Potion Summer Quilt Along

In my previous blogpost, a review of Quilt Traditions by Devon Lavigne, I dropped a hint that Devon and I were working on a collaboration. It's here: I'm thrilled to announce that Devon Lavigne and I have partnered up to bring you the online Potion Quilt Along!

Potion, one of the quilts in her recently released book, Quilt Traditions, is a pieced 69" x 81" quilt. The quilt along is in 4 parts, with each part being released every two weeks, so you can create this quilt by the end of summer. In addition to the pattern for Potion, you'll also receive videos from both Devon and I to help you make your own version of Potion. We've also included some handy reference materials so you can make either Devon's version or mine. 

Devon and I had lots of fun working on this quilt along together and can hardly wait for you to enrol so you can make your own version of Potion.

For more information, you can watch the video below or on my YouTube channel.

Enrol in the online Potion Quilt Along today and start gathering your fabrics. The Potion Quilt Along kicks off on July 17, 2017. 

Creatively,

Book Review: Quilt Traditions

Hi there:

I'm super excited to review Quilt Traditions by Devon Lavigne. Devon is a quilty friend and what's more, we both share the same birthday! Not the same year, of course, but we are both Leo gals. 

Devon has recently released Quilt Traditions and the projects in the book feature her amazing piecing skills. Unlike me, Devon is a piecing type of gal: I'm more of a raw edge appliqué type of quilter. This is okay though because I was able to help Devon out with a bit of appliqué on The Oath, one of the beautiful quilts in Quilt Traditions. 

Quilt Traditions features mostly pieced projects of a larger size: no table runners or mug rugs in this book. Devon uses a variety of techniques, including paper piecing and templates, to create the quilts in Quilt Traditions. This is a great way to learn a new technique or improve your piecing skills. Many of the projects also lend themselves to using fabric scraps, which I'm sure most of you have (or am I the only one with overflowing scrap bins?!). 

To learn more about Quilt Traditions, watch the video below or on my YouTube channel.

Devon and I are just putting the finishing touches on a project that I'm really exciting to be involved in. It's not quite ready for release yet, but I promise I'll tell you all about it on Monday, so check back with me then.

Creatively,

P.S. I'd love to have you join me in my private Chatterbox Quilts' Facebook group. We have discussions on quilting and vintage sewing machine topics. I hope you'll consider joining and will chat with you there.

Quick Snowball Block Variation #2

I'm back with another quick Snowball block. And you thought there was only one version of this!

This block is similar to the Snowball Block Variation #1 that I showed you last week. The big difference is in the size of the corner squares with which you start.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 background square
• 4 corner squares

In my example, I used a 6" background square and 4 - 3" corner squares. These are bigger than the corner squares I used in my Variation #1 example. 

You construct this block in the same way that you made the Variation #1 block. If you haven't watched this video, no worries: you can see the entire process by clicking on the image below.

I really like to use the Snowball block in either of these variations to frame fussy cut motifs. You have probably seen the Snowball block used in "I Spy" quilts, where they work perfectly due to the ease and quickness of their construction. Consider using them with specialty fabrics as I have in this tutorial.

If you've made a project using Snowball blocks, email me the photo at kim@chatterboxquilts.com so I can share it with my private Chatterbox Quilts Facebook group. If you're not already a member, I'd love to have you join us in the group to talk all things quilting. Hope to see you there.

Creatively,

Placemats for Canada's 150th Birthday

Hi everyone:

This is a post especially for my Canadian subscribers, although anyone will enjoy making this project, I'm sure. 

There is still time to create a project to celebrate Canada's Sesquicentennial. While many quilters are making large quilts to commemorate this once in a lifetime occasion, I decided to keep it a little smaller and made some Canada 150 placemats. Quick to make and practical to use!

This project will be in Janome Canada's Look Book in the future, but I wanted you to have this pattern while there is still time to make it before the big day (July 1).

These placemats use a quilt-as-you-go technique for quick constructions. You'll just need a background fabric, a few additional fabric strips and a small piece of fabric for the maple leaf appliqué. Click here to get the FREE instructions to make the Canada 150 placemats. Make 1, make 4 or make as many as you need!

I hope you'll share your version of these placemats by posting a photo in the Comments below or by sending them to kim@chatterboxquilts.com

Creatively,

Have you joined my private Chatterbox Quilts' Facebook group yet? Go to www.chatterboxquilts.com/fbgroup to join us.

Quick Snowball Block Variation #1

Welcome to another Telecast Thursday! This week you'll learn how to make another really simple block. This might be the simplest quick quilt block that there is and it makes for a really quick and easy quilt project.

Some people call this flipped corners block, but I know it as the Snowball block. I prefer to create it when the weather is warmer as it just makes me feel cold when I think I'm making a Snowball block:)

To make this block you will need:

• 1 background square
• 4 smaller corner squares

In my example, I'm using a 6" background square and 4 - 2½" squares for the corners. 

Be sure to use contrasting fabrics for the corner squares to get the desired effect.

Using a removable marker (Frixion pen in my case), draw a diagonal line on the back of the 4 - 2½" squares. You'll be placing these on each of the 4 corners of the background square and stitching along the drawn diagonal lines.

After stitching on all the diagonal lines, trim off the excess fabric that is underneath and press the corner squares out to the corner of the background square. 

Congrats! You've made one Snowball block.

To see how I make a Snowball block and get extra half-square triangle units, click on the image below.

Have you made Snowball blocks before? What is your favourite way to use these easy-to-make blocks? Leave me a comment below or on my YouTube channel to let me know.

Creatively,

P.S. Join me in the private Chatterbox Quilts Facebook group. It's where we discuss quilting topics and drool over vintage sewing machines :)