Summer Sampler ~ Let's begin!

 Welcome Summer! It's technically still spring here in Minnesota.  I have the garden planted and I'm patiently awaiting my first harvest of tomatoes, it'll be a while. I also planted sunflower seeds and am looking forward to their sunshining blooms this August. I have been enjoying watching the bumblebees in my flower gardens. The hummingbirds have found the feeders and all of my flowerpots are planted. I am ready for summertime, bring it on! The Summer Sampler quilt not only is inspired by my gardens, but the colors remind me of beach towels and cotton candy, summertime staples.  Let's begin with our Summer 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 Summer Block

            Week Two- Butterfly Block (make 4)

            Week Three- Flower Block (make 4)

            Week Four- Bumblebee Block (make 4

            Week Five- Borders and assembly of quilt

            Week Six- Appliqued corner

Thread Listing Summer

Valdani #12 Pearl Cotton	DMC
M67 Blurry Vanilla Shades of Yellow	3822
Wee	976
71 Peach Rose	921
M14 Shades of Rose and Pink	602
80 Lavender	209
101 Heavenly Blue	793
311 Robins Egg	3810
M26 Green Grass shades of green	164
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!

Here I have my center panel all embroidered. I used satin stitch for the flower centers. I also used a satin stitch for the bumblebee's body. Lazy daisy stitches form the tiny flowers, and I used a back stitch for everything else. Remember you can stitch and embellish this any way you want to make it your own!

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 Pink fabric (8) 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 Summer embroidered block. Press. Sew the 3” x 15 ½” strip to the top and bottom of the Summer embroidered block. Press. You now have the center block done bordered in pink. Stop by next Saturday and we will work on the butterfly blocks.

Happy Stitching,

Cindy and Josephine

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

HERE

The Season Sampler Quilt kit is on SALE. You get the pattern along with the fabric for all four quilts along with the panel! It's a great deal.