add a border to bulk it up a little.

As usual with Kumiko Fujita block designs looks are deceiving, there were some tricky inset seams to tackle. It took me two attempts but I conquered them - yay!

One belated bee block down, four more to go I think, yikes best get cracking!
But before I leave, the inspiration for my block and the reason I couldn't stop giggling the whole time I was sewing this...



They sure look comfortable don't they ;)

x Leila

Quilting Along

I am sure you are all well aware of the super cute patterns Ayumi has been making as part of the Super Pink Penguin quilt along. Please have a look at her Flickr group here you are in for a treat there are so many cute blocks to see! I for one can never resist her sweet creations. Did you know Ayumi has a book coming out next year?! Woop!! 

So while I'm busy working on a few fun projects behind the scenes, I found time to sew up this chef block.

I love how he has this sort of French pastry chef look, very serious about his cake but he's still polite enough to say please ;)

And just in case you are curious about the 'fun stuff' I was referring to ... how does a QAL sound? Rachel and I have been plotting an scheming along with a few other very talented quilters and I'm so excited about where things are headed. This is not just another quilt along where we all join in to make the same pretty quilt, no there will be different designs for you to choose from plus there are quite a few things to learn along the way - sounds good right? We still need a bit more time to get everything ready but I will keep you posted!!

x Leila 

Sugar

I've had a bit of quilters block since I got back from holiday. I started on my next bee block a few times with not much to show for it. I started on a few things for the shop, I have begun drafting a new pattern but my heart wasn't really in any of it. 
I want to sew, make something pretty, create something new but with lack of inspiration and zero determination to finish what I have started I am obviously not getting anywhere!

What do you do when you find yourself in a creative slump?

The thing that helps me is to finally make time to sew one of the many patterns I have been meaning to sew. It very much feels like a KitKat moment when I don't have to come up with a design and instead just play with my pretty fabrics.

So I started with one popsicle block and well, one blissful sewing marathon later (thank god for play dates!) I sat back to behold the sugary sweetness of my new pillow.


 

measures 16" x 24" Popsicles pattern by Ayumi

Just as I was wondering where to put such a girly pink pillow fit for a princess my little Mr. came home.
'is that for me?' 
-Do you like it? 
'uhm, yes' 
-Can you tell what it is? 
....
' ice cream!! will you put it in my room mum?'  
-But yes of course sweetheart! 

He ran back out to show it to his friend. 
'look my mum made this all by herself!' 
 
 Be still my heart.

x Leila

Ringo Pie - April

I am caught up with my bee blocks for April - hurrah! This was Amber's month in Ringo Pie and she asked us to make blocks with a sewing theme.
I have always wanted a vintage fold out sewing box, I just haven't come across the 'one' yet. To me they are a bit like a treasure chest full of pretty shiny things waiting to be found. I love the idea of pulling out a drawer, rummaging through buttons and tangled threads to find the buried treasure under it all.

I thought this block was going to be a breeze, no curves no Y seams it all seemed pretty straightforward to me when I designed it. But I had underestimated the trickiness of matching up those skinny diagonal strips. A lot of time was spent unsewing and in the end there is still one unruly strip. One can only unpick a seam so often before it becomes a complete mess so I had to accept and move on.

That's two down, one to go!

x Leila

Enamel Coffee Pot

When I first heard that Penny and Kerry had teamed up and formed Sew-Ichigo I got very excited. I just knew great things would come from them!
I had the pleasure of testing the Enamel Coffee Pot pattern from their first set of kitchen related paper piecing patterns.

The pattern instructions are very clear and helpful, and I just love this delightful vintage looking coffee pot!  I know many of you are scared by paper piecing, I was too at first, but really with Penny and Kerry's tips and advice you could not be in better hands. So if you are on the fence just go for it, I promise it is fiddly at times but not as difficult as it may seem.

As the block finishes 6" square it will be a lovely addition to my sampler quilt but you could also use the blocks in one of the tutorials on the Sew-Ichigo blog for a tote or a kitchen aid cover. 
You can buy the patterns here

x Leila

Fresh Sewing Day February

It is the first of the month and we all know what that means - it is fresh sewing day!
Here is what my February looked like:

•  redecorating the sewing room - you will most likely not see me do that again any time soon!
• lots of paper piecing - which I am bound to do more of this month ;)
• my first pattern - yay!
• dress making - something I really would like to get better at, I love my Tova!
• the beginning of a sampler quilt, a long term project.

This week I have been happily pottering about with my scrappy leaf pattern. First I sewed some small leaves with the intention of making a lovely necklace like Charise did. But I changed my mind and made these two reverse applique coasters instead.

I love how they turned out!

Next I enlarged the pattern by 150% to see what a larger leaf would look like. It measures about 7" tall which fits perfectly in my hand :)

So I added a layer of cotton batting and insulbright for it to be used as a potholder or hotpad but I also think this size makes a nice coaster or snackmat.

Now hop on over to Lynne's to see what everyone else has been up to!

x Leila

Sunday Sewing ~ sampler quilt

How is your weekend? We have had a glimpse of spring here - yay!
I spent a few happy hours on the sofa watching dvd's and hand stitching a few blocks for my sampler quilt to be.
I made two granny squares.

  I drew the block in Photoshop rather than follow the tutorial, because I wanted my blocks to finish at 6". I simply traced the squares and triangles on some freezer paper added seam allowances and hand stitched them together. 

There is no real reason for hand stitching them other than I felt like it!

My sampler of course needs a + & x block, I followed the same method as with the granny squares to make a 6" block. I find it easier to just make templates for these blocks than doing the maths.

And I made two cute little house blocks following Kerry's latest tutorial, machine pieced this time. After working through several blocks from Patchwork 318 those y seams do not scare me much anymore so I chose the version that included them. But Kerry has made templates for piecing the block without y seams and foundation paper piecing as well - she is kind like that!

They finish at only 4" isn't that sweet?! I am not sure if they will end up in the sampler because they are a different size but for now they are included. I can imagine a whole quilt of these would be fab! You can find the free pattern for this block on Kerry's blog here

So feeling that I had been rather productive I spread all my precious blocks out on the floor in happy anticipation of seeing the quilt grow.

The house blocks were made for me by Ayumi, Kerry and Charise in Patchwork 318 the bee.

  Well, the amount of blocks may not be that impressive but they sure are pretty together don't you think?

Did you sew anything good this weekend?

x Leila

Scrappy Leaf Key Fob Pattern

Today is a rather exciting day for me because I have completed my very first pattern -eek!
These scrappy leaf key fobs are so much fun to sew and you get to use up some of your scraps in the process. I don't know about you, but to me that is always a bonus! They are fun and easy to sew up and make great last minute gifts for friends and family!

The pattern includes templates for paper piecing, but there is also the option to string piece the patchwork leaf and improvise with the shape and size. There are plenty of possibilities to put your own spin on them!

I am very grateful for the help I got from my wonderful pattern testers Penny, Nova and Charise, I owe you one girls!

We are in different time zones, but if you head on over to their blogs a little later today I am sure they are happy to show you the pretty leaves they have been sewing up. There might be a little something in it for you too...just sayin' ;)

And of course you can buy a copy of the pattern in my shop here.


x Leila

Cuppa tea love? a paper piecing tutorial

As promised today I have a little Valentine's Day paper piecing tutorial for you all!
I designed this block to be beginners friendly, but also included some smaller pieces to give you something to practice on ;)
The pattern is divided up in sections from A to F, each section is pieced individually and then all sections are pieced together. I will be using the freezer paper method for this tutorial but feel free to paper piece whichever way you like best of course!
With freezer paper piecing each pattern piece has it's own freezer paper template. I like to print a paper copy of the pattern to keep next to my sewing machine for reference as I piece each section. Rather than tracing the pattern on freezer paper by hand, I print a copy of the pattern directly on to the dull side of my freezer paper and save some time. Doing this does mean you will have to cut with a 1/4" seam allowance around the pattern once ironed on.

Lets get started shall we?

Cuppa tea love? a paper piecing tutorial
Finished size: 5 3/4" x 8 1/2"

What you will need: 
Download the free PDF pattern - be sure your printer is set to 100% or no scaling when printing.
-fabric, you don't need large pieces, scraps, layer cake squares or fat eights will do just nicely
- freezer paper
- a clear ruler with 1/4" mark
- normal sewing equipment

Pattern Templates
Print out a copy of the PDF Pattern. Like I mentioned earlier I like to keep one paper copy of the pattern for reference and I print my pattern templates straight unto the freezer paper.
Cut out each section of the freezer paper templates and save a piece of the excess freezer paper for later.

Step One - piecing the heart tea bag
We will start with the pieced heart tea bag in section A. Cut out each piece of your freezer paper template.

The two corner triangles 3 & 5 are rather small and might get lost under your iron if ironed on directly to the fabric. I will draw one new template for these two pieces including seam allowances.

 Simply trace section 5 from the reference pattern and draw 1/4" seam allowance to all sides. Since the corner triangles are mirrored you only need one new template. But do remember to iron the freezer paper to the reverse of the fabric for section 3!

Iron the templates to the right sides of the fabric and cut with 1/4" seam allowance on all sides, except for section 3 & 5 where the seam allowance was already added to the new freezer paper template.
( remember to iron the template to the reverse of the fabric for section 3!)

Sew each piece together in the order they are numbered

Step Two - section A
Iron the pattern templates for section A to the right sides of the fabric and cut with 1/4" seam allowance on all sides.The smaller corner triangles of sections 1 & 2 are conveniently the same size as the corner triangles 3 & 5 of the heart tea bag so we can use this template again. Remember to iron one to the right side and one to the wrong side of the fabric, and no added 1/4" seam allowances for these pieces!

Piece together in the order in which they are numbered.

Step 3 - section B
Iron the pattern templates for section B to the right sides of the fabric and cut with 1/4" seam allowance on all sides. If you find the corner triangles a tad on the small side trace new freezer paper templates including a 1/4" seam allowance, like we did before.
I used the freezer paper templates from my printed copy.

 Piece together in the order in which they are numbered.

Step 4 - Section C
Iron the pattern template for section C to the right sides of the fabric and cut with 1/4" seam allowance on all sides. Sew to section C to section A

Step 5 - section D
Iron the pattern templates for section D to the right sides of the fabric and cut with 1/4" seam allowance on all sides.  Piece together in the order in which they are numbered.

Step 6 - Section E
Iron the pattern templates for section E to the right sides of the fabric and cut with 1/4" seam allowance on all sides.  Piece together in the order in which they are numbered.

 Step 7 - section F
Almost done now! So at the risk of repeating myself ;).. Iron the pattern templates for section F to the right sides of the fabric and cut with 1/4" seam allowance on all sides.  Piece together in the order in which they are numbered.

And you are all done!
I added a little embroidery for the tea bag on this block. It is not finished yet but I think I will add some borders and make a cushion cover with it once I find the time! 

I also experimented with the scale of the pattern and made a smaller version that is just right as a mug rug. Change the scaling in your printer settings or edit the pattern size in a photo editing program if you would like to try this as well.

The smaller the block the smaller the pieces of course which means the construction is a little more fiddly. I did not piece the heart on the tea bag this time but fussy cut some fun tea fabric instead.
I just wanted to show you how you can play around with the pattern and make it fit your own needs.
If you make this block or anything else from one of my tutorials I would love to see it! Please add your photo's to my Flickr group here

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial! If you have any questions just shoot I will do my best to answer them.

x Leila