November's Grandma's Attic BOM

Happy November! It's been quiet the weekend, Halloween, turn the clocks back.... full moon.... as you read this I'm on my way to quilt retreat, driving along with my bestie. I'm going to pick up a HUGE vanilla latte for the drive there. Going to a new place I've never gone to before with girlfriends from my quilt guild. I'm looking forward to the mini vacation. I've packed my bag with comfy clothes, I spent time this week designing and precutting projects. I stocked the fridge for hubby and got a huge project done a week ago and it's off to the quilter. Huge sigh of accomplishment, I will quietly celebrate by sewing the next few days. I voted early so I don't have to worry about that too. I'm hoping to stay away from the news for the next few days but it may be impossible... it's a huge election...... I'm looking forward to all of the campaign ads going away. I just want to watch the Hallmark station.

 This month's block is a Triple Stripe block. It'll be a challenge for you since it's set on point. You can use all the same color or make your block scrappy by using several red fabrics. So go to the Quilt Doodle Website and download the pattern. Let's get started!

To begin with, follow the directions on the PDF that you download and cut out all of your pieces, and label as shown on the pattern. Feel free to make your block scrappy if you would like. Have fun, relax and sew.

Starting with the red #1, 2 and3 C rectangles, sew together to make a 3 strip square. Iron.

Sew a C pieced square to each side of cream D square. Iron. Then sew an A triangle to each end of the CDC strip. Iron.

Then sew a cream B triangle to each side of the C pieced square right sides together lining up the straight edges. Iron. Sew and cream A triangle to the 'top' of the BCB section. Iron. Make two for each block.

Sew the block together. Trim the block to measure 10 1/2" x 10 1/2". Make 4 blocks total.

And then sew the four blocks together to  make one large 20 1/2 " x 20 1/2 " block.

~ Triple Stripe ~

 I hope you have fun making this month's block.  Remember the goal is to use fabric from your stash! We are almost done with our quilt. I look forward to showing you mine next month.

The monthly FREE pattern is available on my website. I have a special 2020 BOM section on my website. Each month the FREE pattern will be posted. But as soon as the new section or block is out the old block pattern will no longer be a freebie. But it will still be available for a small fee on my website or in my Etsy shop. If you want to share your finished blocks, feel free to post them on Facebook Group (Quilt Doodle Designs Grandmas Attic BOM 2020) and tag me or post them on Instagram tag Quilt Doodle Designs. I love to see everyone's progress as we stitch along together. 

Remember to post your blocks onto the Facebook Group, it's so much fun to see everyone's progress!

Happy quilting! 

Cindy and Belvedere

I'm also planning for the 2021 BOM!

The measurements of the quilt are 65" x 80"

There are 12 easy applique blocks, one each month, a little embroidery. I am making mine out of the Primo Plaid Lumberjacks that I helped design for Marcus Fabrics. It's a mystery quilt... the logo is a big hint.....

Kits are available here and on Etsy

April's Block! Grandma's Attic BOM

April's Block

Happy April! It has been a surreal few weeks... I've lost time and feel like I'm in the twilight zone. I can say though, quilting has been keeping me sane. I can actually relax if I'm quilting and listening to an audiobook. I'm sure I'm not alone! Many of us have been busy making facemasks, working on UFO's and actually completing them! I've enjoyed seeing the postings of last year's BOM completed by many quilters over the last couple weeks. It warms my heart to see finished quilts. This month's block is super easy... 

 If you are new to the BOM here's the details.... There will be a new block design each month for a total of 12....  it will be a traditional sampler quilt. I'm planning it as a stash buster. It's based on two colors, a main color and a white/cream background color. You can choose any color for your main color, blue, red, green, anything....I'm making mine out of red fabrics. I have a lot of red Civil War fabric on hand, so that is what I'm using for mine. So go raid your stash for some fabric. You will need;

4 1/2 yards white/cream

4 yards red

1/2 yard red for binding

5 1/3 yard for backing

The finished size is 67" x 87"

Let's get started on this month's block, it's a spin off of a Shoo-Fly Block. You will need 1 red (or colors of your choice) You will make four blocks and then sew them together to make a large 4 block square. So go to the website and download the directions, grab a cup of coffee or some pop and let's go sew!

Following the directions cut out all of your squares and triangles... then start by making the triangle squares, pair together the cream A and red A triangles, right sides together. Sew along the diagonal edge. Press. Make a total of 16 triangle squares blocks.

Following the diagram below and the block layout, sew your Shoo-Fly Block together. 

Make 4 total. These single blocks measure 10 1/2" x 10 1/2".

Sew the 4 blocks together to form this month's block.

~ April's Block ~

 I hope you have fun making this month's block.  Remember the goal is to use fabric from your stash!

The monthly FREE pattern is available on my website. I have a special 2020 BOM section on my website. Each month the FREE pattern will be posted. But as soon as the new section or block is out the old block pattern will no longer be a freebie. But it will still be available for a small fee on my website or in my Etsy shop. If you want to share your finished blocks, feel free to post them on Facebook Group (Quilt Doodle Designs Grandmas Attic BOM 2020) and tag me or post them on Instagram tag Quilt Doodle Designs. I love to see everyone's progress as we stitch along together. 

Happy quilting! Stay Well!

Cindy and Belvedere

Website Note- I was hoping the new website would be up and running, but not quite yet. Don't worry about the web address, it'll all be the same when I do make the change over. I'm hoping that everything will be easier to use and download! 

Spreading Love Snowman

It's that time of year that love is in the air.... so I drew up a new design featuring a sweet little snowman spreading love everywhere as this cute pickup drives along. It was so nice to putz around this morning and work on something new. This little snowman has been sitting on my to do pile for almost a month and I finally got around to it today. I tried something new today, I used a new product to me, Flexifuse lightweight fusible web. (The company does not know I'm doing a shout out nor have I been asked to do so.... I just like the product) I recently bought a new machine and it hated my go to fusible web. I mean, really hated it.... I had skipped stitches along with a gummy mess. Frantic I jumped onto Amazon and looked for something new to use in hopes that I would be able to applique again! I was very frustrated to say the least... Well I remember seeing Flexifuse at Quilt Market so I thought I would give it a try. It works great and I'm really happy with the results. The Flexifuse that I picked up is 8 1/2" x 11" so paper sized. I decided to run it thru my printer and have my pieces printed right onto the paper side of the sheet instead of having to trace my shapes. What a fabulous time saver! It made it so easy to cute the pieces apart then to fuse onto the back of my fabric and then cut the shapes out like you would normally do for fusible applique. 

Here I have all my pieces layered onto my towel and ironed down.

Typically I use brown thread to applique around everything but I wanted a softer look for my Valentine design. I matched up my fabric colors and used white, blue, and red thread. I did have a bit of trouble stitching around the snowman, I'm still getting used to my new machine.

I used a black pearl cotton for stitching the snowman details. To make the trucks tires I used my 30 mm yo-yo maker. One of my most used notions in my sewing room.

~Spreading the Love Snowman~

I just love how my little Valentine loving snowman turned out. He looks very sweet in my kitchen and just brings a smile to my face. This new pattern can be found in my Etsy Shop as an instant PDF download. It's a great way to use up some of your fabric pieces and when finished makes an adorable gift for someone you love.

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

Happy Quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

February's Block!

Happy February everyone! The February block for Garden Sunshine is all ready. I have been enjoying seeing everyone's blocks from last month! Seeing the spring birds and birdhouse blocks have been brightening my day around here. Especially since I have been living in a deep freeze over the last week. I'm tired of looking for jumper cables and bundling up. Oh how I am longing for the days of summer right now. Wind chills were a -56 the last couple days. Today's -26 felt like a heat wave! The weathermen are forcasting upper 30's for the weekend, geez, it's time to break out the capri pants and flip flops! No kidding! I hope that where ever you are you are nice and comfy warm. 

At least the weather is perfect for hanging inside and quilting. Last month we had two blocks that were pieced and either embroidered or applique. This month is a pretty easy month, just one block! A variable star block...  I have fabric kits available in my Etsy shop. (Just in case you need some fabrics) They are on sale right now.  I also have yardage of some 1930's prints if you need to add to your stash. For those of you just joining this month, the list of fabrics needed can be found below.

 The monthly FREE pattern will be available on my website. I have a special 2019 BOM section on my website. Each month the FREE pattern will be posted. But as soon as the new section or block is out it will no longer be a freebie. But it will still be available for a small fee on my website or in my Etsy shop. If you want to share you finished blocks, feel free to post them on Facebook and tag me or post them on Instagram tag Quilt Doodle Designs. I love to see everyone's progress as we stitch along together. 

Let me show you how I made this month's block. I am using colors #3,#6 and #15 in case you have your fabrics numbered.

Here I have all my fabric pieces ready and all cut out.

To make the center square on point, you sew the green triangles on two opposite sides, iron.

Then I sew the triangles onto the other set of opposite sides and iron.

I like to lay all the block elements out on my cutting board before I start to sew the block together. It helps me minimize mistakes. 

Then I stitch all the sections together to form my variable star block.

~ Variable Star ~

This month's block goes together pretty quickly, gives you time to work on another project. Or if you're like me, I'm making two of these quilts, one applique and one that is embroidered! Hope you are having a great day, remember January's block is no longer FREE. It can be found in my ETSY shop and also on the Quilt Doodle Website for a small fee. To get this month's block, head on over to Quilt Doodle Designs... remember this block is only available this month FREE PDF download. 

Happy Quilting!

Cindy and Belvedere

Sunflower Fields....

One of my favorite patterns is Sunflower Fields... it's so bright and cheery. It was the quilt I designed with the sunflower fields of North Dakota in mind. I just love how those flowers follow the sun with their bright cheery faces. The original one is very yellow and gold and the largest size in the pattern. Well, I decided to make the lap sized one up using some of my treasured Bonnie and fabric. I have been saving this fabric for a while, it has traveled to a couple of quilt retreats. I just love, love, love how this version of Sunflower Fieldtu rned out! Let me show you!

Here I have the 'bottom' set of chevrons all sewn together. I just love the scrappy look.

I had several fat quarters of the Bonnie and Camille fabric that I used.

On my design wall, the top section of the quilt waited while I made the Dresden flowers.

Here I have the three Dresden flowers pinned in place along with the stem pieces.

The stems are made from 2 1/2" strips of fabric that is folded in half. Here I am sewing them to the top of the quilt using a 1/4" seam. 

I then fold it over on top of itself and topstitch it in place using a buttonhole stitch.

In the pattern I use a brown thread for the topstitching. For this quilt I wanted a softer look so I am using a white thread.

I top stitch around everything.... flowers and stems....

From all my scraps I make a beautiful scrappy binding.

Isn't it so pretty. I love rolled up scrappy binding!

I then make some yo-yo's for the flower centers and hand stitch them in place.

Now it's my favorite part with this quilt... making the 3 dimensional bumblebee! 

I gather up his little wings...

... then stitch it in place....

Using some pearl cotton, and a running stitch, I embroider the flight of the bumblebee.

Don't forget to embroider his little antennae.

It's the perfect size for snuggling up with a good book. I really like the softer look with this fabric line. So don't be afraid to make a quilt up using very different fabric then what is pictured on the pattern's cover. Have some fun with it and use some of your favorite fabric that you have been saving. You're gonna love how it turns out!

Have a wonderful day!

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

The pattern can be found HERE

Minnesota Winter Wonderland QAL - March

March is finally here! Some of our biggest snowstorms have been in March. Just when you think winter could almost be over we get slammed with a huge snowstorm. When my kids were small, I loved those snowstorm days. I made hot cocoa and popped popcorn. We'd watch Disney movies and just hang out. Now when a big ol' storm hits, we text each other and ask 'how much snow do you have'. This month we will be working on a big pine tree. It'll look great next to the cabin that we made last month. The fun thing about this quilt is you can choose to do it scrappy or not scrappy, I'm doing a little of both. It's a great project to use up some of your stash. This month we will work on a block that I have named 'Big Tree'. A cozy cabin needs a big tree to shade it. The block is the same size as the Cozy Cabin block. One thing to keep in mind is to do the background the same or similar fabrics as you did for your Cozy Cabin block. This will also be true with the blocks for May and September. (We will get back to making 'strips' next month.) 

Here are my fabrics all cut and ready to go.

To form the triangle square blocks I sew corner to corner...

My stack of triangle squares, sewn... but I need to trim the extra fabric and iron.

I find it helpful to have a large work space to lay this block out.

Everything's in place and ready to be sewn.

All of my 2 1/2" squares are sewn, now just to add the bottom 2 1/2" strip.

'Big Tree'

Quilt Doodle BOM 2014 Quilt Layout

 If you blog about it, please email me a link so that I can attach it to the Pinterest Board I have going for the Minnesota Winter Wonderland QAL. I hope you have fun with this section of the  quilt. It can easily be done in a weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's trees! You can post photos on Instagram and tag @quiltdoodledesigns or #quiltdoodledesignsqal

It'll be fun to see everyone's blocks! If you haven't joined in on the fun for this years QAL you can still join the party. All you need to do is purchase the Minnesota Winter Wonderland pattern. It can be found in my Etsy shop and also on the Quilt Doodle Designs website.  We will work on the next section on April 14th.

Happy Quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere