Welcome to our Scrap Busting Blog Hop, where we embrace every scrap in our sewing rooms. We are proving that there is no unusable scrap! I find that especially true in paper piecing, where I use my scraps every day. It is important to have a wide variety of colors to choose from when paper piecing, so as to find just that right print and color when piecing together an image.
Thanks to Melissa for hosting this blog hop and giving the designers a chance to share something new.
Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, I have created a new HEARTY GNOME block. It is cute as can be, and is free to anyone who subscribes to my blog.
HEARTY GNOME
This block is great for intermediate paper piecers, but could be tackled by a confident beginner, too. This sweet gnome looks great in all kinds of projects. I added him to a 12″ pillow.
I have more Valentine Gnome patterns that would pair nicely with the HEARTY GNOME.
GNOME WITH HEART would make a great companion pillow, or make a pair of potholders, or even a small table runner. This paper pieced block pattern is available on Etsy.
GNOME LOVE is not only lovely for your Valentine, but would also make a great gift for a wedding or anniversary. Notice how the space between their hats forms a heart? This pattern is also available on Etsy.
If you are new to paper piecing, visit the Video/Tutorial Page on this blog for step by step directions to paper piece using my patterns.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Please visit the SCRAP BUSTING BLOG HOP every Monday in January and February to see new Scrap Busting posts.
You can also visit these SCRAP BUSTING BLOG participants:
Welcome to our 2019 Once Upon A Story Row-A-Long. A big THANK YOU to Marian Pena and her hours of preparation time organizing this years event.
My featured fairy tale is The Last Unicorn, by Peter Beagle.
The Last Unicorn is a lovely story about a unicorn who dreams big!
Dream Big
This paper pieced unicorn row measures 9″ x 18″. This includes the outer border. The letters “Dream Big” are machine embroidered onto the finished block. But, any word or name could be used. And if machine embroidery is not your thing, a word could be appliqued in the space above the unicorn.
And now for the GIVE-AWAY! If unicorns are your thing, you will love my new pattern “UNICORN QUILT”. You can win this pattern free, just leave a COMMENT below. I would love to hear what your favorite subject matter is for a quilt.
This quilt is excellent for a beginner. The paper pieced blocks are super easy. The Unicorn is paper pieced, and the flowers and alphabet letters are applique. This is a great quilt to personalize.
Great thanks to Carla from “Creatin’ in the Sticks” for all her work arranging today’s Winter Blues blog hop. Since blue has always been my favorite color, it is a joy to participate in this blog. Please don’t forget to leave a comment to participate in my Give Away.
If you are like me, you stave off those winter doldrums by sewing. Let’s start with 2 of the paper pieced CARDINAL BLOCKS from my CARDINAL TABLE RUNNER pattern.
I’m using these two cardinals.
I’ve been wanting to sew some new winter pillows and these blocks will be perfect! My CUTE AND CLEVER FARM AND FOREST ANIMALS book has an adorable 12″ pillow pattern.
See that cute little bunny pillow on the cover of the book? That’s the pillow I will be making with my cardinals.
I found this lovely blue sparkly fabric at JoAnn Fabrics.
I love how they turned out! Here they are in my living room. The little red berries are tiny buttons.
I will be GIVING AWAY a digital copy of this pattern to one lucky person who LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW. The winner will be announced the week after the Winter Blues Blog Hop.
Thanks so much for visiting our hop! Please visit the other bloggers participating.
I am so excited to be part of the 2019 Virtual Cookie Exchange and Blog Hop hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt. I hope you will visit the other bloggers and enjoy their many yummy cookie recipes.
I am a paper piece pattern designer from Wisconsin, and I LOVE to create holiday patterns. Last Christmas I designed this HOLIDAY BUDDIES table topper .
These CAROLING BUDDIES would make an adorable set of holiday potholders.
Let’s make some cute as can be Christmas cut out cookies to match my new potholders. My cookie recipe collection has been growing over the years. Some of my favorite Christmas cookie recipes were shared by friends and co-workers. The recipe I am sharing with you is for Christmas cut-out cookies and was shared by my secretary at school, Marge. I have always loved these cut outs, and they work especially well for thicker cut outs, which are my favorites! You can click on the title of the cookie to get a downloadable PDF version for your recipe files.
Starting September 3, you can HOP along with our Row Along. Each day designers will be giving FREE patterns for rows that could be used in quilts, table runners, place mats, etc. Each row correlates to a story or fairy tale.
Click to see lots more GIVE-AWAYS. And, hang with me til the end of this post for my Give-Away. Please visit Seams to be Sew to read the rules for our Give-aways.
My row is vertical and measures 9″x18″ finished. I was motivated by “The Last Unicorn“, written by Peter Beagle.
DREAM BIG, from Made By Marney
This is a paper pieced pattern and may be purchased here: CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE.
Here’s a clever idea to use this row in a super cute PILLOWCASE. Here is a tutorial to sew your own Dream Big Unicorn Pillowcase. OR, scroll to the end to see my GIVE-AWAY.
Dream Big Unicorn Pillowcase
Where better to DREAM BIG than on your pillowcase, right? NORTHCOTT fabrics have been wonderfully generous in suppling us with fabric for our samples. I am using Northcott White 22 136-10 for my main pillowcase fabric, and scraps for the paper piecing. I use French seams and line the back of the paper pieced part of the pillowcase so there are no exposed seams, as this is an item that will be washed repeatedly. Finished size: 20 1/2″x 28″, fits a standard sized pillow.
Cut these pieces from 1 yard of the main fabric:
2 rectangles 2″x 9 1/2″
1rectangle 7″x 21″
1 rectangle 9″x 21″
2 rectangles 21″x 25″
From 1/3 yard of contrasting color cut:
1 strip 10″ x WOF (width of fabric)
From 1/3 yard of fusible fleece cut:
1 rectangle 9 1/2″x 21 1/2″
Sew the 2″x 9 1/2″ strips to the top and bottom of the paper pieced unicorn.
Remove the paper from the back of the unicorn. Steam press the fusible fleece to the wrong side of the unicorn unit. Quilt as desired (there will only be 2 layers to quilt through instead of the usual 3 layers of fabric).
Use 7″x 21″ fabric.
Pin the 7″x 21″ piece of main fabric to the unicorn unit, with right sides together.
Lining piece.
Trim 1 of the 21″x 25″ pieces of fabric to 11″x 21″. This will be the lining, although I am using the main fabric so as not to waste fabric. Pin this piece over the 7″x 21″ piece, right side of fabric facing down. Stitch through all 3 layers, using a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Press open.
Press the fabric to the right of the unicorn and the seam allowance towards the unicorn.
This is the back view.
Press only the LINING piece over the back of the unicorn.
Turn under excess and press.
Turn under any fabric that extends past the unicorn, and press under to form a hem. You may trim the excess to 1/2″ if preferred. The hem should be even with the raw edge of the unicorn.
Push the lining aside when attaching the left portion of the pillowcase top.
Pin the 9″x 21″ piece of main fabric to the left side edge of the unicorn unit. Sew in place using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Press the fabric open. Press the seam towards the unicorn.
Pin lining in place.
Pin the hem edge of the lining over the seam allowance and pin in place.
This is the back of the pillowcase.
Hand stitch the hem in place. The front of the pillowcase is now finished.
Assemble the pillowcase using French seams. Pin the 21″x 25″ piece of main fabric to the back of the pillowcase, wrong sides together. Sew together using a scant 1/8″ seam allowance.
Turn the pillowcase with the right sides together, press, and sew the same seam again, using a 14″ seam allowance. This encases the previous seam.
Add the Cuff.
Press the 10″x WOF strip AND the pillowcase open flat. Pin the right side of cuff fabric along the 42″ edge of the pillowcase, right side of cuff facing wrong side of pillowcase. Notice how I am skipping the SELVAGE part of the cuff. It will be trimmed later.
Burrito cuff pillowcase.
Ross the pillowcase into a tube that will fit inside of the cuff fabric.
Roll the cuff fabric up and over the pillowcase tube and pin in place.
Here you see how I am matching the edges of cuff fabric and pillowcase fabric and pinning in place. Sew through all layers with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Pull the pillowcase out of the tube through one of the side edge holes.
Press cuff flat and trim away any excess cuff from both sides of the pillowcase. Now finish sewing the pillowcase together using French seams.
Fold the pillowcase in half, with the right side out and pin the two remaining sides together. Sew a scant 1/8″ seam allowance on these two sides. Turn inside out and press.
Pin the same two edges with the RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER, and sew a 1/4″ seam allowance, encasing the previous seam.
Turn right side out and press flat. How sweet is that? This pillowcase is ready for some BIG dreams!
GIVE-AWAY: Click HERE for the chance to win this Northcott Fat Quarter Bundle, a $20 value.
Now for MY GIVEAWAY. Click to enter to win a FREE paper piece and appliqued pattern to create this super cute UNICORN LAP QUILT. Alphabet letters are included to applique a personalized name on this project, if so desired. This adorable pattern is also available on my Etsy shop. Don’t forget to leave a comment!
=========================================================== Tuesday, October 08, 2019 – SNT
Beth Strand Carol Andrews Carol Swift Cindy Pieters Debra Davis Dione Gardner-Stephen Elizabeth Coughlin Linda Bratten Lydia Midday Marian Pena Nancy Myers Pamela Boatright Paula Gilmore Ursula Prandtstetter
Welcome to my 12 Days of Christmas in July web post. Thanks to Sarah Craig at Confessions of a Fabric Addict for organizing such a delightful Blog Hop. Join us from July 14 through 25 as we share clever Christmas ideas with you.
If you are at all familiar with my paper pieced designs, you know that I love designing animal images for quilts, table runners, pillows, etc. Some of my customers have been asking for paper pieced Christmas cats. I thought this would be a great time to share my newest table runner: CHRISTMAS CATS. This pattern is available on ETSY now, or try winning one below.
Christmas Cats
This widely grinning kitty is Christmas Kitty.
Next is Merry Mouser.
And last is Yuletide Tabby.
If you are new to paper piecing, watch my free tutorials PAPER PIECING TUTORIAL #1 on how to paper piece a segment.
Rick rack is a super cute addition to any table runner or quilt. I have a great tip for adding the rick rack. This is done after the runner is quilted.
Pin the rick rack over the ditch between the sashing and the outer border, starting in the center at the bottom of the runner.
2. At the corner, flip the rick rack over to the opposite side and pivot at the corner (similar to how binding is attached. Rick rack has no right or wrong side.
3. Continue to pin rick rack around the remaining 3 sides of the runner. Overlap the tails slightly. Sew in place down the center of the rick rack through all layers of the runner.
And now for the GIVE-AWAYS. The 12 Days of Christmas in July is offering the first Give-Away to win a FAT QUARTER BUNDLE FROM FIGO FABRICS. This is their new winter line called Wintertide.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the FIGO FAT QUARTER GIVE-AWAY!
Win this pattern!
The second GIVE-AWAY is from me, Made By Marney. Just leave a comment to enter. The winner will win the CHRISTMAS CATS PATTERN. The winner will be notified on July 26th.
Here is the complete list of all participants in this years 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop. Please visit them all for some clever Christmas ideas.
This is an opportunity for anyone living in the Two Rivers, Wisconsin area. Sarah Gallagher, owner of the The Quilt Shop of Two Rivers, is sponsoring a paper piecing class featuring little ole’ me as the teacher. The class will be held at her shop on Saturday, August 3 from 9am-3pm.
Link HERE for the class information. What a great chance to share a day of fun and learning with me. Can’t wait!
We will learn how to paper piece a Simple Block and a Combination Block. Once you master these two skills, the sky’s the limit. You will be ready to challenge yourself with any paper piecing project. All participants get to choose a FREE Made By Marney pattern the day of the class.
Stay tuned for the 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN JULY blog hop starting on July 14th. Guaranteed to be a good time, with 24 creative quilters sharing clever Christmas ideas.
Mark your calendar for July 14…the start of our blog hop!
We’ll have to start thinking CHRISTMAS…Start the Blog Hop HERE on July 14th.
Thanks for joining me today for the first day of the PICK A PUMPKIN BLOG HOP, sponsored by Carla Henton from Creatin in the Sticks. I have been working on one of my favorite subjects, paper pieced black cats and pumpkins. Don’t miss my GIVE-AWAY…you’ll find it at the end of this post.
CAT ON A PUMPKIN is an easy block with nice large pieces. Find a lovely orange fabric with some interesting texture for that luscious, fat pumpkin.
Use the cats alone as wall hangings or pillows, or put them all together to create a charming quilt. I call this the CAT’S MEOW QUILT.
WIN THIS PATTERN…Leave a comment for a chance to win this paper pieced pattern. Make sure your email is included in the comment so I can contact the winner. Also, make my day by SUBSCRIBING to my website.
Find more fun fall paper pieced projects on my ETSY or CRAFTSY shops.
Witches, and witches, and more witches…OH MY! Witch blocks are so much fun! Welcome to the PEEK-A-WHO BLOG HOP, sponsored by Marian Pena at Seams To Be Sew. This blog hop is for sharing some fun Halloween ideas, and I have been very busy designing for Halloween since it is my favorite!
Make sure to read all the way to the end of this post so you don’t miss the GIVE-AWAYS!
Here is a brand new pillow pattern called WITCHY POO PILLOW. This pillow fits a 12″x 22″ pillow form. It is paper pieced and so much fun! I added 1″ wide rick rack around my blocks. This is such an easy way to add a little pizzaz. The rick rack is attached by sewing it directly over the seam between the blocks and the outer border. I stopped stitching an inch before the corner, turned the pillow, and pinched the rick rack into a “mitered” corner. Then I resumed sewing until an inch from the next corner. It makes a nice “frame” around the paper pieced portion.
Shelley made her Witchy Poo with orange rick rack, and Donna used a cute “BOO” ribbon as a border. She found the ribbon at Michael’s Craft store. So clever!
This is TOOTHY WITCH. The block finishes at 8″x 8″ and can be used in a pillow, potholder, or whatever! It was fun choosing fabric for her hat and hair.
This is HAPPY WITCH. She’s the kind of witch I wouldn’t mind meeting on Halloween!
And here’s a witch I designed last year…BEWITCHED. She’s still a favorite! My goal is to put all 3 of these cute witches into a table runner…I just haven’t had time yet! If you make a clever project using any of my witches and you share a photo with me, I would love to post it on my website. Send the photo to my email at: maryannhertel@gmail.com
WITCHY PILLOW is another cute throw pillow for your sofa for the fall season. Find a striped Halloween fabric for the socks, and this paper pieced design is a breeze.
This pillow was done by my friend Eva using the new Halloween fabric line from Studio Fabric, “Me and My Ghoul Friends”. Isn’t it adorable?
Made By Marney paper pieced patterns can be found on ETSY or CRAFTSY. Thanks for stopping by, and please leave a COMMENT.
And now for the GIVE-AWAYS coordinated by Seams To Be Sew…
