Butterflies

 Welcome Summer! The garden is actually looking really good, I'm so happy. The last couple of years my veggie garden has been an epic failure. The butterfly weed is in full bloom, and I have been enjoying the butterflies visiting the garden the last couple of weeks. It has been blistering hot here in Minnesota, more like August weather so I have been busy watering everything so none of my flowerpots dry up.   This week we will work on butterflies. You will make 4 butterfly blocks total. They   are done the same way as the blocks that we made for spring.  

Each block will measure 8" x 8", this includes the seam allowance. 

Gather your fabric, pattern, ruler and rotary cutter and let's begin! Referring to the pattern, cut out all of the pieces and label them to make assembly easier. As you sew the sections together remember to press to the dark side. It is also very helpful to use a quarter inch foot on your sewing machine as you sew this block together.

From background fabric (5):

                Cut 4 – 1 ½” x 2” rectangle (H)

                Cut 32 – 1 ½” x 1 ½” squares (A)

                Cut 4 – 1 ½” x 1 ½” squares (B)

                Cut 8 – 2” x 2” squares (C)

                Cut 8 – 2 ¾” x 2 ¾” squares (D)

From Stripe fabric (1): Cut 4 – 1 ½” x 5 ½” strip (E)

From light pink fabric (8): Cut 8 – 3 ¾” x 3 ½” rectangle (F)

From blue floral fabric (3):  Cut 8 – 3 ¾” x 5” rectangle (G)

I find it to be helpful to lay all of the parts out on my cutting board in the configuration that they will be sewn. 

Follow the pattern directions sewing the squares to the corners to make the 'triangles'. Press everything well. Then sew the three sections together to make the butterfly block.

For more direction on the block layout you can also refer back to the spring butterfly block. It's the same block but with different colors for the butterfly.

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.

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.

Embroidery 101

As many as you know, I have a couple of panels available thru Marcus Fabrics. They are fun to work with and embellish. So I thought I would talk about embroidery over the next couple days. Growing up, one of the first needlework projects mom started me on was embroidery. I remember mom had a small 'how to' book she let me use that listed a bunch of embroidery stitches. I remember working on a kit that had flowers that was done all in crewel work. Many different stitches using a lightweight wool yarn to stitch with and a big needle. 

I have a new panel available in Quilt Shops now! It's called Bundle Up. The Bundle Up BOM is available thru participating quilt shops. If you google it you will find shops selling it as a packaged kit.

I like to use pearl cotton from Valdani. I typically use #12 or #8 thread. You can also embroider using 3 strands of DMC floss. I like to use a small needle to embroider with. I feel like needles are a personal preference. I also recommend a needle threader and an Ott Lite (or other good lighting) I'm of an age that I'm blind as a bat as soon as the sun goes down so I love my Ott Lite. You will also need an embroidery hoop. I have hoops in various sizes. Again, using a hoop or not using a hoop is a personal preference. I have also been known to not use a hoop while stitching. When I work with my panels, I line the panel with an iron on interfacing on the back side. I then stitch along the edges using my sewing machine to hold the interfacing in place.

 My three favorite stitches are the French Knot, Backstitch and Lazy Daisy. These were also the first stitches I learned when I was a little girl. Let me show you how I used these stitches on my Bundle Up Panel.

I used french knots on the tips of the snowflakes. I wrap the thread around my needle 3 times.  For a smaller knot you can wrap the thread 1-2 times and for a larger knot you can wrap the thread 5-6 times. Another way to get a larger knot, if you want a bolder look is to double your thread.

I'm in love with this sweet little bunny... the bunny block is all done in a backstitch.... I like to use variegated thread while I'm stitching. It adds extra interest and depth.

Instead of using a backstitch, I stitched a single lazy daisy to give my snowflakes a lacy look. The snowflake picture I used for the French Knot picture also features some lazy daisy stitching.

As you can see, you don't need to learn a ton of stitches to be able to embroider one of my fabric panels. I love to embroider in front of the TV watching the Hallmark Channel. It's a relaxing way to spend an afternoon when you need a break. I'll be posting more stitch ideas over the next few days. The Bundle Up panel featuring the Lost and Found Snowman can be found on my Website and Etsy Store. I also have the Blue Ribbon Panel and Woodland Getaway panels available on my Website and in my Etsy Store. I also have Valdani Pearl Cotton and thread kits available.

Happy quilting!

Cindy and Belvedere

Chickens!

Spring is here, my sister has her new baby chicks! They are so adorable! I would like to show you a fun way to use the hen and chick designs on my Blue Ribbon panel from Marcus Fabrics. I have a limited number of panels and I also have the Blue Ribbon BOM quilt kit. Perfect to welcome spring! The quilt kit and panels can be found at the Quilt Doodle Website The design can be embroidered or left plain. It's totally up to you. I did not embroider the panel sections for the projects I'm showing you today. If you decide to embroider your hen and chick panels, do not trim up to the block sizing stated in the table runner pattern until you have completed your stitching. 

This is a fun table runner to make using the hen and chick sections of the panel along with scrap pieces of Aunt Grace's Apron fabric by Judie Rothermel from Marcus Fabrics. You can also dig thru your stash for reproduction 1930's fabrics to go with the panel too.  What I love about the Aunt Grace fabrics is they look lovely mixed up, even between different collections. As you can see the runner is pretty simple and can be easily pieced in an afternoon.

I did simple meandering for the quilting around my mama hen and her baby chicks. To quilt on the border I used my walking foot and quilted X ‘ s in each of the squares. 

I hope you enjoy this little freebie pattern using my Blue Ribbon panel. It’s the perfect table runner to put out during the spring and summer months. If you happen to love and raise chickens, not only do I envy you but you could keep your runner on display year round!

Happy quilting,

Cindy & Belvedere

Garden Path

 Spring is right around the corner and I just can't wait for warmer days and watching things grow in my garden. I have been planning my garden over the last couple of weeks and have ordered seeds and also have started some seeds indoors. I've invested in some grow lights last year and I love them. Best investment ever. Gosh, Amazon has everything...

I have even wintered over a couple of container gardens that I put on display by my front door during the summer. They are full of Boston Ferns and Wandering Jew. I'm amazed the inpatients are still blooming too.  I'm feeling pretty accomplished at keeping these pots alive over the winter. Growing things indoors over the winter has been uplifting and I look forward to my flowers and vegetable plants this summer. I'm also looking forward to the arrival of the bees and hummingbirds again. While designing this quilt I thought about my love for growing things, so this nostalgic quilt features embroidered bees and various flowers and plants, there's even a garden glove. The quilt features Collectable Calicos by Laura Berringer from Marcus Fabrics. I just love the nostalgic feel of these fabrics. I even made the background scrappy using a range of cream muslins and tone on tone cream fabrics. I like how it added an extra depth to the design.

I embroidered sweet designs in the center of the double pointed Dresden plate block.

Did I tell you that I also enjoy tending to my many houseplants? One of my favorites are my Aloe plants. I have a couple of them. This block features a potted Aloe vera plant and a single garden glove. I planned a single glove since I'm always searching for the other in my gardening drawer.

Here a sweet bee is leaving a pot of flowers, on his way back to the hive.

Bees are my favorite thing to embroider... a cousin of ours is a bee keeper. 

~ Garden Path ~
70" x 82"

This beautiful quilt was quilted by Darci Read of Field Trip Quilting. Her work is amazing! I trust her with anything that I give her and am always in awe when I get a quilt back from being quilted by her. I haven't seen her in a year, only have talked thru messages and a friendly wave when I do porch drop offs and pick ups. I look forward to the day when we can actually visit in person! 

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing my new Garden Path quilt. Patterns are available in my Etsy Shop and also on the Quilt Doodle Designs website. I am offering both packaged and PDF patterns.

Happy quilting!

Cindy and Belvedere

Star Gazing at the Cabin

I have an idea! I think it's a wonderful notion... let me tell you all about it. Remember last year I showed you my Snowman Snow Globe panel and I wrote the 'Star Gazing' pattern. It's a super easy quilt to piece together using a Rail Fence block and some applique snowflakes.

What if you substituted the Lumberjack Primo Plaids for the blues and used the Woodland Getaway panel? I think it would make for a wonderful winter themed quilt.

What do you think? I'm thinking I need to make one! Here's how I would go about it.

I would substitute the Lumberjack Primo Plaids for colors # 1-4, the center block background, binding and borders. The Snowman Snow Globe is fussy cut into a circle and appliqued onto the center square. Working with the Woodland Getaway would be so much easier. The panel would be cut down to measure 24 1/2" x 24 1/2" and then with the center background fabric, I would cut that into a 2 1/2" border strips to go around the center Woodland Getaway panel. The panel could be left plain or embroidered. I would use a cream cotton fabric that matches the cream on the Woodland Getaway Panel, but I'm pretty sure an off white would work too since the snowflakes and the panel are not close to each other on the quilt.

To make it easy to follow along with the fabric substitutions, make sure to label your fabric for reference. It's fun to take a pattern and think outside the box and use different fabrics. It's not too soon to start those winter projects and Christmas gifts. 

Happy quilting!

Cindy & Belvedere

The Primo Plaids, Star Gazing Pattern and Woodland Getaway panel can all be found in the

 Quilt Doodle Designs Website

Cabin Life

As you all know, I love my Lumberjack Primo Plaids, love, love, love the colors and have been having fun stitching with them. They are my go to colors, the colors that I love to work with. I have designed a new pattern to go with the Woodland Getaway Panel using these soft, yummy fabrics, Cabin Life. My inspiration comes from all the vacations we've taken up north to go fishing. There's always a morning or two that we wake up freezing and this will be the perfect quilt to pack along for our next trip. I usually pack a few quilts for those cod mornings.

I enjoyed quilting the center panel. I have a domestic machine with an extra deep throat that I use for quilting. I enjoy doing free motion quilting. I find it relaxing. The quilting makes the design pop a little bit. The quilting added some texture to the panel. I did not embroider the panel for this particular quilt, but you sure could if you wanted to.  I'm  thinking of adding some gold star buttons to the night sky for an added touch.

Cabin Life is a fun scrappy quilt to make. It features the words Cabin Life, Friendship Stars and Bear Paw blocks. The Log Cabin blocks are easy to stitch together and frame the Woodland Getaway Panel. I did not embroider the center panel on this quilt, but it can be embroidered if you so choose to. The finished quilt measures 68" x68", a great size to drape over a chair, roll up and pack in a travel bag or folded at the end of a bed. 

When I quilted this quilt is important to note that I used a thin cotton batting. I used a thin batting for quilting to reduce the bulk because the Primo Plaids are woven plaids and thicker then what we think of as flannel. The Primo Plaids are luxurious to work with and I love the results. I do not match up plaids to create a primitive look, which I love, especially for the cabin.

I have a limited number of quilt kits for Cabin Life available on the Website. I've picked out all of the plaids that you need to make the quilt as pictured. Everything is included except the backing and batting. The Cabin Life pattern is included! There is also FREE shipping in the USA.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and find some time to do some stitching.

Happy quilting,

Cindy & Belvedere

Let’s Toast Marshmallows!

I hope that you all had a relaxing weekend last week. I spent some time in my sewing room over the weekend and worked on a project that I’ve had planned in my head for awhile. I finally got it all written down on paper and made it. I’ve been spending the last few weeks showing you how I’ve been embroidering my Woodland getaway panel so today let me show you how I used those elements to make my banner/table runner. The complete pattern for this banner can be found on my website and in my Etsy shop. 

As you can see in this photo, I have embroidered different sections of the design. Remember the embroidery is optional but I love the added dimension the stitching adds to the design. 

I did all of the stars with a satin stitch with this banner design in mind. Following the pattern, I fussy cut the stars for two of the banner strips. The stars will NOT be centered on my banner, I had to squeak every little bit of fabric that I could to have enough length. It’s okay if it’s not centered, it will add to the overall charm of the mini quilt.

Following the pattern directions, I’ve fussy cut the panel pieces and sewn them onto the flannel strips that I’ve cut. In the pattern I’ve used green as my main color. You could switch it up and use brown, gold or red. I’m just really fond of greens for my banner. 

To add a little something extra I have you make two pieced strips for the top and bottom of the banner. 

 If when you sew your strip on and it’s a little long, do not fret, just trim it off to be even with the width of your banner/table runner.

I then sew the side strips on , and then the top and bottom.

Now it’s time to make your quilt sandwich by layering the top, batting and backing. Quilt as desired.

I did not put a hanging sleeve on mine. If you want to hang it using an Ackfeld hanger you may want to put a hanging sleeve on the back. The pdf pattern has the hanging sleeve directions included. You will want to put on the hanging sleeve before you bind your banner/table runner.

I just love how this turned out! I am displaying it here hanging on a display metal hanger from Ackfeld wire. (I cheated by pinning my mini quilt to it using a couple of safety pins) I did free motion quilting on the panel sections. Also quilted in the ditch between the fabric strips. For the border I free motion quilted a holly border. It gives it sort of a woodsie feel.

Both the pattern for this project and Woodland Getaway Panel from Marcus Fabrics can be found on my website or Etsy Shop. I hope that you enjoyed my project today, it was a fun one to put together. 

Happy quilting,

Cindy & Belvedere

Hubby caught this monster on Father’s Day.

Embroidery 101-5

Welcome to my fifth installment showcasing different embroidery stitches. Today I’m going to show you a threaded running stitch and a variation on a buttonhole stitch. I used them both on my Woodland Getaway panel but I think you could also experiment with these stitches on my other panels too. I’m using a #12 pearl cotton from Valdani thread for my stitching.

I used this variation on the wheel of the camper. I thought it would be a fun stitch to color in the tire... let me show you how easy this stitch is...

To start, bring your needle up at the outer edge.

Then poke the needle down in the center rim of the wheel and back up on the outer edge wrapping the thread around like you would a buttonhole stitch. The difference is, you are keeping the stitches close together to fill in the space.

Continue stitching around....

I'm about halfway... notice that we ignore the 'lines' inside the wheel. Remember these will be covered up with our stitches.

…. almost done!

All done! A red button could be added for the center on the wheel for an added accent.

The next stitch I'm going to show you is a threaded running stitch. It's super easy and a great substitution to a backstitch or outline stitch. I am using a variegated #12 Valdani thread for my stitching, but you can use any embroidery thread of your choice.

To start this stitch, do a running stitch on the printed line.

Then you will use the loops of the running stitch to thread your stitches through.

Here is a great close up of both the stitches that were featured today.

I hope that you enjoyed my little embroidery tutorial today. We're getting close to the lazy days of summer and embroidery is a great take along project for in the car or at the lake. It's so peaceful to sit under an umbrella, in the cool breeze with a large glass full of iced tea stitching a few stitches as I wait for my boys to get back from fishing.

Happy Stitching,

Cindy and Belvedere