Fig Tree DESIGNER SELECT SOLID BUNDLE… brought to you by MODA!

If you are new here today, welcome to my little corner of the world wide web! 

I know I have already talked just a wee bit about these this summer but today is a special day in blogland. It is MODA BELLA SOLIDS DAY! If you float around a little today, you might notice that several of us designers are talking about our bundle… all of them are quite yummy, each representing the colors in that designer's signature palette.

Ours is…. well, classic Fig Tree. Not pastel. Not primary. Not totally bright, not totally soft. Somewhere in-between. "Fresh Vintage" is how we have always called it. But this bundle can be best described as plain SHERBET… there is no two ways around it. SHERBETS all of them!

Our BELLA SOLID colors include the following: ivory, butterscotch, cantaloupe, coral, persimmon, light lime, chartreuse, mint, green apple, parchment, fig tree wheat and faded black.

MODA offers them DESIGNER SELECT SOLIDS BUDNLES in these yummy little stacks of fat quarters available at quilt shops worldwide and we also offer them in 1/2 yds. on our site HERE. 

When it came time to make some quilts with the bundles… well, we went a bit SHERBET crazy and created an entire book full of them. I guess I'm not nothing if not a bit obsessive… wait, did I say that out loud?

 

Introducing the SHERBETS & CREAMS book.

The book celebrates these lovely little sherbet bundles and all that you can create with them. It has 5 quilts that are all made with the FIG TREE SELECT BUNDLES and a variety of cream/low volume prints for the backgrounds. Each quilt uses either 1-2 of the fat quarter bundles or a single 1/2 yard version bundle, a variety of cream prints [we have cream print bundles too] and sometimes a bit extra of some of the solids for borders, etc. Each pattern in the book specifies exactly what you will need for each one, each one is a bit different.

 

 

Here are the quilts in the SHERBETS & CREAMS book. Click HERE for more info…

SLICES

 

 

  

 

POPSICLES

 

 

 

 

 

RIBBONS

 

 

 

...If you scroll back in the blog, you will find that we recently had a quilt along for this RIBBONS quilt. Feel free to jump in even now!

 

JELLO SQUARES

 

RETRO

Personally, I am loving every single one of these for the summer. Next up on my personal list… Jelly Squares!

Hope you enjoy a little FIG TREE SHERBET goodness this summer along with me!

Comment and let us know which one of the 5 quilts in the book is your favorite and you will be entered to win a SHERBET BUNDLE GIVEAWAY courtesy of the lovely folks at MODA.

Thanks for following and playing along!

Sherbet & Cream Quilt Along #5

Did you all think I had forgotten you? So sorry for the long break. Between now and when we were last here together, I finished up all of my new patterns, sent our brand new Sherbets & Creams booklet to print, went to Market, graduated my oldest son from high school, went on vacation to Boston and Cape Cod and am now back working my way through 1273 emails!

Phew! I'm feeling tired just thinking about it all. But enough about that, as for the quilt along....

 

 

Step 1:  You now have (20) squares of 4 pumpkin seeds. Add a black center circle to each 4-block. This is both a soft focal point for each block but also hides any imperfections you might have had with the tips of your pumpkin seeds. If you love how your seeds look and want a softer and less graphic quilt, feel free to leave these center circles off. We of course used the STARCH METHOD OF APPLIQUE to add them but you can use any method that you prefer.

Click HERE for the PDF download of the circle. It is basically a 2 5/8" circle [in case you have templates already or just want to trace something you have on hand]. If you are checking to see if your download is the correct size, the circle is 2.62" in diameter.

Step 2: Lay out your blocks until you like the placement. Layout is important because in the next step, you will commit to where they are in the quilt and won't be able to interchange them anymore.

Step 3: You will be sewing those black squares you prepared last month onto the inner corners of the blocks, using the "sew and flip" method that we use in so many of our patterns.

  Mark or press your black squares on the diagonal and use that as the sewing line for each square.

Sew them to the corners as shown. Press out and trim out the excess fabric underneath. Cut out both the black and the background/bottom fabric.

 

It is important to note that not all the block corners have black squares added to them... the outer sides of the blocks are left plain and only the inner corners have squares.

 

Step 4: Once the squares have all been added, begin to sew your blocks together. Pin the blocks carefully so that the black triangles line up with each other on each side. If you sewed them accurately, you should have no trouble here.

Step 5: Add a border if you like. We chose to add a 4 1/2" border [cut measurement].

 

So cut (6) 4 1/2" strips if you want to join us in that size. We used a small black dot on the diagrams in the final booklet. In the actual sample quilt we ended up choosing a brighter cream print from Aloha Girl for a little added punch. The black dot would have been a great choice too… it was a hard call! 

 

 

Step 6: Quilt as desired. Diana added her signature all over swirl feather pattern, leaving the black centers and squares alone . Bind with (7) 2 1/4" binding strips. We used black in the book and coral solid in the actual sample.

We hope you have enjoyed this quilt along! We have had such a wonderful time seeing all of your creations and your process. Many of you are SO MUCH MORE ORGANIZED than I ever hope to be.

If you liked the feel and "personality" of this quilt, it is one of five quilts in our brand new SHERBETS & CREAMS booklet that is hot off the presses and flying off our shelves as we speak. All five of the quilts in the book are made from these same SHERBET SOLIDS and a variety of cream/ low volume prints for the backgrounds and borders, etc. We think all 5 of these quilts are absolutely perfect for the summer! HERE is the link if you are interested in taking a look at the book.

Thanks for sewing along with me!

Happy sewing,

Joanna

 

Sherbet & Creams Quilt Along #3

Hello Friends!

Surely hope that you have been enjoying the process of our Sherbet & Creams Quilt Along. For those of you are just joining us, scroll back through a few posts to see the other posts and instructions and feel free to join us! This will not be a complicated or very involved quilt so everyone can join!

We have been buried under Market prep around here for what feels like forever… I know I exaggerate… but doesn't it kinda help sometimes to exaggerate? Just saying. 

We still have people receiving their solids bundles and grabbing up new cream/low volume bundles as fast as we can make them. So I have been trying to slow down my posts a little bit in the hopes that as many people have a chance to catch up as possible. If you have been wondering if "its too late", its not, its never too late so come on over and join us! Really!

We will also have to take a little Market break here soon so bear with me on the timing in the midst of May. I most certainly will not forget about you… and it will give many of you more time to catch up. I will definitely try to get one more step in before I leave for SLC so don't worry too much!

Okay so here't the next step:

1. Add a pumpkin seed shape to each 4-patch on the diagonal.
2. Here are some tips for doing that successfully:  for the lighter colors, or any of the colors for that matter, that seem to show the fabric through from the bottom, we created little cream "insets". What I mean by this is that if you have backgrounds that have stronger prints on them [in our case this was primarily true of the black dots and red twigs], those motifs might show right through your pumpkin seed shape. That will not make you happy when you are finished. So in order to avoid said unhappiness, we just traced and cut the pumpkin shape without a seam allowance onto plain ivory fabric. We then tucked that "inset" inside the turned shape and used a few dots of glue or your favorite glue stick [quickly falling in love with the Sewline Fabric Glue Pen but more on that later] to secure it. Its quite fast and we have found that sometimes with larger appliqué pieces that have fabric underneath, it is well worth the few extra minutes of work.
3. We then found our fabulous box of FIG TREE AURIFIL THREADS, found the color that most closely matched our pumpkin seed and used that thread to topstitch the pumpkin seed to the 4-patch.
4. As many of you have asked, you can of course also appliqué these seeds down. We just prefer the speed and durability of this method. We plan on picnicking with this quilt a lot this summer!
5. It just comes about 1/4" shy of each corner. Although remember that the corners are pretty much irrelevant as they will get completely covered up by the next  step. Normally we would worry about getting those corners perfectly but we aren't doing any worrying here at all!!

  

That's it for this step. If you are altering the size and not doing all 80 4-patches, you will need these in groupings of 4. Meaning that the final block will use four of these 4-patches. We will be using 80 of them for our quilt but if you are looking to make less, these are the increments that you could make:  64 blocks for a square quilt or 48 blocks for a smaller quilt altogether. 

NOW FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE STILL PANICKING BECAUSE THIS IS AN APPLIQUE SHAPE. A COUPLE THOUGHTS FOR YOU….

As you can see above, no actual appliqué is involved :-)) . Really you should try this…. are you buying it? Have I convinced you? Look at some of the comments of folks who are surprised at how easy it is….

Okay but moving on. Here is the alternative. We are not in love with it, but it will be along the same vein as what we are doing here… or at least as close as I can get it in my brain right now! It should be pretty cute although a bit more angular than the pumpkin seeds.

1. Instead of cutting pumpkin seeds, cut your SHERBET SOLIDS into 2 1/2" strips. Cut them up into 2 1/2" x 12" pieces. if you are making all 80 pieces, you will need 27 different strips since you can cut 3 pieces from each strip.
2. Cut your 4-patche apart in half on the diagonal.
3. Center and insert one of the 12" long pieces in the center and sew to one of the halves. Once you have done that, trim up the corners of the solid piece with the tip of your ruler so that each end comes to a corner of your block. Try as hard as you can to make sure that your trim is centered on the solid piece so that your block is even [but don't worry if you are a bit off]!
4. Add the other half of the 4-patch to the other side as shown, centering it on the solid piece that you just inserted into the center. Your finished block should be app. 7 1/2" but I would wait to trim up all your squares at once, when you are done with all of them. That way you can see what most of your blocks are turning out to be and make them work together.

 

… the actual center piece will be longer than this one, this was just all I had here in front of me LOL!

… I pieced one and then had to rip it apart to show you what it will look like so that is why the ends of the second half looked trimmed off.

We will post better/ more specific pics on this tomorrow. This is all I had right now and I wanted to get this post up here for those of you who have been patiently waiting for the next step! If this alternative doesn't make any sense, don't worry, more tomorrow.

If you are following along on INSTRAGRAM, use the hashtag #sherbetandcreamsquiltalong and #sherbetsandcreamquiltalong because people are using both!

Okay that's it for now.  Bye, Joanna

Popsicles

So here's the scoop.... ha, ha... that's ice cream humor!

Usually we don't release our brand new patterns until a bit closer to Market but this time might just be a special circumstance....

We released our first LITTLE BOXES OF FIGS subscription box last week and most of you who are in the program will have received yours by now. I do want to share that at least one of your boxes decided to take the scenic route courtesy of the US Postal Service. We had a New York customer whose box ended up in Guam first, then Honolulu Hawaii and then finally back to the mainland and on its way to NY. Wouldn't you like to have been on that little boxes travel plan LOL?

We featured a special project in there that we are super excited about. Something that just screams summer! From the emails and comments we have received, it looks like those of you who didn't make it into the subscription program would also like a chance to make this little lovely.

So here she is.... MINI POPSICLES!

 

[that does beg the question if there is a non-mini version coming as well? All I can say on that one is to stay tuned for just a bit longer].

We think she is just a little bit perfect. What do you think?

 

Also in the box was a fun summer towel project, called Summer... I know, I know, not the most creative name ever. But it was just right for this.

 

The Summer towel is available now in our shop as a STARTER KIT for everyone who missed out on the box. It comes with a simple handout, the towel, floss and a pen.

The fabric is perfect for scraps from your stash or using our SHERBET SOLIDS bundle and your favorite selection of cream prints!

Available in the SHOP.

 

PATTERN INFO

Name: MINI POPSICLES

Size: 12" x 53"

Fabrics: MODA Bella Solids and a selection of cream prints

PDF VERSION WILL BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND.

 

Name: SUMMER TOWEL STARTER KIT

Size: app. 28" x 28", the size of the flour sack towel

Supplies: MODA Bella Solids, floss and a selection of cream prints

Kit Contents:  Flour sack towel, Frixion pen, floss, towel handout. No fabric.

 

Sherbet & Creams Quilt Along #2

I hope you guys had fun making cream 4-patches… I loved it!!! I kept adding more and more creams because I couldn't just stick with what I started. Having a bit of serious fabric ADD around here right now. I have a very real feeling that right after Market I might just be making an entire quilt with nothing but these cream beauties. I think you might want to join me there too. I think it might be the perfect summer throw. Just saying.

** WE HAVE MORE SHERBET BUNDLE AVAILABLE IN THE SHOP AND WE NOW HAVE A NEW CREAM BUNDLE TOO**

Anyway…..

 

Okay… so in terms of the solids, this is what I am doing. We are going to be making these fun PUMPKIN SEED SHAPES for the entire quilt.

 

Now before you panic and decide that you are out because it is appliqué… let me explain a few things!

I really want you guys to try this! These are big, easy, simple shapes to turn. The ends are the only tricky parts in any way if you are a beginner…. AND WE ARE GOING TO COVER UP EVERY SINGLE END OF EVERY SINGLE PUMPKIN SEED in the final quilt. So your ends….. ARE TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT because they will be covered up by another pieced item. So this is an opportunity for you to try your hand at turning those corners with some starch or some glue and creating this amazing little quilt without having to stress about what your corners will look like in the finished product. I know you guys can do it. Really.

REMEMBER THAT:

1- The corners will not show.

2- The pumpkin seeds themselves will be topstitched to your quilt and not hand appliquéd. 

SUPPLIES

This is what you will need to proceed:

Solids Fabrics

Freezer Paper

Starch or a glue stick if you prefer that method.

A little paint brush. 

Thin Permanent Marker

THE CUTTING

Step 1: Download the PUMPKIN SEED TEMPLATE.  Click HERE  Be sure that you don't scale it by mistake when you print it. Keep it at 100%. It should be 8 1/2" from tip to tip!

Step 2: Trace it to a DOUBLE PIECE of Freezer Paper [the doubling of it makes it more durable so you can use it many more times before it starts to fall apart and also it makes it much easier to turn the edges around it]

Step 3: Using our STARCH METHOD OF APPLIQUE [or whatever other prep method you like. you can of course just cut these all out of fusible webbing if you really prefer and it will look just as cute], cut out and make your PUMPKIN SEED shapes.  OUR INFO AS ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG POST. REMEMBER THAT AS YOU READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT THE CORNERS OR WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU TURN THEM BECAUSE THEY WILL BE HIDDEN LATER. USE IT ONLY AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE YOUR TECHNIQUE!

You will need 8 PUMPKIN SEEDS from each color in your Sherbet bundle [use all the colors except for the cream and the black- we will need the black for something else]. Although I have to admit that I cut out more like 11 of the red and a few less of all the others. You can kind of decide that as you go. You will need (80) total for your whole quilt. 

HINT: Your quilt will be 56" x 68". If you are starting to panic because you don't want to make that many PUMPKIN SEEDS, then you can make less and see how the process goes from here. You will need them in groups of 4.

Step 4: Enjoy the process. Take your time. After a few uses, usually about 10-15, your template might start to get a bit mangled from the starch and the pressing so just make a new one.

Do not rush these. Make a couple at a time. I think you might enjoy it more than you think you will! :-) 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

OUR FAVORITE APPLIQUE METHOD:  THE STARCH METHOD OF APPLIQUE

SUPPLIES

Can of spray starch, small craft brush, freezer paper, thin permanent marker, Paper Scissors. Optional supplies:  Roxanne’s Glue Baste It.

Step 1: Trace your appliqué shape to a double side of a piece of freezer paper.  

Step 2: Cut the shapes out on the line.

Step 3: Iron the freezer paper templates to the wrong side of the fabric. Cut a scant ¼” seam allowance around the fabric shape. Clip into the curves and around the points. Remember that sharp curves will need more clips and soft curves will need less. For inner points, cut a few threads shy of the template.

Step 4: Leave the paper in place & paint starch onto the backside of the fabric seam allowance with a small paintbrush. [**spray some starch into a small jar or into the cap so that it has time to “defoam” before you paint it on].

Step 5: Press the seam allowance back onto the freezer paper shape, taking care around corners & curves. A stiletto is very helpful in pulling the points all the way in as you are ironing down your seam allowance and in generally assisting you with the movement of the fabric as you press. In the absence of a stiletto you can use the tip of sharp scissors or a seam ripper. 

Step 6: If you have excess fabric on an outer point, trim it down after you have starched down one side of the point. If you ever press more than you needed, simply reapply starch to the portion that you need to re-press down.

Step 7: Once the 1/4” seams are all ironed down, pull out the freezer paper along a straight away & what you have left is a perfect shape. You can reuse that same paper shape many times.

Step 8: Glue your appliqué shape down onto your background, using pin dots of the glue baste-it on the back of the starched down seam allowance.  When done you now have a perfectly turned appliqué image ready for whatever kind of applique- hand or machine.

Let me know how it goes!  

Joanna

P.S.  For those of you who absolutely start to break out in a cold sweat when you see anything that has to be turned under, you can use fusible webbing for your pumpkin seeds. -OR- you can wait until next week when I will give you guys an alternative that is all pieced. I don't think it will look nearly as good or be as charming but I will quickly work up a straight set version that will just have you add pieced sections in where the PUMPKIN SEEDS will go. I am warning you up front that I don't think it makes nearly as beautiful a quilt… but I will give you guys that alternative early next week.   xoxox

Winners and Updates

SHERBET & CREAM QUILT ALONG UPDATES

For those of you who have started following along on our Sherbets & Creams Quilt Along, here is some info:

Question #1: There are more Sherbet Bundles coming… and then more after that!

For those of you who have ordered already, your bundles have either already gone out or will go out on Friday when the next set of fabric arrives.

Question #2: Yes, we have another cream bundle up on the site as of 5 minutes ago!

 

Question #3: You can join in any time you like. I will give some instructions on the solids next weekend but if your bundle hasn't arrived by then, don't worry. Just start when you can! We will be "quilting along" for at least 4 weeks!

I am also posting some photos as I go along on Instagram, just in case you want to follow along there.

 

FRIVOL CONTEST UPDATES

For those of you who entered to win one of our yummy little FRIVOLS last Friday or over the weekend…. drum roll please….

 If you are BETTY HARDEN and you posted on 4/8/16 11:28 PM  then you are the lucky winner of our FRIVOL. Betty said….

I love those tins, and I love Strawberry Fields Revisited. Am buying it like crazy and tried to get in on your new box but got dumped off the site and when I was able to get into your site, they were gone and I am so blue about that as I really wanted to join. Thanks for the opportunity to win a tin. Did join the Fat Quarter Shop box. I keep hoping you will get more of these. Thank you. My next project will be staring Strawberry Fields, and will be a table runner first. 

 Thanks Betty for playing along with us an for your sweet comments!  Email me at [email protected] to claim your prize. 

 

Happy Sewing,

Joanna