04-21-2017

Bella Skill Builder…Block 3

Pineapples anyone???

This month we are on Block 3 in the Bella Skill Builder quilt along hosted by Fat Quarter Shop!

This month is the Pineapple Block!

Block 3

I’m not gonna lie…this was a tricky block!

You will use a specialty ruler for this one….

Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool

Tips…

The key is to make sure you read the instructions thoroughly and use the ruler properly!

I got a little ahead of myself and just kept cutting which = lots of seam ripping. Go step by step and you should do just fine.

Finger press along the way. I ironed only at the end of each block because there is a lot of seams and it can get wonky fast.

I also used a scant quarter inch seam when stitching these and the blocks came out the perfect size!

Hope you guys are enjoying this quilt… This block definitely pushed me out of the box a little and I did a block I never have before. Yay for quilty me!

Bella Skill Builder

Don’t forget its not too late to get your supplies to join in! Below are the links to get you there.

Fat Quarter Shop has a Quilt Kit, Backing Set, and a Thread Set for this quilt.

Keep it Sassy♥

You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter or by email updates(form on right sidebar)!

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Filed Under: Bella Skill Builder, Fat Quarter Shop, Quilt Tools, Uncategorized Tagged With: bella skill builder, bella solids, fat quarter shop, Pineapple Block, Pineapple Trim Toool

03-13-2017

Needle turn appliqué… Part 1 Getting Ready

A quilt on my quilty dream list is an Orange Peel Quilt… I came across this pattern on Fat Quarter Shop and just fell in love!

Round Robin Quilt Pattern

I’ve been itching to do some hand work…. so I am doing Needle Turn Applique for this quilt. And so far it has been fun!

I think I love it because it is small and portable and I get to hold all these beautiful fabrics we love so much in my hands while I am working on it. I am a dental hygienist so I can sometimes squeeze a few in between patients….shhhhhh, don’t tell!

I thought I would show you guys how I am going about this….I am by no means a master of needle turn, but here are the basics if you want to give it a try!

You are going to need some templates for the shape you will be appliquéing.

For this pattern you can find the templates for any size here….

Impressions Quilting Templates Orange Peel Set from It’s Sew Emma features the classic orange peel applique shape. Templates are designed to fit on 3″, 4″, 5″ and 6″ finished squares.

I am going with the 5″ template on a 5 1/2″ background square.

You will first trace your template using a marking pen that will wash out… so that the lines are not seen when you are done.

I am using a Sewline marking tool. I found mine on Amazon for about 15.00. This is a three way marking tool. You have a white, pink and black marking option.

Marks like a dream!

You can pick whichever color stands out best on your fabric… nice feature

You are going to also need some matching thread to coordinate with your applique pieces…. this helps your stitches blend in.

A few other handy tools are a small pair of scissors for snipping threads, a few thin pins for holding your applique in place, and of course your stitching needle.

Sharps are a great needle….they are long and thin. Milliners and Straw needles are also a good choice.

Now you are ready to get stitiching!

So get your tools ready and the next post will show you how to get your first stitches started.

Here is a great Craftsy class for learning Needle turn appliqué with Sarah Fielke.

Keep it Sassy♥

You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter or by email updates(form on right sidebar)!

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Filed Under: Applique, Uncategorized

02-09-2017

Bella Skill Builder…Block2

Today is Block 2 in the Bella Skill Builder quilt along hosted by Fat Quarter Shop!

Bella Skill Builder

Don’t forget its not too late to get your supplies to join in! Below are the links to get you there.

Fat Quarter Shop has a Quilt Kit, Backing Set, and a Thread Set for this quilt.

Block 2

Orange Peel

I did a simple top stitch to secure these. A zig zag is also a good option.

These were fun and super easy!

Give it a try.

Keep it Sassy♥

You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter or by email updates(form on right sidebar)!

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Filed Under: Applique, Bella Skill Builder, Fat Quarter Shop Tagged With: applique, bella skill builder, bella solids, orange peel, quilting

02-09-2017

Baby Whale Quilts!

Baby whales and cutie pies!

Gotta love ’em…. so adorable.

This is my recent finish on a baby quilt for my soon to be nephew, Oliver. This quilt was super easy to make and I just loved the color scheme. My youngest niece is loving it too….. I’m not sure she is ready to share this chair….even though she has her own quilt.

I just went through my stash and picked out an assortment of navy and gray fabrics.

Cut 36 squares 6.5″ x 6.5″ and sew them together, 6 across and 6 down.

Finishes 36.5″ x 36.5″… perfect crib size.

The appliques were super easy! I used some Steam a Seam 2 and ironed it to my whale fabric. Printed off some whale shapes from online and shrunk it down to the size I wanted. I traced it onto the fabric and cut it out. Then peel off the back and ironed it on.

I chose a simple topstitch to secure these whales. Not easy hitting all the curves, but just go slow and one stitch at a time in the tight spots. It also helped to only do 4…. not all over the place, and I like how it looks better too! Don’t want to overdo the whales.

Here is another whale project I did recently…

Whales on the brain, lol.

This one is for my local guild. We have an exhibit at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show at the end of this month. It is titled, Ombre… Your Way!

I made my own pattern for this one too… but, I spray basted the whale to hold it in place and then stitched it down. I used a zig zag stitch for this one and did a little more quilting.

The hexagons were also spray basted on and then top stitched.

Simple, but cute!

Keep it Sassy♥

You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter or by email updates(form on right sidebar)!

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Filed Under: Applique, Baby Quilts, Finished Quilts, Uncategorized Tagged With: applique, baby boy quilt, baby quilt, baby whale quilts, easy quilt projects, whale quilt

02-01-2017

Bella Skill Builder…Block 1

Today starts the beginning of an awesome quilt along hosted by Fat Quarter Shop!

Bella Skill Builder

I am super pumped to make this quilt. It will be a 10 month process, with a new block posted the 1st of the month for 9 months and then a finishing post for the last month.

Some months you will make multiples…. just in case you were like….HEY? There is more than 10 blocks in there!

Oh…. and did I mention it’s a FREE PATTERN! Happy face:)

Here is an up close look at this gorgeous quilt…..

This quilt will finish at 66.5 x 83.5

We will be working with Bella Solids….. hence the name, Bella Skill Builder.

Fat Quarter Shop has a Quilt Kit, Backing Set, and a Thread Set for this quilt.

Today’s Block…..

Block 1: Kaleidoscope

You will make three blocks with this pattern.

One large block and two smaller versions.

Tips for this block…

•be precise with cutting, mistakes add up!

•fabric is on bias so kinda stretchy, use pins and don’t over press and stretch these out!

Rulers you can use for this block are:

Creative Grids Spider Web Ruler #CGRKA6

Creative Grids 6 1/2” Quilting Square Ruler #CGR6

Creative Grids 12 1/2” Quilting Square Ruler #CGR12

NO WORRIES….

Some templates are provided should you not have them.

You can find the patterns to download HERE!

Have fun Sassy’s and enjoy working on building your quilting skills!

Keep it Sassy♥

You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter or by email updates(form on right sidebar)!

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Filed Under: Bella Skill Builder, Fat Quarter Shop, Uncategorized Tagged With: bella skill builder, bella solids, fat quarter shop, free pattern, kaleidoscope

01-30-2017

Planning for quilty success! 2017

We have all heard this quote…. “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” by Winston Churchill or maybe this one by Benjamin Franklin…”By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.”.

This month I’ve been doing a lot of planning for my new year! Focusing on what I need to get done and new challenges I want to embrace.

You may have seen some awesome quilty planners floating around on the the interwebs…..

like this one>>>

The Quilter’s Planner by Stephanie Palmer

Can I just say this planner is AWESOME looking! ….. but alas, I am trying to not buy every little thing my quilty heart desires in 2017. But if you can… get you one HERE!

So here is what I came up with for myself…. a little journal I received as a gift! Added my own little quilty quote…. because “Quilty dreams do come true💜.”

I’m gonna walk you through my planning process and maybe it will help you too!

•First task…. Assess what is happening!

Woah Paula!!!!

FOURTEEN unquilted tops… gotta look those tops in the face, take some control!

P.s…. don’t be ashamed of unfinished projects.

We are makers! And makers gonna make quilty peeps:)

Next stop on the unfinished train….

•Quilts or projects that are started but haven’t made it to the finished top phase.

I call this the To Be Pieced section….

Ok…. so I have a few of these also, no biggie!

A second part of this I call… my In Progress section.

These are quilts that are basted and in the mid-quilting phase.

Hey….. pat on the back! These are almost there.

• New Projects.

What do I want to do that is new and exciting in 2017…

Now…

You might be thinking….PAULA!

Are any new projects really necessary?

I say YES!

We have to keep growing as quilters and letting our creative side have fun!

So I made a list of some projects I want to push myself to squeeze in.

Last….but not least….

•Add a page of Goals and Progress for each month!

♥

This lets me see what I’ve accomplished. It’s easy to get overwhelmed!!!

But we must remember…. Quilting is fun! It’s your world. Do what makes you happy 😊

My goal is to finish something unfinished each month and enjoy something new!

January is looking good so far…

•One finished Quilt!

•One finished top!

•And a start on a quilt I’ve dreamed of making as long as I can remember.

My quilty heart is happy💜

I hope you guys give yourselves a break, BE SASSY and continue you to do what you love!

Keep it Sassy♥

You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter or by email updates(form on right sidebar)!

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Filed Under: Quilting Projects, Quilting Tips, Uncategorized Tagged With: 2017, fat quarter shop, quilt goals, quilt planning, the quilter's planner

01-26-2017

Layer Cake Pop Quilt Along and giveaway!

Hey there Sassy’s!

Fat Quarter Shop is sharing a fun and FREE PATTERN today as part of a quilt along!

Fat Quarter Shop

Layer Cake Pop

Get Quilt Kit HERE

They did their quilt kit in Spectrum by V and Co.

Such a fun fabric line!

Here is my version of this quilt….

I just love these little stars that this pattern makes! Cute.

I used a Cotton and Steel layer cake and made my own jelly roll out of a cream dot background fabric. The cream color worked really well with this line.

It was a fun pattern and a great way to use up some of those layer cakes we have piling up!!!!

Wanna see all the different versions of this quilt?….. and a chance to win the Fat Quarter Shop GIVEAWAY?

Check out all of the other bloggers participating today and enter the giveaway HERE.

Keep it Sassy♥

You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter or by email updates(form on right sidebar)!

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Filed Under: Fat Quarter Shop, Layer Cake Patterns, Uncategorized Tagged With: fat quarter shop, free patterns, layer cake pop, layer cake quilts, quilt along

01-11-2017

Quilter with no quilts…

So why is it so hard to get a quilt when you make quilts?

I’ve said it myself to lots of quilters….

if you want a quilt you can make yourself one! Right?

But…. we all know it is so much more than that. Yes, we make ourselves quilts sometimes…. but receiving a quilt from a fellow quilter I believe is one of the greatest treasures! A quilt is never cost effective… costs money, time, frustration, brain power and sometimes injury!

A quilt is a true gift from the heart❤️… You only get one if you are loved!

2016 was a great quilty year for me because I received not one but two! And I want to show them off:)

My cousin gave me this beauty! Thank you Mags!

This one is from a quilty friend in my local Richmond Modern Quilters Guild. Thank you Betty!

I love the colors in both. Matches my home. One I snuggle on the couch with and the other in the bed. Happiness all around!

I want to challenge everyone in 2017 to show some quilty love to your fellow quilters.
Thank you to Maggie and Betty for blessing me with sassy quilty goodness:)

Keep it Sassy♥

You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter or by email updates(form on right sidebar)!

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Filed Under: quilts, Uncategorized Tagged With: quilts

01-04-2017

Quilt Backing…

Raise your hand if you hate basting a quilt? ✋🏼✋🏼✋🏼✋🏼✋🏼

The work of basting is hard enough, but getting the backing pieced and measured properly can be a pain too. My favorite thing to use is wide quilt backing fabric made just for this purpose…… soooooo much simpler! But here lies a problem….UGLY BACKING!

Now I’m not saying all quilt backing is ugly… obviously, but most that I come across are pretty old school.

For example…..

108" Wide Quilt Backing Prairie Vine Tan Essentials 108" Wide Back Flannel Filigree Dark Blue

Climbing Vine 108" Wide Back Red 110" Wide Flannel Quilt Back Willow Royal

Vines, flowers…vines, flowers and blobs….

(no offense meant to the vine, flower and blob lovers)

If your like me then you’re kinda tired of that and looking for something new, funky, fresh…SASSY!

So I set out on a search…

I went a little crazy on my shopping spree after my last basting/backing attempt… and I want to share with my quilty friends in case you are looking for something similar.

Here is some up close pics of goodies I found at Fabric.com.

Kaufman Fractals 108″ Wide Geo Trellis Grey
$14.98

Item # 0455271

Kaufman Fractals 108″ Wide Geo Grey
$14.98

Item # 0455276

Michael Miller Whisper 108 In. Wide Miriam Mud
$13.48

Item # 0397233

Lotta Jansdotter Hemma 108″ Wide Back Gray

$14.98 per Yard

Item # 0455659

Kaufman Rhoda Ruth 108″ Wide Celestial Valentine
$15.98

Item # 0455260

Kaufman Rhoda Ruth 108″ Wide Celestial Smoke
$15.98

Item # 0455258

Michael Miller Luxe 108″ Wide Back Vine Maze Luna
$14.98

Item # 0449197

Tula Pink Free Fall 108″ Wide Quilt Back Battle
$15.28

Item # 0422988

My only surprise with my order was the scale of the Tula Pink Free Fall…. wayyyyy bigger, but still gorgous! You can see by the size of my hand compared to the dots. They are big folks.

I was thouroghly surprised by what I could find!

So folks….there is some cute wide backing fabric out there to be found!

You just have to look for it:)

No more excuses for me and all these unfinished top I have. The number is scary…

2017, Here I come.

Keep it Sassy♥

You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter or by email updates(form on right sidebar)!

Note: I am in no way being compensated by Fabric.com.

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Filed Under: Backing, Uncategorized Tagged With: backing, fabric.com, quilting, wide backing

12-06-2016

Where o where art thou….

Hey there Sassiest of Sassy’s!
Been some time but I’m still quilting strong:) Here is some fun things I’ve been up to….

The Spookiest of sewing retreats…

At my guilds SewSpookyRetreat I finally got to make this Hashtag quilt that has been on my list! It is a Camille Roskelley pattern. I used a jelly roll I had of Night Shade by Tula Pink and added some random octopi I found at Joanns. Didn’t come out as Spooky as I had hoped… but putting some ghastlies on the back! Love those.

We were definitely Spooky!

Next up I finished the most glamorous of clams!…. Also a big list finish, yay! I used the free Glam Clam pattern on Craftsy by Latifah Saafir…12″ clams. SUPER EASY TO SEW! No pins:) My Fabrics were from the Comma line by Zen Chic with a few extras thrown in there.

Can’t wait to get these quilted up. Alas…. this is my quilty weakness!!!! I HATE BASTING.
What is your most unfavorite quilty thing to do?

Check out other cool stuff on Craftsy HERE!

Keep it Sassy♥
You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter or by email updates(form on right sidebar)!

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Bella Skill Builder…Block 3

Pineapples anyone???

Tips…

Bella Skill Builder

Needle turn appliqué… Part 1 Getting Ready

Bella Skill Builder…Block2

Bella Skill Builder

Block 2

Baby Whale Quilts!

Baby whales and cutie pies!

Bella Skill Builder…Block 1

Bella Skill Builder

Today’s Block…..

Block 1: Kaleidoscope

Planning for quilty success! 2017

•First task…. Assess what is happening!

•Quilts or projects that are started but haven’t made it to the finished top phase.

• New Projects.

•Add a page of Goals and Progress for each month!

Layer Cake Pop Quilt Along and giveaway!

Hey there Sassy’s!

Layer Cake Pop

Quilter with no quilts…

So why is it so hard to get a quilt when you make quilts?

A quilt is a true gift from the heart❤️… You only get one if you are loved!

I want to challenge everyone in 2017 to show some quilty love to your fellow quilters.
Thank you to Maggie and Betty for blessing me with sassy quilty goodness:)

Quilt Backing…

Quilt Backing…

Where o where art thou….

Disclosure Statement

Follow The Sassy Quilter

Pineapples anyone???

Tips…

Bella Skill Builder

Bella Skill Builder

Block 2

Baby whales and cutie pies!

Bella Skill Builder

Today’s Block…..

•First task…. Assess what is happening!

•Quilts or projects that are started but haven’t made it to the finished top phase.

• New Projects.

•Add a page of Goals and Progress for each month!

Hey there Sassy’s!

So why is it so hard to get a quilt when you make quilts?

A quilt is a true gift from the heart❤️… You only get one if you are loved!

I want to challenge everyone in 2017 to show some quilty love to your fellow quilters. Thank you to Maggie and Betty for blessing me with sassy quilty goodness:)

Quilt Backing…

Disclosure Statement

Follow The Sassy Quilter

I want to challenge everyone in 2017 to show some quilty love to your fellow quilters.
Thank you to Maggie and Betty for blessing me with sassy quilty goodness:)