Mariposas- a new Butterfly quilt pattern

Today is a big day in these parts! New pattern, new bundles, and kits too! So exciting. 

The pattern is called Mariposas (butterflies in Spanish) and it's a fast and easy sew, made with fat quarters and a bit of yardage. The pattern has instructions for a straight-grid setting of the blocks, but you'll find instructions for off-set blocks in an upcoming blog post. I have kits for everything except the backing!

These two fabrics aren't a part of the kit, I just had to make a pillow so I could embroider the antennae! So cute!

I didn't originally plan on releasing a pattern with this bundle, but when I was trying to think of patterns that would complement these large-scale, gorgeous fabrics, I thought butterfly wings would be just the ticket. I'm grateful for testers who helped me get this one ship shape for you. 

If you don't plan on making the butterfly quilt, I also have fat quarter and half yard bundles of just the beautiful, silky, floral Art Gallery prints. I love the vibrant colors and bold florals. They would be great for a Swoon quilt, or a High Tide Remix!

If you'll indulge me in a few personal stories today, I'll tell you why I named this one "Siena Spring". 

When I was 12 or so my parents gave me a calendar for Christmas that was full of photos of Italy. Little did they know this would start a life-long obsession in my young heart. As soon as I got to college I enrolled in Italian classes and after 2 years I had the remarkable opportunity to go on a study abroad trip based in Siena, Italy. Located right in the middle of the country, Siena is one of the best preserved Medieval cities in Italy. I took language, history, and cooking classes at a small local university and worked (for free) as a waitress in an adorable family restaurant. The dad cooked, the mom managed, and the son was the main waiter. The town is as precious and charming as they come. What a dream!

Via: Alamy Stock Photo

The big church in Siena has pillars inside that are black and white striped, just like the binding on the Mariposa quilt. This is where I fell in love with red geraniums that are the specific shade of orangey-red in these fabric bundles too. On the weekends we'd travel to other cities and tour around. Probably my favorite part of the entire experience was the cooking class where we'd make 3 course meals from scratch and eat them all together in a room with an adjoining rooftop terrace, as the swallows swooped in and out of the sunset. You can't make this stuff up you guys, I get teary eyed when I talk about it out loud. I love that place!

Gelato!

Quilting by Emilee Hathaway of Paisley, Prints, and Polka Dots

Alright back to the matter at hand. I absolutely adore the luxurious black minky that I used to back my quilt, but I did find some other backing suggestions that I really like for this quilt too. It was a hard choice! The kids always want minky though :) My local quilt shop Cali Quilt Co. specializes in minky, they must have every imaginable color and texture! That's where I got this simple black one. Here are some more great options. 

Spotted Butterflies in Black 

Old Made Wallflower in White would be a wonderful choice. You also couldn't go wrong with classic black Swiss Dots. If you can wait until October, this upcoming Ruby Star would be an amazing option:

I'll be back in a few days with instructions for this off-set layout of blocks. See you soon!

Bright Rainbow Party!

Why hello! You've come on a great day!

I'm thrilled to have a new bundle ready- the original 14 color bright rainbow that I made a few years ago. There are kits and bundles in the shop today, and a new free pattern!

First up we've got the regular half yards, from which you can make 3 baby quilts or two throws if you're using your own sashing. If you need cute sashing with your solids, I've got kits for that. 

I'm most excited to have a new free rainbow pattern, this time a throw size without sashing. Now there's a pattern for every combo/size imaginable :)

Bright Rainbow Quilt Pattern

There's also a limited number of add-on binding fabric in the same teal Swiss Dot. Sometimes I love to match the sashing and binding on these quilts. 

Thanks for stopping by today, hope you have a great week!

Tasha Noel Quilt Fair Pillows

You all know how much I love Tasha Noel fabric! It was my first fabric love. I was so thrilled when the Quilt Fair line was announced- it has some of my favorite colors, and the prints are so sweet and whimsical. 

I chose to make 2 pillows with my bundle. I used the star cheater print to make this first pillow. I quilted a 1" grid on my Juki and then added hand quilting along the already-provided stitch lines! That was nice. A great way to start hand quilting if you're unsure about your stitch length/shape. 

For the other pillow, I used Red Pepper Quilts Economy Square tutorial. The main print in the line is so perfect for fussy cutting the centers. I followed my tried and true zipper method to finish them off. You'll never have a smashed, sad pillow with this method! I also have a video step-by-step of this on IG highlights, and there are detailed instructions and diagrams in my book, which is on mega sale on Amazon- Welcome to Woodberry Way. Lots of ways to learn this zipper stuff!

May has lots of fun new things in store- bright rainbows and a new butterfly pattern! See you soon.

Rainbow Quilt Kits

I know I said I wouldn't be back before Christmas- never listen to me! I finally have the rainbow bundles ready to go. Here's what we've got-

Pastel Rainbow Kit which comes with Mint Swiss Dot for the stripes!

Pastel Rainbow FQ Bundle

Bright Rainbow Kit which comes with Teal Swiss Dots for the stripes!

Bright Rainbow FQ Bundle

There are also binding listings if you want to add that in. 

If you get the kit, you can follow my twin size rainbow quilt tutorial. I'm also going to share a different one today down below! If you're new here you can revisit the other tutorials as well-

Crib size with 14 colors (2 ways!)

Twin size with 14 colors

If you're doing the big quilt tutorial, I recommend a wide backing rather than dealing with 7+ complicated yards of fabric. If you trim to 78" you need 2 1/2 yds of wideback, you'll need a little more if you keep your quilt wider towards a queen. Here are a few options that I really like. 

Ombre Confetti Pink

Ombre Confetti Blue

Ruby Star

Daydream

Newsprint (I used this on my muted rainbow backing)

Inspirational Text

I used a really cute white and aqua floral Bonnie and Camille wideback for mine, but I can't find that anywhere anymore unfortunately. Depending which version I decide to make next, I'd love to use the obmbre confetti!

This is such a great quilt for showcasing some fancy shmancy quilting. I went all out on the floral motif here, what fun!

Alright. The only iteration of the rainbow kits/tutorials I don't have yet is a baby size using the 9-color rainbows. So let's do it! There are a lot of rainbow babies out there, I know several myself, and I think the world could use a lot more of these rainbow baby quilts.

If you buy today's kit and want to make baby quilts instead of the twin size, you can make THREE crib sized quilts from the solids. There are enough of the dots to make 3 quilt tops, and have binding for one quilt! 

It's super simple:

Instructions for 42" x 60" Crib Quilt

Cut each half yard into (3) 6" x WOF strips. Split them up into one of each color for three quilt tops.

For one quilt, cut (8) 1.5" x WOF strips of white (or dotted white). 

Sew the white strips in between the colors and press toward the colors. 

Trim the sides and quilt as desired, that's it! If it's easier for you, you can cut all the strips to exactly 42" and then sew them all together, that way you don't have to worry about squaring it up correctly in the end. 

I really like using the same white that I used for the stripes as the binding. You can see how I did that on this one (and used the backing I told you about above). You would think it would be a terrible idea to use such a light binding and it would get really dirty, but I've done it a few times now and they've held up great!

For the record, I will be carrying the muted rainbow kit sometime in the first half of next year. 

A few notes in case you missed my IG stories about these kits-

The pastels, as well as the brights, are different than the ones shown in the photos of quilts I've made. This is because many of the colors have been discontinued and those exact rainbows are no longer available. I do not feel like the new ones are any less wonderful, in fact I like the pastel one even a bit more! I will eventually stock a 14-color bright rainbow again too. 

The pastel kits were previously Riley Blake Confetti Cottons, which I LOVE for their softness and feel. However, I've found that RB solids sometimes have a different sheen on the front than the back, making the color appear different, making it tricky to remember what side you should have facing forward! Plus, two of the original colors are no longer made, so to keep it simple and have more color options, I switched to Kona. Same with the brights, which were previously a mixture of several different manufacturers, none of which I have a wholesale account with, yet :)

All in all, I'm thrilled with the kits offered here today and don't feel like I've sacrificed anything with these changes. 

LAST THING-

Since (hopefully) most of these solids won't be discontinued in the near future, I will be able to offer these kits again, unlike the print bundles I've been doing. So if it sells out and you really wanted one, never fear! It will come around again. 

Thank you for stopping by today, and I hope you enjoy all these fun, simple rainbow projects! I plan to do a sew along in the new year- still deciding which version I want to make! See you then.

Merry and Bright- curated bundle for sale

Hello again and Merry December! 

I'm back with another bundle today, this time with a very subtle Christmas vibe- although you could really use it for anything! I've got FQ bundles and and couple of half yard bundles in my shop. 

I was so excited to do Tasha Noel bundles this month, but then we got the sad news that it's going to ship several weeks late. So, I thought I'd put together something versatile and fun. These are mostly Lori Holt prints from many of her different lines, with one or two extras thrown in. And all in some of my very favorite colors!

I'll tell you what I'd make with this bundle :) First of all, Scrappy Trip! You could totally mimic the look of this one I started a few years ago:

I actually think I'd like a Scrappy Trip in this new bundle even better, to be honest with you!

(Rug pattern can be found in my book Welcome to Woodberry Way)

It would also work well for Star Kisses, First Snow, or......I'm always going to say it- Swoon!

Image via Thimble Blossoms

I also think it would be fantastic in one of Pen and Paper Patterns' mod Christmas patterns like Mod Triangles or Holly Jolly. It actually has some of the same prints as the Mod Triangles quilt I made a few years ago (which had very controversial Christmas colors, ha!)

I think it also goes without saying that you could make any one of the hundreds of amazing patterns by Lori Holt herself, starting with the amazing Vintage Christmas book!

I hope you guys have fun with this bundle, can't wait to see what people make! I'm still waiting on some lost packages so I can complete my solid rainbow kits, and then after that hopefully Tasha's long-awaited Quilt Market will finally be here! 

Lastly, I just wanted to share that today marks 28 years since I was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- a day I will always be grateful for! And, my cutie niece Eliana just so happens to be getting baptized today, so that makes it extra special. To celebrate I watched this year's Christmas concert, and it was marvelous.

I have no plans of blogging for the rest of the month, so Merry Christmas to each of you and I hope your holidays are peaceful and delightful, and I hope you get to sew!

Free Patterns and DIY Christmas Gift Projects

I thought I would dig way back in the archives today and show you some free patterns you may not know about that would work great for Christmas gifts! I love making all of these things, and have done so many, many times!

I'm going to start with the easiest/fastest and work up from there. 

Key Fobs are so fast to make, fun to give, and absolutely addicting. Don't say I didn't warn you! 

This dog collar tutorial has been really popular on Pinterest this year! I don't have a doggie anymore, I wish I had one to make cute collars for. 

CUTE PILLOWS are one of my favorite things in life. They make a fast gift, and something pretty to squeeze and remember your love! I have so many different tutorials, starting with:

How to put a zipper on a pillow

Rainbow Pillow Tutorial

Prairie Point Bunting Pillow

Quilted Braid Pillow

Crochet Trim Pillow

Granny Square Pillow

If there's a baby in your life and you're up for an easy quilt, one- hour baby top is a cinch! 

This rainbow one is a generous twin size and you could finish the top in under 2 hours! I actually have kits coming for this very, very soon- in pastel and bright!

Rainbow Quilt

There are other sizes and combos too. This one is a crib/small throw size rainbow quilt. 

I'm excited to offer my own rainbow bundles very soon! Stay tuned!

I'm also excited to make sooo many Key Fobs when we get back from our trip. The kids are off track in December and we are going to bake and decorate and give key fobs to everyone we know! And probably also argue and get annoyed with each other sometimes, you know :) All the normal stuff!

See you on the other side of our Bolivia trip, and please do pray for us. 

Jane's Ladder and Arabesque

Today I thought I'd revisit two patterns that I've designed for the Moda Bake Shop in the past- Jane's Ladder and Arabesque. These are free patterns that feature precuts. I recently shared them on IG and had lots of questions so I figured I'd clarify. First up- Jane's Ladder! 

I called the pattern "Jane's Ladder" as it's a variation of the traditional Jacob's Ladder quilt block, but I inverted the colors in block B and alternated them for a fun diagonal design. The happy news for all of you is that even though this was made several years ago and this darling fabric line is long gone, Lella Boutique has a very similar one coming out soon. You can use Love Notes Charm Packs for the smaller size, or a Love Notes Layer Cake for a throw! 

I'm so happy she did these colors again and plan on making the big size when the fabric is out, since I sold this little crib quilt. I love that this fabric line is dedicated to her grandmother Marguerite, and one of my grandmas is Marquitta :) Actually, the one who lived on Woodberry Way! It's also my middle name. 

Image via LellaBoutique.com

IMPORTANT NOTE about links to fabric. When I link things from Etsy, they very often sell out as many shops only carry a few of any particular precut. Just use the name of the fabric line and search in the Etsy search bar, and almost always you will find another shop who carries it. Don't panic!

Crib Size (48" x 56")

2 Charm Packs (Love Notes Charm Pack)
2 Charm Packs background fabric (Moda Bella White)
3 yards backing fabric (pick your favorite!)
1/2 yards binding fabric

Throw Size (64" x 80")

1 Layer Cake print fabric (Love Notes Layer Cake)
1 Layer Cake background fabric (Moda Bella White)
5 yards backing fabric (so many good ones!)
5/8 yards binding fabric

Crib Size (48” x 56”)

Step 1: Using 1 print Charm Pack, and 1 background Charm Pack, create HSTs. Place 1 print square RST with 1 background square. Mark a line diagonally on the back side, and sew a scant 1/4” away from the line on each side. Cut along the line and press open. Trim to 4.5”. Make 84 HSTs, 2 from each of the 42 prints.

Step 2: Using 1 print Charm Pack and 1 background Charm Pack, create four-patches. Place 1 print square RST with 1 background square. Sew along two opposite edges of the squares with a 1/4” seam. Then cut the piece in half both directions (at the 2.5” mark). Press all pieces toward the print, and sew together with an alternating piece, creating a 4.5” 4-patch. Press center seam open, or whichever direction you'd like, it won’t matter here. Make 84 four-patches, 2 from each of the 42 prints.

NOTE: If you are particular about directional prints, as I usually am, you will need to decide beforehand which of your prints are going to be “A” blocks, and which are going to be “B”, as the four-patches will be oriented in opposite directions.For the HSTs, make sure you're sewing an upward line from left to right. I laid my HSTs out on the design board first in my desired color arrangement, and then when I got to a print that was directional (usually very few of them), I looked at that print on the design board to determine which way the four-patch needed to be oriented before sewing them together. If directional prints cause you no distress, carry on and disregard this portion!

Step 3: Match all the HSTs and four-patches together with their corresponding prints. Each block will need 2 HSTs and 2 four patches, all of the same print.

Divide the prints in half and make 21 “A” blocks and 21 “B” blocks as shown below. The HSTs and four patches are oriented oppositely for A and B blocks. For each block, first sew the top and bottom portions together, and press in direction of the arrows. Then sew the two rows together, and press the center seam in the direction of those arrows. Following the arrows will ensure nicely nesting seams and matching points.

Block A-

Block B-

Step 4: Sew the A blocks and B blocks alternately in a 6 by 7 grid. Press rows alternating directions.

Row 1- A, B, A, B, A, B

Row 2- B, A, B, A, B, A

Row 3- A, B, A, B, A, B

Etc., for 7 rows. Press rows and voila! You have a beautiful, fast, easy quilt top. Back, baste, quilt and bind as desired.

Full disclosure statement! Often when using precuts, such as in this case, I find there are a couple of prints that are so low volume, they won't really show up at all against the background fabric. When this happens, a few of the blocks look "blank" when looking at the quilt as a whole. Some people like the variation, it's a matter of personal preference. Since I don't like it, I set them aside in my LV collection and substitute them with something else a little darker. In this case I took out 5 of the lightest whites and replaced them with coordinating colors and prints. Some are from other Lella Boutique lines and some are blenders or basics from other designers. If you noticed the imposter prints, you have a very keen eye!

I quilted mine with a wavy zig zag on my Husqvarna Opal 650 (stitch 2/5) and a walking foot.

Throw Size Directions (64” x 80”)-

Cut Layer Cakes into (4) 5" squares each.

Step 1: Using 2 print 5" squares, and 2 background 5" squares, create HSTs. Place 1 print square RST with 1 background square. Mark a line diagonally on the back side, and sew a scant 1/4” away from the line on each side. Cut along the line and press open. Trim to 4.5”. Make 160 HSTs, 4 from each of the 40 prints. (You will be omitting 2 prints from the quilt.)

Step 2: Using 2 print 5" squares, and 2 background 5" squares, create four-patches. Place 1 print square RST with 1 background square. Sew along two opposite edges of the squares with a 1/4” seam. Then cut the piece in half both directions (at the 2.5” mark). Press all pieces toward the print, and sew together with an alternating piece, creating a 4.5” 4-patch. Press center seam open, or whichever direction you'd like, it won’t matter here. Make 160 four-patches, 4 from each of the 40 prints.

Step 3: Match all the HSTs and four-patches together with their corresponding prints. Each block will need 2 HSTs and 2 four patches, all of the same print. For this size, you will be able to make 2 blocks from each print.

Divide the prints in half and make 40 “A” blocks and 40 “B” blocks as shown below. The HSTs and four patches are oriented oppositely for A and B blocks. For each block, first sew the top and bottom portions together, and press in direction of the arrows. Then sew the two rows together, and press the center seam in the direction of those arrows. Following the arrows will ensure nicely nesting seams and matching points.

Follow the block assembly instructions above, included in the crib size portion. 

Step 4: Sew the A block and B blocks alternately in an 8 by 10 grid. Press rows alternating directions.

Row 1- A, B, A, B, A, B, A, B

Row 2- B, A, B, A, B, A, B, A

Row 3- A, B, A, B, A, B, A, B

Etc., for 10 rows. Press rows and voila! Back, baste, quilt and bind as desired.

The other pattern that I did for them is called Arabesque. It was actually the very first pattern that I had published anywhere, in 2016. It was kind of my practice round before getting brave enough to list my designs for sale. 

I used a Layer Cake of Bonnie and Camille's latest line "Vintage Picnic", with Moda Bella Solid 97. It's backed in the grey floral from that line, and the binding is aqua with polka dots. These are probably hard to find now, but Early Bird has really similar colors, as do many of their other lines. You can't go wrong with Bonnie and Camille!

You can see the full instructions for this quilt at the Moda Bake Shop- Arabesque. While I absolutely love the look of this quilt, I find it a bit of a pain to put together. I prefer block-based quilts, and this one is done row by row, with lots of HSTs. You definitely want a Bloc Loc ruler for this one! It will save your sanity and make all the points perfect. 

I did make this pattern again a few years later at the request of my sister Jo. She chose the backing for this quilt (which is sadly out of print), and I took coordinating Kona solids for the front, and I think it turned out brilliantly. 

This one was quilted by Kaitlyn at Knot and Thread Designs! She has so many great designs to choose from. 

Konas for this were: Shell (peach background), Snow (inner white), Flame, Corn Yellow, Jade Green, Candy Blue, Pacific, and Woodrose. There is a shop local to me that carries all the Konas, and they ship anywhere! 

I think that covers all the questions on these two quilts, let me know if I missed anything!