New Classes

We have a lot of fun classes coming up this spring and summer.  While we are putting the finishing touches on the newsletter I thought I would give you a preview of upcoming classes.

"Dessert Dance" by J Michelle Watts is a fun quilt that looks difficult but in reality is pretty simple.  The original pattern has a Southwest feel to it.  I used more pastel colors for a fun springtime quilt.

"Tuffets" are very popular now and a lot of fun to make.  This is another project that looks hard but once we show you how to put it together you will want to make more.  The make fun gifts also.

"Log Jam" by Kate Colleran is a fun quilt from a new book called "75 Fun Fat Quarter Quilts"  There are a couple of differant color ways of this quilt in the book.

These are just of few of the classes we ar offering this spring and summer.  New Classes start in May and run through August.

Sampler Shuffle Blocks

Happy Thanksgiving, I hope you have a safe and warm holiday weekend.  

It is time for more blocks for the "Sampler Shuffle.  I added a tutorial for "Easy Triangles. "  You can find them on the same page as the blocks. This will help you make half square triangles and corner triangles.

Here is an example of the corner triangles.  The method is the same as making Flying Geese just the angle of one of the squares is different.

The next series of blocks are pretty basic.  Make your half square triangles and easy corners then sew the square together. Block number 4 does not use any triangle squares.

What do you do with the fabric you cut off when making your flying geese and easy corners?  I have been keeping them, sewing them together as my beginning and enders.  What that means is I start my chain piecing with two of the left over triangle scraps and then end my chain with the same thing.  This way I so not have to cut my treat from the machine and I will end up with a lot of small half square triangles.  So far the measure 1 ¼ inches.  I don’t know what I am going to do with them but I did see a really cool quilt on display in Houston at “Quilt Festival” made only with half square triangles.

I am not sure I have it in me to make this but it was amazing to see on display.

Happy Quilting

Alison

Sampler Suffle Begins

Are you ready to start a new Sampler Block Shuffle?  The sample I have in the shop is made with two fabric collections:  "Canyon" and "Tucker Prairie."  The pattern is intended for you to use two Jelly Rolls or two Layer Cakes. You can also combine the two.

 Today I posted the first two blocks patterns.  For these blocks I used two other collectrions "Eliza's Indigo" by Betsy Chetchian and "Miniature Gatherings" by Primitive Gatherings.  I also posted the flying geese border pattern.

   After you make your blocks I suggest you make at least three flying geese from the same fabrics you just used.  That way you have most of the flying geese already made at the end. Other wise you will have to make 176 flying geese in order to finish the quilt.  You will need to make four flying geese from some of the fabric combos to get enough for the border.

Block One by Pat Sloan: You will be making eight Half Square Triangles  (HST) that finish at 1½ inches square.

MAKING HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES (HST)

First you will need (4) 2-½ inch light background and (4) 2-½ inch dark fabric. I like to use a quick quarter ruler.  You place the ruler on the diagonal of the squares, mark on both of the ruler.  The two lines are the sewing lines.  Cut in half to make two HST.  At this point the HST will measure 2 inches.

There are also other ways to make HST; Triangles Papers like “Thangles,” “Triangles on a Roll,” and “Star Singles” are a few that I like to use.  Thangles will work if you are using Jelly Rolls and the Star Singles will work if you are using Layer Cakes.  Pin the fabrics to the papers sew on all the dotted lines and cut on the solids lines.  Each of the Star Singles make 8 HFT.  Thangles make two HST for each square.

Follow the diagram in the pattern and sew the squares together.

The pattern uses two fabrics, but you can make the blocks with more fabrics.  If you like a scrappy look add more fabrics.  Here is an example of the block made with three fabrics.

Block Two is designed by Me and My Sister.  This is a basic block, follow the cutting instructions and sew the blocks in sections.

FLYING GEESE:

   After you make your blocks I suggest you make at least three flying geese from the same fabrics you just used.  That way you have most of the flying geese already made at the end. Other wise you will have to make 176 flying geese in order to finish the quilt.  You will need to make four flying geese from some of the fabric combos to get enough for the border. Feel free to mix and match the backgrounds you just used in your blocks

  The flying geese measure 1 1/2” x 3” finished.  You will need one dark fabric cut 2”x 6”

And (2) 2” squares of a light fabric.  Draw a diagonal line one the light squares.  Place one square on the dark rectangle sew on the line and press open.  Repeat on the other side.  Keep these in a safe place  once you have a good variety you can start to put them together.

Have Fun.

Moda Sampler Shuffle

Are your ready for a new Block of the week?  The patterns are all free for a limited time. "Moda Sampler Shuffle" is a two month sampler block series, with each block from a different Moda designer. New blocks will be added to the website every Thursday starting November 12th, 2015 and will end in November 2016.  Each week there will be 2 or three blocks available. Blocks will include trips and tricks to enhance your piecing skills. The blocks are a free download, courtesy of Moda, for a limited time.

There will be Thirty -6inch blocks plus setting instructions. Suggested fabric requirements are 2 Layer Cakes or 2 Jelly Rolls or one of each.  The can be from the  same collection or you and mix and match. For my shop sample I used two different fabric lines: "Canyon by Kate Spain and "Tucker Prairie" by One Canoe Two.  Additional fabric for the settings will be required.

I will be posting photos each week here, on Fabric Expressions facebook page, and Instagram. Feel free to post your blocks  each week on our facebool page (#modasmaplershuffle) or send us a picture and we will share it for you.

Look forward to seeing everyones blocks.

New Classes

Where does the time go?  The summer is almost over and the next newsletter is in the shop.  The newsletter is full of fun classes for the fall and winter.  I know this sounds crazy but I am already looking at the 2016 calendar.

Here are some of the samples of the classes.

                                           Stella
                                         

               

                                                      Mahalo

                                                   Tennesse Waltz

                                                Buttons and Thread

                                                   Plain Jane

Classes start in September.  You can get a copy of the newsletter on the website: www.fabricexpressions.com

Happy Quilting