Autumn Mini Runner, and the Schoolhouse Mini Quilt

I've been sewing like a maniac lately, and have two finishes to show for it.  Here they are:

Schoolhouse Mini Quilt - foundation paper piecing of the schoolhouses, one inch borders with cornerstones, 2 inch blue border

Autumn Mini Runner with 1" paper pieced hexagons, blanket stitched (love the little stars from the topstitching)

Much more in the works...stay tuned!

Schoolhouse Mini Quilt..and some FMQ practice

Lots of progress on my new Schoolhouse Mini Quilt yesterday (just need a proper border.)

and some free motion quilting on the machine as well...

'Moonlit'...and a Snappy Purse!

A little bit of sewing for the soul does it good - especially when it is with a few beauties from the new fabric line 'Moonlit' by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cotton and Steel.  Anything with butterflies is a good thing.

I loved making this little purse so much, I made another one in a floral from my stash:

Here is what it looks like when opened:

Thanks to Rashida Coleman-Hale, you can make one too.  Just hop on over to her blog here at iheartlinen, and download the free pattern!

Making progress.....

There is nothing better after the excitement of the first day of school than to settle down with needle and thread.  Progress is slowly being made on the next English paper piecing project at hand.

Sometimes, the back of the quilt block is just as pretty as the front, too.

Happiness....

English Paper Piecing with Aurifil thread and 1" hexagon paper pieces from my most favorite source, 

Paper Pieces

'Betty Hearts Fabric' Block

After receiving the download to the very first 'Make Modern' magazine on Monday (did you get your copy?), I immediately read through it and came upon this pattern.  Before you could say 'I Heart This Block,' I had fabric picked out and got busy.  Here is my version:

'Betty Hearts Fabric' by Kristy Lea for Make Modern Magazine

Back view with added corners for hanging

If you love this design by Kristy, take a look at her blog at quietplay.blogspot.com.  There is a free, paper-pieced block featuring Betty on her blog today - take a look!  Also she has a fantastic Craftsy shop with loads of patterns.  

Make Modern Magazine

I am always open to new things, and when I saw this preview for a fresh, new modern quilting magazine, I could hardly wait to subscribe.  'Make Modern' is a collaboration of modern quilters with a new 21st Century perspective on this great art we all share in.  The very first issue is out today, and here is a preview of it from the 'Make Modern' website.

It is an online-only digital publication, and the very first issue comes out TODAY!  Go grab your subscription and don't miss a single issue.

Foundation Paper Piecing - Traditional House Block

  Pinterest is a great source of inspiration for me, and I came across a foundation pieced block that I wanted to sew up almost immediately.  I am a traditional quilter, and this block is one of the many that I love - along with the color blue.  After deciding how big I want this quilt to be (and deciding that I was going to chop off the top smokestack piece of the block) I made this:

Inspiration source:  '365 Foundation Quilt Blocks' by Linda Cause

Fabrics:  'Blueberry Crumb Cake' by Blackbird Designs for Moda Fabrics

11 Years

11 years.  I just realized that I have been in this 'business' (I put that in quotes because I feel as though I have not worked a day since I started - I love it that much) for 11 years.  2003 is when it all started, right after my son was born.  I started very small, with only a couple of bolts, a sales permit, and a hope that it will provide a little bit of money.  Fast forward 11 years, and here we are.

It has been truly a blessing and joy to be here, and I look forward to many more years here.  

Ravelry - A Must For Knitters And Crocheters!

What in the world did we do before Ravelry.  What is Ravelry, you ask?  If you are a knitter or crocheter like I am, you should take a peek at probably the biggest cache of patterns, yarn, inspiration, projects ever.  The best thing?  To join and look around it is free-and there are free patterns to download, too!  I periodically look there for new patterns, and today I found this one:  Charleston Tea by one of my very favorite designers for knitted cardigans, Thea Coleman.  I'm casting on for this one very soon.  I am currently working on Thea's design called Vodka Gimlet.  I'm just after the separation for the sleeves, and working on the body of the sweater.  Here's my progress:

I must warn you about Ravelry, it is addicting.  For me, I love to see other people's projects. 

What are you currently working on?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Snuggle Baby Blanket Tutorial

This blanket was so easy to make, I may just make a few more!  I used the Snuggle fabric in aqua by Moda for the front, and quilting cotton from the line "Prayer Flag" by April Cornell for Moda Fabrics.  The aquas matched perfectly to the Snuggle fabric.  Here's how you can make your own:

You will need the following materials:

• 1 yard of Snuggle fabric (you will only need one half of the yard cut lengthwise, so you can make a stuffed animal, pillow, or another blanket with the other half to match!)
• 1 1/2 yards of quilting cotton for the backing, binding, and heart (or whatever shape you like)
• Matching embroidery thread for the stitch detail in the heart (to cover up the stitches used to secure the heart to the fabric - completely optional)

To start, cut your 1 yard piece of Snuggle fabric in half lengthwise.  Set that aside for now.

Cut your binding strips from your quilting cotton (I cut mine 2 1/2 inches wide and I used about 4 strips for my blanket.) 

Take a piece of cardboard or template material and draw and cut out your heart template (It can be any size you like.)  Trace and cut your heart from the quilting cotton you chose for your backing.

For your Snuggle fabric, to round out your corners, a neat trick I learned is to take a coffee mug and trace your rounded edge with a crayon.

Position your heart in a corner - give it a good bit of room from the edge of your fabric.  Sew in place on the inside of the edge with a little bit more than a 1/4 inch seam.

Take your embroidery thread - I used DMC floss, all six strands - and hand straight stitch on top of the machine stitches to finish.

Sandwich your backing with the Snuggle front, bind and whipstitch the binding to the back, and you're done!

This project took me approximately 4 hours to make, and you can make your blanket as big or as small as you like.  Mine came out to be 31" wide by 36" long.  Have fun!

Summer On My Mind

I don't know what is going on with the weather here lately, but I have a feeling that summer is never going to arrive. It has been raining, and raining.....and raining for what seems like months here in Rhode Island. The good news is that I have started on a project (see side bar to the right.) With all of this rain, it is impossible to get outside with the kids, and as a result, sewing indoors has commenced once again! In the meantime, these daisies (my favorite) will cheer me up until the sun decides it wants to come out and play.

Share A Tip With Marcus Fabrics...win free fabric!!!

As I was surfing one of my favorite places to go (see left), I read about a special section of their website that I had to share with my readers (anytime there is free fabric involved, you will know about it!) If you share a tip with Marcus fabrics, you have a chance to win a free fabric bundle if they publish your tip. Now I know you all have tips out there to share~let's submit some and win some goodies!

Have a great weekend!
Christine

Moda's new playground...Fabricmatcher

Have you all tried Moda's newest creation? It's the Fabricmatcher website, and it is the neatest thing since sliced bread. This website allows you to create a one-of-a-kind quilt with Moda's newest fabrics and patterns from your favorite Moda designers. And the best part, it's FREE! And you can win prizes...from Moda! Here's what you do:

*Log onto http://www.unitednotions.com/, and go to the tab that says "Fun Stuff." Fabricmatcher is the first option on the list, click that.

*Register (remember it's all free). They will ask you a few simple questions, create a user ID and password, and you're in!

*Click on the picture with the cute lady sewing~she'll bring you where you need to start.

*Choose your favorite pattern designer, difficulty level, and size of your project you want to create. (I chose all patterns, simple construction, and throw size)

*After you've chosen your pattern (I chose Blossom by Fig Tree Quilts), click add to project~it will tell you how many fabrics you will need for the quilt.

*Here's the fun part~scroll down to the bottom of your project area and click "Find Fabrics." This is where you get to choose the fabrics for your project! You can pick a theme, designer, or collection. (I chose the collection "Louisa", a beautiful group coming to The Calico Cottage Quilt Shop in October!) Just pick a fabric and click "add to fabric box."

*When you are finished choosing your fabrics, click "Create Project" This will bring you to a screen where you can insert your fabric choices into the pattern.

*Voila! You have a quilt! Save it, print it with the fabric pattern numbers to go shopping with, and stitch it up! Submit it to Moda for the monthly contest, too (see Show and Tell for details)!

I had the best time creating my very own quilt~and you will, too! Make a comment and let us know how you liked it! To see my project, go to Show and Tell, Public Stashes, and click on calicogirl. Have fun creating!

Warm Regards,

Christine

New Free Patterns Page

Once again, we have added brand new content to our site! Check out the 'Free Pattern Links' page and click on your favorite manufacturers' sites for some great FREE patterns and projects!

Every kind of project imaginable is featured on these wonderful sites~take a look! Here are a few of the projects featured that might tickle your fancy.

**Don't forget, be patient with the downloads.

Some of them may take longer than usual, but they are well worth the wait!

Have fun! (I am so inspired now, and you will be, too!)
~Christine

Welcome!

Hello everyone!


My name is Christine, and I am the owner of The Calico Cottage Quilt Shop. I am thrilled to be able to post now and then to all of you. I am brand new to the blogging world (I have my favorites that I read on a daily basis~check them out when you have a chance!), however I have been in business online since 2004. Stay tuned for more inspiring content in the near future, and please do not hesitate to call or email me at the shop.



All the Best,
Christine