:: give-away winner ::

It has been a very busy, chaotic week, so I am sorry for letting the ball drop in posting a winner for the giveaway from my last post.  

The winner of the Big Blocks, Big Style book and the Nordic Visions fabric bundle is Angele.  I agree with her comment about GE Designs book and fabric....

"Wow, I do love that fabric. The big block book is just what I need to get going. Thanks for giving me the chance to participate in this giveaway."

I will be sending you an email to get all your info so we can ship it all out to you.

Now for a fun bit of exciting news.... 

I finally have my new patterns finished and hope to get them from the printer this week. So I thought I would take the next few days and share them with you.  

All Geared Up Quilt - Version 1

Out of the hundreds of quilts I've made, this one is WAY up at the top of the list.  In fact, I like it so much that I made it twice, which is something that I rarely do!  With the fabric line Around Town, I really wanted to concentrate on designs that were circular, or gave the feeling of being round, and this one really does that.  

I fussy cut the large scale house print from Around Town into circles and appliqued them in the center of all the gear blocks for the quilt on the cover of the pattern.  There are several different shops on this fabric, but my favorite is the Chocolate Shop, for obvious reasons!

For another version, I wanted to use gray, red and black for the men in my house.  I find it very difficult to find fabric suitable for guys, so when I saw the mustaches and geometric prints I had to use them.  This quilt is now hanging in our family room and I love it.

All Geared Up Quilt - Version 2

The blocks may look difficult, but they really are not that hard with the techniques that I used.  You have to trust me on this one. No paper piecing, no tricky seams, just accurate cutting and pressing.  Yes, there are curved seams, and if you have never made a block with curved seams, don't be afraid.  They are not hard.  Once you try it, you will wonder what you were afraid of!  

I will say, however, that with this pattern, it is especially helpful if you have a few specialty rulers as well.  I used a 15 degree wedge ruler, the Spider Web ruler and the Swirly Girls Circle Savvy ruler, which made cutting the pieces easy and quick.  You can also make your own templates if you choose to, but it goes faster with the rulers and I found that I was more accurate with them, which is important with these blocks.  I included instructions for making the blocks either with the rulers or with templates, so you can try both methods to see which works best for you.  

So this pattern, called All Geared Up, should be ready to ship later this week.  I will get them up on my website in the next few days, so if you check there and don't see them, just keep checking back.

AND, if you leave me a comment before midnight tomorrow, you will have a chance to get one of the patterns for free!  Just tell me if you prefer to applique with fusible web, if you turn the edges under, or if you simply stay clear of any quilt with applique on it.

Enjoy!

Comments

[Julie A.]

I have to admit I usually stay clear of any applique just because I have not had a chance to try it.....but I absolutely love this quilt and am going to definitely give it a try. I probably will do the applique with fusible web on this. I am so anxiously awaiting this pattern....LOVE IT :)

[Martina]

Beautiful new pattern. Just looove it! I love to do needleturning applique, but I do both ways.

[Lucie O'Reilly]

I love doing needle turn appliqué, I prefer the softness achieved with that method. And it is portable anywhere in the house. This All Geared Up pattern speaks to me as one of my other passions besides quilting is riding my bike. Have a nice day.

[Elinborg D. Lár.]

I prefer to applique with fusible web but I sometimes do needle turn applique, just love your pattern´s ....many of them....

[Terry]

What beautiful quilts! I love the look of applique, but I don't do much of it. I guess I'm just a bit afraid of it! LOL

[isa13]

I find needleturning appliqué just too hard for me , so I prefer using fusible web. Love the originality of your pattern.
Hugs from France

[Paulette Doyle]

I love appliqué..I use freezer paper and starch (where you turn the fabric under and hand applique). Your quilts are drop dead GORGEOUS!! Thanks for the chance to win one!
Paulette

[Leeanne]

What an impressive design! I love both looks! I like both methods of applique, of course fusible web is faster, but needle turn gives a more traditional look. Fingers crossed for me.!!

[Betsy]

I needle turn. This pattern is astonishingly beautiful and I would love to make it.

[Tatkis]

OMG! This quilt with houses is AWESOME!!
I prefer turning edge applique, but I've never tried fusible web so far :)

Waiting for the pattern... impatiently :)

Hugs,
Tatyana

[Tami W.]

I use both fusible web & the Karen Buckley method of applique depending on what kind of project I'm doing. I just have never gotten the knack of needle turning. I love your patterns and fabric. Just my style. :)

[Jennifer]

Love the new pattern and both the quilts you made from it. I do limited appliqué - fusible web for me!

[Debbie]

Love the new pattern. Can't wait to make this. I actually like to do both needle turn and fusible. Love, Love Whimsicals

[SoozeM]

Oooh I love love love your quilt!! I generally try to stay clear of applique, but on the occasions when the urge hits I use fusible web.

[Debbie St. Germain]

That is fun with the new fabrics, love the look. I do all types of applique, it depends on the type. For primitive I use needle turn but I use fusibles for other quilts and machine appliqué.

Debbie

[May Britt]

I love your patterns very much and this one is so great. I love circles and blocks and the combination of this is lovely. A quilt a want to make :)

[Shelly Holley]

I am in love!!!! But then I seem to say that with most of your designs. I do mostly fusible applique and machine applique. Will you share your brain!

[[email protected]]

I do applique with freezer paper.
I LOVE YOUR WORK!!!!!
Marissa,

[Anya King]

I tend to stay away from applique. But I like using the interface method. I love the All Geared Up pattern!

[Annie Young]

I've only just begun quilting and I'm never turning back. LOL I've only appliqued letters onto a pillow and I used the fusible web. It was quite easy. And, I'm willing to do a lot more for the sake a quilt this beautiful. I'll definitely be getting this pattern. Thanks for all your hard work.

[sandi1100]

I'm new to your Blog and love your patterns. I love the around the town quilt. It is beautiful! Thanks for a chance to win one of your patterns.

[Gill]

I love All Geared Up - especially version 2!!
I don't do a lot of applique but I always use fusible web when I do!

[Ann in NC]

Great new pattern!!! Both samples look terrific! It could be a quilt for a guy...not always easy to find something for them. I usually do fusible, raw edge applique. I would like to do some hand applique, but haven't done much yet.

[Mary Val]

So, missed the give-away, but got the pattern last week, no problem :^) Not familiar with Karen Buckley applique. I actually despise applique, but have done a lot of it -- I'll do the applique when I really want the quilt. I'm in the middle of a laser-cut Baltimore and thinking I need my head examined, lol. I do machine raw edge applique with fusible and buttonhole stitch or straight stitch, or machine applique with faux needleturn. Which is, get a sheer fusible interfacing; cut the applique shape with a 1/4" seam and cut a piece of fusible interfacing at the same time. Stitch applique shape and interfacing together right side of fabric to sticky side of interfacing. Stitch completely closed, all the way around the shape. (Depending on size and shape and positioning of applique piece, sometimes leave a small opening for turning; but usually, stitch the shape completely.) Trim, notch,slash, grade the seam as needed, cut a slit in the interfacing, turn the piece right side out. Now you have seams turned under and edge stitched to prevent raveling, and a fusible on the back of the shape. Fuse to base fabric, stitch edge by machine. I will be making the All Geared Up pattern, I love it.

[Tatkis]

Hello Terri,
Is it possible to know which fabrics from your new collection you used for the first version (with houses?)
I love your quilt and would like to make exactly the same one :) but at the pattern there are no special instructions...

Best wishes,
Tatyana (tatkisch1 at gmail.com)