It's very rare now that I make a quilt that isn't part of a quilt pattern release. But when my friend, Ashley, gave birth to - who I'm calling - my new best friend 3 weeks ago, I knew I had to drop everything and make them their first handmade quilt!
When I was thinking about what quilt pattern I wanted to use for the baby quilt, I couldn't stop coming back to my Weavers Cottage quilt pattern. While this quilt pattern only calls for four fat quarters, I wanted to make it extra scrappy by adding a few extra fat quarters into the mix. I actually asked for some help from Peony Pedal Quilts to get the right mix of fabrics perfected. I showed her my inspiration photo and she put together the fabrics I used in the quilt.
I think my favorite part about this quilt is the sashing details between each block. In the Weavers Cottage quilt pattern, I have it written so that the sashing details are all the same color. But in the spirit of scrappiness, I decided these details needed to be part of the fun too. I LOVE how it looks and might be making all my future Weavers Cottage quilts like this too.
I finished this baby quilt version of Weavers Cottage off with some Mammoth Flannel fabric by Robert Kaufman on the back to make it extra snuggly. If you've never used a flannel on the back of your quilt - I'm here to tell you that it will change your life and you'll never want to back your quilt with anything else ever again. It's seriously so good!
I went with some classic straight-line quilting to keep the drape of the quilt feeling good and added some gray gingham fabric as the binding. I'm so happy with how this turned out. And if my 3-week-old best friend wasn't so dang cute, I might have kept this quilt for myself!
One way to achieve a unique and scrappy look for the Mountain Valley Quilt Pattern is by using fat quarters instead of yardage. In this blog post, I’m going to guide you through how I made my scrappy Mountain Valley, including some FQ cutting diagrams to help. (You will, however, need the original quilt pattern to get the cutting sizes and assembly instructions). Let’s get started!
Before we dive into the scrappy goodness, let's quickly talk about fat quarters. For those who aren't familiar, a fat quarter is a pre-cut piece of fabric that measures approximately 18 x 22 inches. I really like working with curated FQ bundles, because they provide a variety of prints and patterns all while staying coordinated. Curated FQ bundles are sold in almost every quilt fabric store. Since these bundles are made uniquely by each shop, make sure to pay attention to the number of FQs included in each bundle before you buy.
Once you have your FQs selected, it's time to start cutting them into the necessary units for the Mountain Valley pattern. The great thing about using FQs is that you can get multiple pieces from each one, allowing for even more scrappy goodness.
I’ve included four different ways to cut up a FQ showing how you can get the various pieces from one FQ. That being said, I worked one block at a time, selecting six fabrics for a single block and cutting them into the necessary units. I did not cut everything at the beginning and then mix and match (my usual method of scrappy quilting).
Doing it this way was a lesson in slowing down. It definitely took me longer to get all of the blocks put together. But I also think it allowed me to make sure I had as much variety within the blocks as possible.
If you are making the throw size, you’ll need 18 sets of the A - F units. I used a FQ bundle of the full Winterglow fabric collection by Ruby Star Society, which includes 31 fabrics. I used some from each print, and had plenty left over. I’d aim for at least 24 FQs, but you can always use more if you have them! If you are working with a smaller fabric collection, adding coordinating solids is a good way to increase the number of FQs you have!
So, the next time you're feeling adventurous, grab some fat quarters and give the Mountain Valley pattern a scrappy twist. Happy quilting!
I had the pleasure of making a quilt for an Art Gallery Fabrics lookbook using my Hurrication quilt! The lookbook that this quilt was made for is the True Blue collection designed by Maureen Cracknell. Maureen is a designer from Pennsylvania who started out by sharing simple projects on her own blog. She has since worked with several fabric manufacturers designing fabrics. You can also find her sharing projects over on Janome's website too!
The True Blue fabric collection has a range of quilting cottons, rayons, canvas, and flannels in various shades of blues. This fabric collection was designed to 'evoke a balance of cheerfulness with tranquility and calm.' From light and bright to bold and saturated, this fabric collection is a true blue-lover's dream to work with!
I chose to make a Hurrication quilt with this fabric collection because it reminded me so much of the Hurrication cover quilt! (If you'd like to read about it, you can do so here.) Unlike the cover quilt, I went with the scrappy throw size version using 10 half yards. I have previously made a scrappy Hurrication quilt that focused on creating an ombre effect of the fabrics in the design. But with my True Blue quilt, I played around with mixing and matching my fabric combinations to make it look as scrappy as possible!
To finish this quilt off, I used an Art Gallery Fabrics-approved coordinating print from the Deco Stitch Elements line in the color Denim. I love the subtle texture this low volume print adds to the back of my quilt without competing for attention with the front. The binding on this quilt is a print from the same True Blue fabric collection. I loved the vintage feel of the floral print in the Wild Garden Breeze and couldn't resist adding a little bit more of it in my quilt.
I am so happy with how this quilt turned out! Since the pattern is inspired by our hurricane experience while living in coastal Georgia, having an all-blue quilt seems only fitting. I'm so happy I was able to create another one with Maureen's beautiful fabrics.
If you'd like to grab a copy of Hurrication, you can do so by using the buttons below. I truly appreciate your support and hope you enjoy the pattern as much as I do!
I recently cut a mountain of fabric scraps into usable sizes (if you haven't read it yet, take a look here) and I was itching to use them! I also wanted a quick project to jump start my sewing mojo after taking most of December off of quilting. Quilted coasters seemed like the perfect project!
1. Place your fabric square right side up on top of your batting. I aim for the middle - it's okay to eyeball it here.
2. Place your first fabric strip RST on the square and sew directly onto the batting.
3. Fold the strip back and press. I like using a seam roller here for quick pressing like this.
4. Place the next strip down RST and repeat. I like to snip off any excess fabric during these steps.
5. Keep adding fabric strips until the batting is completely covered.
6. Place your backing fabric RST on the top side of the coaster.
7. Sew a ¼” seam around the perimeter making sure to leave about a 2” hole.
8. Turn the coaster right sides out. You can use a stiletto or chopstick to push the corners out so they are pointy.
9. Top stitch an ⅛” from the edge making sure to fold the seam fabric in the hole under and sew into place.
10. Give it a good press and enjoy!
I hope you give these a try! It is a quick and fun way to use up your fabric scraps AND leftover batting! Win win! If you do try these out, share them on Instagram and tag @runningstitchquilts so I can see.
If you want to see some more glamour shots of these scrappy coasters, keep scrolling. :)
I love this scrappy Hurrication quilt so much!
The fabric I used for this quilt came from Kristin Quinn Creative. Kristin made a quilt with a similar bundle for Modernly Morgan, and I fell in love with it. I reached out to her and asked her if she could expand the bundle to 20 prints for me and this is what she came up with!
Choosing the layout of this scrappy quilt was a process of mixing and matching until the layout was just right. I wanted to make sure the colors within the quilt flowed nicely from one another. I actually have a blog about planning this ombre layout that you can read all about here!
I decided to use Floral Elements by AGF in Antique Rose for my backing fabric. I figured that since the front has so many colors and patterns going on, the backing should be calm and pretty neutral for the quilt. I think it pairs nicely with the scrappy Hurrication top!
I decide to quilt this scrappy ombre Hurrication quilt myself on my domestic sewing machine. I chose straight-line quilting approximately 1" apart. If you need a trusty, quick quilting design, you can't go wrong with straight-line quilting!
The scrappy binding is hands down my favorite part of this quilt! I think everyone should have at least one scrappy bound quilt under their quilting belt. It adds so much fun and flair to the quilt - especially if you choose to add it to a simple solids only quilt!
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Want a cute Hurrication sticker? You can get yourself one here! |
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Scroll for more pretty pictures of the Scrappy Ombre Hurrication Quilt!
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PATTERN HERE!
The Scrappy Valley Quilt pattern came from my desire to actually use my fabric scraps. As long as I've been quilting, I've cut my scraps into commonly used sizes and stored them sorted by color in small plastic bins. (Read more about my scrap storage method here!)
After about 6 or 7 years of this, my scrap bins started to get hard to close. I started to realize that at some point I would need to start using the scraps I'd been saving. I set out to put together a block that used the already precut sizes I've been collecting. I wanted to use as many different sizes as I could.
Scrappy Valley was named after one of my most popular patterns, Mountain Valley, because the blocks follow the same layout. The pattern works best when the same color group is used for each section of the block, but the free pattern include yardage if you prefer to make it that way!
Meet Square Burst 2.0!
It is exactly the same pattern as the original Square Burst just brighter and happier. Don't get me wrong, thought the fabric in the original quilt was cute, but I love this brighter one just a tad more. It feels more ME!
Coming up with 21 Kona solids was a bit of a challenge, but it ended up being fun. I started with my current favorite colors (Windsor and Foxglove) and started adding from there. When I had 21, I would start swapping out one or two until I was happy with the final result.
In the end, the final 21 Kona colors were: Evening, Dusty Blue, Blueberry, Blue Bell, Windsor, Sage, Aloe, Berry, Plum, Mulberry, Amethyst, Lupine, Princess, Lilac, Dusty Peach, Blush Pink, Deep Rose, Rose, Ballet Slipper, Sea Glass, and Carribean.
I sent this off to my favorite long armer, Jill, to work her magic. She chose the Birds of a Feather panto, and its just lovely! I really enjoy sending her my quilt tops and letting her choose the quilting design. Its always a fun surprise to open my quilt back up when it gets home and see the result. Jill hasn't steered me wrong yet!
For the binding, I went with the striped fabric that is in the Minimalist version. Striped binding is my favorite and I will always choose that if its an option!
Now for pictures!
If you want to read about the rest of the Square Burst 2.0 series, you can do that here!
The Cornerstone Square Burst quilt is the second quilt in Square Burst 2.0 series!
Fun fact, when I was coming up with the quilt design, this was the original coloring placement I was going to go with. When I design patterns, I like having a feature/accent fabric that is the same across all blocks that helps tie them together. The super scrappy variation came from a desire to have a fat quarter friendly option!
This quilt uses the same 21 Kona colors as the super scrappy variation with the addition of Essex linen in Chambray. I really liked how the texture of the chambray was a nice offset to the combination of colors. It looked like it belonged in the group without being overly matchy-matchy.
I quilted this one myself with a wavy stitch that is about 2.5" apart. In hindsight, I should've added another row of stitches in between, but that's okay! The less dense quilting makes the quilt soft and squishy. The drape is lovely and I think it will crinkle nicely when washed!
I used a gorgeous print by Rahsida Coleman-Hale for the backing from her Akoma line for Cotton + Steel. It is a beautiful teal color with pinkish/purple florals that compliments the front perfectly.
For the binding, I used Kona in Lilac that I had leftover from the backing of my cover quilt. (#thriftyquilting).
If you want to read about the rest of the Square Burst 2.0 series, you can do that here!
While I loved the original Square Burst quilt, remaking the cover quilt has been on my To Do list ever since I made it. I wanted a brighter, more colorful quilt on the cover.
Not only did I remake the cover quilt, I also made other variations of the pattern with similar fabrics. Seeing these three quilts together brings me so much joy!
When I added the new cover quilt to the pattern, I also updated the layout inside. The cornerstones and minimalist variations used to be a bonus page, but now they are written into the pattern itself.
If you want to buy the updated version, you can do that here (paper or PDF). However, if you want to save a few dollars, you can buy the old pattern here (paper version). It is exactly the same information, it just looks different!
Snowflakes in July was the second quilt pattern I ever published way back in 2018. Whenever I come across it, I am always struck by how much I love it.
I mentioned this in the original blog post, but this was one of those patterns that jumped into my head fully formed. All I had to do was put it on paper and do some math. After I finished the solids version, I knew I wanted to make a fat quarter friendly scrappy version.
I made that quilt, but then I never shared it outside of a handful of pictures on Instagram. This particular quilt lives with my mother in law, but she was kind enough to bring it over for a few hours so I could snap some new photos for a blog post. ;)
I wish I could remember what specific fabrics I used. I know I got a fat quarter bundle from Connecting Threads, but I didn't keep very good track of that kind of thing back then unfortunately.
Anyway, enjoy these some fun Quilty photos of my Scrappy Snowflakes in July.
I love a good striped binding!
I quilted this one with a zig zag stitch horizontally across the quilt about 1" apart.
Introducing Square Burst!
My latest pattern is now available! I have been so, so excited about this one.
At the beginning of the year, I worked with a fabric designer to create a new quilt pattern for her new line of fabric (Curiosity by Sandra Clemons for Michael Miller Fabrics). This pattern had been sitting in my queue as next in line, so I was thrilled that she wanted to use it for her new fabric collection!
Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures of the original Square Burst quilt. I was working on a pretty tight timeline to get the finished quilt to her for lookbook photography, and I only snapped the cover photo before mailing it off. I wish I had had more time to take better photos because the fabric is adorable and this one picture really doesn't do it justice. [Update 8/23/2020: I took tons of pictures of this one and added them to the end of the post!]
Interestingly, this super scrappy version of the pattern wasn't the original idea I had designed. The fabric designer liked the scrappier mock up better, so that's the one I ultimately made. But I still couldn't get my first idea out of my head.
After the quilt was made and the pattern was written, I did some extra math and included a bonus page of TWO additional design variations: cornerstones (my original vision for this pattern) and minimalist (because who can resist a 2 color option!)
Each of the three design options can be made in baby, throw, or bed size. Because this a block based pattern, you can easily make a larger or smaller quilt by chaining the number of total block you make. Instructions are included for figuring out how many FQs you need based on the number of blocks you want to make. This pattern is so versatile. I just love it so much.
If you remember this post from a long time ago, I shared lots of pictures from the first few weeks of the Sienna Burst QAL I was participating in. Well, the QAL ended weeeeeeks ago (months?), but I never finished my quilt. I was keeping up with the quilt-a-long schedule until the last week. I can't remember what came up, but I put my Sienna Burst blocks on the back burner while I worked on something else. And you know how it goes... the next thing, and the next thing, and the next thing kept coming up and I never finished my Sienna Burst quilt.
Publishing Snowflakes in July and Summer Garden this summer cleared a lot of the projects off my plate, so I was able to get Sienna Burst off the shelf and work on it again. Typically, I like to use my weekends for personal project quilting, and I do my "work quilting" during the week. I have to schedule my personal projects because I would just work all the time if I didn't.
I FINALLY finished my quilt top, and I LOVE it. I'm working on improving my quilt photos, so I took a bunch to share with you!
This is my favorite block :)
Isn't it beautiful?!
Next up, basting and quilting. That's on the agenda for this upcoming weekend.
:)
