The Summer of The Flowering Snowball-Along....The Wrap Up

Well, here we are...the end of summer and the end of our Flowery Fun Quilt Along!

Shortly after I began blogging a few years ago, I tested out this traditional curvy block....the Flowering Snowball. But I set it aside for another day and would visit it off and on over the next couple of years. It is one of those blocks I knew I loved, I felt others might love it, too....and it isn't impossible to stitch.

This is my first attempt at a Quilt Along and I have been pleasantly surprised at the number of quilters who have given Flowering Snowball a try! They have been sharing their progress on blogs, on Flickr, and especially on Instagram. If you haven't visited the Instagram page it is #floweringsnowballalong....it is amazing! And, I believe, everyone who was afraid to tackle curves feels so much more confident now! Yay! So I am going to kick this off by sharing my Flowering Snowball...then I hope you will upload your pictures and/or links for your own Flowering Snowball. It doesn't matter if you made one block or an entire quilt! It doesn't even matter if it is finished or still in progress. Let's just have a parade of Flowering Snowballs! {hopefully, I have configured the Linky correctly...yikes}

I love scrappy quilts! I want to feel like I am 10 again and my grandma just covered me up with a handmade quilt. Made from her favorite fabrics and her old re-purposed clothes. So my quilt is, of course, scrappy. With a pink polka dot binding...and hand quilted.

I used black Valdani thread {which I purchased this Spring at Quilt Market...Yay!} to pick stitch. This quilt is pieced with Aurifil 50 wt. cotton thread. And I used a blue stripe oxford cloth for the backing. I love when the stitching makes a lovely pattern on the back. The stitching pattern is easy to see with the simple backing fabric.

And, finally, I finished with a label...

Now it's your turn! Show off all your hard work! You will be able to add your picture until September 2nd. So if you have a blog...you might want to write a post to link up to the picture...or maybe you already have. And, I believe, I have this link set so you can just post your picture if you don't have a blog. I hope I worked this out correctly....I guess we will see. Thank you, everyone, for quilting along! I have so enjoyed seeing all your quilts and reading your comments! xo mary

An InLinkz Link-up

Layout and English Paper Piecing....

Hopefully, you have been pulling out some fabrics for the Flowering Snowball...I know there are a few folks who have not only picked their fabrics but are on to the quilting!  Ahhhhmazing!

Today I will quickly go over pattern layout for cutting the template pieces...and then Clare will share her EPP method for putting together a stunning Flowering Snowball!   

Whether you are using acrylic templates that you purchased or the downloaded template from here...

there are a couple of things to remember when cutting out your templates.

The most important thing to remember is that the straight edge of the template needs to be parallel to the straight of grain on the fabric.

and, again, on the straight of grain...

I know this is exciting stuff!  But it is important to have the outside edges of the block on the straight of grain.  That pesky bias on the outside edge makes for a wiggly block!

If you are cutting acrylic templates with a rotary...it may be easier to use a smaller rotary.  I used my 45mm rotary because I was too lazy to look for the smaller one, but I do think it would help.   If you prefer to trace around templates {and I often do}... you can simply use a sharp pencil.  And for dark fabric, if you can't see your pencil mark, you can use a silver gel pen or a chalk pencil.  The templates are cut on the drawn line, so no need to worry about the mark.  

   

 Before I turn this over to Clare....I wanted to share with you a couple of amazing Flowering Snowballs!

Have a peek here and here!

and you can follow the entire group here!

So now, please pop over to Clare's place! Clare is the go-to girl for EPP!  And you can't even imagine how beautiful her Flowering Snowball quilt is!  Well, maybe you can....because everything Clare does at Selfsewn is amazing!

You will find Clare here....   

happy monday!

keep posting those pictures...these quilts are fabulous!

mary 

SCHEDULE

Post schedule- June 11th.

Yardage - June 13th.

Templates and options for making Templates - June 15th.

Choosing Fabrics::with a special guest Susan@PatchworknPlay- June 20th.

Cutting Fabric using the templates or choosing to make an English Paper Piecing Version::with a special guest Clare@Selfsewn- June 23rd.

Sewing Curves and Piecing - June 30th.

Putting the Top Together - July 14th.

Quilting and Binding - July 18th.

Show Off your Finished or Almost Finished Flowering Snowball - Aug. 8th.

 

Sewing Curves and Piecing!

Are you ready for the dreaded curves! Ahhh...these curves are not worrisome at all.  The curves on the Flowering Snowball are very gentle and should come together very easily.

Before I begin sewing I attach my 1/4 inch foot and decrease my stitch length to 1.8 for piecing. 

  First, lets look at how your Flowering Snowball pieces will fit together...

I begin by sewing the Blue A/B template on both sides of the center square.  Of course, use a scant 1/4 inch seam allowance and piece with right sides facing.  A scant 1/4 inch is just a couple of threads shy of a true 1/4 inch.  A scant 1/4 inch is used to allow for the fold at the seam once the pieces have been pressed open.  I always use a quarter inch foot so there is no guessing about my seam allowance!

  

Once this unit is stitched, press seams away from the center square.  Press both seams in the same direction.  By pressing in this manner you will be able to easily butt up the seams when the time comes.  When I began quilting, this was the method always used...then pressing seams open became popular.  I think each method has it's own benefits...it is just a matter of knowing when to use each one.

 

Now, it's time to add a C piece to both sides of the A/B piece...

  

This is where it gets curvy!  The Flowering Snowball has a very gentle curve so I am comfortable with using just two pins.

Because a curve is on the bias there is enough stretch to help you manipulate the fabric so the pieces come together nicely.

It is best to start with the (wrong side) concave piece facing you.  The concave piece is the one that looks like a smile...in our Flowering Snowball it is the A/B piece.  

   

I place a pin at the beginning and at the end.  You can actually do this without pins at all, but I just feel a little more comfortable with 2 pins. Again, right sides facing and you should be looking at the wrong side of the A/B piece.  

Start stitching with the needle down and take a few stitches to anchor your pieces.  

Then as you stitch, be sure to keep the raw edges lined up and just gently pull the curve to straighten it out a bit.  This will help to ease in any fullness.

You might want to use tweezers or a pin or a stiletto to hold the end of the seam. Repeat this on the other side of the A/B piece.

It's a good idea to get into the habit of finger pressing before you press with the iron.  This unit will be pressed with seams in toward the A/B template piece.  

  

I always flip my work over so the right side is facing me and give one final press into the seams.  This way I am sure to eliminate any ridge or channel at the seam. Those folded areas at the seam will really throw off your accuracy.

There are two of the units above.  Next, those units are added to the first piece we put together (with the center square).

Again, this is a larger curve but still a gentle curve.  The most important part will be matching up the center square seams.  It is a bit easier since we pressed the unit seams in opposite directions.

I match or butt the seams together in the center and pin.

      

I do not have the forked pins, although, I have heard they work very well.  And I do not glue baste, although, I have heard that works very well, too! It is just a personal preference.  

So match the center seams and then pin at the beginning of the curve and at the end.  Remember to stitch with the concave piece facing you.  

      

Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch just as you did the other curves.  If you find that the center seams did not match closely enough, try taking out a few stitches before the seam, on the seam and after the seam. Align the seams again and stitch.  Very often I find there is no need to take out the entire seam.  

      

Press the long curved seam toward the center.

There are a few YouTube videos on curved piecing. That you might want to view. 

Curves really aren't too bad and actually kind of fun to do! I love seeing all the blocks coming together on the Flickr page and on Instagram.  Remember, on Instagram use the hashtag #floweringsnowballalong!!!

The next installment will be July 14th. when we will put the blocks together...easy peasy!

happy monday!

mary

Winners All Around!

Have you been seeing posts for the Sewing Party everywhere on Social Media?  

If you haven't had a chance to check out the website yet...I suggest you take a look. The schedule is a full day of fabulous classes!

 

• Website - www.thesewingparty.com
• Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/thesewingparty
• Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/thesewingparty
• Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/thesewingparty
• Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/thesewingparty

 

 

 If you didn't win a free pass for the day, you may want to consider purchasing a pass, and, if you REGISTER between now and July 31st. you will receive a FREE SEWING PARTY T-SHIRT!!!!  Just remember when you register to enter LETSPARTY in the promocode box!!!! 

 

The winners for 5 free tickets from my giveaway are chosen!!!

Your email addresses have been submitted to the party organizers, so you should be hearing from them! Yay!

 

Here are the winners!!!

 

Carrie - Carrie said, I liked The Sewing Party's Facebook page. And I'm always open to learning about anything! :)

 

Kathy@kwilty Pleasures - Kathy said, Did thr FB "like" and I would like to get better with Longarm kwilting. Thanks for the chance to win a ticket.

 

Nicole -  Nicole said, I liked them on Facebook and am now following on Instagram. It's pretty cool to see a couple of Cosplay sewers in the mix. I'm always amazed by what Cosplayers come up with.    

Wendy - Wendy said, Wow, looks like a great party! Thanks for the giveaway - I'd love to learn about Pojagi style quilting (had never heard of it until I check out the website!!). Just liked the even on FB (I'm Wendy Robards there).

Robin - Robin said, Ooo. I would love learning to recover my furniture in patchwork with Bari J!

Congratulations!  You will be hearing from the event organizer to secure your pass for the Sewing Party!!!

Finally, as many of you are aware, I have been hosting a quilt along....The Flowering Snowball Along to be exact.  I am so fortunate to have quite a few stitching friends in my area and I was able to spend some time sharing the snowball block with them.  

Sara surprised me not long after our sewing session with a picture of her completed Flowering Snowball quilt!!!

 

 I love the solids with the neutral Essex linen!

 Sara used cross-weaves, or shot cottons for the bright solid pieces....

And the label was lovingly stitched for her dear friends...a wedding gift!!! Her embroidery is spectacular!

She used a sheet from Target for her backing fabric...very smart girl! 

    Yay for Sara!  What a fabulous finish! I wish I had been able to see Peter and Keilah open this gift. I am sure there were a few squeals and the tears were flowing!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

mary  

Quilting and Binding....the Flowering Snowball

Hello....hello....are you still out there?!

We are getting close to the end....I promise!

Once your top is all together and the quilt has been basted...you are ready to quilt!  Yay!  

As many of you know, I LOVE hand quilting!

As a new quilter, I hand quilted all of my quilts...the traditional way.  As a matter of fact, I don't think it even occurred to me that a quilt could be quilted by machine.  

But in recent years, I have converted to quilting by hand with perle cotton using a big stitch.  In my childhood, this would have been called a pick stitch.  

    

I must have been destined to be a quilter because I love the repetitive nature of quilting.  Holding the layers, coaxing the needle through and back out to create the perfect stitch.  

Obviously, not everyone is able to invest the time it takes to hand quilt so free motion quilting or straight line quilting may be the option for you.  But even if you choose to machine quilt, you can still add some hand quilting...it is a lovely option.

    

I am almost finished quilting my Flowering Snowball quilt...

 

For hand quilting with perle cotton, I like to use size 8 perle cotton and I LOVE Valdani thread.  Perle cotton is similar to embroidery floss except the thread is twisted, so you can't separate the threads.  Size 8 is bold enough to be seen and yet not too heavy; making it difficult to pull through the layers. If you can't find size 8 or would like a thread that is not as heavy, look for size 12.

As far as needles, I like Fons and Porter Utility needles.  They are designed for size 8 perle cotton and the pack comes with a rubber disc that can be used to pull the needle through if it gets stuck.

I did a tutorial on the method I use for hand quilting and you can find it here....

I do use a hoop, and I use a Thimble Nimble {different from the thimble in my tutorial}

     

I am a sucker for simple designs in my quilting.  Even if I choose to machine quilt, more often than not I will use straight line stitching or just a series of big loops.  

  

I have never sent a quilt out to be quilted, so I can't really help much on that front.

After the quilting is all finished...the only step left is to bind!

    

 I have a tutorial for binding here....

this method ALWAYS works for me.  And I do prefer to hand stitch my binding on the back.

 

So many fabrics are perfect for binding.  I love spots, stripes, gingham, but don't forget a scrappy binding.  This Feather Bed Quilt is one of my favorite quilts and the scrappy binding just makes me happy!

 

Okay...I will let you get back to your Flowering Snowball!

I can't wait to see them!

xo mary 

 *** as luck would have it.....Lucy at Charm About You just did a post on hand quilting.....you can find her post here.  What a talented girl!***

Putting the blocks together!

Well, the end is getting near!  And for some it has already arrived!

The end of the Flowering Snowball-along, of course! Although, even after we have put the last stitch in the binding, you are welcome to continue posting your progress and finished pictures on Flickr!

This quilt-along has just reinforced my love for the Flowering Snowball block. Every quilt-in-progress or finished quilt I have seen on Flickr or on Instagram has been breathtaking!

It is thrilling!

But today we are putting the blocks together and the rows together.

This will be very easy and most of you know how the drill goes without any prompting.

Begin with two blocks....

  

Obviously, the area that is important to match up is the center section where the A/B template pieces meet.

This is just a teeny bit more tricky because the seams have been pressed toward the A/B piece. So the seams are not butting up to each other, but rather are pressed in the same direction. This makes that area a little more bulky (but not too bad) and if you aren't careful the two seams will 'slip' and not line up properly.  Pressing in opposite directions 'locks' those two seams into place.  

There are many ways to secure the seam before you begin stitching.  Of course, you can use pins...or forked pins which straddle the seam and secure the critical area.  Or you could use clips to hold everything in place, or even a dab of basting glue in the seam allowance.

Once you have stitched the seam, check for proper alignment.  If it isn't quite as perfect as you would like....try unpicking a few stitches before the mistake flub and a few after the flub.  Sometimes you can set your seam again and stitch over that area a second time.  This saves you from having to take out the entire seam.  

        

Stitch all the blocks for Row one, Row two, Row three, etc.  in this manner.  

 All of the seams in Row one will be pressed in one direction.  The seams in Row two will be pressed in the opposite direction.  Now you can 'lock' the seams between blocks for Row one and Row two.

Add each row this way and before you know it, you will have an amazing Flowering Snowball top!!!!

Keep posting pictures on instagram with the hashtag #floweringsnowballalong 

and the Flickr page!

But it can't be all about Flowering Snowballs....so today I worked on a little something different...

I turned the volume down a bit and machine pieced a few hexies!

 

      What are you stitching this week?

happy monday

mary 

More Flowering......

In keeping with the theme of the Flowering Snowball block....I thought I would bring you the real deal!!!

  

This is the Snowball Bush from my front yard....we have had this plant for about 24 years....I look forward to seeing it bloom every summer....

While I am at it here are a few other pretties from my garden...

And now let me introduce you to a new block to me....but one that reminds me a bit of the Flowering Snowball....it is the Alabama Beauty!

It is a lovely block....not sure my templates were all that accurate though....she took a bit of convincing....LOL!

And remember the sweet vintage tablecloths?  Well, I tore into one today....and used a section for a kitchen towel....

I added a Dresden....and rik-rak {that was a perfect match}.....and now it is hanging from my oven door...

Hope your day has been full of flowers and good things :)

mary

Schedule of Events....

I am more than halfway finished quilting my Flowering Snowball!  And I am loving every stitch!

When my kids were little, I would sit at the park or in a lawn chair in my yard, quilting...

These days when I quilt I am usually listening to music...at night watching a movie.

      Do you have an activity while you sew?  Listen to books?  Something I should do... Drink a glass of wine?  I don't have much luck with that....  What is your routine?

Here is the schedule for the Flowering Snowball-along...

You can hop in anytime you like and you can do as much or as little as you like.  Make a large quilt or just a block...

and as we work our way through it, you can post your pictures here 

and on Instagram use the hashtag #floweringsnowballalong you can find me on Instagram at marysdugan

Yay!

SCHEDULE

Post schedule- June 11th.

Yardage - June 13th.

Templates and options for making Templates - June 15th.

Choosing Fabrics::with a special guest Susan@PatchworknPlay- June 20th.

Cutting Fabric using the templates or choosing to make an English Paper Piecing Version::with a special guest Clare@Selfsewn- June 23rd.

Sewing Curves and Piecing - June 30th.

Putting the Top Together - July 14th.

Quilting and Binding - July 18th.

Show Off your Finished or Almost Finished Flowering Snowball - Aug. 8th.

Again...this is a fun quilt and I think you will be surprised at how easy it is!

cheers!

mary