HOME SWEET HOME PAPER PIECING

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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!

Quilting Over A Paper Pieced Block

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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…

Lisa used the Bunny from my HAPPY EASTER BUNNY pattern.

Happy Easter Bunny and Happy Easter Ducky

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

Tree Skirts for the Holidays

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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.

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!

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!

Some Fun Halloween Paper Pieced Patterns

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As Halloween is approaching, you might be looking for some cute and spooky patterns. Here are some of my faves….

BOO COLLECTION, a pattern with 6 blocks including these…

This collection of 6 Halloween paper pieced block patterns is so clever! Included with the blocks are patterns for a table runner and potholders. These 8″x 8″ blocks can be used in so many fun ways. Be creative and construct an entire Halloween quilt! Here is a quilt put together by Donna for her daughter, using some of these blocks….

The WITCH HAT pattern is very easy and would be great for a beginner.

Create some cute and spooky projects with this SPIDER block pattern.

WITCHY PILLOW is super fun to paper piece. Find just the right stripe for her stockings!

One of my best selling Halloween designs is IF THE SHOE FITS POTHOLDERS pattern. How great would these potholders look hanging in your kitchen this fall? The shoes have a large rhinestone sewn to the shoe flap, which is optional.

The WITCHY POO PILLOW pattern is detailed with the witch, broomstick, and lamp post making this a pattern more suited to an intermediate or advanced paper piecer.

This adorable addition to your holiday decor uses large rick rack as a border. I LOVE rick rack! Visit MADE BY MARNEY ON ETSY to see all of my Halloween patterns.

QUICK-QUILTS PATTERN BUNDLE

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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 FREE HALLOWEEN PATTERN FOR YOU FROM MADE BY MARNEY!

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A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all of my wonderful customers. Please enjoy this FREE HALLOWEEN PAPER PIECED PATTERN!

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…

Here are links to all the witches:

Wouldn’t these witches make a stinkin’ cute table runner for October?

This is my favorite new Halloween Quilt pattern: GNOME BOO CREW QUILT. This pattern is for all you “Gnome Lovers”!

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!

Enjoy this download of my FREE HALLOWEEN BLOCKS… you will find the download button below.

BLACK-AND-WHITE-BLOCKS-MERGED-Download

PIECING PALOOZA

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August 23rd, 2022

1 pm-5 pm

Recording available afterward

C&T Publishing’s Piecing Palooza is pure summertime fun. A four-hour event with over a dozen live sessions, a panel discussion, and a keynote speaker to help you become an expert piecer!

We gathered quilt piecing experts to share all their pro tips, tricks, and techniques with you. Alex Anderson, co-host of The Quilt Show, kicks off the fun as the opening keynote. A beloved figure in the quilting community, Alex sets the tone for the event by sharing her love of patchwork.

Next, get inspired with 12 30-minute workshops! You’ll get a bespoke experience by joining breakout rooms of your choice that focus on specific piecing subjects, from working with fabric scraps to hand piecing to sewing accurate Flying Geese every time — and so much more!

Sessions include:

Color Schemes for Scrap Quilting (Judy Gauthier)
Find your Zen with Hand-piecing (Becky Goldsmith)
Beyond Basic Dresdens: Piecing within the Wedge (Candyce Grisham)
Foundation Paper Piecing 101 (Mary Hertel)
Playful Piecing with Panels (Cyndi McChesney)
Rapid Piecing with Precision (Lee Chappell Monroe)
No Fuss Flying Geese Blocks (Patty Murphy)
Making Piece With your Sewing Machine (Bernie Tobisch)
Pinless Piecing & Press as You Go (Shelley Scott-Tobisch)
Mastering Color Palettes with Gray-Tone Block Tools (Amy Barrett-Daffin)
Building Your Skills with C&T’s Block Tools (Gailen Runge)

Whether you love paper piecing, hand piecing, or want to be a better precision piecer, every quilter can gain valuable skills to level up their craft.

Worried you’ll miss out on a session? No worries! If you are unable to attend live, all sessions will be recorded for viewing at your leisure.

I will be teaching FOUNDATION PAPER PIECING 101 in my 30 minute session. You will learn all the steps to paper piece this adorable polar bear, and receive the pattern for the Polar Bear block and the directions for the mug rug.

What to expect at Piecing Palooza:

Choose your own learning adventure! Each session breaks into smaller groups for live interaction with your instructors.
Whether you love paper piecing, hand piecing, or want to be a better precision piecer, every quilter can gain valuable skills to level up their craft.
Win big with live prize giveaways throughout the event
All guests receive a virtual swag bag with goodies from the instructors
This is not a webinar. See fellow quilters and ask questions with a mic (or chat)!
Includes access to recordings of all the instructions afterward

PRESS HERE TO JOIN THIS FABULOUS EVENT!

Use my code to get $20 off: marypp22

Wouldn’t this stinkin’ cute Polar Bear make an adorable holiday gift?

PATRIOTIC GNOME PILLOW

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Just in time for the Fourth of July, you could create this super cute PATRIOTIC GNOME PILLOW.

Labor Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and any other summer day is a perfect time to display this pillow.

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.

HOMEWARD BOUND WALL HANGING is also included in this pattern. I love the 3-D effect the waving red stripes have on the flag.

Please have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Bride and Groom Patterns

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Here’s my new go to gift for bridal showers and weddings…

The BRIDE AND GROOM POTHOLDERS are hot off my press and available to create all kinds of lovely gifts for newlyweds.

THE BRIDE paper pieced block has 3 tiny buttons that resemble flowers. I found them at Hobby Lobby. You could also use tiny silk flowers, or even embroider some tiny flowers with embroidery floss.

THE GROOM block has lots of small pieces, and is not recommended for a beginner paper piecer, but a really fun challenge for an intermediate.

I would love to see what you can make using these blocks…pillows? towels? Show me your projects please!

What new paper pieced block patterns are you looking for? I get my best ideas from my customers!

Beach Bum Gnomes

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Just in time for a summer project, here is my BEACH BUM GNOME QUILT.

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?