I am so excited to share some exciting news with you. The Whimsical Workshop is partnering with AccuQuilt  and P&B Textiles to bring you a free project every month using fabrics from P&B Textiles and the AccuQuilt Go! Big Electric Fabric Cutter. Each month I will design a project with assorted dies and fabrics from these great companies and share the project and FREE pattern with you here. Please follow along as I share my projects with you each month starting mid-July.                                     

First things first, I needed to get acquainted with the AccuQuilt Go! Big Electric Fabric Cutter. I have never used this machine before so I just dove in and got started. I wanted to share my first experience with you here before I got started on the projects later this month.

In the box I found the machine in its own bag and a box of accessories. Inside the accessories box, there was a flying geese die, cutting mat, power cord and directions.

After reading the directions (and yes I did read them!).  I was ready to unpack the machine and get started. I slid the machine out of its bag and flipped it open onto a flat surface. Next I found the opening for the power cord and plugged it in. Now it was time to hit the power button and I was ready to Go!

First I had to figure out how much fabric I needed for the project. I found the easiest method to figure this out was to measure the cutting area on the die and cut a piece of fabric a little larger than the area. This way the fabric is more manageable and there is little waste.

Next I had to create a Die Sandwich, I did this by placing the die, foam side up and placing the fabric on top of the shapes, matching the fabric to the correct shape.  Then I placed the cutting mat on top. This created a Die Sandwich with the fabric and the foam side (that has the cutting blades inside) in the middle.

Now time to try out the AccuQuilt Go! Big Electric Fabric Cutter. I positioned the die sandwich onto the machine and gently pushed it into the large slot. The machine caught the die and fed it the rest of the way in, it added pressure to the die sandwich and forcing the blades to cut the fabric. Then it pushed it out the other side.  Once it was finished, I lifted up the mat and Voilá I had all the pieces cut to make one Flying Goose Block. (You can cut up to 6 layers at a time).

 I have say this machine was so easy to use and the pieces were extremely accurate. Once sewn together there was no trimming needed as with traditional piecing techniques. I consider this an added bonus. This was a wonderful way to make Flying Geese Units quickly and accurately. 

There are also some great video tutorials on this product as well as other AccuQuilt products at http://www.accuquilt.com/tutorials

I am so excited to add this piece of equipment in to my studio and I hope you will follow along with me as I explore the large selection of dies from AccuQuilt and the great fabric collections from P&B Textiles over the next 12 months.

                                            Until Next Time…..

Quick Change Blog Hop

I am so excited to share this new book with you. I was asked to submit a design for this wonderful project last year and now it is finally finished and ready for all of you to enjoy. The concept of the book is that instead of making one bed quilt, you can make an assortment of bed runners. This way you can change the look of your room by simply changing the runner. I have to say I love all the runners in this book and hope you do to. On this Blog hop I am doing a Q&A with the publishers to share my inspirations for the project I did for the book. 

This book is available now. Click Here

Q&A with Martingale Publishing

What inspired your Bed Runner?

I was asked to design a runner of the book and at the same time I had received artwork for Pat Sloan's One for You, One For Me fabric line. As it happens, her fabric had daisies all over it and if you know me, you know I LOVE daisies.  I decided that was the perfect match. So I used the fabric as my inspiration for the runner design. I wanted the runner to look like a geometric flower garden with the daisy print peeking out among the pieces.

Peekaboo Daisies by Heidi Pridemore

Do you have other favorite projects from Quick Change?

It is hard to pick. I can see myself with lots of these runners. I would have to say one of my favorites is Jewel Rings by Audrie Bidwell.  I love the use of color and the movement of the pattern.

Jewel Rings by Audrie Bidwell

What does the Master bedroom of your dreams look like?

I love a bedroom that has a soothing background with a pop of color here and there. I have always found blue and white rooms very peaceful.  This picture is as close as I could find for my dream bedroom but I would definitely add a pop of color here and there. (Like perhaps adding a bed runner).

I hope you enjoy the Blog Hop. Here are the other designers who are participating in the hop. \

Martingale is giving away an E-Copy of the book from each of us. So  leave a comment below for a chance to win. I will be selecting the winner on May 8.

Make sure to visit all the sites for other chances to win the book. Good Luck and have fun.

http://blog.shopmartingale.com                               Stitch This!                           April 28

http://fatquartershop.blogspot.com                          Fat Quarter Shop                  April 29

http://quiltstory.blogspot.com                                  Quilt Story                            April 30

http://farbstoff-bridge.blogspot.de                           Zen Chic                                May 1

http://heidipridemore.blogspot.com                        The Whimsical Workshop     May 2

http://mandalei.com                                                 Mandalei                                May 4

http://antlerquiltdesign.com                                    Antler Quilt Design                May 5

http://blueisbleu.blogspot.com                               Blue is Bleu                             May 6

https://www.facebook.com/aquiltersdream            Stephanie Prescott                  May 7

My Eggcellent Adventures Fabric Collection has arrived!!!!!!!

I am so eggcited to introduce my newest fabric collection "Eggcellent Adventures" from Fabri-Quilt

Lisa Ruble has done an interview with me about the group and she has once again done a great job of helping me put my thoughts about the group into some order!!!
Here is the link to her interview. We have also done a free project with the fabrics that she will post later this week!

Click here to read the entire interview with Lisa about Eggcellent Adventures!

American Patchwork and Quilting Pillowcase Challange

 Who doesn't love a bright whimsical pillowcase especially at a dark time in life. American Patchwork and quilting is asking all of us to help promote their 24 hour Sew-A-Thon to make pillowcases for a variety of charities.

Fabri-Quilt was kind enough to ask me to participate and sent me this lovely new collection called "Tweet".

APQ website has 43 patterns ready to go, all you need to do is add fabric. Click here to go to the free patterns

For my pillowcase I choose pattern #6. There were so many cute coordinates that went with the sweet bird print, I wanted a pattern to showcase as many of them as possible. I thought the checkerboard cuff would be perfect for this!

Why not get a group together for this wonderful event and get sewing.

Here is more information on the Sew-A-Thon, 

Sewathon website: www.allpeoplequilt.com/sewathon

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sewathon

YouTube promotion video: http://youtu.be/ySDoLAn6byU?list=UUQznLGBargr-HYg_GVVTmtQ

Official social hashtag: #APQSewathon

APG is hosting a 24-hour event in our Des Moines offices, but shops and groups across the country are hosting their own sewathons. Find shops in your area here: http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/24-hour-sew-thon-shops

If you want to check out other great Designers and their pillowcases just check out the links below!

Blog Participants List:

·    Alison Glass (http://alisonglass.com/blog)

·    American Patchwork & Quilting (www.allpeoplequilt.com/blog)

·    Barb and Mary of Me and My Sister Designs (http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/)

·    The Benartex Design Team: Sew in Love with Fabric (http://www.sewinlovewithfabric.blogspot.com)

·    Debby Kratovil (http://debbykratovilquilts.blogspot.com/)

·    Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts (http://www.laundrybasketquilts.net/blog/)

·    Heidi Pridemore (http://heidipridemore.blogspot.com)

·    How To Sew (www.howtosew.com)

·    Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom (http://www.sisboom.com/blog/)

·    Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts (http://figtreequilts.typepad.com/my_weblog/)

·    Karrie Winters of Freckled Whimsy (http://www.freckledwhimsy.com/)

·    Kelle Boyd of Ann Kelle (http://www.annkelle.com/category/blog/)

·    Linda Carlson (www.lindacarlsonquilts.com)

·    Lori Mason (http://www.lorimasondesign.com/news/)

·    Modern Quilt Studio (http://craftnectar.com/)

·    Nicole Daksiewicz of Modern Handcraft (http://modernhandcraft.com/)

·    Northcott: Patti’s Patchwork (www.pattispatchwork.com)

·    Shannon Fabrics: My Cuddle Corner (http://shannonfabrics.com/blog/index/)

·    Tammy Silvers (http://www.tamarinis.typepad.com)

·    Timeless Treasures: Sew Timeless (http://www.ttfabrics.com/blog/)

·    Valori Wells (http://www.valoriwells.com/blog/)

·    Verna Mosquera of The Vintage Spool (http://freespiritfabric.blogspot.com/)

·    Wendy Sheppard of Ivory Spring (http://ivoryspring.wordpress.com/)

August Aurifil Designer

This month's Pinup Girl for Aurifil is Michele Foster. Her fabrics are so fresh and exciting. Read all about her.

Check out Pat Sloan's interview with her this month at http://auribuzz.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/august-2014-designer-of-the-month/

Aurifil is having a sew along with a MONTHLY thread BOX giveaway (seriously folks… you could win a box of Pat Sloan's  thread which is over $120.00 value.. for making a quilt block… you have to join in!).

EACH MONTH they will pick one random winner that has made a  block from our 2014 designers and that random person receives a FULL BOX of Pat Sloan's Aurifil thread as the  prize! Winners are all contacted via Flickr email and posted at our FLICK GROUP HERE

Check it out!

Happy Quilting!

Heidi

2014 July Designer profile for Aurifil Thread

This month's Pinup Girl for Aurifil is Camille Roskeliey. Her fabrics are so fresh and exciting. Read all about her.

Check out Pat Sloan's interview with her this month at http://auribuzz.wordpress.com/2014/07/01/july-2014-designer-of-the-month/#more-4337

Aurifil is having a sew along with a MONTHLY thread BOX giveaway (seriously folks… you could win a box of Pat Sloan's  thread which is over $120.00 value.. for making a quilt block… you have to join in!).

EACH MONTH they will pick one random winner that has made a  block from our 2014 designers and that random person receives a FULL BOX of Pat Sloan's Aurifil thread as the  prize! Winners are all contacted via Flickr email and posted at our FLICK GROUP HERE

Check it out!

Happy Quilting!

Heidi

2014 June Designer Profile for Aurifil Thread

So excited to be the Aurifil Girl for June Check out Pat Sloan's interview with me here
http://auribuzz.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/june-2014-designer-of-the-month/

 We were asked to design a block that honored a lady that is an inspiration to me. I am so lucky to have wonderful women in my life and it is hard so hard to choose just one. But for this I had to share with everyone how amazing my two sisters are!

And for all the wonderful quilters and followers who inspire me everyday, I used our block to design "Chain Link", shown here. This pattern is available free to everyone to download from our FREE PATTERN PAGE. 

We are also offer a fabric kit to make our quilt
as shown here. Click here for details.

Aurifil is having a sew along with a MONTHLY thread BOX giveaway (seriously folks… you could win a box of Pat Sloan's  thread which is over $120.00 value.. for making a quilt block… you have to join in!).

EACH MONTH they will pick one random winner that has made a  block from our 2014 designers and that random person receives a FULL BOX of Pat Sloan's Aurifil thread as the  prize! Winners are all contacted via Flickr email and posted at our FLICK GROUP HERE

Check it out!

Happy Quilting!

Heidi