Welcome to the Suspended Stars Quilt Along - I'd love to have you join me!

 

I am so excited to announce the Suspended Stars Quilt Along.  Suspended Stars is one of my latest patterns and is such a fun quilt, ideal for any décor and perfect for a quilt along.  I have it imaged in both a traditional Christmas colorway as well as a cooler Winter colorway.  Don't be limited by my options, use whatever colorway you want!

It's super easy to participate in the Quilt Along. 

Just click and Sign Up Here 

If you are just thinking about a new Christmas quilt or in need of any easy handmade quilt to gift, Suspended Stars is perfect for you! 

The Quilt Along will run for 5 weeks starting October 12th.  Each week a new lesson including video tutorials and written tips will be delivered to your inbox.  

Here is the complete schedule of what we will be covering each week. 

Direct Link to Sign Up for the Suspended Stars Quilt Along

A popular question is Why should I join the Quilt Along? 

If you aren't sure what a Quilt Along is, let me share a bit. 

A Quilt Along is when quilters of all ages, from all over the world, with different skill levels come together online to make the same quilt, in this case, Suspended Stars.  It is a great opportunity to develop your own skills, learn something new and make a beautiful quilt while working at your own pace.  The lessons are available 24/7 in the comfort of your own sewing space. 

It's also a great way to have accountability for completing the project, especially if you are planning to gift the quilt. 

In terms of skill level, the pattern is rated for a confident beginner, someone who already has a basic understanding of how to cut fabrics, piece a quilt together and sew with a 1/4" seam.  I'll be diving deep into raw-edge fusible applique techniques and guiding you step-by-step. 

Purchase PDF Digital Download Pattern

Purchase Print Pattern 

Ready to start shopping? Here is the materials list for the quilt.  

Direct Link to Sign Up for the Suspended Stars Quilt Along

Come join in the fun and let's quilt together!

Sign Up Now

Purchase PDF Digital Download Pattern

Purchase Print Pattern 

2022 - It's time for planning ahead!

While 2022 is still months away, I'm already designing and making quilts that will be released next year.  It's time for me to plan my education and product offerings as well. 

It would be great if I had a crystal ball or was a mind reader to know what programs and products you are interested in.  Instead my next option is to ask!  

Here is a direct link to the survey.  It shouldn't take you more than a minute or two to complete.   

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W6L6MDW

Thank you for response.  I truly appreciate it. 

Strip Star Block Challenge - The Reveal

This has been an amazingly fun month of discovery and play with a quilt block that was completely new to me.  

I didn't make a lot of alterations to the layout of the block itself, rather I focused on the color placement and the secondary pattern that emerge when you play with the colors.  

Here is the version that I fell in love with as I was playing in the design software. 

I imaged this version using the same fabrics in all the blocks for a really cohesive look.  I started the month with a plan for a really scrappy quilt, then I narrowed it down to using scrap fabrics from the same colorways - green, orange, brown and burgundy with the center square being the same warm beige in all the blocks. The outer triangle units are a scrappy mix of off-white, barely beige and other neutrals. 

I've got 6 of my blocks finished and here is how they look on the design wall. 

I can't wait to get the rest finished and put together.  As I'm assembling the blocks, I'm using partial seams which are much easier than anyone would think and give that "how did you do that" look which will make all your quilting friends envious! 

Here is the list of Instagram handles of the participating designers.  Each of us are sharing our project reveals on Monday September 27th.  

@tamarinis

@katecollerandesigns

@sue_duckcreekquilting

@patchworkbreeze

@megschoicepatterns

@southwind_quilts

@swanamity

@sewhookedontreasures 

@reeze_morningglorydesigns

@implumcute

@masterpiecequilting 

@jenstrauser

@crafttowardsjoy

@ttquilts

An easy way to find the posts is using the following hashtags.  Just type them into the search box and the posts will show up. 

#stripstarblockchallenge

#stripstarquiltblock

#morethanjustablockchallenge

#designerblockchallenge

#Septemberblockchallenge

#Septemberdesignerblockchallenge

#quilt

#quilts

#quiltdesigner

#quiltblock

#quiltblocks

I can't wait to see everyone's reveals and I hope that you will take a look too! Be sure to follow each of the designers so you don't miss their posts during this fun challenge.

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me. 

Cathedral Star Quilt Block - September's Old School Block of the Month

On the 12th of each month, the tutorial for the Old School Block of the Month is released.     

Talk about a block that brings together all the "old school" techniques for curved piecing. 

The Cathedral Star Quilt Block tutorial by Yvonne Fuchs of Quilting Jetgirl is available now using this link. 

If you are taking a look at this block and thinking "no way, no curved piecing for me!", I ask you to think again.  Yvonne's instructions are exquisite.   She guides you step-by-step, literally, through not just one but two different ways to make the same block.   

It's been more than a hot minute since I've curved pieced.  I LOVE the look, but mine never quite turn out right and then I'm disappointed in myself and I'm feeling rushed and I don't want to rip and well, then down that ugly rabbit hole of self-doubt I go....  So if you have been down that rabbit hole when curved piecing in the past, I ask you to just give it a try following Yvonne's instructions. 

Here is my finished block.  I did option number 2 of the instructions - the 5 seam method so I could fussy cut my center fabric.  

And I couldn't help but share an in-progress photo too.  I'm loving the colors! 

If you are finding this blog post for the first time and want to join the Old School Block of the Month, we would love to have you!   

Here are the links to the blocks so far:

Block 1: https://kimlapacek.com/.../patched-friendship-star-block...

Block 2: https://masterpiecequilting.blogspot.com/.../old-school...

Block 3: https://quiltjane.com/old-school-bom-2021/

Block 4: https://traditionalprimitives.com/.../tra.../old-school-bom/

Block 5: https://sewhungryhippie.com/.../stripey-cartwheels-block

Block 6: https://kidgiddy.blogspot.com/.../the-pocket-economy...

Block 7: https://www.gogokim.com/.../old-school-block-of-month...

Block 8: https://www.maychappell.com/2021/08/12/butter-churn-block/

If you would like to join it, you can find the Facebook group here. 

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me. 

Christmas Pinwheels Quilt in Annie's 2021 Special Christmas issue

It's never too early to start on Christmas quilts and I'm so excited to share one of my favorite new designs with you.  

My Christmas Pinwheels Quilt brings all the things I love about vintage quilts together - a white background with fresh pops of color - into a new quilt perfect for your guests to sleep under, perfect for your kiddos to cuddle under on the couch or perfect for you to gift this holiday season.   

The pattern for my Christmas Pinwheels Quilt is available in Annie's 2021 Special Christmas issue featuring 50+ Holiday projects for Crochet, Knit, Sew & Quilt. 

For your convenience, here is a Direct link to purchase either print or PDF version

To make this version of Christmas Pinwheels I used fabrics from the Toscana and Colorworks collections from Northcott Fabrics as well as Warm 80/20 batting from The Warm Company.  I absolutely love the way the pink pinwheels standout against the green tonal fabrics.  

I'd love to see the version of Christmas Pinwheels that you make.  When sharing on social media be sure to tag me @masterpiecequilting as well as @anniescatalog

Don't wait - get your copy of Annie's 2021 Special Christmas issue today.  Your friends and family will be so impressed when you show off your new quilt this holiday season! 

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me. 

Strip Star Block Challenge - Sneak Peek #2

It's time for Sneak Peek #2 of the Strip Star Re-imagined Block Challenge.  

Folks - this doesn't happen to often, but I am totally getting addicted to making these blocks !  They are so much fun.  I know it looks hard but it really isn't.  I'm using the partial seams technique to add the corner units around the center square. 

Each Monday in September, the participating designers are sharing about the challenge on their Instagram feeds.  Some of us are adding other social media too.   If you don't already follow me on Instagram, I'm @masterpiecequilting 

Here is the list of Instagram handles of the participating designers.  Each of us are sharing our Sneak Peek #2 on Monday September 20th.  

@tamarinis

@katecollerandesigns

@sue_duckcreekquilting

@patchworkbreeze

@megschoicepatterns

@southwind_quilts

@swanamity

@sewhookedontreasures 

@reeze_morningglorydesigns

@implumcute

@masterpiecequilting 

@jenstrauser

@crafttowardsjoy

@ttquilts

An easy way to find the posts is using the following hashtags.  Just type them into the search box and the posts will show up. 

#stripstarblockchallenge

#stripstarquiltblock

#morethanjustablockchallenge

#designerblockchallenge

#Septemberblockchallenge

#Septemberdesignerblockchallenge

#quilt

#quilts

#quiltdesigner

#quiltblock

#quiltblocks

I can't wait to see everyone's sneak peeks and I hope that you will take a look too! Be sure to follow each of the designers so you don't miss their posts during this fun challenge.

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me. 

Falling Stars & Squares Quilt - New Pattern Release

I am so excited to share the release of my latest quilt pattern, Falling Stars & Squares and the release of Benartex's fabric collection, Blue & White Elegance by Jackie Robinson. 

Falling Stars & Squares brings together some of my favorite design elements - Star blocks and secondary patterns!  Every time I look at this quilt, I see another secondary pattern emerging. 

I absolutely love the way the fabric and the pattern compliment each other.  I just received the fabric shipment yesterday to make the quilt and I'm totally loving these fabrics. 

Be sure to follow me on social media as I share making the actual quilt.   You can find me as Masterpiece Quilting on Facebook and Instagram. 

I do have patterns available - both print and PDF digital download.  

Print Pattern (shipping included)

PDF Digital Download

Be sure to look for the Blue & White Elegance collection by Jackie Robinson for Benartex arriving soon at the your local quilt shop or online retailer. 

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me. 

Strip Star Block Challenge - Sneak Peek #1

It's Monday and you know what that means - it is time for me to share Sneak Peek #1 of my Strip Stars Block Challenge! 

Here is where I'm at so far - I'm still playing with color placement! 

Don't worry - once I get the game plan figured out for sure, then I'll start working with fabrics.  Since this was a new block for me to work with, I've taken a bit more time playing - yes, playing, with different design options, different color placement, stretching the block, rotating it, flipping it, ya know, just playing! 

If you remember from last week's Fabric Pull post (click here in case you missed it), I shared that I'm using a scrappy mix of autumnal stash fabrics.  Well, as I started to place those fabrics into the block in the design software, it got real busy ... real fast... like there was no focal point to the block any longer.  So I needed to pull back and just focus on a few colors that would have a strong impact.  

Well, it is a block re-imagined challenge - so everything is fair game - and this is all part of the design process.  Normally this is a part of the process that most people don't see, so it is fun to be able to share it with you.  

And yes, I'm gonna keep you waiting until next week to see what the blocks look like - so stay tuned for Sneak Peek #2 next Monday July 20th. (Now might be a great time for you to follow me on Facebook or Instagram if you don't already, so you don't miss next weeks post.) 

I can't wait to see everyone's sneak peeks today. Be sure to follow each of the designers so you don't miss their posts during this fun challenge. 

@tamarinis

@katecollerandesigns

@sue_duckcreekquilting

@patchworkbreeze

@megschoicepatterns

@southwind_quilts

@swanamity

@sewhookedontreasures 

@reeze_morningglorydesigns

@implumcute

@masterpiecequilting 

@jenstrauser

@crafttowardsjoy

@ttquilts

An easy way to find the posts is using the following hashtags.  Just type them into the search box and the posts will show up. 

#stripstarblockchallenge

#stripstarquiltblock

#morethanjustablockchallenge

#designerblockchallenge

#Septemberblockchallenge

#Septemberdesignerblockchallenge

#quilt

#quilts

#quiltdesigner

#quiltblock

#quiltblocks

I can't wait to see everyone's sneak peeks and I hope that you will take a look too! Be sure to follow each of the designers so you don't miss their posts during this fun challenge.

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me. 

Strip Star Block Challenge - Fabric Pull

I've been quilting since I was a teenage and I grew up with a Grandmother who quilted, but every once in a while I discover a block that is new to me.  And the Strip Star block that we are reimagining this month is one of those!  

Now, before you head off to google the Strip Star quilt block ..... I just want to warn ya,  the words "Strip Star" in a search engine does NOT yield quilt blocks!!  Enough said ;)   

In case you aren't familiar with it either, here is what the block looks like.  

So this week, I'm sharing my fabric pull for this block and what will hopefully be a new quilt pattern by the end of the month too!  

Since it is September, I had to go with a fun fall mix of quilting cottons.  I think these brown, burgundy, beige, rust, green and orange tonals will be perfect for an autumn scrappy quilt.  

I'm going to be pulling from my stash (which is overflowing!) but if you need to boost your stash, be sure to check my Etsy shop for some great deals on 6, 12 or 20 fat quarter bundles.  

If you have been following along, a group of quilt pattern designers are challenging each other to re-imagine and re-interpret a traditional quilt block.  Here are links if you want to take a look at the quilts I made during the Snowball Block Challenge, the Rail Fence Block Challenge, the Pinwheel Block Challenge, the Log Cabin Block Challenge, the Churn Dash Block Challenge, the Five Patch Chain Block Challenge and the Ocean Waves Block Challenge.  I have free patterns available for the quilts I made in the Rail Fence block challenge and Log Cabin block challenge.  Links are in the respective blog posts.  

Each Monday in September, the participating designers are sharing about the challenge on their Instagram feeds.  Some of us are adding other social media too.   If you don't already follow me on Instagram, I'm @masterpiecequilting 

Here is the list of Instagram handles of the participating designers.  Each of us are sharing our fabric pull and / or color scheme on Monday September 6th.  

@tamarinis

@katecollerandesigns

@sue_duckcreekquilting

@patchworkbreeze

@megschoicepatterns

@southwind_quilts

@swanamity

@sewhookedontreasures 

@reeze_morningglorydesigns

@implumcute

@masterpiecequilting 

@jenstrauser

@crafttowardsjoy

@ttquilts

An easy way to find the posts is using the following hashtags.  Just type them into the search box and the posts will show up. 

#stripstarblockchallenge

#stripstarquiltblock

#morethanjustablockchallenge

#designerblockchallenge

#Septemberblockchallenge

#Septemberdesignerblockchallenge

#quilt

#quilts

#quiltdesigner

#quiltblock

#quiltblocks

I can't wait to see what everyone is selecting for their fabrics and I hope that you will take a look too! Be sure to follow each of the designers so you don't miss their posts during this fun challenge.

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me.