Posted on 1 Comment

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

IMG_6211

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.

IMG_4344 (3)

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

happyflowergarden2

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 🙂

Posted on 3 Comments

Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along – Week 8 – Star Flower Blocks

IMG_6202 (3)

Welcome to Week 8 of the Happy Flower Garden Quilt Along! This week we will be making our Star Flower Blocks! Yay! These are our last blocks for our quilt.

I’ve always loved the look of Star blocks! They are so pretty and you can change up the centers with different blocks. This block will incorporate all the colors we used in the Tulip and Corner Tulip blocks.

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 19th at 10:15 am PDT (West Coast USA) in the Facebook Group! I will be going over how to make this Star Flower 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 🙂

layouts

Posted on 8 Comments

Happy Flower Garden QAL – Week 2 – Half Square Triangles

IMG_6063 (3)

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.

IMG_6064 (2)

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

Posted on 3 Comments

Aloha Ripple QAL – Week 8: Assembling the Quilt Top

aloha ripple (2)

You guys! All our blocks are done and it’s time to assemble our Quilt Tops! Yay! Cloud is even excited about it!! (See above, he loves to help!) If you are just finding this quilt along now, you can get the free pattern here!

If you had consistent seams and you pieces were cut accurately, everything will line up correctly.

Make sure to lay out your blocks in the correct order.

FOR BLOG

You will then match up (nest) the seams with the block next to each other. This is why we pressed our seams in specific ways. Now they will match up and interlock nicely.
I like to pin a lot! Pin next to each interlocking seam and then in between.

28577011_1735666749830287_3043833173667479552_o

I like to work in rows. Sew the top three blocks together, the middle three blocks together and the bottom three blocks together so they form 3 rows.  Then you nest your seams in the three rows, pin in place and sew them together! Wah Lah! I love how fast this quilt goes together.

aloha ripple (3)

Join me LIVE!! If you have any questions, make sure to join me for my LIVE VIDEO. Today (Tuesday March 6th) at 10:15 am PST (West Coast USA) I will be filming a LIVE video in the Facebook Group to go over tips and answer any questions.

Make sure to share a photo of this weeks step on social media with the hashtag #AlohaRippleQAL or join the Facebook Group and post your photos!!
You can follow me on Instagram here: Instagram.com/HappyCloudCreations

Join the Facebook Group

Next week we will be finishing our quilt up! Get ready for Basting, Quilting and Binding!!

Here is the full Quilt Along Schedule:

Starting January 2nd: Download Pattern – Select your fabric and post a photo!
Week 1: January 16th: Cut fabric
Week 2: January 23rd: Make the Flying Geese
Week 3: January 30th: Make the Half Square Triangles
Week 4: February 6th: Make the Center Block (1)
Week 5: February 13th: Make Corner Blocks A (2)
Week 6: February 20th: Make Corner Blocks B (2)
Week 7: February 27th: Make the Stacked Flying Geese blocks (4)
Week 8: March 6th: Assemble your Quilt Top
Week 9: March 13th: Baste, Quilt and Bind your Quilt!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

Posted on 2 Comments

Aloha Ripple QAL – Week 7: Stacked Flying Geese Blocks

IMG_5434 (2)

Welcome to Week 7 of the Aloha Ripple Quilt Along!! This week we will be making our last blocks! Can you believe it! This quilt along is going so fast!

We will be making 4 Stacked Flying Geese blocks. 2 of them will have 5 flying geese in them and 2 of them will have 6 flying geese in them.

Making your Stacked Flying Geese block:

First I like to layout all my flying geese in the correct order. Then I like to sew two flying geese together at a time, until you sew the whole row together. Make sure to press your flying geese block according to the arrows on the pattern! This will ensure that your seams nest when you go to sew all your blocks together next week.

2 of these blocks will have an additional flying geese sewn to the top! These blocks will go together super quickly!

IMG_5434 (2)

If you have any questions, make sure to join me for my LIVE VIDEO. Tomorrow (Wednesday Feb. 21st) at 10:15 am PST (West Coast USA) I will be filming a LIVE video in the Facebook Group to go over tips and answer any questions.

Make sure to share a photo of this weeks step on social media with the hashtag #AlohaRippleQAL or join the Facebook Group and post a photo of  your stacked Flying Geese blocks!
You can follow me on Instagram here: Instagram.com/HappyCloudCreations

Join the Facebook Group

If you haven’t downloaded the FREE Aloha Ripple Quilt Pattern yet, you can find it in my Craftsy shop!

Download Pattern

Next week we will be put all our blocks together to make our quilt top! Yay!!!

Here is the full Quilt Along Schedule:

Starting January 2nd: Download Pattern – Select your fabric and post a photo!
Week 1: January 16th: Cut fabric
Week 2: January 23rd: Make the Flying Geese
Week 3: January 30th: Make the Half Square Triangles
Week 4: February 6th: Make the Center Block (1)
Week 5: February 13th: Make Corner Blocks A (2)
Week 6: February 20th: Make Corner Blocks B (2)
Week 7: February 27th: Make the Stacked Flying Geese blocks (4)
Week 8: March 6th: Assemble your Quilt Top
Week 9: March 13th: Baste, Quilt and Bind your Quilt!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

Posted on 4 Comments

Aloha Ripple QAL – Week 5: Corner Block A

IMG_5420 (2)

Welcome to Week 5 of the Aloha Ripple Quilt Along!! We will be making our Corner Block A!

Now that all our pieces are ready, the next few weeks will go by so quickly. You will need to make 2 of the Corner Block A. They look similar to Corner Block B, but they are different. So you can NOT make 4 of Corner Block A and call it good.

I like to lay out all of my pieces next to my machine. Then I chain piece them together, starting with two squares from the first row, then two squares from the second and so on. Once I get to the last row, I start a adding one square from the first row, then second and so on. (Watch my LIVE Video in the Facebook Group today for further explanation). I keep doing this until all my rows are complete.

Once you have all your rows done, you will want to press your seams in alternating direction from the neighboring row (See pattern for pressing arrows, so that this block connects to your Flying Geese blocks correctly).

Then you will nest your seams together (butt them up against each other so they interlock). Pin them in place and sew! I like to keep my pins in when sewing even though it is a no no. It helps my pieces stay in the correct spot and helps your points line up correctly. Make sure to sew slowly over the intersecting seams.

Yay your block is done! Now wasn’t that easy!

Things to keep in mind:
*Read ALL of the pattern directions
*Make sure ALL of your Half Square Triangles are trimmed to the correct size
*Make sure you are sewing a correct Scant 1/4 inch seam. (See the basic directions in the pattern).
*Don’t stress out if it is not completely perfect! As you can see mine below is not completely perfect. Once it is all quilted, washed and dried, it will be all crinkled and you won’t notice tiny imperfections.

IMG_5420 (2)

LIVE VIDEO: Join me today (Tuesday Feb. 13th) at 10:15 am PST (West Coast USA) for a LIVE video in the Facebook Group to go over tips and answer any questions.

Make sure to share a photo of this weeks step on social media with the hashtag #AlohaRippleQAL or join the Facebook Group and post a photo of  your Corner Block A!
You can follow me on Instagram here: Instagram.com/HappyCloudCreations

Join the Facebook Group

If you haven’t downloaded the FREE Aloha Ripple Quilt Pattern yet, you can find it in my Craftsy shop!

Download Pattern

Next week we will make our Corner Block B!

Here is the full Quilt Along Schedule:

Starting January 2nd: Download Pattern – Select your fabric and post a photo!
Week 1: January 16th: Cut fabric
Week 2: January 23rd: Make the Flying Geese
Week 3: January 30th: Make the Half Square Triangles
Week 4: February 6th: Make the Center Block (1)
Week 5: February 13th: Make Corner Blocks A (2)
Week 6: February 20th: Make Corner Blocks B (2)
Week 7: February 27th: Make the Stacked Flying Geese blocks (4)
Week 8: March 6th: Assemble your Quilt Top
Week 9: March 13th: Baste, Quilt and Bind your Quilt!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

Posted on 5 Comments

Aloha Ripple QAL – Week 4: Center Block

IMG_5410

Welcome to the 4th week of our Aloha Ripple Quilt Along! I hope you are having a lot of fun sewing along. Now that all of our components are done, it’s time to start making our blocks!! This is my favorite part of quilting. Putting all the pieces together like a puzzle.

This week we will be making the center block of our quilt. The center block is a square in square quilt block. This block goes together super quickly so you will have plenty of time to finish up trimming the half square triangles from last week. This will also give all of you that just joined time to catch up!

Making the Center Block

Please refer to the pattern to find your exact piece sizes. I like to use the stitch and flip method for this block. When making the block this way you don’t have to worry about using triangles cut on the bias.

First you will lay two small squares on top of your large square on opposite corners (with right sides of fabric facing each other).
Mark a line diagonal from one corner to the other on each small square. Stitch right next to the drawn line toward the outer side. Trim off your corner, leaving a 1/4 inch from the seam. Press toward the attached triangles.

Next you will place the other two small squares on the opposite corners. Mark a line diagonal from one corner to the other on each square. Stitch right next to the drawn line. Trim off your corner, leaving a 1/4 inch from the seam. Press toward the attached triangles.

This block is a great way to frame a pretty floral or to fussy cut a cute image. I can’t wait to see all of your blocks!!

LIVE VIDEO: Join me today (Tuesday Feb. 6th) at 10:15 am PST (West Coast USA) for a LIVE video in the Facebook Group to go over tips and answer any questions.

Make sure to share a photo of this weeks step on social media with the hashtag #AlohaRippleQAL or join the Facebook Group and post a photo of  your center block!
You can follow me on Instagram here: Instagram.com/HappyCloudCreations

Join the Facebook Group

If you haven’t downloaded the FREE Aloha Ripple Quilt Pattern yet, you can find it here:

Download Pattern

Next week we will make our Corner Block A!

Here is the full Quilt Along Schedule:

Starting January 2nd: Download Pattern – Select your fabric and post a photo!
Week 1: January 16th: Cut fabric
Week 2: January 23rd: Make the Flying Geese
Week 3: January 30th: Make the Half Square Triangles
Week 4: February 6th: Make the Center Block (1)
Week 5: February 13th: Make Corner Blocks A (2)
Week 6: February 20th: Make Corner Blocks B (2)
Week 7: February 27th: Make the Stacked Flying Geese blocks (4)
Week 8: March 6th: Assemble your Quilt Top
Week 9: March 13th: Baste, Quilt and Bind your Quilt!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

 

 

Posted on 6 Comments

Aloha Ripple QAL – Week 3: Half Square Triangles!

IMG_5401

Welcome to week 3 of our Aloha Ripple Quilt Along!!  This week we will be making lots and lots of half square triangles. (Download Pattern)

I love how versatile half square triangles are! You can make so many pretty designs using this basic block.

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. So our finished throw size HST will be 5 inches finished, so 5 + 1 1/4= 6 1/4 inches.
I like to give you plenty of wiggle room for when you are trimming your HST down to the correct size.

All of the 6 1/4 inch Main color squares will match up with 1 Background color square of the same size. (See the Aloha Ripple Quilt Pattern for amounts).

With right sides of fabric facing each other, lay one square on top of the other. Draw a line from one corner to the other diagonally. You will then sew a scant 1/4 from the seam on both sides. (Since this size square gives you plenty of wiggle room a regular 1/4 seam would work, I have you sewing a scant 1/4 inch seam, so the whole pattern is consistent.)
Cut down the center, Set your seams with your iron, finger press them open and then press open. SEE BELOW.
IMPORTANT – You will need to then trim down all of your half square triangles to the correct size. The throw size will be 5 1/2 inches. 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.

Since trimming the half square triangles can take a long time, next week we will have a super quick and easy block! You can start trimming the HST’s this week and finish trimming the remaining ones next week.

LIVE VIDEO: Join me today (Tuesday Jan 30th) at 10:15 am PST (West Coast USA) for a LIVE video in the Facebook Group to go over tips and answer any questions.

Make sure to share a photo of this weeks step on social media with the hashtag #AlohaRippleQAL or join the Facebook Group and post a photo of all your half square triangles!

Join the Facebook Group

Download Pattern

Next week we will make our first block, the Center Block!

Here is the full Quilt Along Schedule:

Starting January 2nd: Download Pattern – Select your fabric and post a photo!
Week 1: January 16th: Cut fabric
Week 2: January 23rd: Make the Flying Geese
Week 3: January 30th: Make the Half Square Triangles
Week 4: February 6th: Make the Center Block (1)
Week 5: February 13th: Make Corner Blocks A (2)
Week 6: February 20th: Make Corner Blocks B (2)
Week 7: February 27th: Make the Stacked Flying Geese blocks (4)
Week 8: March 6th: Assemble your Quilt Top
Week 9: March 13th: Baste, Quilt and Bind your Quilt!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

Posted on 10 Comments

Aloha Ripple QAL – Week 2: Flying Geese

IMG_5389 (2)

Week 2 of the Aloha Ripple Quilt Along! (Download Pattern)

Now that we have all our pieces cut, it’s time to start making our units! This week we will be making Flying Geese units.

When I started out quilting, I was very nervous about make the Flying Geese unit, so I would opt to use two half square triangles and sew them together instead.
The benefit to using a Flying Geese, is that you don’t have a seam down the middle of your pretty fabric! Less seams equals less sewing! Each time you make them they get easier and easier.

For the Aloha Ripple Quilt we will be using both the 4 at 1 time No Waste Method and the 1 at a time method. See pattern for full directions.

Tips for flying geese:
Go slow when sewing for accurate seams.
Finger press your seams open before using your iron.
Press seams without steam if possible (Dry iron)

Flying Geese – 4 at 1 time No Waste Method

When you are making the Flying Geese with the 4 at 1 time no waste method, you will need 1 large Square and 4 little squares.

Large Square = the width of your finished geese + 1 1/4 inch
Small Squares = the height of your finished geese + 7/8 inch

So for example in this pattern the throw size quilt will have a Finished size geese that is 5 x 10 inches (unfinished 5 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches)
So we will need:
1 Large Square: 10 + 1 1/4 = 11 1/4 inch
4 Small Squares: 5 + 7/8 = 5 7/8 inch

Take your large square and 2 small squares.
With right sides of fabric facing each other, l
ay the two small squares on opposite corners.
Draw a line from one corner to the other diagonally. Pin in place.
Sew a scant 1/4 inch from the drawn line on both sides. A scant 1/4 inch seam is a 1/4 inch that includes the width of your needle/thread. Some 1/4 inch feet will give you this.
Cut down the center line. Press seam to the attached triangles. 

Lay 1 small square down on the corner, right sides of fabric facing each other.
Draw a line from one corner to the other diagonally.
Sew a scant 1/4 inch from your drawn line. Cut down the center and press toward the small triangles. I find these flying geese to be pretty accurate and only need a tiny bit of trimming.

Flying Geese – 1 at a Time Method

Take your (5 1/2 x 10 1/2 inch for throw) rectangle, lay 1 (5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch) square on top with right sides of fabric together.

Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the other. Stitch one thread width to the outside of the drawn line. You will want to butt your needle up to the outside of your drawn line when you are sewing (see the red line in the diagram). Cut 1/4 inch from your sewn line as shown below. Press toward the attached triangle.
You will attach the second small square to the other side with the same method. Press to the attached triangle. Trim if needed.

oneflyinggeese

I hope you get the hang of making these flying geese units! They are a lot of fun to make and the design possibilities are endless!

Join me today (Tuesday Jan 23 rd) at 10:15 am PST (West Coast USA) for a LIVE video in the Facebook Group to go over tips and answer any questions.

Make sure to share a photo of this weeks step on social media with the hashtag #AlohaRippleQAL or join the Facebook Group and post a photo of all your flying geese!

Join the Facebook Group

Next week we will be making our Half Square Triangles!

Here is the full Quilt Along Schedule:

Starting January 2nd: Download Pattern – Select your fabric and post a photo!
Week 1: January 16th: Cut fabric
Week 2: January 23rd: Make the Flying Geese
Week 3: January 30th: Make the Half Square Triangles
Week 4: February 6th: Make the Center Block (1)
Week 5: February 13th: Make Corner Blocks A (2)
Week 6: February 20th: Make Corner Blocks B (2)
Week 7: February 27th: Make the Stacked Flying Geese blocks (4)
Week 8: March 6th: Assemble your Quilt Top
Week 9: March 13th: Baste, Quilt and Bind your Quilt!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

Posted on 3 Comments

Block 6 – Stepping Stone Block (Happy Cloud Quilted Pot Holder Quilt Along)

IMG_5275 (2)

Wow! We are already at our last block of our Pot Holder Quilt along!! I love block 6 the Stepping Stone block. This block goes together quickly and is super cute!

When making this block I like to lay out all my pieces to see how the block will be when finished. Then go from there! Make sure to press your seams in an alternating direction so you can nest your seams (so the seams interlock) when sewing it together.

I can’t wait to see all of your creations with these past 6 blocks! Thank you everyone for joining in the fun and making these blocks with me!

DOWNLOAD THE FULL LENGTH PATTERN HERE! Full Length Pattern – Happy Cloud Quilted Pot Holders

I will be filming a LIVE video in the Facebook group tomorrow (Wednesday December 13th) at 10:15am PST. To share tips and answer any questions. You can also share your progress in our Facebook Group!

Click here

I can’t wait to see all of your pretty blocks!! Make sure to post them in the Facebook Group and on Social media you can share using #HCQPotholderQAL

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

Quilt Along Schedule
Oct. 27, 2017 – Week 1 – Fabric requirements and Pot Holder construction directions
Nov 7, 2017 – Week 2 –  Block 1 – Modified Log Cabin
Nov. 14, 2017  – Week 3 – Block 2 – Flying Geese
Nov. 21, 2017 –  Week 4 – Block 3 – Sawtooth Star
Nov. 28, 2017 – Week 5 – Block 4 – Crazy Flying Geese
Dec. 5, 2017 – Week 6 – Block 5 – Diamond in Diamond
Dec. 12, 2017 – Week 7 – Block 6 – Stepping Stone

WATCH THE FACEBOOK LIVE TUTORIAL VIDEO

***

If you like this block, you may like my Stepping Stone Baby Quilt pattern! I made 4 of this baby quilt and plan on connecting them with a extra strip of fabric between to make an almost queen size quilt (87 1/2 x 87 1/2 inches). This will be a family cuddle quilt for our couch! My son’s name is Cloud and daughter’s name is Snow, so I found some cute cloud print and snowflake print fabrics. I’m hoping to finish this one up soon!

You can find my Stepping Stone Baby Quilt pattern in my pattern shop and in my Etsy Shop!

Happy Quilting!
Andrea

IMG_20161225_000132 (2)

Here is the baby size:

IMG_4767 (3)