Sunday, March 17, 2024

Squares and Spools Quilt and Pattern in Connecting Threads

My quilt pattern Squares and Spools is looking cool in Connecting Threads' Hometown America True Blue fabric collection.  

Refresh your home and sewing room with the Squares and Spools quilt.  Currently only available through Connecting Threads, you can purchase the complete kit with fabric included as shown to make the top and binding, or purchase as a pattern only and use your own fabric stash.

Imagine relaxing with this quilt after a long day.  Aaaaaah!  (Photo by Connecting Threads)

The finished quilt size is 54" x 62". Four yards of fabric are required for the backing.  Easy to sew!


If you sew a Squares and Spools quilt, please share a pic with me on Instagram @curlicuecreations.  
I would love to see your quilt!
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Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today,

Jennifer Thomas
Curlicue Creations

For more Curlicue Creations quilt patterns, fabric, and sewing supplies, click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Etsy Shop.

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Note:  This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.  However, if you do make a purchase, I may receive a commission.  Thank you.

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Connections Quilt and Pattern

Today I'm going to show you the Connections quilt.  This quilt was made with all solid fabrics by Island Batik.  I've always loved a good rainbow quilt.  A rainbow ribbon runs through a field of stars to make a stunning quilt.

Disclaimer:  The fabric for this quilt was supplied at no cost to me by Island Batik.  The batting for this quilt was supplied at no cost to me by Hobbs Batting.
Island Batik has a beautiful selection of solids to coordinate with their batik fabrics.  This pink is just one of the many solid colors I used in the Connections quilt.  If you haven't tried Island Batik's solids before, I would urge you to try them out.  They are made using the same high quality, high thread count fabric that they use for their batik fabrics so they pair with them perfectly.  And best of all, these fabrics have minimal fraying.  Super saturated colors, minimal fraying.  Just two of the many reasons that I'm a huge fan of Island Batik.

This is the Connection block in gray with the red ribbon.  These are a lot of fun to sew, and with all the colors of the rainbow, you are not going to get bored sewing a lot of blocks that are all the same.  Each block is like a bright little happy surprise of color.

Here's a sampling of the gray Connections blocks in progress on my design wall.

More block units coming together.  It almost looks like a plaid here.

And more.  This would make a bright, happy quilt, too.  I may try that in the future.

Black Connections blocks in progress.  This would make an interesting quilt, too.  This is why I love my design wall.  I'm always seeing future quilts while I'm working.

Black Connections blocks ~ almost finished!

A variety of finished Connections blocks.  I'm starting to sew them together into rows.

Trail Mix says "That is all the sewing for today.  I'm claiming this box and yellow fabric for my own."

Connections

Quilt Stats:
Quilt Size:  62" x 72"
Fabric:  Solids by Island Batik
Batting:  80/20 Black by Hobbs
Thread: Pumice, King Tut, by Superior
Needles:  Schmetz
Designed in EQ8

The Connections quilt pattern can be found in select quilt shops across the USA.  Look for it in your local shop.  If your shop doesn't carry Curlicue Creations patterns, ask for them!

Optionally you can order a copy from the Curlicue Creations Shop.

Click here to order a PDF Instant Download Connections Pattern.

Click here to order a paper copy via U.S. Mail Connections Pattern.

If you sew a Connections quilt, please share a pic with me on Instagram @curlicuecreations

I would love to see your quilt!

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Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today,

Jennifer Thomas

Curlicue Creations

Click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Etsy Shop.

Connect with me:

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Note:  This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.  However, if you do make a purchase, I may receive a commission.  Thank you.

Friday, March 15, 2024

Hearts Afire Quilt and Pattern

Say hello to the Hearts Afire quilt. This quilt features fusible applique hearts, classic nine patch blocks, and a flying geese border.

Disclaimer:  The fabric used to make this quilt was given to me by Island Batik.

I used fabrics from Island Batik's Celtic Fields fabric collection, along with their solid white.  These are the fabrics I used.  They remind me of autumn leaves in beautiful oranges, yellows, greens, and red.

The Hearts Afire quilt has a lot of fusible applique hearts.  I adore fusible applique.  I like to use Heat 'n Bond Lite for my applique shapes, but any fusible web will work for this project.  The soft, full curves of these hearts make it a great project if you are new to fusible applique.  If you prefer needle turn hand applique, this project works very well for that technique, too.

Here are some of my hearts, fused, cut out, and ready to iron onto the backing fabric.  I find it relaxing to cut out the hearts while watching a movie or enjoying watching the sunset while sitting on my porch.

As I work on a quilt, I like to put the elements up on my design wall.  Sometimes I get new inspiration for another quilt when I do this.  I like how the colors are melding and playing together here.  Beautiful fabrics make my heart happy.

Speaking of happy hearts, here are 18 of the heart blocks put together.  I like to sew a zigzag stitch around the edges to secure them to the background fabric.

The quilt top is coming together on my design wall.  Looking lovely!

Next I worked on the borders.  This shows the flying geese in progress for the second border.  And that is all the photos I have for this quilt.  I must have gotten too busy to take any more pictures after this step.  LOL.  You will have to get the pattern and make one for yourself to see it through to the finish.  

Hearts Afire

Quilt Stats:
Quilt Size:  64" x 70"
Fabric:  Celtic Fields by Island Batik
Designed in EQ8

All of my patterns feature step-by-step instructions accompanied by full color diagrams.
Order your copy today in the Curlicue Creations Etsy Shop, here:  Hearts Afire Quilt Pattern or look for it in your local quilt shop.

If you sew a Hearts Afire quilt, please share a pic with me on Instagram @curlicuecreations.  I would love to see your quilt!
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Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today,

Jennifer Thomas
Curlicue Creations

For more Curlicue Creations quilt patterns, fabric, and sewing supplies, 

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Save $700 MSRP on the Christa Sewing Cabinet. Valid through 10/02/2023.
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Thursday, March 14, 2024

A Big Box of Hobbs Batting

Look what arrived at my doorstep last week ~ A big box of Hobbs batting!  One of the benefits of being part of the Island Batik Ambassador team is the wonderful industry partners that sponsor us.  Hobbs has been supplying us with batting every year that I have been an ambassador.  Thank you so much, Hobbs Batting.

Disclaimer:  The batting shown in this post was given to me by Hobbs Batting and Island Batik.
Let's open the box and see what's inside ~ Oooh, lots of crinkly brown paper for my cats to play with.  They will be loving this paper (and also the empty box).

Oh wow! Hobbs has sent four Queen Size rolls of batting for my Island Batik Ambassador projects.  The Queen size batting is 90" x 108". 

A sampling brochure was also tucked inside the box.  There are batting samples and descriptions of each one included in this package.  During my time as an Island Batik Ambassador, I believe I have tried every one of these battings.  They are all wonderful.  I've never had any problems with Hobbs batting.  I highly recommend it.

The coolest part about the sampling brochure is that you can "pet" all the battings!  This one is my favorite.  It's the Tuscany Collection Supreme 100% Unbleached Cotton.  It's plush!  

The battings I received in my box are as follows:
Poly-Down Premium Polyester

According to the literature, Poly-Down is exceptional for hand quilting, but I can attest that it is fine for machine quilting as well.  I do enjoy hand quilting, but I don't usually have enough time to hand quilt my projects.  This batting resists bearding and migration.  It is machine washable, non-allergenic, and maintains it's loft.

Heirloom Premium Wool Batting

When you think of wool, you are probably thinking "warm", but wool batting keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  Hobbs wool is made with the finest superwashed wool to resist shrinking.  It has a higher loft than the cotton batting, so it is great when you really want your quilting stitches to stand out.  

Side note:  I have a cat that goes crazy for this batting.  He loves it so much.  I think if I had a sheep, he would ride around on the sheep's back all day long.  

Heirloom 80/20 Bleached Cotton

I've found that 80/20 cotton is the batting I use the most often.  If I go shopping for batting in the store, this is generally what I look for.  It's a great all-purpose batting.  The 80/20 stands for 80% cotton, 20% polyester.  The bleached version is excellent for adding brightness to a quilt with a white background.  Hobbs makes a black 80/20 as well, which I can attest is wonderful for dark quilts or quilts with a black background.

 Heirloom Natural Cotton Batting with Scrim Binder

This batting is 100% cotton.  The scrim binder is a stabilizer that adds strength and helps to keep your cotton batting together.  Bonus:  If you love a soft quilt, this batting is so soft!  And, it gets softer every time you wash your quilt.

Thank you Hobbs for sending such lovely batting to use in my quilts.  If you haven't tried Hobbs batting before, I'd encourage you to get some for your next project.  And check out their Instagram profile ~ https://www.instagram.com/hobbsbatting/ ~ they have new ideas every day.
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Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today,

Jennifer Thomas
Curlicue Creations

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New Deco Foil Toner Card Fronts Release
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