Sashing Blocks - Feathered Friends BOM 2022

Our Feathered Friends quilt has sashing blocks in between each of the bird blocks. The sashing is a pieced sashing to give the quilt a fun scrappy look. I pulled fabrics that match the birds in the quilt. Using similar colors will pull the quilt together. All of my fabric is from Marcus Fabrics, that's what I have in my stash. The quilt block patterns will be available free until the end of the year.

 So let me show you how I have made the sashing blocks. Go on over to the Website and download the PDF pattern. The links are below towards the end of the posting. Make sure that your email is correct so that the link for the pattern is sent to you. Also, if you don't find it, check your trash or spam folder just in case it ended up in there....

Go on over to the website and download the pattern and print it up.

I went thru my Marcus Fabrics stash and found these fabrics for my scrappy sashing.

Cut 2- 2 1/2" x the WOF (width of fabric) from each of the four different fabrics.

Sew the fabric strips lengthwise using a 1/4" seam. Press. The width of the strip should measure 8 1/2".

Then cut 4 1/2" across the width of the strips to form a 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangle. 

Make 16 sashing units total.

From five different fabrics cut 2 - 2 1/2" x wof strips. Sew the five strips together lengthwise to make a five pieced strip. Press. Make 2.

The width of the strips should measure 10 1/2".

Then cut 4 1/2" across the width of the strips to form a 4 1/2" x 10 1/2" pieced rectangle strips. Cut a total of 15 sashing units.

Announcement!!!!

I have released all of the blocks and sashing directions. Check out the website to download the PDF patterns, they will be free until the end of the year. Stay tuned, I will be releasing the finishing directions by December 7th.

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. The finished size of the quilt is 58" x 65" Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the pattern

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! 

 There isn't much left to make for this quilt. I hope that you have enjoyed this year's BOM. I have had a lot of fun putting it together for you. I have a fun quilt planned for 2023!

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josephine

October's Block ~ American Crow

Oh my gosh, it's October! The leaves are turning, and our mornings are crisp. I've been pulling out the fall and Halloween decorations and decking the house out for the season. I enjoyed a visit to a farmers' market with a dear friend and picked up a bunch of pumpkins for my entryway display. I'm thinking a few more pumpkins are needed! I'm also planning on sorting and purging a bunch of old decorations that I no longer use. I'm hoping that it will free up some room in our storage area. I have more Halloween decorations than Christmas! Hopefully I won't get distracted by what I find! October is expected to be a busy month, our first grandbaby is due anytime and we are over the moon excited! We are staying close to home waiting for the phone call... on to this month's block. It features two American Crows perched in the pumpkin patch. It's a quick and easy applique for this month.

 So let me show you how I have made this month's block. Go on over to the Website and download the PDF pattern. The links are below towards the end of the posting. Make sure that your email is correct so that the link for the pattern is sent to you. Also, if you don't find it, check your trash or spam folder just in case it ended up in there....

Trace the applique shapes onto the paper side of your fusible web. I use Flexifuse. I then group the shapes using the same color with the fabric.

Group the shapes with the fabric colors. Following the manufacturer directions, I then iron the fusible web onto the backside of my fabric. 

Then cut all the shapes out...

Following the pattern placement sheet, position all the applique shapes on the cream background rectangle. Notice how some of the shapes overlap. 

Iron everything in place.

Your block is now all ready to be appliqued. I used dark brown thread and an applique buttonhole stitch to stitch around everything. I used an outline stitch on my machine to stitch the crow's feet and veins in the leaves. Machine stitching is a big-time saver for me.

~American Crow ~

Isn't it a fun design? I love it! This would be a cute design on a tea towel too! 

Each month will feature an applique design, I have a stash of basic colors that I use for applique, I bet you do too! You will also need a basic cream or white for the applique blocks. You will need 1 3/4 yards of a cream/white background fabric. It can be a tone on tone or neutral print. This cream fabric will also be used for the top and bottom boarders along with some pieced cornerstones. You can also get scrappy with your cream fabrics! The applique blocks will measure 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" (this includes the seam allowance).

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. The finished size of the quilt is 58" x 65" Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the pattern

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! I will be ending this year's BOM with some giveaways. Make sure to stayed tuned for that!

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching! I'm off to my sewing room to quilt of a Halloween quilt that I'm working on.  

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josephine

Septembers Block and Cornerstones

September has arrived, where did the summer go? Kids will be back to school soon, the state fair is in its last week, true signs that summer is over... our summer was so full of events that it sure flew by! It's hard to believe that we will soon be thinking about getting the fall decorations out. I do have a maple tree that is turning, it always feels like it's too soon, but this maple is always the first tree in our yard to turn. 

This month's block features sunflowers and a set a sparrow, yes, another set of sparrows. There are so many different sparrows in my bird book. These feathered friends have a little different coloring. I also had to feature some sunflowers. My sunflowers are in full bloom right now, they are so pretty. I love how their little flower heads turn towards the sun! I leave my sunflowers in the garden thru winter so that the birds have the seeds to nibble on thru the cold months.

 So let me show you how I have made this month's block. Go on over to the Website and download the PDF pattern. The links are below towards the end of the posting. Make sure that your email is correct so that the link for the pattern is sent to you. Also, if you don't find it, check your trash or spam folder just in case it ended up in there....

Trace the applique shapes onto the paper side of your fusible web. I use Flexifuse. I then group the shapes using the same color with the fabric.

Go thru your fabric and pull the colors that you are going to use for the block.

Group the shapes with the fabric colors. Following the manufacturer directions, I then iron the fusible web onto the backside of my fabric. Then cut all the shapes out...

Cut all of the pieces out.

Following the pattern placement sheet, position all the applique shapes on the cream background rectangle. Notice how some of the shapes overlap. Iron everything in place.

I like to use an open toe foot for applique stitch. It's easier to see needle and stitch placement. I am using a brown thread to buttonhole stitch around the

 design. 

~ Sparrow ~

Today we will also work on making the cornerstones for the quilt top. I used a light and a dark fabric. You will need 1/2 yard dark and 3/4-yard light. The extra will be used in other parts of the quilt. I am using a variety of light-colored fabrics to add up the 3/4 yard in the quilt I am working on. All of my light fabrics are coordinates that I had in my fabric stash from Marcus. The directions for the block can also be found on the website.

The fabric I'm using for my cornerstone blocks.

The finished blocks will measure 4 ½” x 4 ½” square block (including seam allowance)

From dark fabric cut-

40- 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” squares, then cut in half diagonally to form 80 triangles (A).

 From light fabric cut- 20- 3 3/8” x 3 3/8” squares (B).

·         Line up the diagonal edge of a dark triangle A along the edge of the light square B, right sides together. Center the triangle so that the ‘tails’ are even on each side. Sew a ¼” seam along the diagonal edge.

    Repeat on the opposite side of the square B.

     Press to the dark side.

 

Line up the diagonal edge of a dark triangle A along the edge of the light square B, right sides together. Center the triangle so that the ‘tails are even on each side of the block. Sew a ¼” seam along the diagonal edge.

    Repeat on the opposite side of the square B.

      Press.

     Trim the block up to measure 4 ½” x 4 ½”. Make 20 blocks total and set aside for when we assemble the quilt top. Remember we still have a few more birds to do.

Each month will feature an applique design, I have a stash of basic colors that I use for applique, I bet you do too! You will also need a basic cream or white for the applique blocks. You will need 1 3/4 yards of a cream/white background fabric. It can be a tone on tone or neutral print. This cream fabric will also be used for the top and bottom boarders along with some pieced cornerstones. You can also get scrappy with your cream fabrics! The applique blocks will measure 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" (this includes the seam allowance).

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. The finished size of the quilt is 58" x 65" Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the pattern

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! I will be ending this year's BOM with some giveaways. Make sure to stayed tuned for that!

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching! I'm off to my sewing room to do some piecing. 

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josephine

August's Block ~ Hummingbirds

Happy August everyone! The garden is thriving, and I've picked a few beautiful tomatoes. I'm thinking of making BLT salad for dinner. I've also picked my first zucchini of the season and I'm not sure what to do with it yet. Should I make bread, or zoodles with pasta sauce? Both will be very good! This month's block features a couple of tiny hummingbirds. I have been enjoying the occasional hummingbird visiting my flowers and feeders. I've also have seen them perched on my tomato cages when I water the garden. They are so much fun to watch! I made the hummingbirds in my block a bright green because the ones I see are mostly green in color. You can make your hummingbird green like mine or even blue or pink.

 So let me show you how I have made this month's block. Go on over to the Website and download the PDF pattern. The links are below towards the end of the posting. Make sure that your email is correct so that the link for the pattern is sent to you. Also, if you don't find it, check your trash or spam folder just in case it ended up in there....

Trace the applique shapes onto the paper side of your fusible web. I use Flexifuse. I then group the shapes using the same color with the fabric.

Go thru your fabric and pull the colors that you are going to use for the block.

Group the shapes with the fabric colors. Following the manufacturer directions, I then iron the fusible web onto the backside of my fabric. Then cut all the shapes out...

Following the pattern placement sheet, position all the applique shapes on the cream background rectangle. Notice how some of the shapes overlap. Iron everything in place.

I like to use an open toe foot for applique stitch. It's easier to see needle and stitch placement. I am using a brown thread to buttonhole stitch around the

 design. 

~ Hummingbirds ~

Isn't it a fun design? I love it! This would be a cute design on a tea towel too! 

Each month will feature an applique design, I have a stash of basic colors that I use for applique, I bet you do too! You will also need a basic cream or white for the applique blocks. You will need 1 3/4 yards of a cream/white background fabric. It can be a tone on tone or neutral print. This cream fabric will also be used for the top and bottom boarders along with some pieced cornerstones. You can also get scrappy with your cream fabrics! The applique blocks will measure 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" (this includes the seam allowance).

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. The finished size of the quilt is 58" x 65" Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the pattern

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! I will be ending this year's BOM with some giveaways. Make sure to stayed tuned for that!

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching! I'm off to my sewing room to do some piecing. I'm working on a special project for a sweet little baby girl...

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josephine

July's Block ~ Bluebirds

Happy July everyone! The pace of family events has slowed down a little bit. It's time to sit back and enjoy the summer and have some cabin time with the family. I am looking forward to our annual family vacation. I've already started to make some lists and prepack a few things for the cabin. 

 This month's block features a couple of bluebirds. Earlier this year I had a set of bluebirds visit my bird feeders. They were so beautiful!  I had switched up the blend that I usually use in my feeders, and I had so many feathered friends visit. I should have written down the brand and the blend, but I didn't and I haven't been able to find it since. It was a fruit and nut blend that had cayenne pepper in it to keep the squirrels away. I'll keep my eye out!

 So let me show you how I have made this month's block. Go on over to the Website and download the PDF pattern. The links are below towards the end of the posting. Make sure that your email is correct so that the link for the pattern is sent to you. Also, if you don't find it, check your trash or spam folder just in case it ended up in there....

Trace the applique shapes onto the paper side of your fusible web. I use Flexifuse. I then group the shapes using the same color with the fabric.

Go thru your fabric and pull the colors that you are going to use for the block.

Group the shapes with the fabric colors

Following the manufacturer directions, I then iron the fusible web onto the backside of my fabric. Then cut all the shapes out...

Following the pattern placement sheet, position all the applique shapes on the cream background rectangle. Notice how some of the shapes overlap. Iron everything in place.

I like to use an open toe foot for applique stitch. It's easier to see needle and stitch placement. I am using a brown thread to buttonhole stitch around the

 design. 

Using pearl cotton or DMC floss embroider the bird's eyes and flower centers with French knots.

~ Bluebirds ~

Isn't it a fun design? I love it! This would be a cute design on a tea towel too! 

Each month will feature an applique design, I have a stash of basic colors that I use for applique, I bet you do too! You will also need a basic cream or white for the applique blocks. You will need 1 3/4 yards of a cream/white background fabric. It can be a tone on tone or neutral print. This cream fabric will also be used for the top and bottom boarders along with some pieced cornerstones. You can also get scrappy with your cream fabrics! The applique blocks will measure 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" (this includes the seam allowance).

It's an adorable quilt when it is done. The finished size of the quilt is 58" x 65" Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the pattern

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! I will be ending this year's BOM with some giveaways. Make sure to stayed tuned for that!

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching! I'm looking forward to the long holiday weekend. I'm off to make some red, white and blue treats to celebrate the 4th of July!  I'm thinking of making an angel food cake with strawberries and a batch of blue adult snow cone slush. 

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josephine