This charming little quilt combines paper piecing and applique to create a ” juvenile jungle” for your child. This Koala is one of many adorable animal patterns in the book.
Sea turtles, hedgehogs, monkeys and much more….
I’m in love with this sweet sea turtle. All square blocks measure 8″ x 8″ unfinished, and can be used in every project in this book, as well as my previous 6 books. This means you can be super creative!
There are also rectangular blocks which measure 8″ x 15 1/2″ unfinished, like this cute and clever tote bag…
What a great tote for the beach, or even a diaper bag!
You can find this issue of Homespun to buy from news stands now, or online.
If you are new to paper piecing, HOME SWEET HOME PAPER PIECING has step by step directions to help you on your way to sewing images for lovely quilts, pillows, table runners, and more.
Every year I create home made gifts for my pickleball crew. There are 8 of us and we play 3 times a week, so we have gotten very close. I want this gift to be pickleball related, but also practical. This year, I used some adorable novelty fabric (Elizabeth Studios Pickleball Paddles on White 683 Fabric) to sew SWEAT RAGS. I found my fabric at a local quilt shop, MY FAVORITE QUILT SHOP, in Green Bay, WI.
I simply purchased soft terry washcloths, ripped open any side seams…
tucked the pickleball fabric under the opened seam…
and sewed the seam back in place. If there was no seam on the washcloths, I cut the fabric 1/2″ wider on those sides, pressed it under, and sewed it in place. So simple! The size of the fabric will depend on the size of your washcloth.
I popped a grommet in one corner so it could be attached to a tote bag.
I think they turned out super cute. I’ve also attached last year’s gift, a tiny tissue holder, because we are always in need of tissue!
Hi! I’m Mary Hertel. Welcome to my newest book “HOME SWEET HOME Paper Piecing“. Featuring 17 of my favorite block patterns, and 7 charming projects, this book is guaranteed to provide hours of creative fun for you.
If you are new to paper piecing, you can rely on any of my books to provide step by step directions. To give you even more assistance, visit me at madebymarney.com to watch paper piecing tutorials.
Did you know that as you paper piece, the block is created on the back of the paper pattern, and will be the opposite of the pattern? On the pattern, this sweet gnome’s flower is actually pictured on the left, but in the finished block it will be on the right.
With gnomes from spring, summer, fall, and winter, this table runner can be used all year long. The book has lots of great gift ideas. Why not start sewing those Christmas gifts right now?
Totes, floor pillows, wall hangings, pillowcases and more. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
And remember, all 17 blocks can be used in any of my other 6 books. What a great way to show your creativity!
Please visit me at www.madebymarney.com for more paper piecing ideas.
This book features 17 of my FAVORITE BLOCK PATTERNS, and I want to share them with you. Koalas, monkeys, sea turtles, gnomes, and so much more.
This is just a sampling of the adorable blocks, and there are 10 more!
Remember…all of my blocks will fit not only in the 7 projects in this book, but will also fit into the projects in my past 6 books. That helps you achieve soooo much creativity in your sewing.
Here’s an example…
This super cute HEDGEHOG PILLOWCASE pattern comes with the book, but here is a baby penguin quilt pattern from my SEW CUTE BABY ANIMALS book.
Using this same pattern, I am substituting the Hedgehog blocks instead of the Penguins. How sweet is that! Here is my finished HEDGEHOG BABY QUILT. You will find everything you need to create this baby quilt in my books, as well as a paper piecing tutorial. I am using minky fabric for the background. So soft and cuddly.
Wrap it up with a stuffed hedgehog and you will RULE at the baby shower!
All of my patterns include paper pieced blocks, which are constructed with scraps of fabric going in various directions. It is important to quilt over the finished block so it will not stretch out of shape when laundered. But, after paper piecing a lovely image, it almost hurts to quilt over it! My go to method is to use invisible thread.
These 3 invisible threads are brands that I have used and I think they are all do a good job. Superior Threads makes MonoPoly, Aurifil makes a 100% Nylon variety, and YLI makes this Monofilament 100% Nylon Invisible Thread. All of these threads will hold up to your iron, and not melt. But even so, I am always careful to iron gently.
Of these three invisible threads, my favorite is the YLI. It is easy to thread into my machine, and it doesn’t “snap” and break as easily as the others. When using any invisible thread, I use a lighter weight white, 40 weight spun poly bobbin thread.
Easter Bunny Gnome has been quilted with vertical lines that are 1” apart. I mark the lines with a Frixion pen so the lines can be erased with an iron. Quilting in this manner doesn’t distract from the image, and looks modern. The “Peepers” below were quilted with regular thread, changing thread color in each area. I also change the bobbin thread to match the top thread. This method also works fine, but is more tedious.
Now, let’s talk about having some Easter paper piecing fun! Hang these adorable “peepers” on your microwave with suction cups. They are easily accessible when cooking, but almost too cute to use!
Here’s the matching table runner, or create your own! I’d love to see what you produce. Here’s what some of my customers/friends have done using my Easter blocks…
I am working on a new springtime bunny and will share the photo soon!
If you have any other questions about quilting over a paper pieced image, please leave a comment below, or email me directly at: maryannhertel@gmail.com
As I started putting up my Christmas decorations, I realized I have plenty of Christmas tree skirts to choose from. They are all handmade and, of course, all paper pieced.
Any tree skirt pattern can be created as a table topper instead, just don’t cut the hole in the center. The BEARY-Y CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT would also make a super cute table centerpiece.
When I am decorating using a more farmhouse look, I use this tree skirt.
I absolutley loved using my GNOME FOR CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT last year when I decorated my tree with gnomes! I used some of these gnome patterns to create some gift bags and stockings, too!
Here’s a more traditional rendition of the Gnome Tree Skirt. I call it the CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT SAMPLER, and comes with 8 more typical Christmas images.
My 2 newest Christmas related gnomes are both Mrs. Claus blocks…
Most of my patterns are 20% off through the month of November for CYBER DAYS! I hope this helps to motivate you to start some of your holiday projects! Have fun creating!
Yes, it’s that time of year again…once a year I join forces with other talented pattern designers to offer my customers a bundle of 20 PATTERNS FOR ONLY $19! This is an amazing deal, and is only available from today through Sunday, October 9.
My GNOME MADE APRON PATTERN is part of this bundle! I love this apron because you can sew one for each season, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. What a great gift!!! AND, they are so easy to sew! I finished mine in an afternoon, and that included sewing the paper pieced image.
I’m ready to do some baking for any time of year! The apron pocket is sewn into 3 sections. This butcher style apron is easily adjustable and fits anyone!
All 4 Gnome Block Patterns are included in my pattern. These blocks measure 8″ x 8″ (unfinished) and also make adorable pillows, potholders, table runners… you name it!
Here are some close-ups of the projects you will get in your bundle.
ALL 20 PATTERNS FOR JUST $19. This awesome offer ends on Sunday night, October 9. Don’t miss out! Start those Christmas gifts right now! PRESS HERE TO ORDER YOUR PATTERN BUNDLE NOW!
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all of my wonderful customers. Please enjoy this FREE HALLOWEEN PAPER PIECED PATTERN!
FREE HALLOWEEN PATTERNS FOR MY CUSTOMERS!
You will find the download for these patterns at the end of this post. You might also enjoy my series of WITCH BLOCKS. These are all sold separately on Etsy…
The CAT’S MEOW QUILT PATTERN is for the more traditional Halloween lover. One of my customers, Mary D., made this adorable wall hanging from my quilt pattern. Great job, Mary!
Wall Hanging
Enjoy this download of my FREE HALLOWEEN BLOCKS… you will find the download button below.
I keep my pillow on display all summer. These paper pieced blocks would also work great for potholders, or even a cute table runner. I would love to see what you could create using these gnomes!
I might try some patriotic gnome towels, too! Any other good ideas?
HOMEWARD BOUND is another of my favorite patriotic patterns. It includes paper pieced eagles, applique stars, and pieced chevron. What a great project for Quilts of Valor.
This adorable lap quilt was designed while I was vacationing in Hilton Head. I found the fabric in a super cute fabric store on the island.
I had a blast shopping for fabric that would work for the cute little “Hawaiian” shirts.
This Gnome has a unicorn floatie and sunglasses! He is ready for the beach.
This Gnome in his sailboat is definitely going on a pillow for my boyfriend, who adores sailing!
Playing in the sand…too cute!
When I discovered the fabric for this little shirt, with the tiny pink flamingos and palm trees, I went nuts! Do all of you enjoy discovering those special fabrics as much as I do?
