Sampler catch up

Finally I took some time to get caught up, again, on the Modern HST Sampler quiltalong. I cut out two blocks a while back while my sewing machine was in for repair, then just didn't get to making them for a bit. Unfortunately when I did, I realized I cut out a block I already made. Sigh. Hopefully those bits won't be what I'm short when I get to the end of the quiltalong.

Here is block No. 13 - Turnstile.

Block No. 14 - Introspection. I quite like this one.

And finally block No. 15 - Windmill. This was fast and fun to make.

Polaroid pillow

I let out a little squeal when I tucked the pillow inside this cover. I love everything about! Which is especially funny because just the day before I was doubting almost everything about it. I seriously thought I messed the whole thing up. Quilting is a rollercoaster, I tells ya.

I really wasn't sure about that wild border, but it's barely visible when the pillow is inside and adds just a nice little bit of colour to frame the Polaroids. And I think the quilting in a light grey Aurifil works perfectly. My mom requested I do the same on the mini she put together with her Polaroid blocks. Next time I will add a strip of background on the bottom and right side after sewing all the blocks together, to separate the shadow from the border. Live and learn.

You can make your own shaded Polaroid pillow by following my tutorial here.

This one's for you, Connie!

Tutorial: Finishing your Polaroid blocks

Here's a quick and easy way to finish your Polaroid blocks, while adding a neat shading effect. Like so (and how stinking cute is that pug in his swimwear?!):

This also makes the blocks 4 1/2" square, and I find square is easier to work with when making something like a pillow.

If you don't know how to make the Polaroid blocks, they're super fast and fun. Use this handy diagram by Occasional Piece. When I make them, I like to cut long strips of the white and chain piece. It makes the blocks go so much faster!

Once you've got your Polaroid blocks trimmed down to size, it's time to start adding the borders. When I comes to sewing, I like to make things as efficient as possible. So instead of making a bunch of the shadow borders individually, carefully cutting out a ton of pieces and trying to neatly sew 1" seams, I sewed two big strips together, then sliced off how many finished strips I needed. This is what I had left over after making my blocks, just to illustrate the idea.

Shadow

Now here is where I'm gonna leave you to your own devices to do the math. But it's easy, I promise! You need 1" strips to sew on your Polaroid, so cut out strips the same length as the number of blocks you're making - with a little wiggle room just to be safe.

For the bottom shaded strip, cut a 1" strip of the background fabric and a 2 1/2" strip of the colour you're using for the shade.

For the side shadow strip, cut a 1" strip of the background fabric and a 3 1/2" strip of the shadow fabric.

Sew the two sets of strips together, then cut 1" strips vertically from each, as many as you need.

Sew the bottom shaded strip on the bottom of your Polaroid, then add the side strip on the right.

Background

Cut long strips of your background colour. You'll need 1" strips and 1 1/2" strips. I didn't bother doing the math, I just kept cutting as needed. Chain piece the 1" strip on the top of all your Polaroids. Cut them apart and iron the seams. Then do the same on the left side, adding the 1 1/2" strip. Cut apart, iron and you're done!

Now you can put all your blocks together for a fun pillow or mini quilt or make a ton and have an awesome lap quilt!

Oh and an addendum ... After sewing together all my Polaroid blocks and adding a border, I realized I probably should have put a strip of background on the bottom and right side to create some space next to the shadows. Next time!

Half way there!

Here's the latest block in the Modern HST Sampler hosted by the lovely Blossom Heart Quilts. This one is called Rockpool and I just love it!

Since this is Block #12, that also means we're half way through this quiltalong. I figured that made it a good time to gather all my blocks for a photo. Thankfully I snapped this just before a big gust of wind blew them here and there!

Blocks and bits

June's queen bee picked a colour scheme I quite adore - muted pink, coral, teal and blue. My only problem was narrowing down my choices. As usual this year, I made two blocks.

I also made two heart blocks with these Tula prints for the campaign hosted by the Orlando modern quilt guild to give heart quilts to those affected by the tragic shooting at the Pulse night club. I sent these blocks to a woman in the U.S. who offered to collect blocks and sew them into quilt tops.

I don't think I posted these two mini minis I made for the fun contest hosted by Make Modern magazine. Both are made with Alison Glass fabric and finish at 6". This was my first go at single binding and it went surprisingly well.

They now hang in front of my sewing machine with a few other favourite minis.

Tutorial: Squared Summits

This is my first go at a pdf tutorial, so please excuse the low production values. But it's a neat block I wanted to share and I hope people have fun making it too. It's simple, but quite striking. I called it Squared Summits because it's a square version of the traditional Delectable Mountains block.

You can find the tutorial here.

Here are a few examples that show you just how many possibilities there are with this block. Each one looks totally different depending on the size and fabric. Here are a few examples, which I have posted previously on this blog so they may look familiar. But it is neat to see them all together to see just how many possibilities there are with this simple block.

This uses Alison Glass fabric and off-sets the blocks with narrow sashing between.

This pillow's bold colour scheme of blue and orange, white and black really sets off the blocks.

Here's another pillow with an Anna Maria Horner floral print combined with Grunge and a border.

Below are two more matching tops that will become pillows as well.

This block is super versatile and super easy. You just need to master a half-rectangle triangle. Follow my tutorial and you'll be whipping up these blocks in no time! I also included a simple calculation to make them in any size.

I want to give a nod to Wendy on Instagram (@wens_was_here) for inspiring this tutorial. I saw a beautiful pillow she made with this block and I immediately made two! I had the math a bit wrong on that first go, and set to figuring it out. Not just for that four-block pillow, but for any size. And you can see I've kinda been hooked on making them in every size and configuration since! I hope you have fun with it too.

***If you do make these blocks, please share them on Instagram with the hashtag #squaredsummits and tag me - @johannaweidner. I'd love to see them!

52 Quilters

This week you can find me over on 52 Quilters. It's a neat social media experiment where a new quilter takes over each week. I'm very honoured to be chosen and hope I add something to the project.

I'll be posting on the blog and Instagram account - 52Quilters.

I've got a lot planned, the highlights being a tutorial and a little giveaway. I hope you'll follow along!