August's Block!

 

Happy August! July sure flew by! Summer is two thirds gone... since it's been so dry here some of our trees are showing touches of fall color due to the stress of our hot, dry summer. School supplies are appearing in the stores so I know fall is right around the corner! Many of you have asked when we will start putting the quilt together. Not yet.... we have a few more blocks to make. We will start making some of the quilt components next month so there isn't so much to do at the end.

While working on this month's block my machine decided to cough up a thread ball and refused to sew nicely. So I switched machines mid appliqueing. I decided it'll be ok even though the blanket stitch doesn't match exactly. I used the galloping horse rule. What's that you ask? Well, if you can't see it from a galloping horse, then it's ok. There's also the 20-20 rule. Will you see it twenty feet away, driving by 20 miles an hour.... Once the quilt is done and quilted, those few wonky stitches will disappear. I know that I will see it and it may drive me crazy, but no one else will notice. If you look closely at this month's block I'm sure you will see what I'm talking about. Have I looked at my machine yet you wonder. No.... I'm still sulking, I'll give it a good cleaning and change the needle tomorrow and see if that helps. If it doesn't, Lucy will get a trip to the sewing machine guy for a good cleaning, not my pipe cleaner job.

Let's get to this month's block. This month's block features a buck. I put a red scarf on mine, you can adorn yours's with any color scarf. This block goes together pretty quickly. The pattern can be found on the Quilt Doodle Website as a FREE PDF download this month. So go on over to the website and download and print your pattern so that you don't miss out on it. Hint: download the monthly patterns and print them up even if you don't have time to make the block. Keep all of the patterns together in a folder for when you are ready to make the Woodland BOM 2021 quilt. .

Out of the cream flannel, cut a 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" square for your block background.

 Gather your materials for your block. You will need your 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" background block, fabric for your applique, fusible web, pencil for tracing, black/dark brown and white thread, and applique scissors for cutting you design shapes out.

Trace the shapes of the applique onto the paper side of the fusible web.

I rough cut around the traced shapes and then pair them up with the different colors of fabric. Iron the fusible traced shapes onto the back side of the fabric following the fusible webs directions. Cut the shapes out using a sharp applique scissor.

Peel the paper off the back side of the shapes and following the paper placement page of the pattern, position the design in place. Iron.

When we first started this quilt back in January, I mentioned that you keep track of what stitch you are using to stitch around the raw edges. I keep referring back to this picture which shows what buttonhole stitch I am using along with the stitch width and length. It's so easy just to snap a picture with you phone so that you have it for reference. Stitch around the raw edges.

Using pearl cotton or DMC floss, embroider the buck's eye. Refer to the pattern for eye placement. A French knot makes the perfect eye.

I'm loving how the buck turned out.

~ Woodland Buck ~ 

I hope that you join me in this years BOM. It's an adorable quilt when it is done. Remember it's a mystery. You will get a new block each month and in December 2021 we will assemble the quilt together. The finished size of the quilt is 65" x 80". Each month the pattern is a free PDF instant download after that it will be available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  It's not too late to join in on the fun. 

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! I post links and sneak peeks throughout the month so you are to be sure not to miss anything. I hope that you have a wonderful relaxing weekend and find some time to quilt.

Hope that you enjoy making this month's block.  I hope that you have a wonderful rest of the weekend. 

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

 

Happy July! I can't believe that the 4th of July weekend is right around the corner. We have a low key weekend planned filled with yard projects provided the weather is good. I'm also planning some quality time in my sewing room too. Last year the fireworks were shot off just a quarter mile away from our home so it was such a treat to see the display but I'm sure this year the fireworks display has been moved back to it's normal venue. Our trees have grown so much that we no longer can watch from the comfort of our deck. Haven't decided if I want to brave the crowds this year. I will more then likely be home playing with the dogs and giving them extra treats as neighbors set off firecrackers.

Let's get to this month's block. It's a log cabin with a little visitor. I'm making my bear black, but you can make yours brown or even white. The cabin reminds me of all of our cabin trips that we've taken over the years. A friend of mine lives up north and the bears paid a visit to her yard recently and made quite the mess getting into her birdfeeders, tossing things around. She posted their big ol pawprints on Facebook. From the pictures it looks like they had a grand old time! The pattern can be found on the Quilt Doodle Website as a FREE PDF download this month. So go on over to the website and download and print your pattern so that you don't miss out on it. Hint: download the monthly patterns and print them up even if you don't have time to make the block. Keep all of the patterns together in a folder for when you are ready to make the Woodland BOM 2021 quilt..

Out of the cream flannel, cut a 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" square for your block background.

Gather your fabrics that you are going to use for the applique design. Trace the applique pieces onto the backside of your fusible web.

Pair the shapes up with the fabric by color. Iron the fusible web shapes onto the back side of the fabric and then cut them out using a sharp scissor. I love my OLFA applique scissors for cutting.

Peel the paper off the back of your shapes. Following the design placement page of the pattern, position the pieces in place. Some of the shapes will overlap. Iron in place on the 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" square. I will be using a dark brown thread and white thread to applique around the raw edges.

When we first started this quilt back in January, I mentioned that you keep track of what stitch you are using to stitch around the raw edges. I keep referring back to this picture which shows what buttonhole stitch I am using along with the stitch width and length. It's so easy just to snap a picture with you phone so that you have it for reference.

Stitching around all of the raw edges.....

Love how the block is turning out!

With black or dark brown #12 pearl cotton, embroider the bear's eyes with French knots.

~ Woodland Cabin ~

I hope that you join me in this years BOM. It's an adorable quilt when it is done. Remember it's a mystery. You will get a new block each month and in December 2021 we will assemble the quilt together. The finished size of the quilt is 65" x 80". Each month the pattern is a free PDF instant download after that it will be available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  It's not too late to join in on the fun. 

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! I post links and sneak peeks throughout the month so you are to be sure not to miss anything. I hope that you have a wonderful relaxing weekend and find some time to quilt.

Hope that you enjoy making this month's block. I'm off to go spend some time in my sewing room! I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

Flags and Summertime

Flag That I Love

It's hard to believe that July is right around the corner. It's also fun to pull out some of my summertime decorations. These are some of my favorites for July and feature red white and blue or a the flag. 

My flip flop table runner and tea towel are some of my summertime favorites to decorate with. The flip flop design is a free pattern!  It's a quick and easy pattern and makes a great hostess gift. It can be found on the Quilt Doodle Designs website under the quilting fun tab. It's adorable on a tea towel and can easily be made into a summertime table runner with a few fat quarters. The flip flop design would be ever so cute put on a summer tote too!

I also  have a couple newer designs that feature Belvedere that are fun to put on display for the month of July. In fact I leave mine out all summer. In both designs, I used wool for the applique and machine stitched around everything. You can easily use cotton fabric too. It's up to you.  I used either fabric yo-yo's or big buttons for the wheels on the blue truck.

~ I Woof the USA ~

~ Parade Day ~

There's still time to make these sweet designs for the 4th. All of these designs would be great to work on this weekend or to put on display as part of your summertime decorating. I think we're planning on staying close to home this weekend and be a couple of weekend warriors and work on some yard projects. I plan on firing up the grill for the 4th. I haven't decided if I'll make burgers or brats. I'm just hoping for some sunshine!

Have a wonderful 4th of July,

Cindy and Belvedere

Etsy Shop

Snowflake

 It's been hotter than Hades here lately, we're not used to this kind of heat in June. This is more like mid July- August weather. I have been spending a lot of time inside, only to venture out to water the plants and flowerpots. I'm babying my little veggie starts and so far I've only lost one whimpy tomato plant. While trying to keep cool in the house I worked on a chilly little snowman mug rug. It's quick, it's cute.... perfect if you want to get a jump on some Christmas stocking stuffers. I used fabric from my fabric scraps, there's some Tula, some Hoffman, some Marcus fabrics and some fabrics that I couldn't identify. I know that you can find just the perfect fabric to make your very own Snowflake Mug Rug, we all have our collection of fabrics in our sewing rooms! So here's how I made mine....

The pattern can be found in my Etsy Shop and also on the Quilt Doodle Website. It's available as a PDF download. So dig thru your stash and find the fabrics and colors you would like to use and print up the pattern. 

Then trace all the pieces onto the paper side of your fusible web. 

I like to group together shapes with the same fabric. Then following the manufacturer's directions iron onto the back side of the fabric and cut the shapes out. Remember we trace everything in reverse.

After you get everything cut out, peel off the paper backing and lay in place following the layout page of the pattern.

After I have everything fused in place I layer the backing, batting and mug rug top together to make a quilt sandwich.  I like to do my buttonhole stitching thru all three layers because then I quilt it all at the same time. I used white thread to stitch around the snowman's head and the snowflake. I used a dark brown to stitch around everything else. After I did all of my applique I then quilted the background with a lazy wavy stitch to look like 'wind'. At this point I would then square up my mug rug and straighten the edges. Then I would attach the binding using your favorite method.

Using a dark brown pearl cotton from Valdani Thread I then make the snowman's eyes and mouth using French knots. I use the pattern placement sheet for placement of the French knots. If you look closely you can see that I penciled in on the fabric where I would stitch each little knot.

~ Snowflake Mug Rug ~

Snowflake Mug Rug is cute grouped with 'Hello Birdie' and 'Sing for Me' mug rugs. I hope you have a nice cool spot to sit and stitch. One project done a ka-zillion more ideas to work on. LOL!!! I can't wait to show you the next little project I have in store for you. 

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

The Snowflake Mug Rug can be found HERE

Woodland Squirrel, June's Block

 

Happy June! It's been a busy weekend so I apologize for the delayed posting. Our weekend was packed with yardwork, birthday celebrations, a trip to the cemetery and a trip to a veteran's memorial. We could have used one more day in our long weekend since we didn't get to planting the garden yet. My tomato starts have outgrown their pots and are screaming to get outside! I hope to get the garden planted within the next couple of days. I hope that you had a relaxing long weekend too!

Let's get to this month's block. It's an adorable squirrel. The pattern can be found on the Quilt Doodle Website as a FREE PDF download this month. So go on over to the website and download and print your pattern so that you don't miss out on it. Hint: download the monthly patterns and print them up even if you don't have time to make the block. Keep all of the patterns together in a folder for when you are ready to make the Woodland BOM 2021 quilt.

I've decided to make my squirrel white/cream.  I used to have an albino squirrel visit my bird feeders over the years. I haven't seen him this year but neighbors have reported seeing him so I know he's still around. Your squirrel can be gray, brown even red if you'd like. Have fun and make this little critter your own. Let's get started....

Out of the cream flannel, cut a 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" square for your block background.

For the applique you will need a green, red and I am using white for the squirrel's body. Your squirrel can be brown, gray or even red.

Trace the applique shapes onto the paper side of your fusible web. Iron it onto the wrong side of your fabric following the manufactures directions.

Cut the design shapes out. I like to use my applique scissors from OLFA.

Place the pieces onto the background block following the layout page from the pattern. Remember to peel off the paper backing. I have been known to forget this step and then wonder why it's not fusing in place! Iron your pieces in place following the manufactures directions for the fusible web that you are using.

When we first started this quilt back in January, I mentioned that you keep track of what stitch you are using to stitch around the raw edges. I keep referring back to this picture which shows what buttonhole stitch I am using along with the stitch width and length. It's so easy just to snap a picture with you phone so that you have it for reference.

I stitched around all the raw edges of the design. I used a gold/cream variegated thread to stitch around the squirrels body. I wanted a little bit of a contrast to the background fabric so that my albino squirrel would stand out a little more. I used a brown thread to stitch around everything else.

I then stitched French knots using pearl cotton to make the squirrels nose and eyes.

~ Woodland Squirrel ~

I hope that you join me in this years BOM. It's an adorable quilt when it is done. Remember it's a mystery. You will get a new block each month and in December 2021 we will assemble the quilt together. The finished size of the quilt is 65" x 80". Each month the pattern is a free PDF instant download after that it will be available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  It's not too late to join in on the fun. 

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! I post links and sneak peeks throughout the month so you are to be sure not to miss anything. I hope that you have a wonderful relaxing weekend and find some time to quilt.

Hope that you enjoy making this month's block. I'm off to go and try to get some of my garden planted. It's a beautiful sunny day here in Minnesota!

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

Have You Ever Wondered...

 I have often wondered how my flannel quilts that feature my embroidery panels would wash up. Your thinking, "what?".... I know, it's something I should know. I assumed since everything is of high quality and similar fibers, that washing will go well. Many of my quilts are assembled, quilted and then they go live their best life inspiring quilters across the globe. My quilts get to travel to visit guilds, quilt shows and Quilt Market. They appear on Instagram and Facebook, it's many, many years before they are retired and are put on display or used in my own home. So I am confessing, I do not prewash my fabric.... 

Quilts that I make for my family are instantly washed and thrown in the dryer because I love that warm snuggly look of a washed quilt. While sewing the other day I decided to make a little quilt sandwich using a sample of my panel, a scrap of thin cotton batting and a sample of primo plaid flannel from Marcus fabrics. I quilted it densely and then threw it in the wash. I washed it like I would a full sized quilt, in cold water. I then threw it in the dryer... on high.  I'm happy to report, my sample washed and dried beautifully and has that warm snuggly look that I love so well.

Snuggly soft flannel

I love how a quilt looks when it's washed. This snowflake is not embroidered like on many of my quilts.

If you ever question how a fabric is going to fare with washing and drying. I suggest making a mini quilt sandwich and throwing it thru the wash using the backing and batting that you are planning to use. Because ultimately we want our quilts to live their best life and be used and loved.

~ Lost and Found Snowman Quilt ~

Happy Quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

Lost and Found Snowman

 I have a new quilt pattern to go with my Bundle Up Panel and the Primo Plaid Ice Blue fabrics from Marcus Fabrics. I worked on it over the winter. It's a cozy quilt... the panel is a great project for traveling and the embroidery can be done at the lake, in front of the TV or during those long car rides. Much of my embroidery was done in front of the TV while watching the Hallmark channel. After I got my stitching done, the quilt itself goes together pretty quickly. I do a lot of chain sewing so it took me a weekend to get all of the blocks completed. The quilt is constructed with two blocks. A pinwheel and a modified 16 patch block. Both are easy to construct. Let me show you how I worked on my Lost and Found Snowman quilt.

(The pattern for this quilt can be found on the Quilt Doodle Website both as a packaged and PDF pattern, Kits are also available) 

Following the pattern I started by cutting out all of the pieces I needed for my blocks. Here are the pieces I need for my modified 16 patch block.

Cutting.... cutting.... still cutting and stacking them shapes by my sewing machine, these are the pieces for the pinwheel blocks.

Following the pattern, I sewed my triangle squares together and then trimmed off all the dog ears. These blocks are for my pinwheel blocks.

~ Pinwheel Block ~

~ Modified 16 Patch Block ~

You will make 14 of each of these blocks.

The most stressful part of this quilt is cutting the panel. I will stress measure once and then measure again before you cut the blocks.

When I fussy cut the 10 1/2" square I like to use this OLFA ruler for lining everything up to cut. Measure once, measure twice, I've been known to check and measure a third time.

The quilt is ready for a good pressing to get ready for quilting.

Lost and Found Snowman quilt has a cozy layout. There is an added checkerboard strip that is added to the top and bottom of the quilt to add some extra charm.

~ Lost and Found Snowman Quilt ~

When finished this quilt is a nice size for snuggling under. The quilt measures 66" x 76". The quilt is based on a 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" block (with seam allowance). I used the Primo Plaid Ice Blue flannels from Marcus Fabrics for mine and backed the quilt with the gray semi solid also from Marcus Fabrics. The backing is a cotton fabric. When I work with the Primo Plaids I use a thin cotton batting with a cotton fabric backing. This quilt will be super warm! By using the thin batting it makes quilting it so much easier. This rule of thumb also holds true if you are doing the Bundle Up BOM thru your local quilt shop.

If you would like to make a Lost and Found Snowman Quilt, I have kits available which include everything you need for the quilt top along with the panel and pattern. Embroidery floss and backing are not included. If you want to use your own fabric, or purchase the Primo Plaid flannel on your own the pattern is available on my website as a packaged pattern or PDF download. I also have the Bundle Up Snowman Panel available too if you prefer to purchase it separately. Hope you are having a great day and find some time to do some stitching!

Happy Quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere