In the fall of 2017 I was fortunate enough to experience my first quilting publication. My project, Sunrise Clock Mug Rugs, was published in the September/October issue of Modern Patchwork. I designed a set of four mug rugs depicting a clock face reading approximately 7:25 a.m. For some reason I really clocks and watches, and years ago I had quite the watch collection so that’s more than likely where my inspiration came from. 🙂
Once I had the idea, I played around with it until the design resembled a clock face as close as possible, even down to the binding which represents a silver casing! Technically, the mug rug can read four different times, depending on how you orient it. 🙂 Unfortunately, Modern Patchwork is no longer published (I was sad to see it go) so I’ve decided to offer my Sunrise Clock Mug Rug pattern as a free PDF download.
I made the original four (in the above photo) with brightly colored hands and a white background but the next time around I experimented quite a bit with color. Since I liked how the quilting design looked, I kept it the same on the others as well.
These mug rugs are a quick and fun project that presents a clean, modern aesthetic. They make great gifts, too. I’d love to see other versions, if on Instagram hashtag #sunriseclockmugrug to share yours!
Another year of quilting has come to an end and it was quite a productive year. In 2018 I made ten quilts (and finished another) which was a record for me. I’ve read about quilters who crank out dozens of quilts per year, and I always wonder how they do it, or why. What do they do with them all?
Of the quilts I made, two were commissioned, two were for publication and four were gifted. Even so, I’m left with five of them! I also completed additional projects—mini quilts, pillow covers and handmade Christmas gifts.
Here’s a rundown…
I started this Fireworks quilt in 2017 but actually finished it early in the year. It’s definitely one of the brightest quilts I’ve ever made.
These two baby quilts were commissioned for a friend.
I gifted next four: the simple patchwork one was for my husband, the Hunter’s Star quilt was for my daughter, I also gave my daughter the Triangle Peaks quilt just because she wanted it. 🙂 The last one I made for my niece for a Christmas gift.
This is my Diamond Jubilee quilt that was published in the January/February 2019 issue of Pre-Cut Patchwork magazine, previously known as Quilting Quickly. It’s the first quilt I had published and it was pretty fun!
The last two are my Christmas Irish Chain quilt, and by far my favorite quilt ever, my scrappy Granny Square.
I also released an easy, beginner-friendly pattern that’s a great addition to any nursery, With Love Mini Quilt.
As far as other projects go, I’ve completed several pillow covers (some for me and some as gifts) along with lots of mini quilts. I have tutorials available for some of these projects.
If you’re looking to use some small scraps and add to your household decor, give this Modern Stripes Placemat a try. It’s a free download pattern.
I also have two non-sewing tutorials, one is a DIY Quilt Ladder and the other is a Portable Ironing Board. They’re available as free downloads.
I guess it’s only fair to mention what I didn’t get finished this past year, right? I cut out the fabric for a Maple Leaf quilt in March and since I couldn’t decide on a background fabric, I never made it. I’ve since chosen fabric so I plan to make it this year.
I think that pretty much wraps up a busy 2018, and here’s to a hopefully equally busy 2019!
Doesn’t everyone pretty much love mini quilts? I’m a big fan because they’re cute, they’re not a huge commitment, they go together fast and they’re fun! I enjoy whipping one up in between bigger projects when I feel I need a break. While I’m not one to hang them all over my sewing room walls, I do like to decorate my door with one at a time; as seasons and holidays change, I change my door decor. Since I’m ready to put up a Valentine’s Day mini, I thought it would be a good time to post ones I’ve made. I’ve given some away but I still have a small collection, and of course I intend to add more.
First up are my circus minis. I released the patterns for these nearly two years ago (my first patterns). They measure roughly a foot square each and for sure would brighten up anyone’s room!
Circus Lion Mini
Circus Elephant Mini
Circus Tent Mini
I blogged about these in my last entry (more information if you scroll to my last post). I made them as gifts, using a Moda Concrete mini charm pack for each.
Summer Star Mini Quilt
Summer Star Mini Quilt
I also mentioned this mini in my last entry; I kept it for myself because I absolutely love this Riley Blake collection, Floriography.
I found this free pattern on Instagram and had to make one for myself. It’s available from The Family Hearth, found here: Full Bloom Mini Quilt Pattern. I used my absolute favorite, Art Gallery Fabrics, Etno by Pat Bravo—that’s why I couldn’t part with it!
Full Bloom Mini Quilt
These butterfly minis were given to my mom as a gift. I made them out of scraps and free motion quilted them, which actually came out pretty decent since it’s not a strong suit of mine! The pattern is by Lella Boutique.
Social Butterfly Mini Quilt
I mentioned these last time too…
Sunrise Clock Mug Rugs
Big Love Quilt (revised)
Improvised…
My latest finish is this Friendship Star Mini Quilt, found on Pinterest. I couldn’t get the free pattern to download so I made it by looking at the photo. I am going to donate it to my local guild for the quilt show boutique, hopefully it’ll sell, but since I really like the way it came out I wouldn’t mind keeping it for myself…
That’s it so far. I’m always looking for something cute and fun so if you’ve got any suggestions, please send them my way!
After posting my ‘best nine’ on Instagram, I thought it would be a nice idea to recap all the projects I completed throughout 2017. Since I didn’t start my blog until May, a few have not been posted here. Along with photos, I am including links to patterns and tutorials in case anyone is interested in making their own.
My first finish of the year was my Boxed Candy Toss Quilt and tutorial. I designed the pattern and made the tutorial for the Moda Bake Shop. I used Me & My Sister Designs Rainy Day! Here’s a link to the free tutorial Boxed Candy Toss Quilt
Next, I made this heart mini, mostly out of scraps. The fabrics used were Riley Blake, Dear Stella and Moda; all left from quilts I made or fat quarters from a bundle purchased for something else. I wanted a Valentine’s Day themed mini to hang on my sewing room door. I searched and found this tutorial Dear Stella Big Love Tutorial and sized down the piecing dimensions suitable for a mini (the pattern is for a larger size quilt). I love the results! And I was pleasantly surprised when it was featured on Instagram in a collage post #makemodern.
Early in the year my local guild asked for quilt donations for patients with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Apparently Quilters Dream Batting donates to my guild and in thanks, several quilts were donated back to them. I donated this one.
I also made the same quilt pattern, using the same fabrics, for a wedding gift for a niece.
In March I submitted these Sunrise Clock Mug Rugs to Modern Patchwork magazine. Lucky for me they were accepted and published in the September/October 2017 edition. It was really fun to have one of my projects in a magazine!
I finished another quilt top (I have yet to quilt it) but since I loved the jewel tones in this Basic Mixology collection, I made this mini out of leftover strips. No tutorial, just improvised as I went along.
Sometimes I like to take a break from making a quilt, so I throw in a smaller project. I decided I needed a sleeve for my laptop. I found this lovely tutorial from Lella Boutique. Both fun and easy! Lella Boutique Laptop Love Tutorial
I made this baby quilt for my husband’s coworker. I used leftover Miss Kate fabric and put white flannel with pink polka dots on the back. I think the mom-to-be was happy with it! I made an easy-to-follow tutorial, especially for beginners; here’s the link: Checkered Baby Quilt Tutorial
I made two of these star minis for very dear friends of mine. I used Moda’s Rustic Weave mini charm packs for both. The pattern is Summer Star, here’s the link for more pattern information: Summer Star Mini Quilt
I designed this elephant baby quilt last year, but I didn’t want to release the pattern until I had it tested. Thanks to my testers, Ange and Kathy, it’s now for sale, available for a pdf download: Lovable Elephants Baby Quilt. I used Dear Stella Mini Dot fabrics and made my version suitable for either boy or girl.
Somewhere on Instagram I saw a this block and just had to make it into a mini for myself. I used fabric from a half layer cake I had purchased way back. The block was hashtagged summersampler17 and it was the June block. I used Floriography by Riley Blake and wow, what a great collection! This was also the first time I ever did a fussy cut, it was pretty fun.
This Stars & Four Patch quilt was a huge undertaking! When I looked back on 2017 projects, I surprised myself that I started it then, I thought for sure it was a 2016 start. I put it aside for several months, but I knew I’d have to have it longarmed for the best results. When I went to pick it up, I was so thrilled with the quilting—I just love it. The free pattern is available from Moda: Stars & Four Patches Quilt Pattern
Lastly, another version of my Boxed Candy Toss Quilt. It was about time I made a quilt for my mom and she requested this pattern. I started it in October as a leisure go-to project, but soon decided to finish it for a Christmas gift. I was really happy with how the soft pastels rendered themselves in the design. Fabrics are Collette by Chez Moi for Moda and Kona Cotton Snow for the background. And I actually did the quilting myself! Here’s my free tutorial: Boxed Candy Toss Quilt
All in all, it was a pretty productive year! I finished a lot more than I thought I had. I also have to admit that I didn’t finish everything I started. I have a Belle Prairie quilt top that needs quilted. That’s next up, I won’t allow myself to start another thing until it’s done. Also, my Fireworks quilt blocks are finished, but not sewn together. I’m not sure who will be quilting that one—me or my longarmer (probably the latter). So that wraps up 2017. On to 2018…
Monday Morning Designs 