Spring~ Let's Begin!

 

 Welcome Spring! It's technically still springtime here in Minnesota. I love the bright springtime colors in this mini quilt! It reminds me of my daffodils blooming and the birds singing. My yard is adorned with several birdhouses, and we enjoy watching the birds busy at work building their nests.  Let's begin with our Spring Season Sampler Quilt. Pull out the directions in the pattern kit. We will begin with the center embroidery piece. But first let's start with some 'housekeeping'. Below you will find just some of my hints and tips along with a thread listing if you choose to embroider your spring block.

·         Read all the instructions before beginning.

·         ¼” seam throughout

·         Always press to the dark side.

·         To reduce seam bulk, seams can be pressed open.

·         Cut fabric carefully Save all “scraps” for future blocks or bonus projects.

·         Accurate ¼” seams and cutting will insure an accurate sized block.

·         Monthly blocks measure 10 ½” x 10 ½” unless otherwise noted.

·         Instead of using iron on interfacing you can also use a square of muslin, flannel or thin batting to line the panel with.

·         DO NOT PREWASH FABRICS

·         For embroidery you can use either Valdani Pearl Cotton #12 or 3 strands DMC Embroidery Floss. Refer to the colors for each below:

 

·         Valdani Pearl Cotton #12 – use 1 strand or for a bolder look use a double strand. #8 can also be used for a bolder look.

·         DMC Embroidery Floss- use 3 strands for embroidery.

·         Colors chosen are all suggestions and picked to match the Season Sampler fabrics.

 Quarter One- Spring

            Week One- Embroider Spring Block

            Week Two- Flower Block (make 2) Butterfly Block (make 2)

            Week Three- Birdhouse Block (make 3) Bluebird Block (make 2)

            Week Four- Borders and assembly of quilt

            Week Five- Appliqued corner

 

Thread Listing Spring

Valdani #12 Pearl Cotton	DMC
M67 Blurry Vanilla Shades of Yellow	3822
71 Peach Rose	921
M14 Shades of Rose and Pink	602
80 Lavender	209
101 Heavenly Blue	793
M26 Green Grass shades of green	164
O217 Yummy Pumpkin	433
O511 Black Sea	310

The season sampler is pre-colored, so embroidery is optional. I love embroidery and the stitching adds an extra something special and is worth every stitch and finger poke!

·         To begin, cut out spring square from the Season Sampler panel. I cut the design into a big square as shown.        On the back-side iron on the fusible interfacing. This will give the fabric a nice weight for embroidering. It also will help to hide your thread between stitches while you embroider the design. Then stitch a scant 1/8 to scant ¼” seam around the edge of the fabric square to help keep the panel from fraying while embroidering the design. This will also help keep the interfacing in place while you work with the fabric. There is no right or wrong way to embroider the Spring design. Have fun with it and use different stitches.  I like to use variegated thread because it adds an extra dimension to the design.

I used a satin stitch for the bunny's tail and a French knot for the nose and eye.

The saying ‘measure twice, cut once’ is especially important in this step. After you are done with the embroidery, fussy cut the Spring center square to measure 10 ½” x 10 ½”. Sew a 1/8” seam along the edges if desired.

Fabric Border #1

                From Yellow fabric (7) cut:

                                2- 3” x 10 ½” strips

                                2- 3” x 15 ½” strips

Sew the 3” x 10 ½” strip to each side of the Spring embroidered block. Press. Sew the 3” x 15 ½” strip to the top and bottom of the Spring embroidered block. Press. You now have the center block done bordered in yellow. Stop by next Saturday and we will work on the flower and butterfly blocks.

Happy Stitching,

Cindy and Josephine

Yardage, Fat Quarter Bundles and Season Sampler Kits can be found on the Quilt Doodle Designs website.

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