Modern God’s Eye – A New Pattern

Sandy and I are excited to tell you about our latest project!  Last November we submitted several designs to FaveQuilts and Leisure Arts  for a book dedicated to quilted wall hangings.  We are thrilled that one of our designs was chosen for this book of eleven unique projects!
Book pic 1Currently, the book is available for purchase on the Leisure Arts Website and on Amazon.  In August, the book will be available in Joann Fabric and Craft Stores.

Last November, we were reminiscing about Girl Scout Camp and how we used to make God’s Eye crafts from sticks we found in the woods and scraps of yarn.  WHOA!  What if we designed a quilt around this concept???  THEN we decided to call it “Modern God’s Eye”.   Below is a picture from the book.
IMG_1915The book also highlights the quilting from Sharon Johnson of Purple Cow Long Arm Quilting.  Sharon lives here in Ohio and she does a great job, as you can see!
Sharon's quiltingThe fabrics we used are from Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Elements Collection.  These solid colors are perfect for this modern quilt design.  Speaking of design, Sandy and I are big fans of using EQ8 software from Electric Quilts.  It’s easy for us to share design ideas electronically with this program, especially since we live in different states!

Here’s a sneak peak at the back of the book.  We think you will find a project that works with your décor!
Back of book portrait

 

 

 

 

Sofa Siesta – A Free Quilt Pattern

Got scraps?  An extra jelly roll?  A fat quarter bundle just waiting to be used?  A layer cake languishing in your sewing room?  Look no further…we’ve got a pattern to help you use up some of these fabrics (so you can make room for more, of course!)

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The striped blocks in this pattern use 1 1/4 inch x 10 inch strips of fabric.  Perfect for those left over jelly roll strips or layer cake blocks you are not sure what to do with!

I designed this pattern while vowing to reduce my stash and make good use of some of the skinny scraps I had on hand.  If you prefer a more coordinated color scheme, choose a 40 piece jelly roll from a single fabric line to create your striped blocks.

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Sadie Sue, my Miniature Schnauzer, wanted to show you the green fabric I used for the back of the quilt.  It really shows off the quilting!

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This is the perfect quilt for beginners!  It provides a lot of straight line cutting practice as well as straight line sewing and chain piecing practice.

A Few Cutting and Sewing Tips

Because of all the cutting and sewing practice this pattern provides, Sandy and I want to share a few tips with you.

How to Avoid the “Ruler Slip Problem” When Cutting Fabric

Almost any quilter can tell stories of frustration (possibly tears) when a ruler has slipped right in the middle of cutting fabric.  Yikes!  This has happened to me more often that I care to admit.  One day I was organizing my kitchen cabinets and had a “light bulb moment”…if my dishes won’t slip in my cabinet because of my shelf liner…maybe my quilting ruler won’t slip either!

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I use a very small piece of non-slip shelf liner, roughly 1/2 inch x 2 inches and place it between my ruler and my fabric.  This small piece allows me to easily move my ruler around and place it in just the right location over my fabric.  Because the shelf liner is very thin, it does not raise my ruler too high above my fabric AND my ruler does not slip when cutting…hooray!  Problem solved!

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Give this tip a try and let us know what you think!

Use a “Leader” When Chain Piecing to Avoid “Bird Nests”

I always us little scraps of fabric for “leaders” when I am chain piecing.  I use them to avoid having my bobbin thread get all twisted up creating a “bird nest” of thread on the underside of my fabric.

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Garage Sales Are Great Places to Buy Sewing Room Accessories

I like to have a supply of leaders right next to my sewing machine.  I was using a disposable plastic sandwich container to store these little scraps (really classy!) when Sandy suggested I up my game and spring for something better.

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Since Sandy is a garage sale aficionado, she bought a pedestal bowl at a garage sale for $2.00 and gave it to me for “leader” storage.  Can we all say cuteness factor + 10???  It’s a practical AND charming way to always be ready for chain piecing!

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Free “Sofa Siesta” Pattern

We hope you like our newest pattern!  Be sure to send us pictures of your completed work, we always like to see how others use their stash for greatness!

You can download our free pattern by clicking on this link:  Sofa Siesta 05 02 18

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We’ll also be posting this pattern on FaveQuilts, a website that provides us with a lot of  quilting inspiration.  FaveQuilts has free e-books, videos/tutorials and an entire library of free quilt blocks and patterns.  FaveQuilts has a great e-newsletter, Piecing it Together, that Sandy and I subscribe to.  This newsletter is a great way to keep up to date on what is happening in the world of quilting.  If you’d like to give it a try, you can sign up here.

Thanks for stopping by Gray Barn Designs!

 

 

FaveQuilts Top 25 Design Blog For 2017

Last week, Sandy and I were so excited to hear we made the FaveQuilts Top 100 Quilt Pattern list.

Today we were even more excited to hear we made the FaveQuilts Top 25 list!

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This award is determined by reader’s response on the FaveQuilts website.  For 2017, our blog was one of the most popular design blogs featured.

Click HERE to read more about the FaveQuilts Top 25 Design Blog list.  With all the FREE quilt patterns posted, there is surely one that will spark your creative interest in 2018.

We are honored to be listed as a Top 25 Design Blog for FaveQuilts!  In just one word, we are…

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We Made It!

Sandy and I made the “Best of 2017” list on FaveQuilts!

Our Garden Gate Charm quilt made the Top 100 Free Quilt Pattern List that FaveQuilt readers fell in love with last year.  We were thrilled to hear so many readers loved this  pattern!

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You can download the pattern by clicking the link below:

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Now is a great time to start planning your quilt projects for 2018.  You are sure to find just the right FREE pattern on FaveQuilts.

Need a quick project for a last minute gift?  You are sure to find a free pattern on the FaveQuilts site.  Do you enjoy paper piecing?  They have lots of free patterns to choose from!  Are you an advanced quilter or maybe just a beginner?  Find inspiration at FaveQuilts.

But wait, there’s more!  FaveQuilts is constantly adding new patterns from many talented quilt designers.  Sign up for their free eNewsletter, Piecing It Together, to get free quilt patterns delivered directly to your inbox.

What’s in store from Gray Barn Designs in 2018?

More original quilt designs, of course!

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