Tag: happy flower garden quilt along

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Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along – Week 10 – Finishing Our Quilts

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Welcome to Week 10 of the Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along! This week we will be finishing our quilts!! We will go over Basting, Quilting and Binding our quilts. (Download the Pattern)

Quilt Sandwich:
First you will need to make your Quilt Sandwich. You will need to cut and sew your backing fabric to make it fit under your quilt correctly. Make sure it is at least 3 inches wider than your quilt top on all sides (quilt top size + 6 inches). Trim your selvage edge off after joining your pieces.

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Make your quilt sandwich by first laying down your quilt backing, wrong side facing up. Tape down to a hard surface, making fabric taut. Next lay your batting on top. Smooth out with your hands, do not stretch. Then lay your quilt top right side up, smooth out with your hands.  

Basting Your Quilt: 
Spray baste: My favorite way to baste my quilt is by using Spray Baste! It makes basting so much easier. If you have allergies, this is probably not a good option for you.
Find a place where you can lay out your quilt. Make sure to tape the backing fabric taut to the floor (or large table).
Here’s  great spray baste tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew: Spray Baste Tutorial

Pin basting: You can use safety pin about 3 to 4 inches apart (about the width of your hand). I like to use the large curved basting pins. This takes a little longer than the spray basting, but is a great option.

Quilting your Quilt:
This step is totally up to you!

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With my Small Block Baby size quilt I chose to quilt from top to bottom ‘organic’ straight lights approximately 1 inch apart. I lined my walking foot so the needle was about 1/2 inch from each seam.

Hand Tie your Quilt: Some prefer to tie there quilt.
Here’s a tutorial on how to do this on Craftsy.

Hand Quilt: Here’s an article that goes over the basics of hand quilting on Craftsy.

Machine Quilt using your Walking Foot: 
Emily Dennis from Quilty Love has a great tutorial on how to Zig zag quilt your quilt with a Walking foot. Click here I love this method of quilting, it give your quilt great texture.

Free Motion Quilting:
Free motion quilting can give you great texture and if you aren’t great at quilting straight lines, this would be great for you. Suzy Williams from Suzy Quilts has a great Free Motion Quilting Tutorial. Click here.

Binding Your Quilt:

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Binding is the fabric strip that goes on the edge of your quilt. It covers all of the unfinished edges and rounds out your quilt.

You will want to make sure to square up your quilt before you attach the binding. Cut off the extra batting around the edges and make sure your sides are straight and corners are squared.

Most quilters will cut 2 /12 inch by width of fabric strips and then sew them together at the ends at a diagonal. Then press the strip in half, so that you are wrapping 2 layers of fabric around all of your edges.

You can machine sew the binding to the front of your quilt and wrap it around to the back and hand stitch it down. Or some prefer sewing the binding to the back of the quilt, wrapping it around to the front and machine stitching it down.

One of my favorite binding tutorials is by Suzy Williams of Suzy Quilts. Go check it out!

I’m so excited to see everyone’s finished quilts!! Make sure to use the hashtag #happyflowergardenqal on Instagram or post your photo’s in the Facebook Group!!

I will be filming a LIVE Video Today, Tuesday July 3rd at 10:15 am PDT (West Coast USA) in the Facebook Group! I will be going over how to put you quilt top together and answering any questions you have. The video will be saved for later viewing.

Facebook Group!

Quilt Along Schedule:

May 1st – Week 1 – Cut your Fabric
May 8th – Week 2 – Make your Half Square Triangles
May 15th – Week 3 – Make your Flying Geese units
May 22nd – Week 4 – Make your Bottom Rectangle Blocks
May 29th – Week 5 – Make half of your Tulip Blocks
June 5th – Week 6 – Make the other half of your Tulip Blocks
June 12th – Week 7 – Make your Corner Tulip Blocks
June 19th – Week 8 – Make your Star Flower Blocks
June 26th – Week 9 – Add Sashing and Cornerstones (Finish Star Flower Blocks if needed)
July 3rd – Week 10 – Baste, Quilt and Bind

Download in my Shop!

Download on Etsy (For EU Customers)

Happy Quilting!
Andrea 🙂

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Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along – Week 9 – Add Sashing and Cornerstones

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Welcome to Week 9 of the Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along! This week we will be finishing our quilt tops! Yay!

If you are sticking to the pattern, we will be adding sashing and corner stones in between all of our blocks. You could go with sashing the same color as your background fabric, or something totally different!! It all depends on how you want your quilt to look.

I like using cornerstones, it helps you line up your blocks and gives your quilt another design element.

With my original Happy Flower Garden quilt I used the background fabric for my sashing.

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The second Happy Flower Garden Quilt I made, I used a beautiful floral for my sashing!

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You could leave out the cornerstones and make long sashing strips. I’m excited to see what you all chose to do!!

I will be filming a LIVE Video Today, Tuesday June 26th at 10:15 am PDT (West Coast USA) in the Facebook Group! I will be going over how to put you quilt top together and answering any questions you have. The video will be saved for later viewing.

Facebook Group!

Quilt Along Schedule:

May 1st – Week 1 – Cut your Fabric
May 8th – Week 2 – Make your Half Square Triangles
May 15th – Week 3 – Make your Flying Geese units
May 22nd – Week 4 – Make your Bottom Rectangle Blocks
May 29th – Week 5 – Make half of your Tulip Blocks
June 5th – Week 6 – Make the other half of your Tulip Blocks
June 12th – Week 7 – Make your Corner Tulip Blocks
June 19th – Week 8 – Make your Star Flower Blocks
June 26th  – Week 9 – Add Sashing and Cornerstones (Finish Star Flower Blocks if needed)
July 3rd – Week 10 – Baste, Quilt and Bind

The pattern will be 15% OFF through the end of the Quilt Along. If you still need your pattern you can download it by clicking below:

Download today!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea 🙂

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Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along – Week 7 – Corner Tulip Blocks

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Welcome to Week 7 of the Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along! This week we will be making 4 Corner Tulip Blocks (for every size).  It’s not too late to join in the fun! Download your pattern here!

This Corner Tulip Block is super simple and goes together quickly. Make sure you have trimmed all of your Half Square Triangles to the correct size.

You will want to nest your seams so they interlock. To do this, you will press your seams in alternating directions. Then the strips will fit together like a puzzle.

I am loving seeing all of your finished blocks in the Facebook group and on Instagram!Make sure to share your progress photo’s on Instagram with the hashtag #HappyFlowerGardenQA Or Post your photo’s in the Facebook Group!!

I will be filming a LIVE Video Today, Tuesday June 12th at 10:15 am PDT (West Coast USA) in the Facebook Group! I will be going over how to make this Corner Tulip block and answering any questions you have. The video will be saved for later viewing.

Facebook Group!

Quilt Along Schedule:

May 1st – Week 1 – Cut your Fabric
May 8th – Week 2 – Make your Half Square Triangles
May 15th – Week 3 – Make your Flying Geese units
May 22nd – Week 4 – Make your Bottom Rectangle Blocks
May 29th – Week 5 – Make half of your Tulip Blocks
June 5th – Week 6 – Make the other half of your Tulip Blocks
June 12th – Week 7 – Make your Corner Tulip Blocks
June 19th – Week 8 – Make your Star Flower Blocks
June 26th  – Week 9 – Add Sashing and Cornerstones (Finish Star Flower Blocks if needed)
July 3rd – Week 10 – Baste, Quilt and Bind

The pattern will be 15% OFF through the end of the Quilt Along. If you still need your pattern you can download it by clicking below:

Download Today!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea 🙂

Happy Flower Garden Etsy Image

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Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along – Week 5 – Tulip Block (First Half)

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Welcome to Week 5 of the Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along!! This week we will be making the first half of our Tulip blocks! Yay!  Since the Happy Flower Garden Quilt has a lot of Tulip Blocks in both versions, we will be making half this week and the other half next week. This will also give some time for people to catch up! It’s not too late to join! Download your pattern here!

This is a fun block that goes together quickly.

  • Small Block Baby/Throw/Queen – Make 5 this week and 5 next week
  • Small Block King – Make 6 this week and 6 next week
  • Large Block Baby/Throw/Queen – Make 3 this week and 3 next week
  • Large Block King – Make 4 this week and 4 next week

layouts

 I will be filming a LIVE Video Tuesday May  at 29th 10:15 am PDT (West Coast USA) in the Facebook Group! I will be going over how to make your Tulip Block and answering any questions you have. The video will be saved for later viewing.

Facebook Group!

Quilt Along Schedule:

May 1st – Week 1 – Cut your Fabric
May 8th – Week 2 – Make your Half Square Triangles
May 15th – Week 3 – Make your Flying Geese units
May 22nd – Week 4 – Make your Bottom Rectangle Blocks
May 29th – Week 5 – Make half of your Tulip Blocks
June 5th  – Week 6 – Make the other half of your Tulip Blocks
June 12th – Week 7 – Make your Corner Tulip Blocks
June 19th – Week 8 – Make your Star Flower Blocks
June 26th  – Week 9 – Add Sashing and Cornerstones (Finish Star Flower Blocks if needed)
July 3rd – Week 10 – Baste, Quilt and Bind

Make sure to share your progress photo’s on Instagram with the hashtag #HappyFlowerGardenQA
Or Post your photo’s in the Facebook Group!!

The pattern will be 15% OFF through the end of the Quilt Along. If you still need your pattern you can download it by clicking below:

Download Patterns

Happy Quilting!
Andrea 🙂

HFG Quilt Along

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Happy Flower Garden QAL – Week 4 – Bottom Rectangle Blocks

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Welcome to week 4 of the Happy Flower Garden Quilt along! We are getting so close to making some flower blocks! Yay!

This week we will be making our Bottom Rectangle Blocks. Remember all those small square you cut out. Now it’s time to use them. These will give the bottom of our Tulip blocks a more rounded look.

This step will be super quick and easy, giving some extra time for people to catch up if they are a little behind.

Next week we will start making our blocks! Yay! I’m so excited to see everyone’s quilts come together!!

 I will be filming a LIVE Video Tuesday May  at 22nd 10:15 am PDT (West Coast USA) in the Facebook Group! I will be going over how to make the Bottom Rectangle Block and answering any questions you have. The video will be saved for later viewing.

Facebook Group!

Quilt Along Schedule:

May 1st – Week 1 – Cut your Fabric
May 8th – Week 2 – Make your Half Square Triangles
May 15th – Week 3 – Make your Flying Geese units
May 22nd – Week 4 – Make your Bottom Rectangle Blocks
May 29th – Week 5 – Make half of your Tulip Blocks
June 5th  – Week 6 – Make the other half of your Tulip Blocks
June 12th – Week 7 – Make your Corner Tulip Blocks
June 19th – Week 8 – Make your Star Flower Blocks
June 26th  – Week 9 – Add Sashing and Cornerstones (Finish Star Flower Blocks if needed)
July 3rd – Week 10 – Baste, Quilt and Bind

Make sure to share your progress photo’s on Instagram with the hashtag #HappyFlowerGardenQA
Or Post your photo’s in the Facebook Group!!

Download Pattern

Happy Quilting!
Andrea 🙂

Happy Flower Garden Etsy Image

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Happy Flower Garden QAL – Week 3 – Flying Geese

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Welcome to Week 3 of our Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along! (Download Pattern) This week we will be making our Flying Geese.

I love using Flying Geese. You can make so many different designs using them. The benefit to using a Flying Geese instead of sewing 2 half square triangles together, is that you don’t have a seam down the middle of your pretty fabric! Less seams equals less sewing! Yay! Each time you make them they get easier and easier.

The Happy Flower Garden Pattern uses the 4 at 1 time no waste method and the 1 at a time method for construction.  You can also download an additional PDF with your pattern that gives you the pieces you need to cut if you decide to make all your flying geese using the 1 at a time method or if you want to use half square triangles instead.

If you have never made the flying geese using the 4 at 1 time method or the 1 at a time method, you may want to try it out first on some scrap fabrics.

Tips for flying geese:
* Go slow when sewing for accurate seams.
* Make sure to read ALL the instructions and look at the diagrams closely
* Finger press your seams open before using your iron.
* Press seams without steam if possible (Dry iron)
* When Pressing, press down with out motion. Moving your iron around a lot can distort your flying geese

I will be filming a LIVE Video Tuesday May 15 th at 10:15 am PDT (West Coast USA) in the Facebook Group! I will be going over how to make your flying geese units and answering any questions you have. The video will be saved for later viewing.

Facebook Group!

Quilt Along Schedule:

May 1st – Week 1 – Cut your Fabric
May 8th – Week 2 – Make your Half Square Triangles
May 15th – Week 3 – Make your Flying Geese units
May 22nd – Week 4 – Make your Bottom Rectangle Blocks
May 29th – Week 5 – Make half of your Tulip Blocks
June 5th  – Week 6 – Make the other half of your Tulip Blocks
June 12th – Week 7 – Make your Corner Tulip Blocks
June 19th – Week 8 – Make your Star Flower Blocks
June 26th  – Week 9 – Add Sashing and Cornerstones (Finish Star Flower Blocks if needed)
July 3rd – Week 10 – Baste, Quilt and Bind

Make sure to share your progress photo’s on Instagram with the hashtag #HappyFlowerGardenQA
Or Post your photo’s in the Facebook Group!!

The pattern will be 15% OFF through the end of the Quilt Along. If you still need your pattern you can download it by clicking below:

Download Pattern

Happy Quilting!
Andrea 🙂

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Happy Flower Garden QAL – Week 2 – Half Square Triangles

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Welcome to Week 2 of our Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along!! This week we will be making ALL of our half square triangles.

When I make a quilt, I like to make all of the pieces need for all the blocks in the beginning. Then when it comes to making the blocks, they go together super quickly.

I like to make my Half Square Triangles with the 2 at 1 time method. If you have a different method you prefer, go for it! I like this method because all your finished edges will be straight grain and not on the bias.

To make the HST 2 at a time, I add 1 1/4 inch to the finished size HST.
I like to give you plenty of wiggle room for when you are trimming your HST down to the correct size.

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TOOLS:
Marking tool – I like to either use a disappearing ink pen made for fabric. Or a Hera Marker. A Hera Marker makes an indent in the fabric. You don’t have to worry about it washing out and it stays in the fabric for a while.
Ruler – Any ruler will do. You will need this to mark out straight lines

You can find the size square you need to cut in your pattern (Download here)

IMPORTANT – You will need to then trim down all of your half square triangles to the correct size. You will want to make sure to line your center seam up with the 45 degree angle on your ruler to insure that your points line up when sewing.

I will be filming a LIVE Video Tuesday May 8th at 10:15 am PDT (West Coast USA) in the Facebook Group! I will be going over how to make your half square triangle and answering any questions you have. The video will be saved for later viewing.

Facebook Group!

Quilt Along Schedule:

May 1st – Week 1 – Cut your Fabric
May 8th – Week 2 – Make your Half Square Triangles
May 15th – Week 3 – Make your Flying Geese units
May 22nd – Week 4 – Make your Bottom Rectangle Blocks
May 29th – Week 5 – Make half of your Tulip Blocks
June 5th  – Week 6 – Make the other half of your Tulip Blocks
June 12th – Week 7 – Make your Corner Tulip Blocks
June 19th – Week 8 – Make your Star Flower Blocks
June 26th  – Week 9 – Add Sashing and Cornerstones (Finish Star Flower Blocks if needed)
July 3rd – Week 10 – Baste, Quilt and Bind

Make sure to share your progress photo’s on Instagram with the hashtag #HappyFlowerGardenQA
Or Post your photo’s in the Facebook Group!!

Download Pattern

Happy Quilting!
Andrea 🙂

layoutsHappy Flower Garden Etsy Image

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Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along – Week 1 – Cutting our Fabric

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Yay! It’s the first week of the Happy Flower Garden Quilt along. It’s finally feeling like Spring here in Western Washington. The sun is shining and my flowers are starting to bloom.

Download Pattern

This week of the quilt along we will be cutting all our fabric. I like to cut all my fabric before I start a quilt. This make the piecing go together quickly.

I don’t pre-wash my fabric…I know that’s a No-No… But since I stopped pre-washing, I’ve loved being able to dive right into a project. The fabric is still crisp, when you wash the no longer stiff. Also when you wash your fabric it will shrink and  some times it will fray and you will loose some yardage. It also gives your finished quilt a nice crinkled look when it’s washed and dried. I like to throw a couple Shout Color Catchers in the wash when washing my finished quilt. This helps catch any loose dyes.

If you like to pre-wash your fabric, make sure to purchase a little extra to account for shrinkage!

Also, if you are using one of the alternative Flying Geese methods provided in the supplemental pdf. You will want to make sure to have a little extra fabric just in case.

Here is a Fabric Selection PDF you can print out. Cut your fabrics and tape/glue them to it!

Happy Flower Garden Quilt Fabric Selections

Cutting Your Fabric Tips:

*Get a NEW Rotary Blade (a dull blade makes it twice as hard to cut)
*Measure Twice and Cut Once
*Cut your largest pieces first, then cut the smaller pieces out
*Do NOT round up. Precise cutting is needed to make the 4 at 1 time no waste flying geese. So make sure to cut at the 3/8 or 7/8 marks (depending on what size you are making).

**If you may want to wait to cut your corner stones (Color E) and sashing strips until Week 9, but you can cut them now too! 🙂

I will be filming a LIVE Video Tuesday May 1st at 10:15 am PDT (West Coast USA) in the Facebook Group! I will be going over cutting your fabric and talk a little about the following weeks.

Facebook Group!

Quilt Along Schedule:

May 1st – Week 1 – Cut your Fabric
May 8th – Week 2 – Make your Half Square Triangles
May 15th – Week 3 – Make your Flying Geese units
May 22nd – Week 4 – Make your Bottom Rectangle Blocks
May 29th – Week 5 – Make half of your Tulip Blocks
June 5th  – Week 6 – Make the other half of your Tulip Blocks
June 12th – Week 7 – Make your Corner Tulip Blocks
June 19th – Week 8 – Make your Star Flower Blocks
June 26th  – Week 9 – Add Sashing and Cornerstones (Finish Star Flower Blocks if needed)
July 3rd – Week 10 – Baste, Quilt and Bind

I am so happy to be quilting along with you! I’m so excited to see your fabric picks!! Make sure to share your progress photo’s on Instagram with the hashtag #HappyFlowerGardenQA
Or Post your photo’s in the Facebook Group!!

The pattern will be 15% OFF through the end of the Quilt Along. If you still need your pattern you can download it by clicking below:

Download Pattern

Happy Quilting!
Andrea 🙂

Happy Flower Garden Etsy Image