Wednesday, November 18, 2015

November Free Pattern-Some Like It Hot...Pink



Some Like it Hot…Pink featuring Urban Scandinavian from P&B Textiles

54” x 54”

Designed by Heidi Pridemore


Who doesn’t like Black and White prints with a touch of color. This month’s quilt Some like it Hot…Pink is pays homage to this theme and to the wonderful film by the same name. I can just see Marilyn Monroe loving this quilt.  I used hot pink instead of the traditional Red to spice it up a bit just like she didYou could also use Bright Blue, lime green or any other bright color to change it up a bit. We made this quilt using the AccuQuilt Go! Big Electric Fabric Cutter and UrbanScandinvain fabric from P&B Textiles.


This month’s featured dies are the Go! Qube Mix & Match 8” block (55776) and Go! Square-6-1/2” (6” Finished) (55000) . This a group of dies that all make up a variety of the 8” finished squares. With this group of dies, the design possibilities are endless. I finally settled on three different blocks to make up this quilt that linked to together to create a seamless center block. I added the wide borders to create a resting area from the intricate center.

The pattern for Some Like It Hot…Pink is now available at our website for download here.  The pattern will have all instructions to make this lovely quilt.


When working with a project that has so many different parts the best tip I can pass on to you is to  Stay organized!!!!! When working with an assortment of dies or for any larger projects, keeping everything organized will help the project go together easier and will cut down on errors in cutting or piecing.

I would recommend going through the cutting instructions and do all the traditional cutting first, labeling each group of pieces as you go. I also have the dies laid out and as I cut the pieces meant for that die, I lay those pieces on top of the die so I do not mix up any of the pieces.

I always cut the entire project at one time, before I start sewing. I also label everything with little round label stickers, you can find at the office supply store. I always cut the project as if someone else is going to make the project. For us at the studio this is a real possibility. I recommend this step, even if you know no one else is going to sew the project but you. Just think if you put it up for months in between cutting and sewing (you know this can happen). When you pull out the project to finish it, having it organized and labeled will help you know where you left off.



Once I finish with the traditional cutting, I set up the Go! Big Electric Fabric Cutter and die cut all the shapes at one time, again keeping everything labeled. This makes the process go quicker and doing all together will help you catch it, if you are missing a piece.
 

Once I have all the pieces cut, I lay out each block to make sure I have all the parts and I have them with the correct block. Once this is done, I am ready to start sewing.


Most of the piecing for these blocks is very straight forward and easy to do. Except on the first block, there is a diamond shape that is sewn together with a triangle. This can be a little tricky. To make sure this unit comes out correctly, make sure to offset the diamond ¼” before sewing it together as shown here.



Once all the blocks are sewn together you are ready to start assembling the quilt. Start with the center section first and work your way out. Once the blocks are sewn together you are ready to add the borders.

I hope you have as much fun as I did making this whimsical quilt. You can play around with the all the different die shapes to come up with your own blocks for the center block. You can also add more rounds of blocks to make the quilt larger. As always I would love to see what you come up with.

Make sure to visit my blog each month where I will share with you some tips and tricks on cutting and assembling of the project of the month along with posting the free pattern on our website www.TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com  You can also see our pattern and post at www.pbtex.com and www.accuquilt.com


Until next time…..
Heidi


Please visit us at www.TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com to see all of our patterns and fabrics.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

October Free Pattern-Twas the Night Runner

Twas the Night Photo
T’was the Night featuring Urban Scandinavian from P&B Textiles
46” x 22”
Designed by Heidi Pridemore
Christmas is coming! This month’s FREE pattern is a beautiful table runner, perfect for your holiday table. I designed this runner using the AccuQuilt Go! Big Electric Fabric Cutter and Urban Scandinavian fabric from P&B Textiles.
We are also excited to do our first FREE give-away this month. P&B Textiles was so kind to make us a fabric kit for this project and one lucky reader will win! Just leave a comment about your favorite holiday decoration (any holiday) on our blog, making sure in include your email address and I will draw the winner on 11/1/15.
This month’s featured dies are the Go! Reindeer (55353) and Go! Sleigh and Snowflakes (55322) . The applique dies makes this project so quick and easy, perfect if you are a last minute sewer like me. The elegant designs of these applique dies worked so well with the Urban Scandinavian Collection from P&B Textiles to make a modern and elegant runner.
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I also used the Half-Square Triangles (55063) to cut the pieced inner border. See our free pattern for other optional dies for cutting the outer borders.
The pattern for T’was the Night runner is now available at our website for download here.  The pattern will have all instructions to make this lovely quilt. We also have included the instructions for quilters who do not have a GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter yet.
This month’s Blog is about finishing the applique shapes with a blanket stitch or Machine Applique.
First, following the free pattern, prepare, cut and press the shapes onto the listed backgrounds. Since the dies on this project have complex edges, I thought that this would be a good time to go over finishing the raw edges of each shape. So I made a video on how to finish the edges that you can check out here . I also included some tips below for you to check out.
Open Toe Foot
First I highly recommend using an open toe foot on your machine whenever you are doing a  decorative stitch on an edge of fabric. This allows you to see what you are doing while stitching. I  cannot stress how much this will help you when you are doing a blanket stitch on a piece. I have  done 100’s of quilts and I still struggle with this stitch when I have to use someone else’s machine  and they do not have an open toe foot for it. Here is what the foot should look like along with an  example of the stitching with it.
Blankstitch Closeup
My second tip is to adjust the stitch length and width to fit the shape you are stitching. Most of the time, I use the stitch setting that are preprogramed in the machine but if I am doing a small piece such as the snowflake on this project, I adjust the stitch to fit the shape. I also will do this throughout the project. I keep the stitch size the same on each shape but if the project dictates it, I will vary the stitch sizes throughout the project. On this project I used a smaller stitch on the snowflakes and regular stitch for the sled and reindeer.Stitched Pieces
For my last tip, is practice. Unless you are like me and have to do this stitch every week, you will need to warm up and practice before doing it on your final project. I recommend using scrap material to make up some sample pieces to work on first. The best shapes to use are stars and hearts. They have points and curves to practice on. Machine applique is a lot like machine quilting. You will need to warm up before starting and remember to relax while stitching.
Heart Sample
Please make sure to check out our video on this finishing stitch for more tips on Machine Applqiue.
By using the Go! Dies to make this runner, I saved time and the shapes came out perfectly. Oh how I loved not having to cut each shape for the project and it allowed me to move on to the fun part of the project, sewing of course.
I hope you have fun making our runner for the upcoming holidays. As always I would love to see photos of your finished projects. Also remember to leave you comments on our Blog post http://heidipridemore.blogspot.com/ to be entered into our giveaway.
Make sure to visit my blog each month where I will share with you some tips and tricks on cutting and assembling of the project of the month along with posting the free pattern on our website www.TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com You can also see our pattern and post at www.pbtex.com and www.accuquilt.com


Until next time…..
Heidi

Please visit us at www.TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com to see all of our patterns and fabrics.

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Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Bountiful Gift runner featuring Go! Fall Harvest Die




Bountiful Gift 
featuring Assorted Basics from P&B Textiles

57” x 23”
Designed by Heidi Pridemore



Hard to believe Fall is just around the corner! This month’s FREE pattern is a beautiful table runner, perfect for the upcoming holidays. I designed this runner using the AccuQuilt Go! Big Electric Fabric Cutter and Assorted Basics fabric from P&B Textiles.

This month’s featured die is the Go! Fall Medley (55041). The applique die makes this project so quick and easy, perfect if you are a last minute sewer like me. I used this die to create the harvest wreath block for the center of the runner. I paired the center block with an elegant and easy to piece block that adds interest to each side of the wreath. Then I used the applique leaves and acorns on the outer border corners to frame the runner. The fabrics I used for this project are a wonderful combination of basics from P&B Textiles which truly showed off the appliqued designs and the large selection of colors and patterns they offer, made it so easy to select a gorgeous palette of fall colors, perfect for this design. 




The pattern for Bountiful Gift is now available at our website for download here.  The pattern will have all instructions to make this lovely quilt. If you enjoy making this runner for fall, you can replace the pumpkins with flowers and change the colors to make another runner for Spring. 

This month’s tip is about prepping the applique shapes and how to position them on the project.
                       



First, following the manufacturer’s instructions, press fusible web to the wrong side of each fabric for the applique shapes. Then cut the fabric into the squares or rectangles as listed in the cutting instructions. This makes is easier to die cut the shapes.  

Now on to the die cutter.  Use the Fall Medley Die and Go! Big Electric Fabric Cutter to cut the shapes as listed on the pattern. Now you are ready to start assembling the center wreath!



First find the horizontal and vertical centerline by folding the center rectangle in half each way and pressing it to mark the centerlines. 

Refer to the photo on the pattern cover to position one pumpkin on each centerline. Do not press down the shapes until you have them all in place.

Next position the gold leaves in place tucking them under the pumpkins. Repeat to add the brown and green leaves. 

Adjust the leaves and pumpkins as desired and once you are happy with the layout, press the shapes in place with a hot dry iron.

Finish the raw edges with a decorative stitch such as a satin or blanket stitch to finish the center block. Now that the center block is finished you are ready to finish piecing the runner top.



After you finish assembling the runner top, you are ready to add the corner applique shapes to the runner. First position the orange leaf so that is a running 45º in each corner with the stem facing towards the runner center. Then position two acorns and tops on top of each leaf. Press the shapes in place and finish the edges just like the center wreath.

By using the Go! Fall Harvest Die to make this runner, I saved time and the shapes came out perfectly. Oh how I loved not having to cut each shape for the project and it allowed me to move on to the fun part of sewing quickly. 

I hope you have fun making our runner for the upcoming holidays. This "Bountiful Gift" is sure to add a personal touch to your Thanksgiving table this year! As always I would love to see photos of your finished projects.

Make sure to visit my blog each month where I will share with you some tips and tricks on cutting and assembling of the project of the month along with posting the free pattern on our website www.TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com  You can also see our pattern and post at www.pbtex.com and www.accuquilt.com


Until next time…..
Heidi

Please visit us at www.TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com to see all of our patterns and fabrics.
 
    


Tuesday, August 18, 2015




Blueberry Pie featuring Soft Dreams from P&B Textiles
60" x 64"
Designed by Heidi Pridemore


This month’s FREE pattern is a yummy quilt that reminded me of dessert so I named it Blueberry Pie. I designed this quilt using the AccuQuilt Go!Big Electric Fabric Cutter and Soft Dreams fabric from P&B Textiles.

This month’s featured die is the Go! Strip Cutter-2 ½” strips withangled Guide Line (55017). This die is so easy to work with to create accurate 2 ½” strips and diamonds you want to keep making diamond projects. The die is also perfect for creating your own 2 ½” strips. There are so many projects available from the different fabric companies that use 2 ½” precut strip packages. Now you can make you own 2 ½” strip sets quickly and easily to use your stash.  Then you can take it one step further to create accurate diamonds by following the diagonal lines that are printed on the die. This just what I did to create the fun chevron borders on our Blueberry Pie quilt.

For this pattern I used the Go! Strip Cutter-2 ½” strips with angled Guide Line die and the Go Half-Square Triangle-2” finished SquareMultiples die (55063) to create the Diamond units. We have made a video showing how to cut the diamonds and I will also show you the step-by-step process in this posting.




The pattern for Blueberry Pie is now available at our website for download. 
The pattern will have all instructions to make this lovely quilt. You can make one quilt for each of your favorite pie flavors, Blueberry, Raspberry, Banana or whatever your favorite flavor may be.

On to the cutting the strips…….

First I cut my fabric into 8 ½” x WOF (width of fabric) strips. I layered up three cuts (6 layers) onto the die, aligning the bottom edge of the fabric with the horizontal line on the die and then sent it through the Go! Big Electric Fabric Cutter to get three 2 ½” x WOF strips.

                       
 



















Next it on to cutting the Diamonds…..

First find the diagonal line marked 45 degrees on the die. Then align the long side of the stacked strips with this line. Make sure that the excess fabric with the folded edge is hanging off the left edge of the die and the bottom of the strip (selvedge edge) is just past the right vertical line. Cut off the excess edge with the fold just past the left vertical line. Cut off the excess fabric with the fold. Unfold the excess strip to make another strip to cut diamonds from. Align the strips with the 45 degree line and then sent it through the Go! Big Electric Fabric Cutter to get 45 degree diamonds. I got nine diamonds from each strip using this method.

             

Then I used the Go Half-Square Triangle-2” finished Square Multiples die (55063) to cut the top and bottom units for the Diamond blocks as described in the pattern.

To sew the units together…..

For the Chevron Border you will need to sew the light diamond units in one direction and the dark diamond units in the opposite direction. The beauty of the 45 degree diamond is that is rotates for either direction so we do not need to fussy cut them for each side of the chevron. You just need to rotate them as shown in Figure 1.

Align on 2 ½” triangle on the dark diamond as shown in Figure 2 and sew in place. Repeat to sew a triangle to the bottom of the dark diamond to make the dark half of the chevron unit. Repeat to make the light diamond. Sew one light diamond unit to one dark diamond unit to make the Chevron Blocks. Easy as Pie!!!


I hope you enjoy this project as much as I did. I found this quilt so much easier to make with die cut shapes. They are much more accurate than hand cut shapes and that helped when sewing them together, it seemed like the pieces just popped together. I found my points came out every time.

With the die cut shapes this project is much easier to make and that makes it a nice project perfect for advanced beginners and intermediate sewers!


I would love to see what you come up with using this technique. Please feel free to email me your creations.

Make sure to visit my blog each month where I will share with you some tips and tricks on cutting and assembling of the project of the month along with posting the free pattern on our website www.TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com  You can also see our pattern and post at www.pbtex.com and www.accuquilt.com


Happy Quilting

Please visit us at www.TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com to see all of our patterns and fabrics.
    






Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Quiltwoman.com's Summer Waters Blog Hop




I am excited to be a part of the Quiltwoman.com Blog Hop. The theme for this blog hop is water. So our free pattern for this event is our All Around Tote. The pattern has instructions for two sizes!
The larger size is a perfect Beach bag, large enough to hold two towels plus other goodies. The smaller size can be used for a matching beach bag for your little one or as a great craft bag. You can download the FREE Pattern Here !



We are also giving away an autographed copy of the Quick Change Book, that features our Peek a Boo Daisies Bed Runner, shown here, along with many other wonderful bed runner designs. Just leave a comment below with your email and I will draw a name on 8/11/15.  

Now for some highlights on our beach bag. First this bag is made from large pieces of fabric, so it is a great showcase for larger prints or stripe fabric like ours! This would be a great project to break out your favorite Summertime fabrics for.

Next I love to include buttons on my projects, but not a real fan of making buttonholes for them. So I usually use velcro on the flap, positioning it opposite side of the flap to avoid making those pesky buttonholes. I also add a longer piece of loop velcro to the flap side so I can close my bag even if my beach bag is really full or empty. This will make the closure adjustable.

I also added these super large pockets to the sides of the beach bag. They are on the outside of the bag to keep the items dry and away from any wet towels.


Another great tip when making any beach bag, Use fusible vinyl on the lining fabric to make the bag water resistant on the inside.

Have fun making our Beach Bag and be ready for your next trip to the beach or pool.

I hope you enjoy following our Blog Hop. See below for the information on the other designers joining us on this hop, each designer will have a fun project for you to check out as well as a great giveaway. Happy Hopping.

Until Next Time.....
Heidi

PS.   Please make sure to check out all our products at www.TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com and
at www.QuiltWoman.com

Hello Quilters!

The Blog Hop has begun!  For the next week we will be hopping around seven QuiltWoman.com designer blogs. Each day...starting today...there will be a new blog post by one of our designers featuring a new technique, project, or tutorial. There will also be a free giveaway!  

Here's a list of all our participants:

8/4/2015 Tammy Silvers http://www.tamarinis.typepad.com/
8/5/2015 Carol Steely funthreads.blogspot.com
8/6/2015 Heidi Pridemore www.TheWhimsicalWorkshop.com
8/8/2015 Toby Lischko gatewayquiltsnstuff.blogspot.com
8/10/2015 Diane McGregor http://www.castillejacotton.net/blog

Have Fun and Happy Hopping!