Shop Updates

 Many of the posts and comments made in the history of this blog included the Quilt shops, Quilting by the Bay located in Panama City, Florida and TJ's Fabrics (located originally in Opp, Alabama) and later relocated to Troy, Alabama.  Both of these fabric quilt shops are now retired and closed.  

Mentions to Quilted Creations located in Headland, Alabama and The Front Porch Quilt Shoppe in Ozark, Alabama, both shops are still open with active Brick and Mortar, and full websites.

I hope this information is helpful to all quilters.  Thank You.

**Some of my posts and patterns will still be tagged for the closed shops as this is part of the blog history and quilting journey.  I do believe I have removed any links to the closed shops. 

FREE Pattern Simple Sewing - Tiny Needle Book - 5 Easy Steps

Recently I have been enjoying doing more and more stitching by hand.  A dear quilting friend Lisa, introduced me to hand stitching EPP,  English Paper Piecing, to create small hexagon shaped fabric designs, aka "hexies."  And now I have my paper pieces and little hexies with me everywhere I go just in case I have a minute or two to stitch one, because that is all the time it takes to create one.  I love to stitch with Aurifil thread, and the smaller spools are just so easy to use.  So I created this little needle book to be the perfect size to hold a small spool of my favorite Auriful thread.  The spool will tuck perfectly in the little pocket in the fabric book.

Size: 3 x 4 inches when closed, 6 x 4 inches when open

Supplies needed:

2 fabrics, 6 1/2 inches wide x 4 1/2 inches tall

Pocket fabric, 2 1/4 inches x 13 inches

Pocket binding strip, 2 1/4 inches x 6 inches long

Binding strip, 2 1/4 inches x 26 inches long

Tie fabric, 1 3/4 inches wide x 18 inches long **(or just use a pretty ribbon like I did)

Aurifil thread, neutral or matching the fabric color

One piece of wool/felt 5 wide x 3 inches tall

scrap of batting 6 1/2 inches x 4 1/2 inches 

Step 1:  Layer fabrics, backing (outside fabric) right side down, batting, inside lining fabric right side up.  Machine or hand quilt with straight lines 1 inch apart or with a pretty free motion quilting design.  Trim any loose threads if needed.  Trim to size, 6 inches wide x 4 inches tall.

Step 2:  Create the pocket.  Fold pocket fabric in half, wrong sides together.  When folded size is 2 1/4  x 6 1/2.  This creates the pocket strip.  Stitch the pocket binding strip across the top of the pocket piece, where folded (just as stitching binding on a quilt.)  Layer the created pocket centered on top of the inside quilted fabric, with raw edges matching at the bottom.  Baste down the center and along the raw edge at sides and bottom. Trim any excess away from edges if needed. 

Step 3:  Fold the piece of wool felt in the center, place centered on top of the pocket, and centered inside the quilted area.  Stitch using a pretty matching thread,  down the center to secure in place, back stitch at both ends to hold securely.  Remove the basting thread.

Step 4:  Create binding.  Using the strip of fabric, 2 1/4 x 26 inches long, fold in half lengthwise, wrong sides together.  Stitch binding onto and all around the project piece, just as stitching on a quilt.  Start and stop on what will be the back side when folded closed.  Be careful to fold in and pin the felt wool needle page out of the way if needed, so it will not be caught and sewn into the binding.  Where binding ends meet, just fold one end under just a bit, about 1/4 inch, trim the other end so you have just enough to tuck under where you folded. Finish sewing binding down.

Step 5:  Create the tie.  Use the 18 inches x 1 3/4 inches wide fabric strip. Fold short ends in about 1/4 inch and press.  Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press, making a cease down the center.  Open and fold the raw edge on both long sides to meet in the middle. Press.  Top stitch all around.  Top stitch the tie in place in the center of the outside of your needle book.  *******Or use a pretty strip of ribbon as shown. 

Front of Tiny Needle Book

Inside front pocket and wool felt needle/pin pages

Inside back pocket with thread tucked in

Ribbon tie shown on outside

Now tuck in a small spool of your favorite Aurifil thread, place your needles onto the wool felt page.........and take along with your next favorite hand stitching project.

Tiny buttons or hexies can be added to the felt pages for embellishment.

I hope you enjoy creating this little project.  Remember there is no true pattern for this design, only my little design created by the size of the thread spool!  However, please make as many as you want for yourself and gifts, please do not make to sell, please comment here on the blog, please tag me and mark with the hashtag from my Instagram #vintagebloomsquiltdesignsfreepattern, #vintagebloomsquiltdesigns

Find me on Instagram at:

vintage_blooms_quilt_designs

Credit:  Fabric shown in the background photo is by Corey Yoder, Moda fabrics.  Fabrics used to make the project were bits and pieces in my stash basket, I am sorry that I do not have the selvage strips to credit the makers, I found the ribbon at a local quilt shop, and  I always sew with Aurifil threads.

Quilts on Barns

I received this colorful Star Barn Quilt as a Christmas gift.  My sister-in-law, Ann, has a cabin up in the mountains of North Carolina, and travels through north Georgia to reach the destination.  Somewhere during a recent trip, she stopped along the way at the place that creates these wooden barn quilts. She knows how "quilty" I am, that I love to sew, stitch and make quilts.  She really surprised me this year at Christmas with this wooden painted "quilt" to be placed on our barn.  In our area, many of the days since Christmas have been gloomy, foggy, and raining.  So finally today was a nice sunny day, and my hubby was home from work to help hang the quilt. So the wooden, painted Barn Quilt is now hanging on the side of our barn....(aka - the pumphouse for our water well.)  If you are driving by, be sure to look for it.  

Instagram

You are invited to come on over and follow my Instagram account where I share photos of what I like to create. Sewing to make quilts, tote bags, project bags and folders, cross-stitch and embroidery and more!!  

Vintage_Blooms_Quilt_Designs

 

My Quilting Studio - New Lights! Stella Lighting

I tagged along in November 2018 with a few "Quilty Friends" to my very first attendance at International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas.  We had the very best time exploring the vendors at the show, we took a lot of photos!, and we admired the many beautiful quilts in the quilt show.  I have to admit the floral quilts were my favorites of course......Some of my favorite photos are shared on my personal Instagram page.
My most favorite purchase from the vendors is my new Stella TWO LED Task Light.  I purchased the white one because I knew it would look just perfect on my sewing table.  I love the features on this table top lamp with touch pad controls, 10-step dimming, and a weighted base that keeps the lamp steady even though the arm flexes in nearly any direction to direct the light anywhere I need it. The LED lights are the brightest, yet they produce very little heat. 
I just love my Stella, and I know you would love to have one in your sewing space too!

  

stellalighting.com 

Autumn Quilt Show Memories

Autumn season is finally here.  The second of my favorite seasons, of course Spring is my first favorite.  The leaves are changing colors, cooler temperatures, lots of pumpkins and Fall Festivals.  Some of my favorite colors, orange and sunflower yellow are in bloom everywhere.  
During October as part of the Landmark Park Fall Farm Harvest Day, (Dothan, Alabama) there is a quilt show held in the Activity Barn.  Several years ago, I used the pattern, Sheep In the Meadow, by Kay Whitt - Serendipity Gifts, to create an embellished sweatshirt jacket.  The jacket was entered in the Clothing Category at the Landmark Park Quilt Show.  I was honored to be given a first place blue ribbon from the Quilt Show Judge.

Sewing Room

Today is Black Friday 2017, and I am home in my jammies and fuzzy slippers enjoying my coffee and shopping via my computer online.  Looking at coffee makers, quilting patterns, (I just ordered a few); and quilt ladders.  I have asked my sweet hubby for a quilt ladder to place in my sewing room as a Christmas gift this year.   We will see what he comes up with, old or new, painted or rough cut lumber, maybe vintage....he is pretty crafty in construction, he may even make me one!
I wanted to share with you a few photos of the sewing room in progress.  I will be adding blinds on the windows, and a rack on the wall between the two windows for displaying quilts.

(I am working on the binding on this quilt draped to the floor.)

 Happy Thanksgiving weekend! Enjoy time with family, and shopping too!

New Shop Sample for TJ's Fabrics in Troy, Alabama

( photo taken inside my new sewing  room)

The photos shown above are the new shop sample that I just created for TJ's Fabrics located in Troy, Alabama.  My pattern to make the Sewing Machine Mat is  used with some of the newest fabrics in the shop.  I really like the ric-rack and the colored buttons for accents.

Mystery Class

I recently taught a Friday night "Mystery" quilt class at Quilted Creations Quilt Shop, located in Headland, Alabama.  A mystery quilt is so much fun because you have no clue what you are making until you get started.  The pre-class instructions told everyone to bring various strips of fabrics, in various widths and colors.  Just place them in a paper bag and come to class!
The strips of fabric were sewn onto background fabric, each block was nine inches finished.  When completed, the blocks make a wonderful star quilt.  The completed quilt with borders measures 46 x 46 inches, just the right size for a lap quilt or baby quilt.

This is Betty peeking out from behind!  She used Robyn Pandolph fabrics.

This is Becky peeking out from behind!  

She used brightly colored fabrics, and machine embroidery to create a wonderful baby quilt.

It is Summer and the Living is Easy, and the Quilting is easy too!

     It is Summer and the Living is easy, and the Quilting is easy too!  This table runner is simple and easy to make.  You can "flip" it over, it is reversible, and enjoy the fabrics on both sides.   This table runner is perfect to be created from those beautiful fabrics or large scale print fabrics that you just do not want to cut into smaller pieces. 

Materials needed:
1/2 yard of two gorgeous, fun, Summer fabrics
1/4 yard binding fabric
Aurifil thread for stitching and machine quilting
15 1/2" x 45" (WOF) piece of batting
Spray baste product

Finished size of runner will be 15 x 42 inches.  (WOF = width of fabric)

•One half yard x WOF fabric pieces•  The two half yard pieces of fabric each need to be cut to size 

15 1/2" x WOF.  (If the original half yard of fabric was cut correctly from your favorite quilt shop, this should leave you a 2 1/2" strip cut from the fabric.  This strip can now go into your stash, as it will not be used in this project). Sandwich/layer together the bottom fabric right side down, batting in the middle, then top side fabric right side up.   Following the directions of the spray baste product, spray baste lightly all layers together.  Using a walking foot, machine quilt on the diagonal every 2 1/2", making a cross-hatch design.  The quilting lines can be marked before quilting using a removable pen, or with quilters (painters) tape.  I like to use the painters tape.
If using tape, just quilt right along beside the tape and then remove the tape. Move the tape to the next row of quilting and repeat.  When the quilting is complete, trim the project to size, 
15" x 42".  Cut the binding fabric into four  2" strips.  Join the strips with diagonal seams to make a continuous binding strip.  With the wrong sides of the binding fabric strip inside, fold the strip in half lengthwise and press with your iron. Machine stitch binding to your "favorite" top side of the table runner fabric, then finish the binding by hand stitching to the back side of the runner. This project can easily be completed by a "confident beginner" during a Summer afternoon. 

Fabrics used are designed by BariJ. for Art Gallery Fabrics.

Sharing More T-Shirt Quilts

     Working full time at my day job certainly keeps me busy, but I love to create T-shirt quilts for friends when I have time. I was asked to create these two quilts as Christmas gifts this past year.  The first one is made entirely from the child's machine embroidery created shirts. He is now four years old. The quilt was a gift from the grandmother to the mom.  This was the first time I attempted to create a quilt from shirts this small in size, but it turned out wonderful! It will be a wonderful family heirloom that the mom and grandmother will always treasure.

This quilt was created and given from the mom to her son as a Christmas gift. Grunge fabrics by Basic Grey, Moda fabrics, were used in the sashing and backing for this quilt.  It was machine quilted with a great geometric pattern. Just wonderful for a quilt for a guy. They both loved the design.

Merry Christmas

The gifts are all wrapped with shiny glitter bows, and the menu has been planned.  I have some baking to do, and a few last minute stitches to finish! Christmas will be here in a few days, and I am looking forward to my son coming home, and spending some special times with my family. How wonderful to celebrate our savior Jesus birth!  
I want to wish all of you a safe, happy, healthy and blessed 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I am sharing a favorite holiday recipe.  This recipe has been in my family for many years.

  Orange Pudding

6 fresh Florida oranges, peeled and cut into small bite size pieces, with any seeds removed

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 cup sugar

5 eggs, separated yolks & whites

1-1/2 pints milk

1/2 cup sugar

Sprinkle 1/2 cup sugar over the orange pieces.  Refrigerate while preparing pudding.

Mix flour, 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks and milk.  Cook in a double boiler over medium low heat until thickened.  Pour over oranges and mix well.  Use the egg whites to make a meringue topping.  
Refrigerate overnight.  Serve chilled.  

This pudding looks very pretty and festive when served in your Christmas china.

Pattern Number 2 is Ready!

I have been so blessed with all the response for my first pattern, The Sewing Machine Mat, Spring Mat.  This pattern makes the sewing machine mat in a larger size to fit newer machines with larger sewing throat bed areas.  I want to thank everyone that has purchased a copy of the pattern and I truly hope that you are enjoying making and using your mat under your sewing machine in your sewing rooms. 
During a recent beach trip to the beautiful Gulf of America at Panama City Beach, Florida, my friend Faye asked me to create a smaller mat for her featherweight sewing machine. She says, "I want smaller pockets, just the right size to tuck in a bobbin or pack of needles, or a small piece of chocolate!"  And so I decided to name this mat the "Summer Bikini" because it was created at the beach, and it will be tiny and just fit in the area where Faye keeps her featherweight machine, and because that is about the only bikini I will have!  So after a bit of pattern designing and quilting, the designs were made and packaged together as Pattern #2.  The mat is created a lot smaller to fit just perfect under your featherweight sewing machines.

Summer Bikini Sewing Machine Mat with Bikini Beach Mug Rug 

This is a close up photo of the machine quilting designs on the sewing machine mat and the companion mug rug.  This mug rug pattern combines easy paper piecing and machine applique, finishes at 5 x 7 inches.

Note:  The pattern sample was created using batik fabrics and was longarm quilted with the pattern, Surf’s Up, by Gammill Girls Quilting, located at Front Porch Quilt Shoppe, Ozark, Alabama.  If you choose to have your fabrics for the base and pocket of the mat professionally longarm quilted, please check with your favorite longarm quilter to note their requirements.  A larger size fabric may be required, as needed to feed onto the longarm machine.  After the longarm quilting, you will cut your base and pocket to the correct size and put together, then add the binding to make the sewing machine mat.  

Pattern instructions and fabric requirements are given for the mat to be quilted by the maker, not by the longarm.   This mat, “Summer Bikini”,  was created to be used with your  smaller sewing machines, the pockets are three inches deep, and can be stitched to whatever size width you choose.  The pattern sample has four pockets that are five inches apart.  This mat is perfect for the classroom and retreats! The pockets are just the correct size for tucking in extra bobbins, sewing machine needles, and small spools of thread.  

The finished size of the mat is 17 x 20 inches.

This is the perfect companion mat for all of you that have the smaller classroom machines and the featherweight sewing machines.

            

Sewing & Quilting Design Studio

     For a while now I have been trying to convince my sweet husband that we needed to close in our backporch and make it into my sewing room.  Today, I am happy to share with you that for the past two days, I have been listening to the sound of hammers and nail guns!  And windows being installed!  And paint colors to choose!  Oh my gosh, it is finally happening.  I will have my very own room that will be used for my sewing and quilting, and pattern designs.  Can you tell I am excited?  I haven't decided what fabrics to highlight in the decor, maybe Fig Tree, Tilda, Rifle Paper Company, Art Gallery (so many to choose from) or Corey Yoder?  The walls will be a light gray, my favorite.  I believe all the fabric colors stand out against a nice neutral background, and light gray is my favorite.  Of course, there will be some sunflowers in the sewing room too!  I will share photos when construction is complete, and as I grow along in this quilting journey. 

Kits Available

Today I am sew excited to share with you that Quilted Creations Quilt Shop has made kits to use to make my pattern for the Sewing Machine Mat. These are the same fabrics that were used to make the shop sample.  Visit the shop located at 24 Main Street on the square in historic downtown Headland, Alabama; or by shopping on-line located at quiltedcreations.net

Late Summer

     It is late Summer here in my countryside, and most of the garden plants have bloomed and withered away.  Just a few lazy zinnias left.  And the beauty of God's nature in these wild morning glories growing on the old fencepost.  

Maggie's First Dance BOM Block One

I am so happy that this FREE block of the month quilt has begun.  I am using the fabric collection, Strawberry Fields Revisited, by FigTree and Company-Joanna Figueroa, for Moda Fabrics.  When reading the directions for the blocks, half square triangles are created, and Tip #1,  I always read the directions before I start cutting.  I thought to myself, oh no, not triangles!   But never fear, Tip #2,  the new Creative Grids Itty Bitty Eights ruler by Lisa Bongean is just what you need to cut those 4 5/8 inch squares.  This ruler has all the 1/8 inch markings clearly marked and easy to use.  Just what is needed. When creating the flower center appliques, Tip #3,  you cannot cut a perfect circle unless you have drawn a perfect circle.  So the next tool is a plastic circle template from the office supply store. Easy peezy!

    This is my version of Block One.  Block two will be released next week!

Hop on over to jacquelynnesteves.com and join the fun.

Summer Blooms

How about taking a nice stroll through my summer garden blooms? 

Grab your iced sweet tea and straw sun hat and come join me.

Pink climbing rose growing on an old fence post at my neighbors house.

Golden day lilies in my garden.

Bright yellow day lilies in my garden.

White crape myrtle tree full of blooms in my yard, and full of bees, look closely and you will see the bees.

Purple cone flower I grew from seed.

Hope you enjoyed the walk! 

Ellen's Quilt

During the Spring of the year we visit our friends' farm in Kentucky.  We always have so much fun there.  Larry enjoys turkey hunting with David on the farm.  And Ellen and I enjoy nice conversations with coffee on the back porch while enjoying the most amazing views of the rolling hills of the farm, and the tobacco barns.  We enjoy visits to nearby places to shop for antiques and quilts. 
My mother-in-law, Annie Laura Doster, age 97, yes I said 97, started this quilt top many years ago.  She completed the center blocks and then left it unfinished.  When Ellen saw the quilt top,  she wanted to have it completed as a quilt for her bedroom.  So I added the last three borders, the one inch yellow border, the pieced blocks border, and the final floral border, to complete the quilt top and make it large enough for the bed.  The quilt really turned out beautiful.

Maggie's First Dance

Have you heard the news?  This FREE Block of the Month Program has just been announced. The first block will begin in June.  I will be making this quilt using FigTree Strawberry Fields Revisited fabrics. I will be posting photos of my blocks!  This quilt has really cute flowers and has that vintage look that I just love!
Visit:  jacquelynnesteves.com for all the details and to get signed up for this program.