Category Archives: paper piece book

Any Bunny Need Ideas for Easter?

Everywhere I go I’m seeing the cutest bunnies for Easter decorating. I found these at Walmart…cute and affordable.

For my front door, I made these moss bunny beauties from Dollar Tree items…

They were amazingly fun and easy to construct. I found this idea on Pinterest.

This is my fave paper pieced bunny block pattern… BUNNY WITH FLOWERS.

I’ve used this block in lots of projects. I love animals with flowers on their heads.

Here are some of my other bunny blocks…LOP EARED BUNNY

Here’s the same lop bunny with a bow… LOP BUNNY WITH BOW TIE.

EASTER TABLE RUNNER has 6 Easter blocks included in the pattern…

This bunny and pillow pattern are from my book… SEW CUTE AND CLEVER FARM AND FOREST ANIMALS. Thank you to Claudia for making this adorable sample 🙂

And this bunny burp cloth is from my book…SEW CUTE BABY ANIMALS. This book is chocked full of projects to sew for your little one.

Hope I have inspired you to do some holiday creating. Have a lovely Easter!

Koala’s Anyone?

The Koala quilt from my newest book, HOME SWEET HOME PAPER PIECING, is being featured in Homespun Magazine’s February/March 2024 issue.

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.

Home Sweet Home…New Book…New Patterns!

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.

HOME SWEET HOME PAPER PIECING

My newest book, HOME SWEET HOME PAPER PIECING, is ready for you to enjoy.

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!

Order your copy of HOME SWEET HOME today!

Tree Skirts for the Holidays

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.

BEAR-Y CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT

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.

RED TRUCK TREE SKIRT

LITTLE RED TRUCK TREE SKIRT is so easy! Consider using fabric photos to paper piece into the windows. Your kids could be driving the trucks!

GNOME FOR CHRISTMAS 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!

GIFT BAG
STOCKING
CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT SAMPLER

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…

MRS. CLAUS WITH A TREE
MRS. CLAUS WITH GIFT

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!

Sew Cute Baby Animals Book

Is there a special child in your life? Mine too! Actually, quite a few of them, and I love to sew cute gifts for all of them! That’s why I created my newest book, SEW CUTE BABY ANIMALS.

SEW CUTE BABY ANIMALS

With 17 adorable mix and match baby animal images and 6 fun projects, this book will provide you lots of reasons to be creative.

Child Sized Quilt

Patterns for baby quilts, a diaper tote, catch-all container, bib, and burp cloth are all included.

Diaper Tote

Here are just a few of the cutest baby animals ever…all paper pieced, but using NO buttons for the eyes. Everything is fabric, so no chokeables for baby.

You will find farm animals and pets…

Jungle animals…

And more…

I hope you LOVE this book as much as I do!

Don’t forget that these 17 blocks will fit into the patterns from my other books, as well. SEW CUTE BABY ANIMALS book can be found in my ETSY SHOP today!

Some Holiday Projects

I am always asking my customers to send photos of the things they create using my patterns. Today I am sharing some of my favorite photos.

This adorable wall hanging was sewn by Carol Cheesman using LUMBERJACK GNOME, SANTA GNOME, and GNOME WITH GIFTS.

Elise Brasseale made these cute little mug rugs using the elf from SEW YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, and GNOME WITH LANTERN.

Crafty Judy Miniclier created this adorable GNOME QUILT, using assorted GNOMES FROM MY SHOP. Beautiful!

These Christmas blocks were shared by Joyce Albers. She is creating a holiday quilt. She used HO HO HO SANTA, CARDINAL, ICE SKATE, and EASY ICE SKATE.

Joyce Olson created this super cute CAMPING QUILT, using a variety of my patterns plus my CAMPING BLOCKS.

Maridee Hargis made my SNOWMAN GNOME block into a potholder.

I just want to kiss this little guy, LABRADOODLE BLOCK. Little mat sewn by Monique Covell.

And my last customer project for today is from Mary Edholm, sewing this sweet UNICORN PILLOW, using my UNICORN BLOCK.

HOLIDAY GOLDEN RETRIEVER
HOLIDAY FRENCH BULLDOG
HOLIDAY DACHSHUND

I am making these 3 holiday dogs for some Xmas pillows…HOLIDAY GOLDEN RETRIEVER, HOLIDAY FRENCH BULLDOG, and HOLIDAY DACHSHUND.

Happy sewing!

Foxy Valentine

My Foxy Valentine paper pieced block is featured in the January/February issue of QUILTMAKER magazine.

FOXY VALENTINE

This Foxy block pattern is only available in the Quiltmaker magazine at this time.

I’ve included a pillow pattern in the magazine, too. I have my Foxy Valentine pillow on my sofa this month.

Here are some other cute Valentine patterns.

VALENTINE BLOCK I
VALENTINE BLOCK II

These 2 block patterns are in my newest book PAPER PIECING ALL YEAR ROUND. I’m using them in my hanging towels. This project is included in the book, as well as many more home decor patterns.

LOAD OF LOVE is an adorable block. Surprise your favorite “truck lover” with this special valentine.

LOAD OF LOVE
EYE LOVE U PUPPY

The EYE LOVE U PUPPY block is cute as can be! I’d love to see the projects you make from this block.

BE MINE PUPPY

Here’s a sweet puppy holding a valentine, BE MINE PUPPY. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner… what will you create?

What’s New For Winter?

January is always a tough month for me…getting through 5 weeks of winter can be grueling. I stay in Wisconsin, and take advantage of the snow with some cross country skiing and snow shoeing. AND I decorate with paper pieced snowmen. They can stay in place until Valentine’s Day or beyond, so it’s an easy decorating theme.

Snowmen from PAPER PIECING ALL YEAR ROUND

These 2 cuties are from my newest book, PAPER PIECING ALL YEAR ROUND. With 24 block patterns and lots of cute projects, this book is a good bargain.

SNOWMAN TABLE RUNNER

I have my SNOWMAN TABLE RUNNER on my dining table this month. And wouldn’t it be adorable with this GNOME SNOWMAN used for the blocks? He has been one of my hottest sellers this month.

SNOWMAN GNOME

Just in time for the Super Bowl, I have a FOOTBALL GNOME!

FOOTBALL GNOME

This block pattern includes an entire applique alphabet for the flag and even numbers. You can customize your FOOTBALL GNOME with any team letters or numbers!

FOOTBALL GNOME

Football Gnomes would make adorable potholders, pillows, or quilts. Here’s a pillowcase pattern that would make your sports lover sleep better…

GO PACK PILLOWCASE

Is it obvious who I watch on Sundays? Well, I’m not prejudiced, so here are some of the many other football pillowcase patterns that I offer on ETSY.

SEAHAWKS PILLOWCASE
GO BEARS PILLOWCASE
GO VIKES PILLOWCASE

I can’t show them all here. You’ll have to search my shop on ETSY if you are looking for your favorite team.

If you are looking for more snowman or football paper piecing patterns, and have a great suggestion, please email me at: maryannhertel@gmail.com

I LOVE to hear from you!

Paper Piecing All Year Round

My newest book, PAPER PIECING ALL YEAR ROUND, is ready for pre-sale from Amazon. I don’t even have a copy of it yet…that’s how new it is!

PAPER PIECING ALL YEAR ROUND

This book has something for everyone. I have designed 2 images for each month of the year… that means you will be getting 24 paper pieced block patterns, plus the patterns for 7 different projects. All blocks fit in all patterns in this book, as well as all of the projects in my previous 5 books.

TWO GNOMES

These 2 adorable Gnomes are the images for March. Here I have used them together in a pillow. Pillow pattern is included, as are all of the projects I show you in this post.

TWO PATRIOTIC PUPS

These 2 July puppies are shown in MINI QUILTS that work great on wire quilt stands, or even as wall hangings.

ACORN AND SQUIRREL

Lots of customers have been asking me for a Squirrel pattern, so I am including him in this book. These September POTHOLDERS can also be used as MINI QUILTS.

TURKEY 1

Here are 2 TURKEYS that would look great in your home for November!

DOGGIE BABY BIBS

Start whipping up some early Christmas gifts with these stinkin’ cute December dog blocks. So easy…you could make these in a day!

OCTOPUS AND CRAB

This BABY BLANKET whips together in no time. Use any 3 cute blocks of your choice and you are on your way to an adorable baby gift.

These super easy hand towels could be used in your kitchen or bathroom. Customize them with any 2 images from my book. Wouldn’t the Octopus and Crab also work great as bath towels?

As you can see, you are getting LOTS … with 24 paper pieced block patterns, and 7 project patterns! But just for fun, let’s add an extra FREE project pattern right here! Attach any of the Mini Quilts to the top of this CALENDAR HOLDER with a strip of Velcro. This will make the Mini Quilts interchangeable.

CALENDAR HOLDER

This Calendar Holder is 15″ wide and 28″ long.

Cut from main fabric: Cut one 15″ x 28″ rectangle. Cut one 15″ x 25″ rectangle for pocket (to be folded in half). Cut two 2 1/2″ x WOF strips for binding.

Cut from muslin: Cut one 15″ x 28″ rectangle for backing.

Cut from fusible fleece: Cut one 15″ x 28″ rectangle for main body. Cut one 15″ x 12 1/2″ for pocket.

Cut from Fast 2 Fuse Interfacing, Heavy: Cut two 2″ x 15″ strips. Cut one 4″ x 15″ strip.

  1. Fuse the fusible fleece to the wrong side of the 15″ x 28″ main body using a pressing cloth. Fuse one of the 2″ x 15″ Fast 2 Fuse strips to the wrong side of the main body, at the top. Fuse the 4″ x 15″ Fast 2 Fuse strip to the center. Pin the muslin to the back of the main body. Top stitch approximately 1/4″ from the edges of all Fast 2 Fuse pieces through all layers, to keep them in place.
  2. Pocket: Fuse the 12 1/2″ x 15″ fusible fleece to the wrong side of the pocket, at the bottom. Fuse the remaining 2″ x 15″ Fast 2 Fuse strip overlapping the top of the fusible fleece. this will give extra strength to the top of the pocket. Fold the remainder of the fabric to the back of the pocket for lining. Top stitch 1/4″ from the edges of the Fast 2 Fuse strip to keep it in place.
  3. Pin the pocket at the bottom of the main body, matching the bottom corners and the raw edges. Prepare the 2 strips of binding. Bind around the 4 sides of the calendar holder, catching the pocket as you stitch.
  4. Hand sew a hanging pocket to the back, or hang as desired.
  5. Slide a piece of cardboard into the pocket, then slide in the calendar. I used a calendar from the Dollar Store, which came with the a piece of cardboard.
  6. Machine stitch a 10″ strip of velcro 1″ from the top of the Calendar holder, on the right side.
  7. Hand stitch a strip of Velcro to the back of any of the Mini Quilts to hang at the top of your Calendar Holder.