Tag Archives: quilt patterns

Unicorn Paper Piecing Patterns

Once again, my sweet customers have steered me in a fun direction. “Unicorns” keep popping up in conversations and so many people want them for pillows and quilts.

Here is my Unicorn Block that measures 8″x 8″ square and is perfect for a pillow, as pictured below.

I love the 1 block version because its fast, but I also wanted a full body unicorn.

This Large Unicorn is constructed with 6 blocks and measures 15″ wide x 22.5″ high. My intention is to use this unit in the center of a quilt and add some borders. I haven’t gotten around to doing a complete quilt pattern yet, but I can envision some paper pieced butterflies as cornerstones. How would you complete this unicorn into a quilt?

“Watercolor” by Moda inspired me to make the unicorn mane very colorful. This is a lovely fabric line and comes in scrumptious colors.

For the horn, I stitched some stripes with silver metallic embroidery floss, but a fun striped fabric could work, too.

I also want to share a photo from Edith of a cute tote she designed using my Easter Bunny 2 Block.

She did a great job! Keep your photos coming. It inspires me to see what you are doing with my patterns.

Linking this week with:

Kathy’s Quilts

Elm Street Quilts

Cooking Up Quilts

Confessions Of A Fabric Addict

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

Emsscrapbag

Stitch All The Things

Free Motion By The River

Needle and Thread Network

Silly Mama Quilts

Sew Fresh Quilts

 

Easter Paper Piecing Patterns

Easter is just around the corner. Per my friend Marilyn’s advice…I have been designing lots of Easter blocks.

My Easter blocks measure 8″x 8″ unfinished and can be used in table runners, potholders, gift sacks, pillows, or even quilts. This photo was shared from Marilyn who used my patterns to teach a class on paper piecing.

The bunny and chick blocks can be purchased as a total pattern: Easter Table Runner and Potholders. Some of these blocks are also available for single block purchase.My Happy Easter Bunny and Happy Easter Ducky are another popular set of Easter blocks. Find a really cute fabric to use for the egg, and you are all set!

Isn’t this table runner adorable? Lisa England used my Happy Easter Bunny pattern and made the cutest Easter runner ever!

If you are into Easter Bonnets, this is the block for you.

And here’s a block to make your mouth water…Chocolate Bunny.

Here’s a real simple block, Easter Egg. Find a cute striped fabric to make this super easy pattern.

It’s time to “think spring”!

Linking up this week with:

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Cooking Up Quilts

Love,Laugh,Quilt

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

Confessions Of A Fabric Addict

Stitch All The Things

Free Motion By The River

The Needle and Thread Network

Silly Mama Quilts

Quilt Fabrication

Sew Fresh Quilts

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Super Scrappy

 

 

 

New Paper Piecing Dog Patterns

I spent last Saturday vending at the West Bend Quilt Show in Wisconsin. So much fun! So many sweet customers! The most popular item in my booth was my “Dogs Only” quilt.

This pattern offers 11 different breeds, but that has not been sufficient to please the many dog lovers out there who love to paper piece. Since creating this pattern, I have designed about 50 more dog blocks. Well, true to form, I had 2 lovely customers request breeds that I don’t currently have. So, thanks to my clever customers, I have added an elegant Maltese and a cute as can be King Charles Cavalier.

Maltese

King Charles Cavalier

These 2 were so much fun to design. Do any of you have a request that is not already pictured on my Etsy shop? Just let me know…I love a challenge.

No need to make the entire quilt…here are some adorable pillows made from my Pit Bull block. Thanks to Edie for sharing this photo.

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up this week with:

Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Love, Laugh, Quilt

Stitch All The Things

Free Motion By The River

Needle and Thread Network

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

My Quilt Infatuation

Kathy’s Quilts

 

 

Pattern Blocks for St. Patrick’s Day

I have some fun paper pieced pattern blocks designed for March. Most of them are St. Patrick’s Day related. Leprechaun Block

His nose is a fabric yo yo, but could also be a button. Love that lopsided grin!

Luck Block

The secret of this block is to find 4 fabulous green fabrics.

Shamrock Block

Even though this shamrock only has 3 leaves, it is mighty lucky!

And Pot of Gold Block.

These “gold coins” are actually fabric yo yos, but could also be gold buttons.

One of my sweet customers shared this photo of a Leprechaun table runner, using my blocks. This is adorable. I love to post my customer’s creations using my pattern blocks, so please share your photos at: maryannhertel@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking this week with:

Kathy’s Quilts

Tish N Wonderland

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

Cooking Up Quilts

Love, Laugh, Quilt

Stitch All The Things

Free Motion By The River

Needle and Thread Network

Silly Mama Quilts

Quilt Fabrication

Sew Fresh Quilts

 

Paper Piecing Tutorial #2: Sewing Segments Together

Welcome to my paper piecing tutorial “#2: Sewing Segments Together”. My step by step directions are designed to help you use my “Made By Marney” paper pieced patterns.If you are piecing a combination block, you will have to paper piece each segment in the pattern, then sew these segments together. Watch “Tutorial #1: Paper Piecing a Segment” if you are a beginner before watching this tutorial.

The Penguin block I am using in this tutorial is a FREE download and will be available on my website starting on Tuesday, February 6.

Step 4: Bend the paper pattern out of the way and trim away any excess seam allowance beyond the 1/4″ needed.

Step 5: Flip fabric 2 in place behind piece #2 and press flat.

Step 6: Trim away the excess fabric, leaving a generous 1/2″ beyond what is needed.

Step 7: Position the fabric for piece #3. Again, I am bending the pattern on the stitching line so I can peek under the pattern to help place my fabric to allow about 1/2″ of seam allowance. (I am always generous with this seam allowance, especially for beginners.)

Above, you can see that piece #3 is stitched, pressed in place, and the excess fabric has been trimmed. Continue to add pieces in numerical order.

Above you can see that section C is now completed.

Trim the seam allowance 1/4″ from the red line. Segment C will be sewn to Segments A and B along the red lines.

Step 8: This a close up showing how I match the seam lines for segments  A and B. Poke a straight pin through the seam line of segment A and match it with the seam line on segment B.

 

 

 

 

 

Pin the segments together. Sew on the seam line.

Rip off the paper that is in the seam allowance on each side.

Press the seam to one side. Here is segment A and B sewn together and pressed.

If you need any further assistance, contact me at maryannhertel@gmail.com

More Paper Pieced Dogs from Made By Marney

Everyone seems to have that special pet in their life. Here is a sample of my “Dogs Only” paper pieced quilt done by my sweet customer, Jan. Didn’t she do a great job? I love when my friends share their photos!

This quilt was designed using photos of real pets sent to me by my customers and friends. They were my inspiration.

Here is a charity quilt sewn by Faith. She used just 1 of my block patterns, then added lots of borders. Very clever, especially if you want a fast project! Thanks for sharing, Faith.

And here are 2 very cute pillows shared by Edie. These pit bulls are named Duece and Daisy, as you can see. Edie used my Pit Bull pattern.

Here are some other dogs that I designed from customer’s requests.

Collie Block.

Corgi Block.

Pomeranian Block.

Poodle Block.

And, 1 of my all time favorites, the Chinese Crested. When I was asked to design the Chinese Crested, I asked if that was a “bird”! No kidding, I had never heard of it. After finding out it is a somewhat hairless dog, I thought, “Oh my, this block might be really ugly!” However, it turned out to be one of my faves. It reminds me of a little fairy dog.

Thanks to all of my wonderful customers and friends who share their photos. It means a lot to see how much you enjoy your paper piecing. If there is a dog pattern you want, and don’t see it on my Etsy shop, please let me know and if you can share a photo of your pet, even better!

Enjoy your week!

Linking with:

So Scrappy

Stitch All The Things

Free Motion By The River

Silly Mama Quilts

Sew Fresh Quilts

Paper Piecing in Down Under Quilts

Hello to my friends everywhere!  Today I am giving a special shout out to my friends and customers from Australia. I was fortunate enough to have my latest book, “Sew Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” previewed in their magazine, “Down Under Quilts“.

There I am on the cover…well it’s not really me, but my Rudolph.

The magazine shares a FREE pattern block “Present” from my book and the instructions to make it into a placemat.

I am very busy working on some cute designs for Valentines/Winter. There is an upcoming BLOG HOP that I want to share with you. In February, I will be participating in the “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” Blog Hop from February 5-8.

Just Let Me Quilt

This is right around the corner. Everyday different quilters will be sharing a FREE pattern with a heart in it. This sounds like so much fun. I can’t wait! I will keep you posted as this fun event approaches. Some of the sights, including mine, will be offering give-aways, too.

I’ll let you know what my give-away will be next week! Stay tuned…

Linking up with:

Quilting Is More Fun than Housekeeping

Stitch All The Things

Free Motion By The River

Quilts My Way

Needle and Thread Network

Silly Mama Quilts

Sew Fresh Quilts

Quilt Fabrication

Rainbows, Bunnies, Cupcakes

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

 

My 5 Favorite Posts for 2017

Hi everyone…thanks so much for stopping by. Here are my 5 favorite posts of 2017.

My Jolly Old St. Nick was one of my favorite patterns this year for beginners. This post was very popular with new and experienced paper piecers because it was easy, but cute!

Jolly Old St. Nick Post

Because my customers love FREE patterns, my Halloween blocks were some of my favorite creations this year.

Free Halloween Patterns

I adore spending a weekend at my cabin. This loon block gives me a calm feeling of relaxation and reminds me of the lovely song of the loon that I hear when at the lake.

Loon on the Lake Post

When my kids were little, they loved hearing nursery rhymes from the Richard Scarey book. This quilt reminds me of reading to my kids every nite before bedtime.

Nursery Rhyme Quilt Post

This patriotic quilt is a special design for customers who want to create Quilts of Honor.

Homeward Bound Post

Thanks to all my friends and customers for visiting my blog. I love sharing with you!

Linking with:

The Needle and Thread Network

Silly Mama Quilts

Powered By Quilting

Busy Hands Quilts

Confessions of A Fabric Addict

So Scrappy

Kathy’s Quilts

 

Paper Pieced Christmas Tree Skirt

Here’s a fun paper pieced Christmas Tree Skirt pattern, using 8 cute holiday blocks.

The blocks could also be used for potholders, small pillows, or a table runner.

Stocking…

Present…

and Candy Cane are just a few.

And here’s a close-up of the bow ties

Get all 8 blocks in my Christmas Tree Skirt Sampler Pattern. This pattern is sold in “hard copy” format only, so it must be sent through the mail.

Check out this adorable wall hanging made by my friend Shelley using the Stocking Block from this pattern.

Shelley even stitched the names on the cuff of each stocking. So clever!

Linking to:

Kathy’s Quilts

Cooking Up Quilts

Stitch All The Things

Free Motion By The River

Needle and Thread Network

Silly Mama Quilts

Powered By Quilting

Busy Hands Quilts

 

 

 

An Interview with Mary Hertel, by Pat Sloan

This is an exciting week…my interview with Pat Sloan will start airing at 3:00 pm eastern time today. This podcast can be viewed on Pat Sloan’s site or directly from ITunes at American Patchwork and Quilting Radio.

You can listen on your computer, subscribe by itunes (search American Patchwork & Quilting), or download to a player. Just click on the Dec. 4, 2017 podcast.

 

I have been having fun with this sweet little Christmas angel. I’ve used it in a table runner, but I would like to do a small pillow for a gift card. I will use the angel for the front of the pillow. On the back of my 7 1/2″ square pillow I plan to put a little pocket to use for a gift card or cash. Then later, if this pillow is going to a child, the tooth fairy can also put a “stash” into the pocket.

  Here’s a sample of the table runner. And below is a close-up of the “wand” in the angel’s hand. Just stitch a line with embroidery floss for the stem and sew a little star shaped button to the end. Her halo is stitched with metallic gold embroidery floss.

This angel block and the table runner pattern can be found on Etsy or Craftsy.

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up with:

So Scrappy

Kathy’s Quilts

Love Laugh Quilt

Quilting Is More Fun than Housework

Stitch All The Things

Free Motion By The River

Needle and Thread Network

Quilt Fabrication

My Quilt Infatuation

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Crazy Mom Quilts