Return to Ohio!

November 15, 20182 Comments

Dear Sandy,

I am just so sneaky! When you left Ohio in August after our whirlwind week of sewing, I secretly kept a vintage block leftover from your “Christmas in Ohio” table runner.

For anyone reading this, you can download Sandy’s amazing table runner pattern by clicking on this link: Christmas in Ohio Nov 2018

So, what was I suppose to do with one leftover vintage Ohio Star block? Well, I made a cute little mini quilt for you! It was suppose to be a surprise but I just couldn’t help myself and have to share it with everyone.

I hand quilted this block to try and keep that vintage vibe you like so much. It didn’t take me too long because it’s only 11 inches square. Here’s a close up preview for you.

I’ll be popping this in the mail for you today. I am thinking you might want to hang it in your office during the Christmas season. I hope you’re not too mad at me for sneaking a block from your stash! Please Return to Ohio so I can sneak more of your fabric into my stash!

Hugs to you and my adorable nephew (who has grown up way too fast)!

Love always, Cindy

P.S. If you would like to make an Ohio Star Mini Quilt, click on the link below to download the pattern:

Ohio Star Mini Quilt GBD 11 15 18

Gasp…my thread broke!

October 1, 20186 Comments

Cindy here, reporting in from New York. The big GRAY BARN is in view through a misty rain. Mom, dad and I are just relaxing and hoping the sun will shine sometime today. Good thing I brought a few quilting projects with me!

A few months ago, Sandy scored big at an antique store…10 antique red and white Ohio Star blocks. These unfinished blocks measure 11 x 11 inches square.

I like how the blocks were pieced by hand, very special!

Sandy and I have created three different projects from these 10 blocks. You’ll see our feature project and pattern soon…Sandy is putting the finishing touches on it as we speak!

Meanwhile, since the blocks were pieced by hand, I thought I would hand quilt one block. I found a spool of red quilting cotton and a spool of cream quilting cotton in my vast thread stash and started quilting.

GASP…my thread broke over and over again!

Okay, so it took me awhile to admit my thread was the problem. Once I realized this…quilting thread stash went into the trash!

Question for our readers:

What is your favorite brand of hand quilting thread?

There are so many different threads to choose from, I definitely need some advice!

Patriotic Vote…A FREE Pattern!

August 30, 20189 Comments

Hi! It’s Cindy hosting our blog today from the great State of Ohio!

Sandy and I are excited to offer another FREE pattern from our “Patriotic Quilt Series”.

It’s a cute mini wall hanging reminding everyone to be sure and vote during this (and future) election seasons.

VOTE_appeal_01

This mini is pieced using 1.5 inch squares and half square triangles. We added a few rectangles to outline the letters and then a few additional white strips to surround our red, white, blue and gold masterpiece. We used a black border to create a “picture frame” around the quilt.

If you have a small space in your hallway like I do, you’ll appreciate the size; it’s just 24 inches tall and 9 1/4 inches wide. What a great way to remind you and all your friends and family to vote on Election Day!

You can download the pattern by clicking on the link below:

Patriotic Vote 08 30 18

We’ll also be posting the pattern to FaveQuilts, one of our all time favorites quilting websites!

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend…maybe you’ll steal some time to sew a “Patriotic Vote” for yourself!

Patriotic Table Runner – Free Pattern!

May 24, 2018July 6, 20189 Comments

Memorial Day is just around the corner and that means July 4th is not far behind! I got a jump start on July 4th planning by designing this Patriotic Pinwheels Table Runner.

Patriotic_pinwheels_2

The fabric is from the Sweet Land of Liberty Collection designed by Thomas Wood and Deborah Edwards for Northcott Fabrics

I am attracted to fabrics with words and this word fabric…well…it practically jumped off the shelf and into my welcoming arms! Pinwheels are another favorite of mine, so why not combine my faves into a great July 4th table runner?

Patriotic_pinwheels_1

Below is a bird’s eye view of the finished table runner. If you are a beginning quilter, our step by step instructions will help guide you through the pinwheel making process.

Patriotic_pinwheels_3a

You can download the pattern by clicking on this link:

Patriotic Pinwheels GBD 07 06 18

We’ll be posting this pattern to the Fave Quilts website as well. There will be plenty of July 4th quilting inspiration on Fave Quilts so be sure to take a look!

I bought lots of extra Sweet Land of Liberty fabric so I’ll get back to work and make a few more table runners for Christmas gifts. Yes, it’s not too early to start thinking about such things!