Cabin Cushion - A New Pillow & Pattern Sale

I've been doing a little holiday sewing lately - including this new version of my Cabin Cushion pattern. 

Last week I was visiting a local quilt shop and found this little tree print - and I fell in love.  I knew I wanted to use the print as the focal point of this pillow.  

Last year's pillow used some fussy cutting, but this year I wanted it to just show off those little trees that I love so much!  I chose a few coordinating prints and I was on my way.  This pillow sews up quickly - I had this done in an afternoon.  

I love adding binding to my pillows - it creates a frame for the pillow and gives it a nice, finished look, don't you think?  

The Cabin Cushion pillow PDF pattern is in my shop, and is on sale for only $4 for the month of December.  Time to fill your sofa with some new holiday pillows!

Heart and Soul

Hello everyone!  Today I get to share a quilt that I just finished, using a new line of fabrics from Riley Blake Designs called Heart and Soul.  This line has a fun mix of my favorites - large florals, great geometrics, and text prints.  

Heart and Soul is designed by Deena Rutter.  I love the large floral prints in this line - especially that navy print!

The pattern I used for this quilt is called Cheerful - and it's the perfect pattern for showing off your favorite medium and large scale prints like these.    I made the twin size, which finishes at 66" x 82" and uses 10 fat quarters.   

You can see the rest of the Heart and Soul prints here on the Riley Blake website, as well as the storyboard for the line here.   There are a couple of really great panels included in this line too!  Heart and Soul fabrics are available in stores now.  

Since we're heading into winter, I wanted this quilt to be extra snuggly so I found this perfect gray polka dot flannel from Riley Blake at my local quilt shop.  Doesn't it look great with that geometric pinwheels print?  I love the weight that a flannel backing gives to a quilt.  I usually use Hobbs 100% cotton batting and just a single layer of batting plus the flannel backing is enough to make a nice, cozy quilt.  

You can find the Cheerful quilt pattern here in my shop (both paper and PDF patterns available), and find out more about Deena Rutter here on her blog.  She also has a website here called Seek Good Works - where you can find some of her art prints, jewelry, and other fun things!

Quilted Advent Calendar and Ornaments Pattern

Hi everyone - I wanted to let you know about a new addition to my shop.  Earlier this year I started selling my Quilted Advent Calendar pattern in my Etsy shop as a PDF file.  And just this week I added the instructions for making the cute little felt ornaments as well.  Both patterns are included in the one listing, and for one price.   

This Advent Calendar is made similar to a quilted wall hanging, except with pockets added on!  If you're nervous about doing the free motion quilting, you could skip the quilting and it would be fine. 

Each little felt ornament fits in its own pocket and then later hangs from a white button - you add one ornament each day in December and by Christmas Eve your tree is decorated!  

I made one of these advent calendars for my own family about seven years ago and we've loved it so much!  It reminds me of the advent calendar we used when I was growing up.  I remember arguing with my sisters over who's turn it was to put up that day's ornament.  My mom was such a good sport to put the calendar up each year even though it must have caused plenty of squabbles.  

Our tradition now, is that we put the star ornament up first on December 1st, and we save the Santa ornament to put up on Christmas Eve.  

You can find the Quilted Advent Calendar and Ornaments pattern here.  If you already have an advent calendar and just need the ornaments, you can find that pattern sold separately here.   And if you've previously purchased the Quilted Advent Calendar from me and need the pattern for the ornaments, send me an email (abrightcorner@gmail.com).

Happy crafting!

A Bow Tie Quit

I have an update to share with you today!  Almost two years ago I created this quilt from some yummy Liberty lawn fabric-

I love traditional quilt blocks and this quilt is made from the classic bow tie block.  Can you see it?

 I recently updated my original tutorial for this quilt by adding a printable PDF pattern for it.

I know that printable PDF patterns are so convenient - please use this one for personal use only.  If you're a quilt shop and would like to be able to include copies of this with a kit please contact me (abrightcorner@gmail.com).  Thank you!

I've been wanting to make an updated scrappy version of this quilt and this week I started with these two blocks.  

You can read my original blog post and tutorial for this quilt here - and see a few more photos as well.  And find the printable PDF pattern here.  

Happy sewing!

Patchwork Quilt Along Block Eleven!

We're on the second to the last month of the Patchwork Quilt Along with the Fat Quarter Shop!  This month's block pattern is called Spinning Tops - you can find the free block pattern here (scroll down to the bottom to see all of the block patterns).  

If you haven't joined in yet, don't worry - it's not too late!  The Fat Quarter Shop still has some kits available here.  And you can find all of the block patterns here.

Even if you just made one of each month's blocks, it would create a cute mini quilt!  I'm getting excited about starting to piece the quilt top.  I took a few minutes to add just a few of the blocks to my design wall yesterday.  They all look so great together - I wanted to keep going!    

The list of bloggers who are sewing along is below, and you can also join the Facebook group and see what quilters around the world are creating!  

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl (@jedicraftgirl)

Amy of Diary of a Quilter (@diaryofaquilter)

Andy of A Bright Corner (@abrightcorner)

*Bonnie of Cotton Way (@bonniecottonway)

*Camille of Thimble Blossoms (@thimbleblossoms)

Debbie of Happy Little Cottage (@happylittlecottage1)

Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)

Heidi of Buttons and Butterflies (@buttonsandbutterflies)

Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)

Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)

Pat Sloan of PatSloan.com (@quilterpatsloan)

Renee of Sewn with Grace (@sewnwithgrace)

Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)

Sherri of A Quilting Life (@aquiltinglife)

Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)

Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)

Carrie Nelson/Miss Rosie of Moda Cutting Table

Swap Talk - All About Quilt Block Swaps

Today I'm talking swaps!  I've been a part of many block swaps and exchanges and I've loved them all.  I recently finished this quilt - it's made from blocks sewn by quilters from around the country.  I love the scrappy look it has and I love knowing that many talented hands went into making it.  

So what is a swap?  It's a way for quilters to make and exchange quilt blocks with one another.  Usually the swap is set up in such a way that each quilter puts in a set number of blocks, all the blocks are put into a group or pool, shuffled and then a different set of blocks is sent back to each quilter.  Another option is for quilters to be assigned to one another to do a direct swap - for example my blocks would go to you, and your blocks come to me.  

Why should I join a swap?
Swaps are a great way to get a scrappy look!  For this low volume plus block swap, I made 20 blocks from the same few fabrics, but I received 20 blocks made from dozens of different prints - so fun!

Meet new people and make new friends.  Every swap I participate in  results in me gaining a new friend.  You get to swap with people from around the country - sometimes around the world!  I have a quilt from 2009 that has a couple of blocks in it from Jodi Nelson (a.k.a. Pleasant Home).  At the time I didn't know her, and now we're friends - even all these years later!  

How can I find a swap to join?  
Most of the time I hear about swaps in different local quilt groups and guilds that I visit.  I also hear about them online on Instagram and Facebook.  If you're looking for a swap, ask your local guild or quilt shop, and ask around online.  Or...you can start your own swap!  (see below for tips).  

This low volume plus swap that I joined was organized through instagram.  We could only use Bonnie and Camille fabrics and we all followed the same plus block pattern.  We could request to get certain color blocks back and I requested red, aqua and navy.  I'm really happy with how the finished quilt looks!

If you do join a swap...

• Start small - most swaps are set up so that you can send in as many blocks as you want, and you get back the same number you send in.  If it's your first swap, try signing up for just a small amount of blocks, maybe 5 or 10.  See how you like it!  
• Give what you'd like to receive.  Use your favorite prints, do your best work, follow the pattern, press your blocks, package them well for shipping/trading.  Think of this as the golden rule of quilting - give blocks unto others that you would want others to give to you.
• Don't procrastinate - Don't wait until the day before the deadline to start your blocks.  Trust me on this one.  You'll be stressed, and the whole experience will be a lot less enjoyable.  
• Participate in the group - if there's a way to communicate with the group (group text, Facebook group, IG hashtag) do so!  Encourage others, comment on their posts, share your progress.  This is where you get to know your fellow swappers and make friends.  

Thinking of organizing a swap?

• Start small - set up a swap with just a friend or two, or your local guild.  Consider putting a limit on how many people can join - it could grow to an unmanageable size quickly!
• Have a plan - Be clear with the rules (fabric choices, block pattern, finished block size, how many blocks does each person make?)  Decide ahead of time how the blocks will be swapped - will you all meet together to help swap?  Or will one person take care of the swapping and then hand out blocks next time you meet?  Make sure the pattern is readily accessible to all participants.  There are thousands of great block tutorials and free patterns out there! 
• Set a deadline- Set a deadline for people to sign up by, and a deadline for people to have their blocks finished.  If blocks need to be mailed, have a "ship by" deadline as well.
• Remember the details-  If you can clearly state all details up front, you'll spend less time answering emails and messages as the swap goes.
• Have fun! - Give people a way to share their process, either with a hashtag on instagram or a private facebook group.  Encourage members to share photos of fabric choices, blocks in progress, and definitely share the finished quilts - that's the fun part!  Having a way to share will also help to motivate all group members to keep working to meet the deadline.  When I see the great blocks others are creating, it makes me get my rear in gear and start sewing!

Some blocks that are great for swapping

• Signature blocks (siggy blocks) - tutorial here
• Low volume plus blocks - tutorial here or here
• Sampler blocks - everyone uses the same fabric line or the same designer but makes any block design they like that finishes at a set size (usually 12.5" square).  The Quilter's Cache has a great library of blocks and you can search by name or size.  See an example of a sampler swap quilt here  - gorgeous!
• Log cabin variations - tutorial here or here or here

Finished quilt details
block pattern here
67" x 78" (42 blocks)
quilted with Good Vibrations quilting design