Scrappy Teal Pumpkin Quilt

As I was getting out my Pumpkin Seed quilt from last fall, I was inspired to make a large pumpkin quilt for my son and his wife.  My son has peanut and nut allergies.  We had to always be aware of all that he was eating.  When he met this sweet girl in collage and she started carrying an Epi-Pen in her purse, I just knew she was the girl for him and 6 years later they married this May.  We were all thrilled!

So up bright and early this Saturday morning, I set out to design this Scrappy Teal Pumpkin quilt which finishes at 66 inch and then immediately set out to sew.  The pattern is now for sale on Craftsy here.   The pattern includes a bonus 24 inch version of the main pumpkin block.

Here's how my completed quilt looks...

Until next time....

Happy Sewing!

Lisa Jo

@neverlandstiches

Mixing Up The Moda Block Exchange & Some Inspiration

 I am hosting a mixing up the Moda 12 inch Block Exchange. It is a fun way to make & exchange blocks made with the following fabrics by Moda ( #showmethemoda ):

*Bonnie and Camille 

*Lella Boutique 

*Corey Yoder

*Fig Tree

*Shannon Gilman Orr

*Brenda Riddle Designs

*3 Sisters

*Sweetwater

*Chloe’s Closet 

*Moda Basics

This swap is without any pressure about being late or being behind like a swap or a bee. You either have a block ready to go and you can participate, or you wait until the next round. No stress! No commitment. 

What are the blocks for?? It is up to you! Collect a bunch and make a sampler quilt, or get a few and make a mini, a pillow or a table runner. Awesome! Right? 

Here are the guidelines:

BLOCKS - Blocks are 12-1/2 inches when sent (so they finish at 12"), and are made with ONLY With the above listed designers  (use any line & fell free to mix up the designer). Any white used must be Moda Bella 97 or 98, or Kona White or Kona Snow.

THE EXCHANGE PROCESS - on 23rd of each month I will post a 'call for blocks.' If you have a block (or blocks) MADE and READY TO SEND, you will enter a little info on my sign up link and email me a photo of your finished block(s). If the block(s) meet the requirements, within a day or two I will give you an address (or addresses) to ship your block(s) to, and it is expected that you'll ship your block(s) within 48 hours. Blocks can be sent first class mail, in a ziploc bag. No extras, okay? And, make as many blocks to exchange as you feel like. One, two, five... Totally up to you. However many you have ready to send, you can... And you'll get that many in return. 

QUALITY CONTROL - Blocks should be clean, with no holes, stains, or smells. Every effort should be made to send high quality, well constructed blocks. There is no specific block pattern required, but I hope you'll be mindful of the pattern choice - super simple blocks, or blocks with very little desners may not be eligible to participate. I reserve the right to use my discretion concerning participation in the exchange. I want everyone to get blocks they love, and I try my best to make that happen. 

Check out the hashtag for more info! #mixingupthemodablocks 

Please feel free to share or tag someone below in the comments.  #blockexchange 

In order to provide some inspiration for the swap below are a couple 12 1/2 inch blocks. 

The Michigan Beauty BLock is the larger version of the block from the first week of our Loyal Union Sampler Sew Along.  

A 12 inch Michigan Beauty Block 

A 12 inch Square Dance  

I am showing you two different versions.  It all a matter of fabric layout to change it up! 

Until next time...

Happy Sewing!

Lisa Jo

@neverlandstitches

Week 2 of The Loyal Union Sampler

This weeks blocks for The Loyal Union Sampler are both rather straight forward and don't require any modifications.  

The top block is Happy Home and the bottom is Campfire.

Hint: When pressing your blocks if you press your seams open they will lay flatter and size accurately.

Please share you completed blocks on IG with the hashtag #loyalunionsamplerqal

Until next time...
Happy Sewing!
Lisa Jo
@neverlandstitches

Pennsylvania and Michigan Beauty of The Loyal Union Sampler

Are you ready to get started on the Loyal Union Sampler?  I know that I am!  As stated in my previous post we will be doing 2 or 3 blocks per week.  This week we will be making two blocks, Pennsylvania and Michigan Beauty.  And yes I may have selected these two blocks due to my ties to the two states.

Since these blocks all should be trimmed to 6 1/2 inches to finish at 6 inches, I highly suggest that you starch your fabric prior to cutting and sewing for a higher degree of accuracy.  I make my own spray starch since I use so much of it.  If you are interested this is my version of homemade spray starch:

• 3 1/2 Cups of cold water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of corn starch

Bring to a rolling boil until almost clear

Once cooled add 1/2 cup of cheap potato distilled vodka and a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  Pour some into a spry bottle and store the remaining in a tightly sealed mason jar.

The Pennsylvania block is pretty straight up and needs no modification.  Here's my version:

The Michigan Beauty block in the book uses (in my opinion) the dreaded y-seams.  I therefore, developed a work around.  Here is my version:

The work around cutting guide may be downloaded through this link.
Trim your HSTs to 1 1/2 inch and flying geese to 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches.

I can't wait to see your blocks so be sure to use the hashtag #loyalunionsamplerqal so Jessie, Kelita and I can find your blocks.  You will want us to find your blocks this month because there will be a prize at some point during the month of August from one of my favorite Esty shops, Stitchesngiggles4U.

Until next time ...
Happy Sewing!
Lisa Jo
@neverlandstitches

The Loyal Union Sampler Sew Along

I have been fascinated with the US Civil War as long as I can remember.  In turn, I have been fascinated with quilts since I first saw the beautiful historic quilts at what was once upon a time called Greenfield Village (now known as The Henry Ford) as a grade school child on a field trip in Metro Detroit.  If you have the opportunity to visit Michigan and are a history loving quilter, it is a must visit.

Beginning August 1, 2018, Jessica, Kelita and I are hosting a quilt along based on the book, The Loyal Union Sampler from Elm Creek Quilts by Jennifer Chiaverini.

I understand that everyone has busy lives as well as participating in other sew alongs and additional projects therefore, we do not want this to be a stressful sew along. Yet we still want to make it interesting.  So here are a few facts about the sew along:

• We will be making two or three blocks per week, which will be posted each Wednesday.
• Applique blocks are optional.   
• We will post alternate construction methods for those blocks which original instructions include the dreaded Y-seams or odd templates.
• Having a copy of the book is highly encouraged as will not be posting directions for every block.
• All the blocks in the original sampler are 6 inch finished blocks.  I will select 2 blocks a month to upsize to 12 inch finished block for anyone who may wish to make a sampler with larger blocks or mix up their sampler with a combination of 6 and 12 inch blocks.
• Oh, and we will not be sewing the blocks in the order presented in the book.  This is to keep you guessing a little. 

So grab you copy of the book, gather up some fabric (scraps are perfect for these blocks) and get ready to join us next Wednesday. 

Until next week!

Happy Sewing!

Lisa Jo

Double Crossed Continued

My Double Crossed quilt pattern is now featured on Favequilts.  Isn't that fun?  It now joins my Scrappy Log cabin Heart Quilt along with my Scrappy Log Cabin Star Quilt.  Favequilts is a great source of quilt patterns, instructions and inspiration. 

I have completed my first Double Crossed Quilt.  I am so thrilled with this scrappy and fun version.

I went with 20 of the block and opted out of the boarders, basically because I was impatient and wanted it completed.  It quilted up like a dream with pink Glide Thread on the top and Glide Thread's bobbin Thread on the back.  

If you are interested in making one for yourself or as a gift the block directions are in my previous post.

I would love to see your version, if you make one please tag me on instagram.  

Happy sewing, until next time...

Lisa Jo

@neverlandstitches

Double Crossed Quilt Pattern

I know it's been a while since I have updated my blog, but sometimes life gets busy (graduations, weddings, and family emergencies).  However, I finaly had a day to start sewing my latest quilt design.

Here's the digital rendering of my quilt Double Crossed.  A 64 x 64 inch - Throw quilt using 16 - 14 inch blocks with a  FQ bundles and 1 1/2 yards for the background. The block uses 3 inch and 2 1/2 inch strips.

A single block looks like this: 

Beautifully simple!  These blocks go together very quickly and I just adore that they make a secondary design - how fun! 

Cut the following pieces: 

• Piece A - (8) - 3 x 5 inch rectangles of your background 
• Piece B - (4) - 3 x 7 1/2 inch rectangles for your center cross )2 of each contrasting fabrics)
• Piece C - (4) 2 1/2 x 5 inch rectangles for your corners to create the seconary smaller cross  design (2 of each contrasting fabrics)

Ready to start sewing (all seams are 1/4 inch and always sew right sides together)

1. Sew your 4 piece C's to 4 of your piece A's along the 5 inch edge and press as desired.
2. Sew the last 4 piece C's to the top of the piece AC units so that your piece A's are to the left. Press as desired
3. Sew the piece B's to the long background edges (the two C edges) of the units you just have sewn together. and press. 

Now lets start assembling your block: 

1. Sew the 2 of the units together so the the long edge of piece B is sewn to the BC edge of the oposite unit. Press as desired. 
2. Sew the two large sections together so the long edges of B are top and bottom, oposite of each other. Press as desired. 

Your block should meassure 14 1/2 inches square. Now make 15 more or 19 more if you'd like to make a longer quilt. 

Add boarders as desired.  I opted to add an additional row and skip the boarders as I was too excited to complete my quilt.

I currently have 16 fun scrappy blocks sewn together using various cream and white low volume fabrics.   Big debate - do I make mine bigger or just start adding boarders?  

Coming later this week at the eldest child's request - a jelly roll friendly version with 12 inch blocks.  Here's a sneak peak of my version using a jellyroll of Sweetwater's Authentic and various grey solids for the background fabrics.

Happy sewing, until next time....

Lisa Jo 

@neverlandstitches